African-American church leaders angered by gay-rights, civil-rights comparisons_92004

Posted: 9/17/04

African-American church leaders
angered by gay-rights, civil-rights comparisons

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

FORT WORTH–Energized and angered by comparisons between the civil right movement and gay activists' efforts to legalize same-sex unions, many African-American churches are taking a vocal stand for traditional marriages.

African-American churches across the nation have come together to form the Fort Worth-based “Not on my Watch” coalition supporting a constitutional amendment outlawing homosexual marriages.

About 1,000 people attended a summer Arlington rally promoted by the coalition. The group now is considering an event that could bring together churches across the nation. Several other groups have discussed rallies, including one that would bring together 2 million people in Washington, D.C., this fall.

Church leaders focused on the topic repeatedly during the African American Fellowship of Texas Baptists meeting in July, imploring participants to fight homosexual marriages.

Much of the response has been fueled by gay activists frequently comparing their fight to the civil rights movement, which many African-American pastors see as inaccurate, said Howard Caver, pastor of World Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

African-Americans were struggling for inalienable rights, but homosexuals are seeking to protect their choice of a sinful lifestyle, he said.

“We were fighting for the rights God gave us,” he said. “They are fighting for rights they want to give themselves.”

African-American church leaders have been given a distinctive position in the battle over homosexual unions, Caver noted. Because African-Americans have been more willing to support civil rights efforts, they can stand against this movement without being labeled homophobic.

African-American churches also have the historic role of being the prophetic voice in their communities, he continued. Clearly, not all African-American church leaders share Caver's opinion on the issue. A minority of church leaders have been outspoken leaders in favor of homosexual marriage.

This split in the African-American community puts the effect the gay marriage issue will have in upcoming elections in question, particularly since President Bush has called for a constitutional amendment defining marriage in traditional terms.

But this one question is not enough to turn the African- American vote completely, Caver added. “There is no issue that has a potential to do everything,” he said.