why are there so few blacks involved with your church?
2006-09-12 09:14:13 · 6 answers · asked by bgdadyp 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because until the 1970s there was a church rule that forbade black men from getting the priesthood which is offered to 8 year old white boys.
This was "justified" by claiming that black people had been punished for not putting up a good enough fight in the "pre-existence" - the original fight between God and the Devil - and that was why they were black.
Understandably, this made black people reluctant to join.
Having been raised to believe this, many mormons are still not comfortable with black people in positions of leadership. Many of the breakaway factions of mormonism hold to the old "revelation" and still regard black people as inferior.
Interestingly, as far as I know, no one has ever said the original ruling about the priesthood was wrong, just that it was no longer appropriate.
2006-09-12 09:20:36 · answer #1 · answered by UKJess 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't know. Maybe they don't want to join.
Honestly, I would say because there are SO MANY misconceptions about the Mormon church. They might think they will be hated or can't join or who knows what. But, there are members of all different races, we are all God's children and all are welcome to be members of His church.
Part of it may be that black men could not hold the priesthood in the church for a certain time, as commanded by the Lord. But that has been changed, back in the 70's I believe, under direct revelation from the Lord.
It was not a racial thing, it was a commandment from the Lord. Who are we to question why he gives a commandment? We are to obey.
2006-09-12 09:22:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Um...maybe because it's headquartered in Utah. Do you know how many blacks live in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona? In areas where more black people live, there are quite a few black members of the church.
I suppose there would be more blacks involved with our church, but you guys ran us out of Missouri back in the 1800's because we were opposed to slavery. Ironic, eh?
2006-09-12 09:23:18 · answer #3 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of African-American's in our church. I go every Sunday and there are people of all races that attend. I live in California and it's very diverse here so maybe that's part of it. Maybe in Utah there aren't a lot because Utah is mainly caucasion. You know Gladys Knight is Mormon, and she's black.
2006-09-12 09:52:59 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they did ban black people from joining for a while. like until 1970.
2006-09-12 09:16:12 · answer #5 · answered by funaholic 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They teach all non whites were cursed by God. Dang Nazis.
2006-09-12 09:19:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋