WASHINGTON – A number of black evangelical leaders are rising up as a new voice in the conservative movement traditionally dominated by white Protestants.
Their centerpiece agendas are abortion and same-sex “marriage” – the same two key social issues emphasized by most conservative evangelicals.
But unlike the typical white evangelical Christian that is most likely part of the conservative wing of the Republican party, these African American leaders may be card-carrying Democrats but willing to switch over to the Republican side if their conservative values are addressed.
Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., who heads the socially conservative black pastors group called High Impact Leadership Coalition, is often found urging his black congregation outside of Washington and other black conservatives to “stand against” abortion and same-sex “marriage,” but is a registered Democrat, according to the Washington Post.
The official Democrat status, however, did not stop Jackson from praying for the reelection of Republican President George W. Bush during the 2004 election and supporting the Republican Party.
But Jackson, like many other evangelical leaders, is taking a different approach for the 2008 election, pushing the issue and opening himself up to both parties rather than throwing their force behind a candidate.
During the highly publicized Value Voters Summit in October, for example, Jackson joined a line-up of influential white evangelical leaders to denounce a bill that would give special rights to homosexuals in the workplace. Jackson approached the summit meant to help values voters decide the next U.S. president by pushing a social agenda rather than a particular candidate.
The black evangelical leader explained that he will not be “carrying the water for the Republican party” because “they are not reliable enough.” Jackson was referring to the possibility that the Republican Party will nominate current frontrunner Rudy Giuliani, who is pro-choice, supports gay rights and has had three marriages.
“You don’t have someone who is a Christian evangelical like Bush to really revitalize the black evangelicals this time around,” commented John C. Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, to the Washington Post.
While black voters overwhelmingly identify themselves as Democrats, they attend religious services more frequently than whites and are less supportive of gay rights. A Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation-Harvard University poll this summer found 43 percent of white Democrats to be supportive of same-sex “marriage” - about double the percentage of black Democrats who gave the same response. Overall, more than half of blacks said they oppose both same-sex “marriage” and legal recognition of same-sex civil unions.
As a whole, however, only five percent of blacks in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll listed abortion, moral or family values issues among their top concerns for the upcoming presidential election. Rather, the war in Iraq, health care and the economy and jobs were the top concerns among black voters.
"When African Americans say they are conservative, it doesn't mean they are politically conservative," said David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "It means that they are conservative in terms of their personal behavior."
Comments
"hey amagoh, i think u need to read the whole story and not just the heading... the 3rd paragraph from the bottom says "While black voters overwhelmingly identify themselves as Democrats..." .. and your statement about the New Orleans crisis made it seem like it was a launching point for Blacks against Replublicans but it was just a reason to deflect blame from mayor Nagin who did a terrible job of pre evacuating his city, if that New Orleans mayor would have acted more like Gulianni on 9/11 did, than maybe things would've been a lot smoother"
I need to respond to this comment. I did read the entire article and made comments accordingly. In regards to Blacks being against Republicans, I believe your take on my comments were displaced. African-Americans support Democrats, Republicans and Independents. However, I was trying to make the point that the New Orleans crisis reinforced an issue AAs have been complaining about for years. Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Blanco were incomponent in their strategy and implementation. No doubt about it. Yet, I find it interesting that you never mention the President of these United States nor the former director of FEMA who also displayed national incompetence.
I have a serious problem with Kingdom people becoming party people. What do I mean? We are serving Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, the Redeemer of the world. And, we find ourselves vying for political points about who was incompotent on this issue or that issue. Rather, we need to look to proven leaders in our communities and national office and see how we can come together as a nation. This is the only way things will get done.
I do not agree with Barack Obama on every issue. I do not agree with the majority of politicians on every issue. But, I see a quality in Obama and Huckabee that is a long time coming. Two men, different parties that want to see civil discourse and unity in our country. Mentioning JC Watts is irrevelant. He was chosen by the Republicans to be the face of diversity. Unfortunately, he is not in the Republican leadership any longer and retired quite early. I find this interesting....
New Book on Faith and Race HTTP://FINDINGSOULBROTHERS.COM
Former Atlanta newspaper reporter Pamela G. Wilson challenges fellow African-American Christians to depart from longstanding social and political patterns based on race. Instead, she argues, they should assume a faith-based agenda, which would more closely align with their spiritual beliefs. Though African-Americans are the demographic most likely to be involved in “religious” beliefs and practices, studies indicate that only one percent of African-Americans have practical views and actions that align with the Bible. This book shows the reader how to reconcile contradictions in spiritual beliefs and practical decisions. It will also help all Christian leaders build unity within the church. Publisher: AuthorHouse http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~49283.aspx
hey amagoh, i think u need to read the whole story and not just the heading... the 3rd paragraph from the bottom says "While black voters overwhelmingly identify themselves as Democrats..." .. and your statement about the New Orleans crisis made it seem like it was a launching point for Blacks against Replublicans but it was just a reason to deflect blame from mayor Nagin who did a terrible job of pre evacuating his city, if that New Orleans mayor would have acted more like Gulianni on 9/11 did, than maybe things would've been a lot smoother. Lets stop playing games here and cut to the chase... the African American community has supported Democratic party due to civil rights era; however since the Democratic party has gone askew do AA's still need to be faithful to party gone mad? I think we should all be grateful for civil rights, but when the rights of the unborn are trumped by financial status, than something needs to be re analyzed and actions taken to support a candidate who supports babies in the womb and traditional family values, and I just checked the news today, it aint Barak Obama... if JC Watts was still politically active and running for president I'd vote for him in a heartbeat....
Amagoh,......Personal opinion, thats a pretty insightful blog for a 20 something yr old,...sounded like something that someone twice your age would have said,..but at any rate,...I personally believe that alot of Christians in America anyhow fight like their already defeated is because its too easy to get into a comfortable zone rut with all our freedoms available and have`nt experienced what other Christians on select parts of the globe are going through with adversity point-blank right in their face with zero gray area ;......I personally know when I get one or more of my rights taken away from me temperarally or whatever the case may be the "absence makes the heart grow much fonder"and makes one think quite a bit deeper of having that fellowship and right to worship.......Thanks for taking a minute.......
Statistically speaking, African-Americans largely support Democratic candidates. I cannot understand how the author of this article and many in religious think tanks do not analyze one critical point. African Americans used to support the Republican party during the time of Lincoln. However, with the emergence of civil rights, the Republican party sided with segregationists. Am I saying this is the Republican party today? No. However, when black men and women are losing employment, cannot support their family, and find that a Republican adminstration shows startingly indifference when a family member is trapped in New Orleans, it raises red flags about the Republican party and "compassionate conservative values".
As a young African-American male in my 20s and in seminary, I hold to conservative beliefs: against abortion, against same-sex marriage, against the death penalty, against illegal immigration. Did you notice something? Everything I said was against. I am also for children, once born, having a fulfilling life with parents that are able to afford their education and support them. I am for a nation that will embrace those who have a homosexual lifestyle and show them the Biblical mandate without condemning and judging. I am for men who are on death row to see the grace that Jesus Christ offers, if they come with a willing heart and a contrite spirit.
See, we enjoy this. Conservatives v. Liberals. Republican v. Democrat. Black v. White. It is easy to do and place a sound byte to. Yet, our faith in Jesus Christ requires us to stop the divisions and see how we can advance the Kingdom through His love. Such a message is considered weak and we need to fight. Jesus already won the battle....why are we fighting as if we are defeated?
Let us be conservative in how we address others who may disagree with us and ask Jesus to help us in our view of the world. We all have filters....the prayer is for Jesus to increasingly become the lens we look through when regarding political and social issues of our day.
I thank God for the conservatives, and the Black communities are in need of dialogue
and have mistreated Clarence Thomas and Bill Cosby. They are the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream that charactor counts.
A brother and/or sister in Christ is in deed a brother and/or sister in Christ, in our human race!!!
New Book on Faith and Race HTTP://FINDINGSOULBROTHERS.COM
Former Atlanta newspaper reporter Pamela G. Wilson challenges fellow African-American Christians to depart from longstanding social and political patterns based on race. Instead, she argues, they should assume a faith-based agenda, which would more closely align with their spiritual beliefs. Though African-Americans are the demographic most likely to be involved in “religious” beliefs and practices, studies indicate that only one percent of African-Americans have practical views and actions that align with the Bible. This book shows the reader how to reconcile contradictions in spiritual beliefs and practical decisions. It will also help all Christian leaders build unity within the church. Publisher: AuthorHouse http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~49283.aspx
BooGieONdown, I think the article specified "black" conservatives because so many people assume conservatives must be white people. I'm glad to see articles like this which challenge that assumption.
I remember this also happened in 2000 and 2004, and I'm glad to see it's happening again.
I hope Pastor Jackson and others like him will not assume Guiliani will win the Republican nomination -- God forbid! -- but that they will pray for a man like Huckabee to win the nomination and the presidency.
A house divided cannot stand. Christ cannot be divided; Are we trying to destroy the Church? Christ will return for a spotless Church, not a defeated and blimished one. Are we truly of Christ? Christ said on this Rock I will build my church and even the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The church has too long been divided over denomination. When will the true Christians stand together or are we really not Christians? Who will Christ come for when He returns? Time is short.
huckabee baby!!!!!!!!
Securallization is where the problems begin,....Black,....White,...Denomination,....it doesn`t make a difference......Such is Life..........
BooGieONdown......I think this is totally right,...excuse me for thinkin` out loud......
what is a black conservative? i just thought they would be called a conservative. i'm confused