I just had a sparkling conversation with Reverend Ed Mulraine at God Talk Now on the Warren Ballentine Show. I think we may have just inspired some men to get back home to church.
It was a good 30 minute segment where we talked about the dimensions of the crisis, and what excuses are made and what we might do to turn that around. It really got going when Reverend Ed came with the hardline about gays in church. You belong. I'm glad he said that exactly the way he said it which didn't include the phrase "hate the sin, love the sinner". We have no excuses to hate and he didn't give one. We all come heavily laden and we will be relieved.
What I wanted to say, I think I said well. In all the ways we often criticize America for not loving and respecting the black man, we cannot say that about church. When you come in, you get love, not only from God but from young people, old people, the whole church. And it's deeper than just a high five or a pound, or the nod on the street. It has to be. We all need the kind of affirmation that we give each other, and we need it on a regular basis. It's not going to happen unless we are ready to make that move. Don't wait for a crisis, man up and do it.
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I welcome all new readers to Cobb. What I'm all about here is documenting the issues and ideas of my generation from an Old School perspective. I think the best of black culture is central to the American experience and that it is not only possible but necessary to recover and retain the strength and values that sustained us from the deprivations of chattel slavery to the very peaks of American society and the world stage. We are all about the Old School Core Values.
We get on about heady issues, but we keep it straight up too. So jump into the conversation any time.
The Old School Core Values
Pride
We are African Americans of all backgrounds and ethnicities. We are
proud of our heritage, and respect the lives, triumphs and tribulations
of our forebears in this country and beyond. We aim to represent their
greatest hopes for us and honor their memory.
Patriotism
The United States of America is our home, not simply by default but by
choice. We take our duty to our home seriously and we defend it. We
seek to improve it by our work and values and leave it better than we
found it.
Family
We are extended families and we put family first. It is the primary
organization to which our lives are dedicated. We fight for the proper
upbringing of our children. We demand respect and consideration of our
elders. We love and support our brothers and sisters.
Industry
We work twice as hard and sometimes get half as far, but we work with
dignity and we expect and enjoy our rewards. We are not materialistic
but we know the value of a dollar. We seek self-improvement through
creativity, dedication and effort in our jobs, businesses and
partnerships.
Piety
We have abiding faith in God and the principles of righteousness. We
strive to be true to transcendent values and take the long view of our
purpose on Earth. We conduct ourselves as vessels of spirit and we
guard our own souls and the souls of others from corruption.
Liberty
We believe in the rule of law and rights of people to be free and to
determine their own fate. We fight tyranny and oppression of all kinds
keeping in mind the battles of those who struggled and died that we
might be free.
Pluralism
We believe in a tolerant and open society, and we welcome all people to enjoy its benefits and responsibilities.
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