“Do good and cast it into the sea” - Arabic proverb
After a good night’s sleep, two cups of tea and a long conversation with the hub, I’ve changed my mind about Delores Johnson and Joshua Thompson, the New Orleans couple that sold the house given to them by Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ in Memphis.
One of the reasons why I feel more pulled toward Eastern-thought religions (Islam, Baha’i, Ethiopian Orthodox) is that there is a certain humble aspect about them. You still give thanks and praise, you still celebrate. But when you celebrate, it is more of a celebration of the Holy Spirit, the relationship between the bride and the bridegroom. It is sort of a holy passion, if you understand what I mean.
On the other hand, pure de black American Christianity (COGIC, Missionary Baptist, Holiness and so on) celebrates “stuff.” Or at least some churches have a tendency to.
“Thank you Lord for this car.”
“Thank you Lord that I can pay my bills this month.”
“Thank you Lord for finding me a man.”
There seems to be this “Thank you Lord for (doing something for me)” vibe.
This type of thought trickles down, from their version of the Lord to the worshipper, from the worshipper to whomever reaps the benefits of the worshipper’s generosity. Because the worshipper’s relationship with the Lord is based on a thank-you-but-I’m-not-worthy attitude, the worshipper, subliminally or not, keeps this feeling going when she or he gives to someone in need. The beneficiary should not deem her or himself worthy of this “goodness,” and should therefore remain thankful to the giver. The giver (the Christian, the Church) remains in a place of power.
It’s sort of like pledging a sorority: You get hazed, you can’t haze the hazer, but next year you can hand out some good ol’ hazing to someone under you.
So, what does this have to do with the NO couple? Let’s start with the church that gave them the house. First, the church chose the folks out of 50 families, sort of like a contest I guess: “Who Wants to be a Public Charity Case.” The church then paraded this family in front of the congregation when they were given the house: “See how good a church we are?” “See how Christian we are?” “See what we’re doing for our own?”
You shouldn’t have to make a big presentation for this. It should be the norm. My father never made a fuss over paying bills and keeping a roof over our heads because he knew that just went along with the territory.
In making such a big deal about giving the family the house, the church stomped on the family’s already injured pride just to show how “Christian” they were.
Second, when the church signed over that house, that meant they were done with it and had “cast it out into the sea.” Neither they nor the Memphis community have the right to say anything. If that church was truly, truly Christian, if they had given the house to the family only for the glory of God and not themselves, why did they feel as if the family should have let them know they weren’t going to move in it?
If you really saw the face of God in your sister or brother, if you knew you were looking at God when you stared into their eyes, would you feel as if they still owed you an explanation for something you’d given them free and clear?
“Free and clear” means just that.
Third, the NO family are apparently taking the proceeds from the house sale back down to NO, where I feel the money is sorely needed. Hell, if they spend it all on gummy bears, at least they’re putting something into the economy.
Memphis’ black churches have absolutely no right to complain about this couple. I’ve seen more “pastor love offerings” go toward ostentatious church buildings in the middle of low- to no-income neighborhoods, houses, cars, jewelry, gifts, and pastors’ mistresses and boyfriends on the side than I can shake a tambourine at.
Update: Just look at the photos of Temple of Deliverance’s new “worship center” to get my drift.
As I always say, I have no problems with Christianity: It’s the Christians I fear.
Comments (8)
Yeah, you have to resist your initial ingrained response to this. What I told folks is this: When you GIVE, you have to GIVE without the expectation of reward or satisfaction. When you give to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, there is always the chance that people who work there will pick out YOUR good stuff and keep it for themselves. The point is that when you give, God looks at YOUR intention … not the actions of those who receive your gift.
So, those folks got a free house then sold it for a profit. If the point is that they should stay downtrodden forever, what was the point of the gift?
I’m a quiet student of other faiths too. Too often “Christians” make my head hurt and my heart heavy.
Ironic that you posted my similar thoughts regarding this situation. When I saw this on the news I was immediately offended by the actions of the family receiving the house from the church. After letting the story marinate for a feel minutes I changed my thoughts…thinking, well they did give her the house. The deed is in her name so she has to right to do whatever she pleases with the property. Selling a house in your name does not a bad Christian make - no harm no foul!
Sure, the parading point is a good one. I however you normalize the feelings of injury from charity and why is that? Many people would feel a profound gratitude for such a lavish display of generousity. Of the 25 or more folks they were considering of the gift, I suspect that a variety of reactions would be present.
If you are into Eastern religions, consider that Buddihist monks must go begging to get over their egos. ie get over their pride at being beholding to others.
As for African Americans asking God for “stuff”, I don’t know much about them since I am in Canada and most blacks here are middle class. I do know about poor people and their religion is much more embodied than one of the mind. Indeed, if I am cold, I will ask God for a house before I am happy. I think there is nothing wrong with that. Christians have a variety of different ways that prosperity comes, and I suspect you are arriving at your criticism of Christianity based upon a narrow view of it; likely just a couple American evangelical churches, I guess. Be careful that you do not unjustly extrapolate your experience as the truth. A man I know abandoned the church because his Sunday school was bribing people to come with chocolate bars. I asked him that if he met an exploitive bus driver would he give up public transit!
As for the Thompson couple, look at the van they are driving. I come from a working class background and nobody in my neighbourhood had drove such a beast. They ain’t poor and they have $60,000 that would lighten the load of another family. That makes me sad.
Rash, I was looking at that clip and I was shaking my head. I shook my head at the sheer arrogance of the Church, the witch hunt led gallantly by the media and the shame of having to explain yourself on camera by the family. I felt bad for the couple, because they haven’t done anything wrong. It was a GIFT and it should’ve been free and clear. Also, many people acquire houses through gifting, inheritance and they sell it for a profit. That doesn’t make them bad, that makes them capitalist. I say “go on” NO family. Take your money back down to NO, because they need it. I’m appalled at the fact that it even made the news.
@James
James wrote:
Hi James. I’m not sure if I understand the “normalize” point. Yes, many people would feel gratitude but I don’t think it is up to the giver to set the bar as to how that gratitude should be displayed or for how long.
James wrote:
You are right. But the onus is on the monk, not the people. Buddhist monks also beg to establish a closer connection between themselves and God. Again, that’s my point. There is more focus on moving closer to God than being beholden to someone else.
James wrote:
There’s nothing wrong with asking God for a house. IMHO though, I do feel that if you keep asking for material things and only for material things and if you only focus your praise on the material things you’ve been given, the focus is in danger of being skewed.
James wrote:
Maybe my view is narrow. Maybe not. Memphis is a hotbed of religion, especially for black American churches. What goes on in Memphis religion is usually a good indicator of the view of black American churches in the South, where most black American churches are because the majority of black Americans live in the South.
Also, remember that I am not criticizing Christianity. I’m criticizing how some of the followers display it. Usually, the ones that wear their Christianity on their sleeve are the ones I steer clear of. As you said, it may be due to my interaction with them…which was the point I was making.
James wrote:
Having a nice car does not mean you’re not poor. It means that the car lot gave you credit. Getting a nice car is easy, keeping it from being repossessed is hard. If you drive through my neighborhood back in Memphis, there is more of a chance than not that you will see a 4×4 or a luxury car parked in front of a house that is in need of repair. One of the problems is that folks will take their income tax return checks and use them for a down payment. Then they struggle through the year to pay the note.
“I have no problems with Christianity. It’s the Christians I fear.”
I’ve been saying a variant of this for years: “I have no problem with Jesus. He seemed like a nice guy. I totally dig his message. It’s all the people doing stuff in his name that scare me.”
See, I don’t even touch the word “Christianity” because I think it’s largely man-made. I’m telling you, it’s possibly the most innovative and influential corporation in the history of the world.
And yeah, there is a materialistic aspect to a lot of churches…which fits in a society where money has become God.
Agree with you 100%. If you want to give, give without reservation. If you want to ask God for something, ask…but give thanks and praise for what you receive (or have already received). Leave it there.
I always like the way my dad-in-law boils it down after a lifetime of upbringing by the fire and brimstone Southern Baptists. “There are Christians…and there are churchfolk. Don’t dare get the two confused.”
I now wonder if they ever wanted a house in Memphis in the first place. Were they even asked? Maybe all they ever wanted was a home back in New Orleans and, if so, they did the right thing.