Lillie McFadden, 40
Miami, unemployed
It’s sad to say, but I don’t think that the Black church is sacred to the Black community. Not like it should be anyway. I just think that there are not as many Black churches involved in the Black community as there should be.
Anthony Bell, 27
Miami, counselor
First and foremost, we need to establish what is the Black church. A Black church should be a place which embraces African consciousness and has supported Black people through everything we’ve been through over the past 500 years. There are only a few churches that meet that criteria by preserving, maintaining, sustaining and enriching the Black community. But when they do meet that standard, then yes, I feel that the Black community holds such churches as sacred.
Traci Jackson, 46
Miami, activist
No and it’s because churches are too concerned about money nowadays. The art of preaching is to save a man’s soul – and I don’t think that’s happening with Black churches. We have churches on nearly every corner of the Black community and yet things are not changing. So, churches are not really about helping the community.
Benjamin Thomas, 55
Miami, landscapist
No because I don’t think the Black church is sustaining the Black community. I’m a greeter at Northside Church of God and my pastor teaches about going out into the community and really reaching out and helping out the local neighborhood. But many times, churches don’t do that.
Clarence Dotson, 59
Miami, truck driver
Yes, overall the church still is revered. But the recent thefts of some of these churches did disrespect the Black church. Disrespecting a church is like disrespecting the Lord. It’s His house. Sometimes it does seem like people don’t have much faith anymore.
Sultane Adesina, 37
Miami, nursing assistant
No because younger kids today are more into rap music than they are into going to church.
Linda Simmons
July 19, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Some churches do some good things but in general the Church is asleep. They see all the problems in the black community but dont seem to be too concerned to DO ANYTHING. Some churches are about counting the money and getting paid. They need to take away their 501 c 3 status if they are not helping the community. THe church pays no taxes because they were SUPPOSE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND KNOW THE NEEDS OF A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY BETTER THAN THE GOVERNMENT. SO THE GOVERNMENT GIVE THEM THAT TAX EXEMPT STATUS BUT THE MANY DONT DERSERVE IT. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING OUTSIDE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHURCH DOORS.TOTAL OPPOSITE FROM WHAT JESUS DID!!