Why do many of my Black American brothers and sisters seem so shocked when they find that I am Catholic instead of Baptist?

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Why do many of my Black American brothers and sisters seem so shocked when they find that I am Catholic instead of Baptist?

by born_beautiful Posted November 03, 2009 21:29:08

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Over the years I have received shocked, dismayed, angry, as well as “Lord I really need to pray for her” reactions from my Black American brothers and sisters when they find out that I am Catholic. I have been asked, “Why are you apart of the ‘White Man’s’ church?” My response is “Why do I have to go to a black church? In my personal faith practice my mission is to worship and serve God.” My golden response is “Heaven is not divided by color.”

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	Race should not matter when worshiping God. 100% 10 votes
	Black Americans must have their own houses of worship. 0% 0 votes
	It has always been that way for 'US'. 0% 0 votes

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JoeLin November 09, 2009 15:28:35

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
It just depends on what you are used to and where you lived. I had a manager who grew up Catholic in Pakistan. That was surprising. I am surprised when once in a while black people come to mass at my church because I have no idea where they live. Nothing wrong with this, it's just surprising. I never see them outside of church.
littlebuffalo55 November 05, 2009 05:45:52

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
Nor denomination! I know alot of Catholic Blacks here in the Los Angeles Area. I was at Christmas Mass in Nairobi once and it was more than standing room only!
Byzantine_Catholic November 05, 2009 02:01:25

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
Black people have been Catholic since the bible
seathanaich November 04, 2009 18:14:03

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
Good for you. You're past worrying about skin colour. Sadly, so many are not, as you have seen. Do your own thing. Cheers.
sasquatchette November 04, 2009 06:54:28

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
I actually drove by a self-proclaimed "Black" Catholic Church in DC a few years ago. I was intrigued - there's a lot I see in black culture that would make Mass so much better than in a "white" church. It's a shame I wasn't there over the weekend.
Captain Sticky November 03, 2009 23:50:37

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
It depends a lot on where you live. In New York City, there is far less division of the "races" than there is in, say, Philadelphia. Hopefully, we're seeing the last of the attitude you describe.

There's no such thing as a Black or White church. They're God's churches and all should be welcome.
Angcares November 03, 2009 23:04:19

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
This must be an American thing, because my Mum was Baptist and she was white and I went to a baptist church as a kid and I am white. I think that religion is up to the individual and if we are all supposed to be made in Gods image, then race or colour as nothing to do with how you pray to God.
james November 03, 2009 22:26:42

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
That's typical sterotyping, I'm Catholic and know many black people that are and also many that are recognized in the religion all over the world. Some people are just to closed minded is all, they are raised to act a certain way and they don't think of others.
beebabeeba November 03, 2009 21:52:59

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
You should tell them that Christianity is the white man's RELIGION, including Baptist denominations, and that they may go to a black church but they are following the religious traditions of the people who kept their ancestors as slaves. So really if you want to make a big deal about race and religion, they are no better than you.

If they were practicing some tribal African religion their insult might actually carry some weight.
Sarah November 03, 2009 21:38:12

Answered: Race should not matter when worshiping God.
i'm lutheren and people of a races come to my church.