Chime In: African-American Christians Decide Not To Vote This Election

September 17th, 2012 - By madamenoire

Source: AP

From Black Voices

Some black clergy see no good presidential choice between a Mormon candidate and one who supports gay marriage, so they are telling their flocks to stay home on Election Day. That’s a worrisome message for the nation’s first African-American president, who can’t afford to lose any voters from his base in a tight race.

The pastors say their congregants are asking how a true Christian could back same-sex marriage, as President Barack Obama did in May. As for Republican Mitt Romney, the first Mormon nominee from a major party, congregants are questioning the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its former ban on men of African descent in the priesthood.

In 2008, Obama won 95 percent of black voters and is likely to get an overwhelming majority again. But any loss of votes would sting.

To continue reading, go to Black Voices.

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  • Lovely One

    President Obama will cater his campaign to whomever gives him the most votes…hence the reason why the African American agenda is constantly ignored in favor of LGBT rights and illegal immigrant policies.

    That being said, the current president will NOT automatically get my vote…he needs to work for it. I will decide at a later point, closer to the election, if I will vote. But the current president is not the front runner for me.

    • get real

      Ok well vote for dude who only gives a dam about rich people. Of Mitt is an option then yeah you need to stay home.

    • Kim

      …. because Romney will be the one to move the black agenda forward? GTFOH!!

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TBEWMAZLSD42MXW5OZHXSDJVGE sp

      You’re interesting, you think Obama should come in office and just totally focus on African Am. now you know if he did that this country would be in more of a turmoil than it is. His approach in helping everyone (Black, White, Brown, Red, Yellow) it doesn’t matter everyone should benefit. As far as gay rights, well he ended “don’t ask don’t tell” because it was wrong. You see God is the judge, and if we pick on gay rights as being a sin, then let’s see, how about, adultery, murder, child abuse, drug abuse, etc. The scripture, says; “All have sinned and come short of the glory of the Lord”. Jesus was a great gift from God to mankind, the other gift was the freedom of choice. All know right from wrong and whatever choices you make that’s between you and God, He will judge and you will have to deal with the consequences. So for those hypocritical pastors out there, who are sinners, they have no right to make these judgments and tell people not to vote, they will indeed answer to God for this.

  • GeekMommaRants

    These scum bags are no more than arrogant PIMPS, trying to hold their $$ in check. No more no less. Step and fetch at it’s best. Sorry mofos

  • Cocoa

    I’m definitely a church-going Christian, but my pastor couldn’t tell me who to vote for or whether to vote at all. That’s an individual right that I deserve to exercise. I hope the worshippers at these churches make their own choices as intelligent adults with minds of their own!

  • http://www.facebook.com/nikia.dshiznit Nikia D-Shiznit

    I better not hear NAN African American Christian in church crying bout anything. Blacks complain about discrimination, but do it to others. With all of the issues at hand, they focus on gay marriage? Wow

  • pure_igenue

    These are same pastors that are married and sleeping with half the choir. Exercise your right to vote people. Choose the LESSOR of the two evils.

  • get real

    Alot and most of the black pastors that have this stupid stance are bought off by republican politicians. They know in order to speak to the black community they have to go thru the church. They know this people trust me. Bush got alot of black votes because of people listening to their pastors.

    • gmarie

      yep, a very large baptist church in my neighborhood at the time endorsed and campaigned for the bush administration. It was interesting considering the state of that particular neighborhood an it’s inhabitants

    • Nice

      So I guess Jesus was bought off by republican politicians too when he defined marriage being between a man and a woman?

      • Papillon

        Jesus never said that.

        • Nice

          You need a new bible. Yours is obviously missing Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9.

          • Papillon

            He never used the word “marriage”. And there would be no reason for him to do so, since marriage was traditionally only between men and women anyway. On the other hand, he did have plenty to say about divorce which is what his “cleave to his wife/one flesh” statement was about. The Pharisee were asking about grounds to divorce a wife. BTW, the only ground is fornication, according to Jesus. How literal do you want to get with that rule, huh?

            • Nice

              No, he didn’t use the word “marriage”. He wasn’t speaking English.

  • xxdiscoxxheaven

    I hope they dont have anything say when things start going down hill.

  • Thatsmystory

    what seems interesting to me is the fact that pastors should not use th pulpit to take a political stance. To tell anyone’s congregation to stay home shows the profound ignorance of those leaders. They should be telling their members they cannot tell them who to vote for, just get out and vote!!!!

    • L-Boogie

      Technically, it is legal. But that does not stop them.

      • L-Boogie

        illegal. Sorry for the typo.

        • L-Boogie

          Madame Noire, I keep getting the time which I posted and parent. I am not a parent and have no interest in being one. Please fix that.

          • FromUR2UB

            hahaha!!

    • disqus_nYbmgCUmbs

      i agree with you church and politics don’t mix but we should lean and depend on the Lord he owns everything and as Christians we should take a stance on the word of God we are in the world not of it. We as Christians have to set an example not bow down to satan and his devices we serve a God that owns everything controls everything so if we trust and depend on him no matter whats going on in the world we don’t have fret. Thats whats wrong in america now they took God out the equation and let every and anything in, We must a stand on the word of God no matter what.

  • Negress

    Gay marriage is not “our” issue. None of my uncles are trying to marry Barry. None of my aunts are trying to marry DeeDee either but the programs that provide school lunches, medicaid, and student loans will be cut if I don’t cast my vote for Obama/Biden. To not decide is a decision as well. I can’t stay home that day unless I want to stay home everyday. When the GOP agenda is set on taking us back beyond all the politcal and socioeconomic gains we have made. I can’t sit this one out because all I have to think about are the dogs and water hoses. It’s almost blasphemous for African-American’s to refuse an inalienable right that our forbears died for. Mr. Williams was spat on so you can talk about not voting.

  • L-Boogie

    Stupid. Voting is crucial despite religious beliefs.

  • Candacey Doris

    They don’t have to vote for either Obama or Romney. There are other candidates. But to not vote at all? When we fought so hard to get the vote and are being suppressed even now? Pure foolishness. At the very least they need to vote for their Senate and house congressmen, not to mention their local politicians. Those are the people that can and will screw them over in a way they will notice fast. These people had better appreciate their rights, no matter their views. Use them or lose them!

    • Papillon

      I think a lot of people get so focused on the presidential race that they forget about races in the other levels of government (and yes, I’m guilty). In fact, there are elections every two years (midterm) so if you’re *really* concerned about who the leaders in your community are, you’ll vote in all the elections, not just the ones that are concurrent with the presidency. And I should take my own advice, lol.

  • Adrina

    Are these the same Christian pastors who talk about the black community but rarely do anything for change? The same that turn a blind eye on other issues in the black community (HIV/AIDS, prison overload)? The same who will place judgement on a person but grab money the first they get and drive off in their 2013 Mercedes? Please. I’m voting for Obama. And to not vote because he supports gay marriage is absurd. There are faaaar more issues at stake by not voting than gay marriage. And I am a Christian

    • Mikkalotious

      AMEN Sista!!

  • get real

    So forget my finanical and job situation let me not vote because of my dumb pastor’s bigoted stance on gay marriage. Foh. These black pastors must’ve forgot that not to long ago our black behinds couldn’t vote nor did we have any rights. So now that things have gotten a lil better we want to stop other people (gays) from having rights and being treated equal. Black people please don’t listen to your dumb pastors. A few comments here people talking about they are not going to vote, look dummies people died for us to vote. Need I say more?

    • http://www.facebook.com/derique.marie Derique Fancy Marie

      YES!!! took the words straight out of my brain and off of my lips!!!! I pray for our people.

    • Nice

      So I guess Jesus was a bigot too when he defined marriage being between a man and a woman?

      • get real

        This garbage is speculative. White racist also says the bible is against interracial dating. This white dude once told me that his racist grandmother told him that black people were suppose to be inferior because the “bible” said as much. So according to religious loons Jesus was anti gay, hated blk people, and don’t want races mixing. Sounds like a racist white southerner to me. And if you think a perfect Jesus or God wrote this silly hypocritical nonsense then you need your head examined.

        • Nice

          Damn! Shoot he messenger why don’t you. Jesus never said anything about the other things you mentioned and neither did I. However, He did say something about marriage in Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9.

        • Mikkalotious

          The description of Jesus in the bible didn’t sound to be one of caucasian decent to me….

      • Wood

        The United States is not a theocracy. Until the government system is changed, you and I do not have the right to tell someone what they can or can’t do so long as it causes harm to no one. Christians are not the only religious peoples in this country, so why we should cater to that religions principles is beyond me.

        • Nice

          Wow! Do guys even try to stay on topic? The OP indicated that the belief that marriage is between between a man and a woman is bigoted. I truly wanted to know if the OP thought Jesus was a bigot based on Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9.

    • mac

      i usually dont agree with anything you say lol but this here is gospel *church wave*

  • Ann

    I will be voting as well. Please don’t let just one issue that President Obama is for gay marriage keep you from not voting. There are other important issues that are at stake, federal cuts in programs, student financial aid, medicaid, medicare, etc. Please, please, please make sure you get out and vote. It is very critical.

  • Nope

    Never mind the numerous other issues plaguing the Black community the Black church has looked the other way on such as HIV/AIDS, unemployment, disproportionately Black prison representation, etc.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JAI4SRENU2A5WKRTELXXYJPDSI Kayla

    I find it interesting that there was a lot of questionable things Obama has done to move people to not want to vote for him. But the minute he has no problem with gay marriage ,suddenly it’s a problem. So drone strikes are ok, just as long as he doesn’t approve of two woman kissing. Way to get your priorities in order.

  • marie

    this is absolutely ridiculous. how does giving gays the right to marry affect other people in any way? if you oppose gay marriage based on your religious beliefs guess what? we live in the US where we have freedom of religion and freedom from religion. it really saddens me when christians use the bible to justify blatant discrimination.

  • victoria

    Im not voting b/c I refuse to back Obama nor Ramney. Im disappointed in both candidates and refuse to take the lesser of two evils stance.

    • Wow

      By not voting you are voting for the guy who the majority votes in to office. Because by not voting you in essence are relinquishing your vote to those who do go to the polls. So please stop with the I’m not voting stuff. Now if you truly don’t care who is elected than fine keep letting those who do make all of the decisions regardless of the potential effect it has on you.

    • anonymous

      But the fact that “o” and “a” are nowhere near each other on the keyboard has me concerned about the fact that you do not even know who is running for office. Maybe it’s best you do stay home!

      • get real

        Lmao…

      • Gigi

        KMSL!! I almost choked on my Cheetos!

    • bkabbagej

      Of all the ignorant things I’ve heard during this political season, your comments is one of the most ignorant. Let’s see, to not vote means you don’t care whose in charge of you and families future. If you’re disappointed with Obama as a candidate and Romney isn’t your candidate either, if Romney wins and he is allowed to make the sweeping changes he’s spoken about and it negatively affect you and your children, you have to promise not to complain! When your children can’t have health insurance, can’t get student loans, continue to be unable to find a job,pay higher taxes, the both of you and God forbid you or your child lose the great job you have now and need any public support you’ll just be shoot out of luck! Don’t ask who allow this president to get into office, just look in the mirror and remember I allowed someone else to vote for me and now I have to accept that I refused the lesser of the two evils!

    • Dee

      Instead of not voting, find someone that is independent that shares whatever values you have. If you want to put an end to the two party system, if people that dont want to vote democrat or republican decide to vote green party or independent and people see more spread and diversity in voting then we can move away from the two party system. You are not more moral or more intelligent by deciding not to vote.
      With that said, I am voting for Obama…

    • http://www.facebook.com/derique.marie Derique Fancy Marie

      You should at least consider voting for who will be in the House of Congress. They’re really the one’s in charge of majority if bills and new laws that get passed. Do some research and think about it for the sake of own future health and happiness.

      • victoria

        To be honest, I no longer live in the country and have not paid attention to the campaigns. I do consider myself an independent. But no, I’ll just sit this one out.

        • Gigi

          So in other words you inserted an opinion on an issue that doesn’t even affect you. Yes, please sit this one (and all the rest) out.

        • Wow

          Unless you have severed ties to this country, who is elected still affects you regardless of what continent you are currently inhabiting. I hate to write this but that is a typical n word mentality. To think that because you are out of the country ( hopefully you aren’t military, b/c they really should be very concerned about who the next President is) that the policies and laws created in this country have no far reaching effect on you simply b/c you aren’t here at the exact moment.

          • Victoria

            Yes, Im still a citizen. I own property in the US and am still required to pay taxes. But Im at a crossroad b/c Im no longer a fan of Obama. And I dont know anything about Romney. I just havent paid attention to the campaigns. So I will not vote. It doesnt make sense for me to vote when Im not satisfied (nor have thorough knowledge) in Obama nor Romney. Yes, I know the policies effect me, but to be honest, I cant vote for a man I dont believe who is up for the job nor a man whose policies I dont agree with.

    • FromUR2UB

      Not voting is giving someone else the power to make decisions that affect you. If you work or own a home, you’re still going to have to pay taxes. You may as well cast your opinion for what you think should be done with those dollars. Not voting is like handing your paycheck over to your neighbor, and HOPE they will keep your best interests in mind and use the money for your good.

  • 4real

    that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. this is the problem with religion, it makes people act like idiots and go against their own self-interest. it really isn’t that difficult a choice between a racist/bigot and a tolerant person… unless of course you’re a bigot.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/thesapphireempress96?feature=results_main A.J.

    Well, I’m a Christian and I’m voting in this election for Obama. To encourage Black voters to stay away from the polls is foolish and extremely detrimental. The Republicans are already looking for any reason to divide Black voters and keep our turnout low; why give them more incentive? Even if you don’t agree with all of the President’s policies, that doesn’t take away the fact that overall, he’s the best choice for the country.

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