The Black Church Is Lost

Just admit it. The Black Church has been lost in the peculiar wilderness of  tom foolery and wealth creation for years now. From prosperity pimps like Creflo Dollar Jr. to *alleged* molesters like Eddie Lee Long, the Black Church is broken. The church has become a marketer for Bentleys and everything else associated with God’s prosperity, no different from the folks on Madison Avenue or any other branding company. The only difference being that the church markets faith as the avenue to riches, whereas Madison Ave. markets skinny jeans and “Have It Your Way” cheeseburgers.

The Black Church Is Conservative

Like it or not, the embodiment of Christianity and Islam in America is conservative. You’ll get the same “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” rhetoric from the Black Church that you get from Newt Gingrich, with a dollop of Jesus on top. If you agree with this up by faith notion of prosperity, then you’re a Republican. Go there. Do that. Liberals believe in government as a force for good.Furthermore, religion cannot sustain a political movement since successful political movements aren’t insular or exclusive. Political movements expand to build coalitions in hopes of pressuring government to take tangible action. Members of the faithful flock don’t look kindly upon heathens who don’t share their Biblical outlook, even if those folks share their political interests.

Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.  is Not a 21st Century Model For Black Leadership

Firstly, King was chosen by people like Ella Baker to head the Civil Rights movement. He was appointed. Secondly, Martin Luther King Jr. and other Christian leaders of the Civil Rights Movement stood on their faith because there was nothing left to stand on. Blacks weren’t full citizens so faith was where it began and ended. We had to believe in something and so we did.  But we have full citizenship now and with that comes the power to change the institutions of government. We have access to government in all its incarnations. It’s time we act like it. Does that mean you cannot be a liberal and  a Christian? Of course not. But liberal movements aren’t built on any one religion. That’s just not how we do things.

Black Christians Are the Embodiment of the Noble Savage

I appreciate everything Dr. King did, but the thought that he and other leaders felt the need to dress up in their Sunday best to march so that they could be viewed as human beings by racist whites makes me cringe. It’s called the politics of redemption – the idea that our fate lies largely in how we are perceived by whites. And it is buttressed by America’s mutant interpretation of Christianity, whereby Blacks welcome lives marked by long suffering and a slow to anger temperament. But slow to anger doesn’t win battles with Elite classes of people who live to exploit and subjugate those below them in the American hierarchy. If the Good Book teaches you how to suffer and not to fight, then it’s an impediment to our political problems, not a solution.

Black Christians and the Tea Party Unite!

Religion makes strange bedfellows. When Chic-fil-A admitted to giving money to right wing anti-gay lobbying groups, religious people of all walks of life came to their defense. Among those folks were some knuckleheaded black religious folk who, in the height of irony, didn’t realize that they were joining forces with the same folk who opposed affirmative actions, President Obama, Civil Rights, etc. You can’t play for the Tea Party and play for my team simultaneously. Go there. Be with them. You all were made for each other.

Article from http://breakingbrown.com

Yvette Carnell is a former Capitol Hill and campaign staffer turned writer. She is currently an editor and contributor to Your Black World and Founder of BreakingBrown. You can reach Yvette via Twitter @YvetteDC or on Facebook.

Hosted by the Atlanta Freethought Society and Black Nonbelievers, Inc!

This will be an all day, VERY family friendly gathering!!! We’ll start around noon for lunch. We will be located in the Studdard Picnic area. AFS will provide ice and cups, BN will provide hot dogs and burgers. Please bring drinks, sides, desserts, and/or any food item of your choice - for the entire day if you can. 

After lunch, everyone can divide the afternoon however they feel appropriate.

Then later, we’ll meet (or arrive) for dinner at the picnic area or at the lawn for the laser show. 

Don’t forget to bring blankets, chairs, etc. Also footballs/baseballs/gloves/bikes, or any other items that would be great for group activities. All Atlanta area groups are invited, so please inform your members if they would like to attend. Hope to see you there!!!

Parking fee is $10. Additional costs for park attractions may apply. For more information, please visit www.stonemountainpark.com

*This event will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

It’s the first outdoor Rally/Celebration that will predominantly feature nontheists of color! 

Join us to hear some great speakers and performances! 

Scheduled appearances include:

*Alix Jules
*AJ Johnson
*Ayanna Watson
*Darrell Smith
*Khafre Zimmerman
*MC Brooks
*Gifted Anomaly
*Mandisa Thomas
*Victor Harris Jr.

and more!!!

Keynote Speaker: Jeremiah Camara!!!

Hosted by L.A. based comedian Steve Hill!!!

Admission is free and open to ALL!!!

VIP seating and food will be available.

Date: July 27, 2013
Time: 12-6 pm
Location: Flushing Meadows Park

This open bodega is going down from 2-7pm in East Atlanta Village right in front of Atlast Clothing Store this Saturday - May 15th!  

DJ’s: J Sol + Ira G

Food: Tex Mex Food Truck + King of Pops

Brands:
Arbitrary Living
Boho Gal
Brass & Bones
Hot Pink Poo
Pretty Major
RAR3 Designs
Strange Bird Designs
The Ef Bomb
Wildflag Boutique

Free PBR! Free PBR!

Come out and buy some art, clothes, jewelry and decor. Get free PBR, Style Snaps, dance and eat!!

Move over Sweet Brown, it’s Charles Ramsey’s time for fame! 

Atlanta’s most anticipated summer music festival returns, September 14, 2013: The 4th Annual #OMF2013 is where you need to be! 

These will be the least expensive tickets you can buy! This festival is for the Music Lovers! 

Grab Your Tickets Today - http://bit.ly/11VeRLh

Believe me, you want to ‘BUY’ these tickets, because this is going to be the biggest year EVER! (Wink, Wink..)

Photos from OMF 2012: