You expect racism from a certain segment of the Society. A segment that thinks they are superior to others, that they are better, that the blood that flows through their veins comes directly from the Almighty while that of the other ‘inferior beings’ comes from primates, preferably monkeys.
The ironic thing about racism however, is that although the racists think they are superior, they are often the ones stuck in a primitive stage of development, refusing to accept Biblical and basic scientific facts that we are all the same. And they are usually the first ones to justify their hate and ignorance with something from the Bible – another irony… quoting scriptures to validate their hate.
Which brings us to this story about a pastor in Mississippi who refused to marry a black couple simply because…the couple was black.
Te’Andrea and Charles were members of First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs. They were told by their pastor that he couldn’t perform their ceremony at the church because church member would disapprove of a black couple getting married in their sanctuary. The couple moved their wedding to another church, causing a huge backlash in the community and the rest of the Nation.
Today, weeks after their July 21st ceremony, First Baptist Church is offering an apology.
In a statement read at its service and posted online on Sunday, First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs said it never should have asked Te’Andrea Henderson Wilson and Charles Wilson to relocate their July 21 ceremony.
The couple had been told their wedding plans made some congregants uncomfortable at the church in southern Mississippi, a state with a long history of racial divisions.
‘As a church, we express our apology to Te’Andrea and Charles Wilson for the hurt that was brought to them in the hours preceding their wedding and beyond,’ the statement read.
‘We are seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with our Lord Jesus Christ, Te’Andrea and Charles, family and friends of the Hendersons and Wilsons, our church family, and our community for the actions and attitudes that have recently occurred.’
The church said it strives to be open to all people, and its members will continue to pray about the matter.
The church’s decision to move the nuptials stirred racial tensions and drew condemnation from across the globe, as well as reaction from government and religious leaders.
Mississippi Republican Governor Phil Bryant called it ‘unfortunate,’ as did recently elected Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter, who is black.
Charles Wilson said yesterday he was not satisfied with the apology because it was not delivered directly to him or his wife.
It also failed to explain why the church denied them a wedding ceremony based solely on their race, he said.
‘As far as this apology, we haven’t heard anything,’ Mr Wilson said. ‘It was stated that they read the apology to the congregation.
‘We were not in their services, so they did not apologise to us … They have not sent us a letter. They have not tried to contact us.’
Mr Wilson said the couple no longer attend the church. They have been invited to join several others in the area and are in the process of visiting them.
