In a headline that might seem straight out of 1920 and not 2020, a small town in Minnesota just gave the green light on plans for a whites-only church within city limits.
Despite vehement opposition from citizens, the city council in Murdock, Minnesota, voted 3-1 in a secret ballot to allow the Asatru Folk Assembly (AFA) to use an abandoned church building as their headquarters.
The AFA is a self-proclaimed white supremacist group which traces its roots to Norse Pagan beliefs.
Welcome! Unless You're Non-White
If you looked at their website, you’d be forgiven for mistaking it as anything less than a white supremacist organization - at least at first glance. “Welcome Home!” their homepage header greets you, informing you that their organization is all about “roots” and “connections”. But click on their ‘Statement of Ethics’, and the messaging is a little less friendly.
“We in Asatru support strong, healthy white family relationships,” it begins. “We want our children to grow up to be mothers and fathers to white children of their own. We believe that those activities and behaviors supportive of the white family should be encouraged while those activities and behaviors destructive of the white family are to be discouraged.”
If that wasn’t clear enough, the ‘Declaration of Purpose’ makes things crystal. “The survival and welfare of the Ethnic European Folk as a cultural and biological group is a religious imperative for the AFA…. Let us be clear: by Ethnic European Folk we mean white people.”
Appropriating Paganism
The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the AFA as a hate group, part of the larger Neo-Volkisch movement. “Folkish devotees veil their ethnocentric beliefs in arguments for the necessity of micro-societies, or tribes, to preserve their ethnicity and combat alleged white genocide,” they state.
And local Pagans in Minnesota condemned the AFA’s co-opting of Paganism. Ben Kowalskygrahek, a St. Paul resident, told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press that he thinks “the AFA appropriates or uses pagan rituals, gods and goddesses as a veneer of spirituality over white nationalism.”
1st Amendment Right?
Murdock Mayor Craig Kavanaugh insisted that the town doesn’t agree with the group’s religious views, but that choosing how to worship is “every person's 1st amendment right according to the Constitution” and that the vote came down to concerns about a legal challenge from the AFA.
Prior to the vote, Murdock residents worried publicly that allowing Asatru into their midst would give the town a reputation as the "hate capital of Minnesota."
"I can assure you that nobody thought we would have to deal with a topic like this in our little town, but nothing is predictable in the year 2020, it seems," Kavanaugh said.
Even still, one member of the Asatru Board of Directors, Allen Turnage, insisted that they’re good people. “We are a traditional, family-oriented faith and we believe in being good neighbors.”
There’s certainly no shortage of Murdock residents who would emphatically disagree with that characterization.
What's your reaction?
55 comments
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Russel A. Kester
I don't know much about this group, but of they were promoting a Filipino or black only congregation would you feel and say the same things? Is promoting a set of values tantamount to being being de facto wrong or racist. Is the AACP racist because it doesn't promote the welfare of whites? Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
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Jeff McClain
Ah, wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no internet, no cell phones? Only landlines, communities would get back to the business of taking care of themselves, loving one another and not concerning themselves with everything on the planet? But, Alas technology slowly drains the life out of our lives and poisons the masses, now I know what they mean by in the end times the Gospel will be heard the world over. Technology is truly the devils tool, think about what you would do today if technology would vanish, you would become more involved with the immediate people around you, instead we are all concerned with the entire planet and every ones opinion and beliefs instead of finding ourselves and how we really feel about the world God gave us!!!! Ah, I miss those days, but it made me who I am!!!
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Rabbi Ari Malachi Alexander Zukkerman
This is a disgusting act and those behind it should be ashamed of themselves, no church should ever close its doors on anyone. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.Hebrews 11:6. If you turn someone away from the house of Yahwey, you also turn them away from the word of Yahwey. Everyone has the right to the ministry of Yahwey. Ephesians Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; Romans 14:10.
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The Gray Minister
Well every body wants their part in the religion area of life got to have that tax brake. I know I'm probably way off but hummm.
I guess I would have to know more about them to understand if they are a hate group. Everybody needs a place to go so if you're a racist or just want to be around white people then now they have a place now.
I wonder what they say about how to treat people other than white. I think that would be the question at hand.
If their going to be a hate group then they should not be allowed to make a church but many churches that are around or some what hate groups because of how they teach about sinner. If your sinner & don't care or dont think your a sinner you are hated about the same way. A Lot of Churches are very against the LGBT community & I think that is very wrong but then who am I to judge or say anything. This world is about trails & tribulations. I can give my opinion & go on with life because to what I see of The Word Working thru Jesus Christ is ACCEPTANCE.
Thanks. The Gray Minister.
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Richard Lee Cornell
That would be pure blond hair and very light blue eyes. Anything else is a non-white. One would have to see both grandparents to make sure no non-white blood flows in their veins. Then there is the voice, American slang will not do. It would have to be of the Norse language. Norse never consider themselves as Pagans it was those others from Rome. Those Christians with their funny beliefs. Good thing there live in America other wise they would be dried out.
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Rudolph Guerrero
Several churches have no Christian value of any kind. They use religion to promote their perverted agendas of hate, racism, etc.
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Chaplain Shawn
Exactly Rudolph, that is why those groups cannot be considered Christian or churches. Although, they could be considered churches of Satan, possibly?
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Chaplain Shawn
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Unfortunately, the first amendment allows for groups like AFA. More importantly, there are hate groups that have formed by every ethnicity and religion. The KKK is an example mentioned here. The KKK was definitely a hate group, but not a Christian group. Christians are far from perfect, and everyone is a sinner, which includes theologians. The best one can hope for is the the NSA or CIA etc. will keep AFA on its RADAR.
The main source of disagreement with this event is it is divisive. A house that is divided cannot, and kingdoms that are divided will not last or stand. The apostle Paul posits, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female for you are all one in Christ, Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NIV). No apology will be offered for typing that reference to Scripture. It is this passage that should seek to unite believers and defenders of the faith. The passage also applies to nonbelievers.
According to apostle Paul, the passage seeks to unite all people under the faith. Therefore, AFA as a hate group does not seek to view other races as children of God. Hence, Paul's statement does not apply to AFA. Thus, AFA is not a Judeo-Christian organization. However, AFA is not the only hate group in America right now. AFA might have chose MN because of violent protest, property damage, looting, and rioting.
If one considers the US government, then divisiveness and deception are part of its operation. (1). If no one votes on Super Tuesday, then an unknown body of 538 people the Electoral College) will choose the next president. If people vote on Super Tuesday, the Electoral College will still choose the next president, not the popular vote. (2) The US Declaration of Independence makes six points: 1. There is a God. 2. Our rights come from God. 3. Government protects our rights. 4. There is a fixed moral law. 5. There is consent of the governed. 6. "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends; it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government" (The US Declaration of Independence, para. 2).
Maybe the reaction needed for the post is as our country polarizes, is the US plutocracy finally at its endpoint? Is the US plutocracy serving the people of the US, or is it serving its own selfish self-pursuits and selfish self-interests? Finally, when in world history did the elite rich; ever succeed in their quest for power? Every empire set up by the Haves to rule over the Have Nots failed because of the exorbitant tastes, arrogance, and greed. One who is trusted with little will be and can be trusted with much. "One who is dishonest with little will be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10, NIV). Perhaps, America has reached the end of a government by the rich, for the rich, and of the rich.
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kt4obx
With all due respect Sir, you clearly do not understand America's system of taxation.
A corporation is not taxed by the government merely because it exists. Humans are not taxed by the government merely because they are born. Corporations are taxed on PROFIT minus legal allowable deductions. Humans are taxed on the INCOME they earn, which is deemed by the government to be a PROFIT minus legal allowable deductions.. If a human sits on his behind all year long with no job and earns no income, he is not obligated under IRS regulations to file an income tax since he/she has generated no "profits" for that year.
The Internal Revenue Service understands and recognizes that if a corporation has no profit, then there is nothing to tax. Under your logic, I would be required to submit a quarterly tax return to the IRS for my 501(c)(3) with a great big fat ZERO written in the right hand column every three months. That would be a real waste of time for me to fill it out, mail it in, and for the IRS to pay some employee to open the the letter, read it, and throw it in the trash.
According the the Internal Revenue Service, there are about 400,000 non-profit corporations in the United States. Consider nation wide, that would be about 400,000 pieces of paper, 400,000 envelopes, 400,000 stamps, and 400,000 worthless returns somebody has to throw in the trash. Now if you're a "green" person, they you'll understand the illogical thought behind killing a tree for 400,000 pieces of paper and and 400,000 envelopes, burning carbon fuel to produce that paper and envelope and stamp, then paying a mail carrier to drive a little truck burning gasoline to deliver 400,000 worthless tax returns. Therefore, the IRS has determined that at 501(c)(3) has no obligation to pay taxes as there is no profit to tax as their would be in other corporations that earn income, pay dividends, and are obligated to pay the government taxes on the profit they accrue. Basically that 501(c)(3) status from the IRS is saying is, "We understand that you expect to have no taxable income, therefore we are issuing you a classification, pre-approved, that indicates you don't have to mail us that worthless tax return four times per year."
I believe this is a good system. It saves everyone involved time. Now please understand, if a 501(c)(3) engages in activity that is not tax exempt (not worship related), then they are obligated to pay taxes on that income (profit). For example, a church here in town operates a daycare center in their church. Church members can enroll their children and drop them off Mon-Fri while they are at work, or for any other reason. It is no different than any other daycare center in town. They charge a fee to the parents, have insurance, are licensed by the State as a daycare, and have to follow the regulations every other daycare in the State has to follow. The monthly fee is considered "income" (profit) by the IRS because that is not a worship-related activity, it is a "side-business" that generates income for the church. The tithes and contributions to the church are not "profits", so the church does not pay taxes on those receipts. But they do pay taxes on the day care center income.
I have no problem with any church, whether they worship a deity, nature, a head of cabbage, or even worship nothing, as their god. I have no disagreement with them not having to pay taxes on income (profit) they do not receive, even if they are racists. I don't condone their beliefs or their conduct, but alas, there are a lot of religions out there that I don't agree with. But I don't consider it within my scope to tell them they can't have their religious beliefs. I do not believe it the governments job to determine which religion is "legitimate" so long as that church and it's practices are not harming anyone.
Please don't interpret this as an approval of racism, but I believe it is a groups right to determine the tenets of their religion as long as they are not breaking any law. Even if I don't agree with their beliefs. I don't think simply not liking any particular race, or not permitting them to join your organization is illegal in America. Now if they are burning crosses on peoples lawn or lynching black people and claiming that as "religion", then that's different. That would be arson and murder, and just like Mr. Koresh's situation, that would not be "religion" under the law. It would be criminal activity.
If I don't stand up for their right to worship as they please, disgusting as it may be, then how long will it be before the government tells me I can't have a scuba church?
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
I give the answer when asked, and I really don't want to get involved in a long, philosophical discussion...Beer Church, All Praise the Mighty Yeast!
I've brewing at home since the summer of 1974.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
Dang it Blog...why can't we edit?
I've been brewing...
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Ralph A. Lawrence
I've found that Black churches are very welcoming of white folks, at least those I have visited. The same is true of Asian and Hispanic churches and many others that I've attended all over the world. I've been warmly welcomed to churches in China, Brazil, Kenya, Australia, India, and Russia. The big point here is that this particular "church" is specifically targeting the people they intend to exclude. Clearly against the law.
However, many churches are purely white in their make-up, and are open and happy to welcome people of any race. Yet very few people of other racial make-up attend, simply because they are attending their own church of a particular racial background.
We can't "make" people to attend a particular church. But it looks like this new group want to make it clear whom they exclude.
It's the exclusion factor. Why would any church want to practice that?
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Pamela Kay Waters
Aren't there just black churchs
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Lionheart
Yes and doesn't the President live in the White House. I wonder if the BLM group will want to change it to the Black House 🤪
🦁♥️
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Alexander Clarke
I wonder what would happen if they did DNA tests on the AFA members. Most of us are a mix of races and it could be quite a shock to some of these morons to see that many of the people they hate are present in their blood. LOL!
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Ralph A. Lawrence
Yes, so very true.
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Alicia Szot
While I think this is absolutely ridiculous, I can't help but wonder if anyone would have a problem with a "blacks only" church.
Isn't religion about acceptance and love? How can this be accomplished if you shut out one entire group of people? We all need to put aside racial differences and stop referring to each other as "that white guy over there" or "do you know that black guy?" We're people. We're all human. Some are good, some are bad, but that has nothing to do with what race your are or what religion (or NO religion) you follow. We need to stop with the labels.
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Alexander Clarke
Religion is about control. Control of what you think, say and do. Religions are in the business of separating you from your money. God does not need our money but those who are in the "church" business do.
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Ralph A. Lawrence
There are few, if any, "Blacks Only" churches. It's simply that people choose to attend a church of their own ethnicity. It's a big social, familial thing. It's just who they are.
Lutherans go to Lutheran churches. Catholics go to Catholic churches. Buddhists go to Buddhist churches. etc. etc. No segregation intended. It is true that some Christian churches will limit Communion, for instance, strictly to confessing members of their own church. Other churches openly welcome all people who confess Christian faith to attend a Christian Communion service.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
As a boy and youth, went to my mom's family Parish, which was predominantly Italians and their American born descendants. There were also in town other Catholic parishes: French-Canadian, Irish (2), English, Russian and Polish.
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Rev. Barry
White only is fine for their church. There's too much black only Now days. Blackish tv program, blk only colleges, the list goes on and on.
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John P Maher
AND I WILL BET THE CHURCH IS TAX EXEMPT, JESUS CHRIST !
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
The AFA as an organization has been recognized as a 501(C)(3) charitable organization for at least a couple decades, as have others at their end of the spectrum, groups at the opposite end and many in the broad middle.
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Thomas Kolter
The government cannot take sides if they refused they could have sued the town.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
I've been around the new religions movement since the mid-70's when I left Roman Catholicism/Christianity and have found groups that run the gamut from all inclusive to separatist. The vast majority of folks are in the middle ground I have found.
One note on terminology though, people who follow the various Asatrú (Odinist, Old Way, Northern Way, Théodish, Elder Way and so forth) septs, and there are many, do not think of themselves as Pagan. They prefer the term Heathen. Semantics, but Pagan has a Latin root where Heathen has a Germanic root.To many across heathenry it is a distinction with meaning. Men and women who follow the beliefs and practices that make up the differing septs of Heathenry do look at them as being of specific ethnic origin. Some do believe that only people from those ethnic origins will truly understand. Other welcome anyone who wants to learn.
Full disclosure, have been associated with the AFA, the Odinic Rite, the Ring of Troth (now know simply as the Troth), the Asatru Alliance of Independent Kindreds, the Midnott Sol Regintroth, the Irminsul Aettir, and other national/regional level groups of various stripe over the decades since I made my personal Oath to the Aesir and Vanir the night of 9 July 1988.
I'm welcome in most all camps (save the folks further right than the AFA), as I try to have a genuine discussion on ideas and do not make things personal. Many consider me an Elder within Heathenry, trusted to listen and give my words in a reasoned and reasonable manner.
Part of my journey was being a peripheral participant in the paramilitary survivalist movement of the late 70's.I was definitely hard core right wing in my younger days.
Decades of experience with people not like me, has de-radicalized me over the years and moved me much more towards the middle ground on things. In my hometown, I'll estimate there were perhaps 2% of folks having non-European ancestry in residence. So my experience of difference was limited until after I wed and moved to be with my wife in a totally different demographic mix.
I admit that I would like the great grandchildren of my generation of the family to bear some resemblance to the great grandparents of my generation. However, I have come to cultivate the attitude that whoever my nieces, nephews, grand nieces, or grand nephews choose as their life partners, they will become family and I will love them as dearly as I do the family with whom I share ancestry.
I'll not try to explain the current AFA stances as I've not followed them closely the past several years. I'll not offer an apologia either.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
I should have had as my parenthetical a more complete statement: (save the folks further right than the AFA and further to the left than the Troth)
One Heathen acquaintance likes to describe me as a One-man Switzerland because of the way I try to stay with discussing ideas in a reasoned and reasonable manner.
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Minister Mike
My hope, nay, my prayer, is that this building receives the same treatment as the 50 + predominantly black churches burned down over the last century in the US. Wouldn't bother me if the congregation was inside when it happens.
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William R Clapie
Brother do you truly wish harm on others?
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Minister Mike
I figure if it's good enough for god - any god - it's good enough for me. But, since I don't have the power to perform such violent acts and not be prosecuted, I've asked god - their god, to give 'em some of the pain they give others just by being alive.
So, yea, I guess I do.
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Clay Serenbetz
This feigned spirituality is an obvious cover for hate. In my opinion, the legal options to corral them are dubious. New York City allows legal housing discrimination via Cooperative Housing Associations, which has survived court challenges.
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Daniel Gray
Oh PUH-LEAZE, stop getting your panties in a twist. I dont see anyone going after black churches, or spanish only churches. I mean where is your condemnation of the AME church? or the Church of God in Christ or all the other Black ONLY churches? Or the New Hispanic ONLY churches that are all over Southern California or the Los Ancianos de la Iglesia churches that are springing up all over the Border states in Texas and the Southwest, that are churches that only allow Spanish speaking and latinos. And yet because a white church wants to do a white only you go nutz? Either condemn ALL churches who dont accept all races or condemn none, unless you want to show your racism and bigotry.
And Judas Priest...nobody with any sense listens to The Southern Poverty Law Center anymore...even the US DOJ has labeled them a hate group, so you are actually listening to a proved hate group complaining about other supposed hate groups because they say so? Do any of you complaining actually listen to yourself BEFORE posting such stupidity?
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Well folks I think we can finally put to rest any pondering about were Daniel Gray here stands with the ranks of the Proud Boys, KKK, and Neo Nazi of America groups. This guy is one of those looney tunes who think there is a war against white folk because the slow and steady erosion of the legacy of European colonial imperial expansion, rape, and genocide of peoples of color from all over the world.
I myself often find the racism of the certain americans bffling. We in our roots take such pride in throwing off the yoke of the crown, yet we in everything from the way we frame it in history and media to how we interact in modern politics with a clear bias favoring those we once fought so hard to be free of rather then those who may differ in color but in soul are kindred for they too know the taste of oppression from the very same crowns and royal families.
For example consider the U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The matter of what political system they planned to adopt was never the issue, the issue was in the eyes of the worlds powers, that the french control of the region was being taken back by the native people. And in the end the U.S. chooses to side with the colonizer rather then the one fighting against oppression.
Then again it also gives proof to our lies and mythology, because the truth is the colonizers did win, the native people did lose in the americas. Its just once those colonizers got so rich from plundering they felt they could break ties with the crown. Then they went on to try their hand at plundering the world like their culture always had.
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Anisahoni
Ilmenheru Terikson: I agree 100% with your assessment. Except we haven't lost all of our land. What these racists seem to forget is that they are living on stolen land and we consider them to be aliens, carpetbaggers & illegal immigrants. My grandmother used to laugh when she said, "our ancestors had bad immigration laws." Also, White American Christianity has always been racist and discriminatory, so nothing new except more blatant and out in the open. No other church disallows others to attend, even those who hold services in Spanish or Slovak.
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John Welch
The gods of Minnesota Sioux have full pagan credentials for the territory. No outside gods of Norse, Celt, Zulu or MAGA are permitted. Any intruding gods must vacate the premises by next buffalo hunt. Wakinyan has thunder. Signed for and on behalf of
Wakan-Tanka , Ptesan-Wi, Wakinyan, Unktehi, Inyan, Mica .
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Daniel Gray
Typical, we can now see how biased Ilmenheru Terikson actually is. How can ANYONE find fault with treating ALL churches the same regardless of the color of the skin of the person(s) attending them. Does this character take offense at all black churches or all spanish churches? Nope but he sure does seem to take offense at an all white church. Why? Only he knows. Under the US Constitution all churches are to be treated exactly the same, and that is all I am saying. All the huff and puff from this character just goes to show where his mind is at, and its not in a good place.
Oh and one more thing you got totally incorrect...I am not white, I am NATIVE AMERICAN and a proud member of the Wolf Clan of the Cherokee Nation. You may remove your foot from your mouth now, unless you like the taste of leather and desenex.
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Anisahoni
Stop lying unega white boy. You are not Tsalagi to speak in the hateful racist terms in which you do or the disrespect you demonstrate toward women here. Go away. Wilma would slap the crap out of you and so would Chad. Tsalagi do not need to say they are "proud" to be enrolled or know their clan. Only white people who claim blood later in life talk about "pride" and pretend to be "real Indians." I guess your great great grandmother was a Cherokee princess too.
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Dee Gee I am confused, nowhere in my post do I make the assumption as to your personal genetic ancestry. Plenty of PoC sadly do fill the ranks of groups like the proud boys, and seem to embrace the culture of abuse as it still encourages them to abuse others of color and women in general.
If you are in fact a first nation tribal member then you likely resemble the many males from the tribes I know in my region who seem to lean on the crutch of violence against women to prop up an ego badly bruised by the sense of being a part of a conquered culture.
Now I have said before while I know my great grand mother was rez born I do not identify as a member of any tribe because I was not born into nor raised among that culture and certainly look as white as can be. Which allows me to look at the negative aspects without the bias you do, for example in my great grandmothers tribe only men own property and have any real tribal rights. women who are single can not live on the rez. They do this in part to force women as soon as they are told to leave the home as adults to marry so they do not get forced out of their community.
I find the women from the tribe most lovely and often have a vibe that reminds me of my great grand mother. The men on the other hand are some of the most bully boy women beater types I know. Like Drumpf would actually seem right at home among them in a lot of ways.
Could you please provide a link to a church that is only for black folks here in the U.S. please? Or only for those of spanish speaking folks? And only from from sites that are not in any way shape or form seen as even a touch right leaning please.
You however frequently show a willful desire to correlate evil groups with good ones. You think the black panthers as bad as the KKK. You think Antifa somehow comparable to the patriot prayer and proud boy domestic terror groups. I have seen you on these very forums dismiss and denigrate people like Catherine above for being a indian that needs to get over herself and accept christian white culture and all its superior ways. I have read words akin to all these by you and the small handful that pollute these forums with racism,bigotry, and fear mongering.
Personally because I do not subscribe to nationalism nor care about where I or anyone is born, and feel all should be free to travel and live in peace the world over, see all who feel the need to cling to racial or national identity to be clinging to an archaic concept best left in the past. After all the very notion of homeland, birthright, private property to create inherited wealth to pass on to the next generation and create a cycle of property owner and serf are all ancient things no modern thinking human should hold with.
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William R Clapie
"Whitey" is being ostracized. All over the spectrum. No, I don't mean to condemn anyone (there are exceptions). This is being proved time and again in the media. I believe that you have a right to worship as you choose. I don't believe that one group should condemn another for their beliefs. Christianity was not and is not a universal belief. Most of the "christian" bible was copied from Jewish bibles (torah?) so. How does one condemn another for belief or faith? My spiritual belief? "Look Up". I will accept anyone into my belief system if they choose not to condemn others. It is not much to ask. Anyone that points fingers and screams about "the one true belief" are in my opinion bigots that have no right to condemn anyone until they truly look in a mirror and see themselves properly. Are there groups or people I personally have no use for? Yes. I won't go into it here though. Have a nice holiday folks. May you and yours be healthful and hearty this year. Amen.
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Daniel Gray
Did you bother to read what I wrote or just post to post? I clearly said that you need to treat ALL churches with the same rules and not because of their beliefs or the color of their skin. The AME church is all black and nobody says a thing. Why not? But let an all white church start and people go batsh*t crazy! so either treat all churches the same or wipe out any rules for them as treating any one church different then you treat all the other churches is a violation of the 1st amendment. And am I saying this because I am white? Nope I am saying this because I am a member of the Wolf Clan of the Cherokee Nation, a Native American and I honestly dont see what the problem is as long as they are not preaching hate because of anothers religion or your skin color.
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Mark Hannon
This is why all churches of any belief or following should be taxed. Then any group could have whatever rules they want. People could go - or not - to their meetings. Instead we all subsidize their little property with our taxes. And, really, most every church within 500 miles of where I live has the same creed as this but they don't publish it. Most likely this will go by the wayside when these people find out they have to pay electric and heat every month.
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Alexander Clarke
Churches (all religions) are in the business of separating you from your money. God, however one defines it, does not need our money. Those in the business of religion do. All religious buildings/property should be taxed. The separation of church and state no longer exists. Religionists are in the business of government just look at the Trump followers and Christian evangelists.
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John Norris Campbell
You do know ppl like Nancy Pelosi, Cumo, and others are all Jesuit Trained practicing Roman Catholic eh? And so was Obama, Clinton, and both Bushes...
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Nancy Arlene Christensen
and your point about people like...?
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Daniel Gray
And the reason it will never happen is because of the little small item called the 1st Amendment which says you cant pass a law that violates a religion. And lets not forget the 16th Amendment of the Constitution that bans this from happening and has been part of the Supreme law of the land since 1913, and lets not forget the 8-1 decision of the US Supreme Court Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of New York (1970) that also bans you from taxing a church. So claim what you want to Mark...but the law of the US says this will never happen
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Elder Eugene E Andy Jr.
Their choice and beliefs they can welcome who ever they want in there sanctuary of service, but always remember that God our Creator is the last judgment on all service in worshipping him and only him.
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John P Maher
HEY ANDY Jr., WHOS YOUR GOD ???
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Lionheart
Spoken like a true ultracrepidarian, Eugene.
🦁❤️
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T Kosse`
WOW both an un-Christian and and a totally un-pagan church, because no matter what they say or claim to be they are definitely are neither of a truly Christian nor Pagan belief. They are nothing but a White supremacist hate group as for those three who voted for them should be removed from office of the city council. If they had a spine they would have rejected it on the ground that they do not allow any church to discriminate base on the color of your skin or your sexual orientation.
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Alexander Clarke
The KKK hid behind white shrouds and religion.
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John Norris Campbell
The KKK was the terrorist arm of the Democratic Party...twisting scripture for their own paticular agenda
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Dr Asha Sharma
I have heard everything now. The One Almighty Omnipresent God does not discriminate if this church want to have a group of people in their house of worship that is what they want we should not condemn them. Only God can judge. May all stay safe and continue to pray and spread love compassion and kindness and happiness
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Woodrow
God is not omnipresent.
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John P Maher
WOODROW THE NIT PICKER, DUH GOD is NOT, WHAT HAVE YOU MET HIM LATELY ???
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John Norris Campbell
Prove your statement...or is it your very own opinion?
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Why not? There's blacks only churches, collages, scholarships, ext. What's good for the goose is good for the ganger.Literally, the majority of other races congrigate and will socialize with mostly are all of their own race, and that's ok except when whites do it. Sorry if your going to allow one, then youmust allow all. Is it racist? I don't know, is all black collages racist? I would prefer an society to be mixed but it's clear alot of other races don't intermix, and that's their choice, just like it's the white's choice....All I'm saying is "fair is fair" ...