Hi everyone,



I was thinking tonight and wondering to myself,



I wonder what would happen if the Christian Church in America got together and petitioned Congress and the newly elected President, to delcare a National Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Repentance for the sins of forced slavery and racial hatred commited by our fathers. And to pray for true unity and reconciliation among us, and for forgiveness for the Chruch in America for it's involvement in these things.

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

I realise that many of us may be angry with political liberals for not agreeing to our political agenda.


Perhaps we could show humility in this by asking them to do something like this, by showing them humility in asking them to help us to repent.

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

I know sometimes my thinking is not perfect (lol) but instead of petitioning congress and president elect, or and other secular body, let the christian church petition the Lord of glory to act on His own behalf because of our petitions to turn the hearts of these people to Himself that e might receive glory and that we might live peaceable lives. It is easiest to picture our focus to be pointed to that which is seen, but if we focus on our Heavenly Father, and let Him know our our needs and concerns, He will act miraculously on our behalf. I met a friend at WalMart last night and was telling her that God has set up prompts for me to pray. Obama and government is when I see gas prices. Because I notice gas prices, but I don't want them to be my focus, I take it as an opportunity to pray fro our leaders who God placed in authority over me. The bottom line is that if the church can unify to petition government, why don't we lock arms and seek God? With Love, Barry

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Barry Voss

Hi Barry! Thank you for your response and thoughts here and I agree with you in petitioning God together!



"The bottom line is that if the church can unify to petition government, why don't we lock arms and seek God?"




I agree brother. But maybe here, we could do both?





I think a petition like this would be appropriate for us and if I could I would like to share why with you and others.


Because the sins of forced slavery and racial hatred were committed in a country like ours, which has had the Bible and the Gospel, and a visible Christian Church, so mingled within the different aspects of it's society, because these horrible evils were comitted among a people like that, over hundreds of years, I think it would be entirely appropriate for us, for Christians, and especially white Christians living in America, if we, being willing today to publicly confess and acknowledge these evils done against those who were black, perhaps many also themselves Christians, if we being willing to express with one voice and one heart our deep sorrow and regret that such could have ever happened in a land such as ours, and wanting to express that to those our brothers and sisters who may yet be alive today themselves having experienced those things and living with a present memory of them, and to not only them but to all other citizens of this country, who for whatever reason may be biased against the testimony of the Christian Church or hold against us as a grievance these sins of the past both distant and not so long ago, that taking such an opportunity as is now, I think it would be entirely appropriate for us to ask our Government officials to call upon us and others willing, as a nation, to humble ourselves in acknowledgement of these things, and in repentence for them, and in seeking God to heal our land and bring true harmony and peace and equity between the peoples of this land and a thourough healing of heart and forgiveness of all grievances and wrongs and a restoration of trust between them.



I think it would be appropriate,


with love,


Chris

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

I have serious problem with this concept.

Problem #1: what is the motive? Reasons this is a problem to me: Racial hatred today is being fermented by leaders who have a political stake in keeping the 'slavery issue' alive. I live in the heart of Dixie and I know of no white person who thinks slavery was right, no one. If there were any they have long since been dead. Brother, the racial hatred you see today is coming from the people of color. Rev. Jeremiah Wright is the poster boy for this hatred. People who hate have a heart problem that only God can fix.

Problem #2: Since when are the children responsible for the sins of their ancestors?
Reasons this is a problem to me: Each man is responsible for his own sin and not the sins of his ancestors. Ezekiel 18: 19-22; Jeremiah 31: 30.

A few years ago the Reformed church in Switzerland asked modern descendants of Anabaptists to come to a meeting where they wanted to make a public apology for the persecution their ancestors afflicted upon them. The attendees felt these people were very sincere and honest with their confession. However, since then, people are questioning the motives: was it a ploy to rope modern, conservative Anabaptists into the ecumenical movement? and the critics argue that their ancestors would have been appalled with this meeting. God remains the judge, but I am wary of these public confessions.


Problem #3: Who is calling for this petition?
Reasons this is a problem: not everyone had an ancestor who was a slave owner. Mine never did. And I would guess most southern whites didn't either. (Only 15% of whites in MS were slave owners. And many were good to their slaves.) Will you also ask the Choctaws to participate in this time of confession? Local Choctaws also owned slaves and they are Indians. Not many but they existed.

Another thing: this sounds so political, politics wrapped in religious garb - it scares me. If you are interested in promoting racial harmony, go make friends with people of color -do it one at a time. Now that will be enduring - it is what we do in our community.

Many whites here in our part of the south count among their friends people of color. They will eat together is restaurants, hug each other after a long absence, even in public. Enjoy each other, laugh together...the hatred you are talking about is likely more prevalent in the north then in the south.

This is my take on this issue...if you decide to do this, don't expect everyone to be excited about it and in pursuing it you could drive wedges deeper. Would people feel compelled to participate for political reasons, to make them look good to blacks when in their heart they have serious theological reasons to not do so? You better think seriously and seek the LORD's leading before trying it.

My opinion...

ginnyrose

PS: Before you get bent out of shape for a southern woman's insight on this matter, it may be of interest for you to know I am a transplanted Yankee! I know the hearts, feelings of people in the north - that is where I was raised and still visit occasionally.

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Sandra Miller

Hi Ginnyrose! I'd like to try to respond to some of the concerns you raised. Thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts.

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

Hi brother Paul,



Brother Paul, about this,

"Did the early church lobby Rome to implement a day of fasting, prayer and repentance for the sins and atrocities of the Senate?"



The early Church did not live under the rule of a government whose institutions and public life were so mingled with the Bible and a profession of the Christian faith.




I thought recently about the Dalits in India who I have read have also been terribly oppressed in their country for centuries.


I wondered what it would be like for them, if India had been so much described as a Christian nation, and Gospel for Asia was coming to them like they are now with the Gospel.

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

Hi again everyone.


Ginnyrose, I'm sorry but I thought to respond to one more thing from your response, for the sake of clarity.


About this,

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Christopher Joel Dandrow

Greetings Chris

I would not be able to sign this kind of petition, I agree with what Ginnyrose shared here. I feel for me to sign a document and ask for forgiveness of a sin that I did not commit would be a lie. Also if you going to do this over slavery then what about asking for forgiveness from the Indains, this was there home before we came here and terrible, horrible acts happened to them as well. And what about the Hispanic community, they lived in California, Arizonia, New Mexico, Texas, ect, before we came and took it from them???? How many petition should we have and when does it all end? Mans evil and hatred toward man will only end when those that are living in rebellion to God repent and seek His kingdom, not with petitions. Just my heart on this....

God Bless
MJ