"...as I have loved you?"

The long documented history of some church-going people 'putting' Jesus Christ's teachings in BAD light and driving folks from a religion continues as demonstrated by members of the First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi; more on that story later. Many 'white' folks for centuries have displayed animosity towards persons with 'dark' skin. This United States narrative began with the Native Americans; surely, nobody thinks that the Indians called themselves, "Redskins?" I am certain that had the Indians known that these new settlers came to their land seeking religious freedom they would have wondered, 'what kind of religion do these 'white' folks practice?'

The 'white-flight' from American cities also documents this intolerant attitude and desire for 'color' separation. A survey, a few years ago, supports the notion that many whites have forever used a 'shade barometer.' This survey reveals that LEGAL immigrants to the United States with lighter skin color earned 15% more income than those with darker skin. This suggests that many white people feel that there is a correlation: the darker the skin the less worthy the individual.

I recall another study on the topic and this speaks to the Mississippi First Baptist Church. I reference the report offered by Gordon W. Allport in his book, 'The Nature of Prejudice.' Allport's findings conclude that people having NO religious affiliation show on the average less prejudice than those who attend church regularly. Okay, here is the First Baptist Church (Mississippi) story: A news report alleges that an African-American couple who attends that church and made arrangements with the Pastor to be married in the church's sanctuary. The day before the scheduled marriage-ceremony the Rev. notified the 'Black' pair that he could not marry them at the church. It seems that the 'good' Christian members told the preacher that there has never been people of 'color' married at the church since it was founded in 1883. The Pastor was told, 'if you marry those Black folks in our church, you will be fired.'

May the good fellowship-members at Crystal Springs, Mississippi First Baptist Church stand and sing the second stanza of that great hymn: "In Christ There is No East or West."
                       In Him shall true hearts everywhere their
                       high communion find; His service is the
                       golden cord close-binding all mankind.