In Charleston, We Saw Christianity at its Best

[DonViejo]

Keli Goff

Although young people are deserting Christianity in waves, the faith and humanity of the families of the Charleston Nine could be an inspiration.

When President Obama eulogized Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of nine victims murdered at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., he called him a “model for his faith.” The same could be said for the eight other victims, Cynthia Hurd, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, Ethel Lance, Rev. Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Susie Jackson, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Myra Thompson, and their families. The kindness the victims allegedly showed their killer before he took their lives, and the grace and forgiveness their families have shown him in the aftermath, represent Christian values at their best. When we eventually look back on the impact of the Charleston tragedy on our nation, in addition to recalling our heartbreak, we may end up remembering it as a turning point in the conversation about the role of faith in American culture.
Just months before the shooting, a widely covered study confirmed what many Americans already knew: Christianity had an image problem.

The Pew Research Center found the number of Americans who identify as Christians is shrinking, with the shift particularly pronounced among Americans in their thirties and younger, who are increasingly less likely to identify with a particular religion.

It is not hard to understand why many younger Americans are fleeing the church, particularly those whose formative years were defined by the media saturated culture wars of the ’80s and ’90s. The ’80s were dominated by two major media images of Christians. They were either high profile hypocrites or charlatans. (Here’s looking at you Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker.) Or they tried to leverage their popularity with people of faith into political power. (Hello Pat Robertson and Jesse Jackson!)

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/28/in-charleston-we-saw-christianity-at-its-best.html

[Warren Stupidity]

1. That last paragraph is inaccurate.

millennials were mostly in diapers in the 80's and the culture wars are roaring along in the 2010s. I don't understand the analysis that somehow this was a phenomena restricted to the 80s and 90s.

[DonViejo]

3. Sorry to ask this but, did you read the entire article? The answer to your

question is explained in paragraphs after the last one posted, above.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. It doesn't answer my question.

It still seems to be implying that all that is behind us. It isn't. For example the phrase here " for years, cable news bookers fell into a predictable pattern " - as if they have stopped? They haven't. This is not in the past. Despite the seismic shift in attitudes toward lgbtq equality the culture wars are very much alive, and if anything we are, right now, in the most dangerous phase. The next eight years may be the last time that the religious right and their allies in the republican party have the demographic clout to get their way.

[cbayer]

2. Nicely done. It's a time for solidarity not division.

[Fumesucker]

5. I agree with the title and most of the quoted text but I also agree with Warren

The culture wars aren't remotely over and saying they are is a huge mistake.

The culture warriors on the right have vast amounts of money, most of the media and still a substantial chunk of voting public.

ETA: Ooops I didn't mean to post this to you, it was supposed to go to the OP.

[cbayer]

6. I agree - we are not in a post-racist society, not by a long shot.

But we can build on the successes and support those that fight against.

I'm glad you accidentally posted to me.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Interesting juxtaposition of themes this week ...

For being primarily Democrats, religious African-Americans have been lukewarm at best to supporting gay marriage. The numbers of "pros" are rising but it would be nice if persecuted groups in this country supported each other wholeheartedly. Hopefully as religion declines in power, influence, and scope, homophobia will be less of an issue.

[stone space]

9. Are you referring to the folks who were murdered in Charleston here?

For being primarily Democrats, religious African-Americans have been lukewarm at best to supporting gay marriage.

Anybody in particular?

[trotsky]

10. Aw, look who's back from another forced vacation.

Research the surveys yourself, stone. Here's a link to get you started:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/10/07/blacks-are-lukewarm-to-gay-marriage-but-most-say-businesses-must-provide-wedding-services-to-gay-couples/

Hope you enjoyed your time off.

[stone space]

11. What is your point here, and how does it relate to Charleston?

I didn't see Charleston even mentioned in the article that you linked to.

[trotsky]

12. Sorry you're having difficulty seeing the bigger picture.

Some are capable of analyzing various facets of a topic; some are not.

[stone space]

13. What is your point, and how does it relate to Charleston?

You seem to be having difficulty explaining the connection.

[trotsky]

14. So far you're the only one who has indicated they can't grasp it.

Sorry about that.

[stone space]

15. What is your point and how does it relate to Charleston? (nt)

[Arugula Latte]

17. Did you see where I said "juxtaposition of themes"?

I was referring to two groups of people, black and gay, who had been treated terribly in this country. There were big developments in the same week. I basically said it would be nice if they both groups supported each other. Subtext: Then there would be more progress. It's that simple.

[Arugula Latte]

16. Oh please....

As a group, African Americans have lagged in support of gay marriage.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/09/24/why-resistance-remains-among-black-democrats-for-gay-marriage/

http://www.people-press.org/2015/06/08/support-for-same-sex-marriage-at-record-high-but-key-segments-remain-opposed/6-8-2015-11-27-56-am/

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/10/07/blacks-are-lukewarm-to-gay-marriage-but-most-say-businesses-must-provide-wedding-services-to-gay-couples/

[stone space]

19. This is not the "Black Christians are Evil" thread.

You could have started one on your own.

[Arugula Latte]

20. Your passion for twisting meanings is pretty remarkable.

[trotsky]

21. You'd think he would learn from his multiple forced vacations.

Oh well.

[mr blur]

8. One might also say we've seen it at its worst this week, too.

Seems the world's about to end, America about to be destroyed, etc. etc. because more people can now marry the people they love. The level of bigotry and ignorance is incredible.

[stone space]

18. Thank you for this thread.