Church ban on interracial couples revoked!
Sometimes, a public outcry does reverse things. And this time, I am very pleased to report that it has worked to reverse the ban on interracial couples imposed on members of the Gulnare Free Will Baptist Church, Eastern Kentucky. And just as promised, the new Pastor Stacy Stepp looked into the issue and declared the resolution to ban interracial couples from the congregation, null and void because it ran contrary to local, state or national laws.
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The discriminatory resolution has been thrown out the window and a new resolution has been passed... which allows "believers into our fellowship regardless of race, creed or color", Stepp told The Associated Press. Now, couples like Stella Harville and her fiancé Ticha Chikuni from Africa (the interracial couple the ban was imposed on) can now worship with the rest of the congregation in peace.
The new resolution is geared towards promoting "peace, love and harmony." My colleague James can now rest easy. No more "BLACK EYE" to this church!
10 responses to "Church ban on interracial couples revoked!"
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PDutch says:Posted: 24 Dec 11
Contrary to national laws??? I guess he hasn't heard of the US Supreme Court's decision in Loving v. Virginia! Yes I know its a 1967 decision but its a lankmark case and if you're talking about interracial relationships and going to make statements and worse policies regarding the subject the LEAST you can do is actually look at the state of the law on the subject. So much for education in rural Kentucky!LOL
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SugahRush says:Posted: 30 Dec 11
You're right, PDutch, the Loving vs VA ruling DID legalize interracial marriages. However, the Freedom of Religion; Freedom of Speech amendments in the Constitutions AND the Supreme Court ruling(s) which limit government "management" of religious practices and establishments is WHY this church (and others) CAN invoke blasphemous edicts such as this one. Trust me, while this church received publicity because the minister "took a vote", there are MANY churches which actively practice racism, bigotry and ignorance. The Church is actually the last bastion of racism in these United States. (as work places, schools,etc are 'intergrated'). I am a woman of great faith, freedom in Christ, however, I do believe that the Church is supposed to be AND IS a point of grace, healing, transformation and love.
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PDutch says:Posted: 24 Dec 11
Contrary to national laws. I guess he hasn't heard of the US Supreme Court's decision in Loving v. Virginia! Yes I know its a 1967 decision but its a lankmark case and if ou're talking about interracial relationships and going to make statements and worse policies regarding the subject the LEAST you can do is actually look at the state of the law on the subject. So much for education in rural Kentucky!LOL
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CALY2011 says:Posted: 18 Dec 11
I still find it difficult to take in that a pastor from America upon all country should even think of such a thing. Besides that America is the world leader against racial descrimination, if at all anybody should think of banning interracial marriage, it should not have been a pastor. Banning interracial marriage may have been possible during the apartheid not in this modern age, and not America Mr Thompson has shown himself unfit to feed Gods flock. He should go home in shame, if he still wants to minister as pastor, he must over come racism and go back to bible school for more training. The new pastor did a good job by revoking the resolution. The reason why the resolution was revoked are cause it is against local and state law. Does it mean if the local or the state allows each community or institution to decide whether to allow interracial marriage or not, the resolution could have stayed? The major reason why this anti-christian resolution should not have come up in the first place, is because is anti-bible. Such a thing should not be tolerated in the body of christ - the church is comprised of people of all color.race, and culture. Anybody pushing for racial separation in the body of christ is preaching a new sermon contrary to the Bible.
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syracuse says:Posted: 18 Dec 11
This is a shame it is theses old southern ways that continue to keep thing of old please people continue to find true love regardless how much it cost you your happiness belongs to you
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Sapphire951 says:Posted: 17 Dec 11
It begs the question then, if there hadn't been such an opposition would they have changed their mind...
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jelifeisgood says:Posted: 14 Dec 11
The thing I didnt like is his statement. Because it ran contrary to local state and national laws????? What about contrary to the Bible???? Is he for real. So if it wasnt for the law what would be going on in that church. Glad it was lifted should have never been in place. Best wishes to the couple for their bravery.
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lovin43 says:Posted: 09 Dec 11
About who nullifies what is very interesting these days to some extent even on this very interracial site which is clearly stated, you find people who are very bitter about other people's race, but as I put it in my profile, I shrug that off and I dont want to use a strong word on how someone subscribes on an interracial site and start uttering racial remarks. To the churches, it is good they lifted the ban but at times I really feel sorry for the church priests and pastor who claim to be holy and following Jesus when in actual sense they are following their own instincts. I salute the new Pastor who banned the ban. However, if there are other churches where the priests and pastors think that they are more holy than Jesus, there is a big advise coz when you read the bible, Mathew 6:5-14, If you follow this scripture, you will have no problem with going to synagogues and churches full of discrimination. Besides it is your God who matters and not the pastors. It is God who alots everything we have Isaiah 34:16-17. God bless Stella and Ticha's marriage
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CremeU says:Posted: 09 Dec 11
This is the best thing that has happened in a long while. First some bad news about how prejudiced some people still are against interracial unions and now... YAY! YAY! This is what the real America should be all about - promotion of peace love and harmony. Nice going pastor Stepp! We need more people like you to stand up for the ridiculed and oppressed!
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there was no reason for them to be banned..... but for some stupid reason people think should, but there is not a think wrong with it and the bible does not say anything against it. but people got to stop being crybabies about stupid issues that are not important and ones that they are not going to be able to control anyway.. all they do is talk talk talk.. but talking dont prove anything.. it only proves they know how to talk