Index - Posting 06 June 2007 Vol. 4.1
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 68:19 Amplified.
As part of the ongoing events to mark the Bicentennial of the Abolition of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, I was invited recently to address a Changing Attitude group in the West Midlands. These brave souls are working towards the affirmation of sexual minorities within the Anglican communion; their goal being the full acceptance, welcoming and the offering of equal opportunities to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. They symbolise a hope that perhaps one day the Church of England may cease to struggle with the liberation and inclusivity that the good news of Jesus offers to all of us.
The flyer for the event introduced my presentation as Slavery and Homophobia – Connecting Chains? In the introduction to my presentation, I indicated that an explanatory paragraph would have read – An inclusive Jamaican reflection on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the 200 th Anniversary of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade by Reverend Caroline Redfearn of the LGBTIFH+ affirming Black Peoples Ministry in Metropolitan Community Churches. I then defined my terms with the following explanation; namely a ministry that affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, fluid and heterosexual people with the plus sign for any emerging or emergent orientations or identities awaiting classification. I also apologised for omitting C for celibate!
In my presentation, I sought to give a clear and interesting reflection on possible connections between slavery and homophobia. This was not to excuse ourselves as descendents of slaves from our own responsibility for the unholy exclusion of many of our lgbti family from the House of God. But I wanted to briefly explore some of the contributing factors that we in the Black Church still need to work through, as I feel homophobia has a root in the legacies of slavery and colonial Christianity.
I offered some brief thoughts on the role of colonial Christianity; including biblical translation and interpretation, and their effects on how people see and practice Christian morality. In commenting on the fundamentalist belief in the infallibility of Scripture giving credibility to bad translations, I gave Song of Solomon 1:5 as an example.
King James Version - I am black but comely,
New International Version - Dark am I, yet lovely.
Amplified - I am so black; but you are lovely and pleasant and finally,
New Revised Standard Version - I am black and beautiful (the only affirming translation)
Then I looked at recorded and alleged homosexual behaviours and activities during the slave’s experiences on the slave ships and the plantations, and in Caribbean cultures during the 16 th to 18 th centuries. Whilst quoting from my own research on the level of sadistic and sexual violence to which the slaves were subjected to daily, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of the unimaginable horror and violence that birthed Jamaica and the destructive legacies bequeathed to all of us of African descent. It takes a monumental deeply drawn spiritual breath to be able to pause and calmly think of that – Selah! Particularly as events in our modern lives still require that depth of inhaling to summon up the spiritual fortitude to enable us to begin to overcome.
I ended my talk with the following comments. Any actions that denies our fullness in Christ through phobias and isms is to quote one of our contemporary prophets, Robert Nesta Marley a “devil philosophy.” Freeing our minds from the mental slavery of the racism of 19 century biblical fundamentalism and the colonialism that enslaved our minds, bodies and souls is still a major priority. But just as the rain falls on the just and the unjust I added this reminder. Those who oppress the oppressed are also oppressed by their own oppression. We all need ongoing liberation and continuing renewal through God’s loving grace and compassion.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
May the Holy Spirit of God continue to free your heart, soul and mind from all that oppresses, suppresses and depresses.
Rev Caroline Redfearn ©blackpeoplesministries.com 2007