Why are the only kind of churches the candidates are allowed to campain in black churches?

[loveangelc]

People are upset that Obama would speak to a church in Idaho and talk about God, but whenever Hillary or Obama go to black churches, it seems like no one cares, even if they say the same thing. There's nothing wrong with going to an african american church, but honestly I'm wondering why the hypocrisy when it comes to a church that is not mostly black? This is not meant to be offensive but I'm seriously wondering why we only see, especially Hillary, only in mostly black churches...and why certain people don't seem to have as much of a problem going to a black church than a white church?

[Hardrada]

1. White churches have a lot of republicans in them.

Some churches like the Lutheran churches are basically the republican party only with better music.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. You've never been to a Minnesota Lutheran church, obviously.

Lots of Democrats AND good music.

[Hardrada]

24. I haven't been to a Minnesota Lutheran church lately.

I used to years back. I am thinking of all too many of the ELCA Iowa congregations. I am not even mentioning the Missouri Synod. One proplem is that my Minnesota relatives have drifted into the UCC or Presbyterian churches (except for my sister).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. The Missouri and Wisconsin Synods tend to be way out there.

Just imagine Norwegian, hotdish-eating Baptists. But the ELCA types are pretty moderate.

[Hardrada]

26. There's another small synod in Minnesota and Iowa

but I can't remember its name. I grew up in a Norse Lutheran Iowa town in the 1950's which had three Lutheran churches and one Norwegian Methodist church so you can get the picture. No Missouri Synod though. This is most certainly true.

[loveangelc]

6. I just think it seems wrong that everyone seems upset that Obama would attend a white church

and talk about God, but whenever they go to black churches its ok. No one is upset when Hillary talks about God in a black church, but if anyone goes to a white church and says the same thing, everyone becomes upset. Quite honestly I find that very racist. Really it shouldn't matter whether or not the churches have Republicans in them or not, the point of going to church is worshiping, not being in a room with people who share your political opinion...

[TexasObserver]

3. It starts with that 3/5 ths of a person thing in the Constitution

and includes the 300 years of slavery, 100 years of Jim Crow, and a culture that forced blacks to only talk about politics in the safety of all black churches.

And it's not just black churches, Rush, although some people do love to say that.

[msongs]

4. maybe in honor of the seperation of church and state they should not campaign in churches nt

[EffieBlack]

9. There's nothing wrong with candidates campaigning in churches

In fact, it's a good thing since for many people, church is the only opportunity they have to meet political candidates.

Such activity doesn't violate the separation between church and state, as long as the church does not explicitly endorse a candidate.

[krabigirl]

19. It still makes me extremely uncomfortable. It's fine if some don't mind.

But, I still think it blurs the barrier between church and state. Surely, if the church didn't sanction what the candidate had to say, they wouldn't allow him or her there, right?

[EffieBlack]

21. That's not true

As I said, churches often invite candidates as part of their mission of helping to empower their parishoners. In many black communities, people often look to their church as more than a place to worship - it's a gathering place, an education center, and a hub for their political (not partisan activity, but activism) organizing. The church basement is often the most connected and happening place in the neighborhood!

Inviting a candidate to speak in a church does not mean the church is sanctioning their candidacy. They invite them there so that their members have an opportunity to learn more about the political issues and the candidates in order that they can be more politically engaged and aware.

[rwheeler31]

5. Some White churches are not churches just fundraisers .

[loveangelc]

7. some, not all.

[EffieBlack]

8. Because the black church has traditionally been the center of the black community

in a way that white churches generally have not been.

Throughout history, churches were one of the few places where blacks could gather without being harrassed, or worse. Sometimes even, they were forbidden by law from congregating in groups larger than a handful except for worship services.

As a result, the black church became a pivotal place for political organizing and social activism.

Interesting, many of the old gospel songs are really protest songs, cleverly crafted to have double meanings. On the surface, they sounded like simple worship songs, but in reality, they were strong political and organizational communications. The codes were fairly common - for example, many songs that referred to "heaven," "up," "home," usually conveyed plans to escape North through the Underground Railroad.

Songs such as, "Swing Low, sweet chariot (Comin' forth to carry me home) and "Going Up Yonder . . ." was often sung shortly before an escape to let the other slaves know to prepare to leave.

During the Civil Rights Movement throughout the first half of the century, churches played a critical role in the organization of activity, legal strategy and grassroots action. Blacks couldn't congregate in people's homes, they didn't have a phalanx of offices to work from, they couldn't rent space to hold mass meetings. So they did it in the churches. Dr. King first came to public attention because the first mass meeting following Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955 was held at his church, Dexter Baptist Church and the boycott that ensued was organized and operated from there.

To this day, black churches - especially Baptist and AME congregational churches - remain an important part of local black communities, probably more so than many white churches are in theirs.

So it's not unusual at all for candidates seeking the black vote to visit black churches.

Hope this is helpful.

[loveangelc]

10. I understand the history of it...I'm just wondering

why people are upset that Obama went to a church in Idaho and discussed his religion, which was obviously a white church, when I'm sure both Hillary and Obama have done this in black churches, and no one ever is upset by this. If you have the oppurtunity to reach out and talk to rural, white church goers in Idaho, I don't understand why thats any different to some than reaching out to urban black churches in Harlem.

[EffieBlack]

11. I don't see any difference at all

On the one hand, people think it's great when white candidates go to black churches - they call that "reaching out." And they also insist that Obama can't appeal to white voters. Yet, on the other hand, they criticize him for "reaching out" to white voters by visiting their churches. Go figure.

I have the distinct impression that those who criticize him for this really don't have a problem with him going to white churches, per se. They just have a problem with him.

[loveangelc]

12. Probably. I just don't think think its right to base a church you can go to on race.

but thats just my opinion...

[EffieBlack]

13. Who is basing a church anyone goes to on race?

[loveangelc]

14. imo it seems like Hillary only goes to black churches.

Obama goes to mostly black churches but at least he sometimes goes to both, at least it seems that way to me.

[kwassa]

15. How do you know Obama doesn't go to white churches?

You don't.

[loveangelc]

16. Guess what! That's why I said "it seems that way" and Obama seems to go to both.

..

[EffieBlack]

20. I don't think that's the case

It's just that she may get more attention when she visits white churches.

But even if that is what's happening, remember, candidates tend to go where they're invited - while she her campaign can certainly contact anyone they want and ask to be invited to speak, I think it's unlikely that they're doing that with churches. I've worked on lots of campaigns and my experience has been that black churches - especially the large ones - frequently invite all of the candidates to come speak to their congregations. Predominantly white churches sent invitations less frequently, probably because of what I said earlier - that they are less likely to be a political center of the community and their parishoners probably have many other ways to see the candidates.

[TexasObserver]

17. Your posts always ring true

Thank you for your posts. I have noted them many times, and your comments are very insightful and reveal a true understanding of black community problems, attitudes, and culture. I'm white, but I've been in black churches hundreds of times, seldom for political reasons. The black church in America is often very different from the white counterparts. White churches don't theme dress, as one small example. Anyone who has never been to a black church when the ladies were all wearing Red, or Gold, or Black, or White, has missed a slice of Americana.

When I see posters who pose as black for political purposes, it's very troubling. I'm sure if I can spot them, you have to be able to spot them. You know the ones. "Well, I am a black woman, and I think Obama is terrible!"

Thanks again, Effie. Please keep contributing, because your posts give unique understanding to people who badly need to understand what you have to say.

[EffieBlack]

22. Thank you so much - what a nice thing to say!

You are so right about the color themes. Black churches are more than just a place to worship - they are an important and vibrant part of life in the black community - and they are so much fun!

I've always enjoyed it when white candidates visit these churches - no matter who they are, they get an incredibly warm reception and while they often cut their visits short when going other places (ok - I'm going to go in, speak as soon as I get there, and be back out in 15 minutes to go to the next event), they usually stay for the whole service when they go to a black church (and that can take all day!) Folks don't take too kindly to "drive-by" church visits by politicians running for office - they're expected to stay right up until the altar call.

And every time, they seem to enjoy it so much - they pat their feet to the music (and sometimes even clap), revel in the fellowship and try not to look startled when Sister Hopkins gets "happy." And no matter how fervently they told their staffs to be sure to get them out of there as fast as possible to get to the next event, they almost always have to be dragged away - often after they've gone down to the basement to have breakfast with the congregants after the service!

One politician once told me, "I'm not a religious man, but I always feel better on Monday after I visit a church on Sunday."

There is definitely nothing wrong with politicians visiting churches. People go their rallies and events all the time - it's really nice when the candidates take the time to come to US sometimes, and church visits are the perfect way to do that.

[krabigirl]

18. I don't think candidates should campaign in any church, personally.

Separation of church and state would be nice, thank you.

[EffieBlack]

23. Separation of church and state doesn't mean that politicians can't go anywhere near a church

or that the only way members of a church can see a politician is if they go to a political event.

Separation of church and state means that the government won't interfere with people's freedom to practice their religion and that religion won't dictate how the government is run.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with a politician going to a church to meet and talk to his or her current or potential constituents, as long as the church doesn't endorse them.

Barring politicians from going to church would have a particularly detrimental effect on African Americans since there are very few places in many black communities, other than churches, where people can and do gather for events. It would be extremely burdensome to expect them to leave their community to go somewhere else to hear a candidate. It makes perfect sense for candidates to come to them, just like they go to other people in their communities. The logical and sometimes only place for this to happen in many black communities is the church.