WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

            For several days, news of President Nelson Mandela’s death has claimed center stage in international news reports.  Renowned leaders of nations around the world joined thousands of South Africa’s citizens in the rain to celebrate the life and ligancy, and millions more by broadcast media and personal reviewing of his remains.

            History has already recorded the work and achievement of this freedom fighter that spent 27 of his 95 years in bondage.  From prison to president, he returned to unite this racially divided country into one nation.  What could have happened had he sought revenge when thousands could have been killed to overturn the denial of human rights of millions of citizens, was accomplished through reconciliation with the present government and the African National Council.

            History records Mandela was on the right side. But history equally records those who opposed his efforts and supported apartheid brutal enforcement denial of human rights to millions of Afrikaans.  America’s politics is divided into Left and Right camps.  It is interesting that the Right camp claims the right interpretation to the constitution…Right political path for our nation…and Right conservative religious standards. Could it be that these claims often fall short of what is right in the sight of God? History is a better judge of that than I. But I wonder how the action of some of these individuals square with God’s mandates for righteousness.

*POLITICAL, Senators and other elected officials refused to support legislation dealing with South Africa’s government as it relates to apartheid and freedom of Mandela.   President Reagan vetoed a bill to support Mandela’s release from prison but it was overridden by congress.

*RELIGION, Popular religious leaders, Jerry Farwell, Pat Robinson and others used their broad influence to denounce Mandela and support apartheid.

*MEDIA, broadcast and print led by O’Riley and Limbaugh, even upon the celebration

of his life, some would denounce Mandela as a communist.

            The record suggest that Mandela may have accepted support from anyone supporting his cause, but it will also suggest that he was more of a practicing principal human rights advocate than any of his critics. His work provided opportunity for millions to share in a democratic election while his critics in America are working, at this very moment, to restrict and limit that right for Americans.  WWJD “What would Jesus do?” It would appear that the attitude demonstrated by Mandela was more in line with the teaching of Jesus.

            Who is on the Lord’s side? Some on the Right will never accept President Obama  as President, and will continue their work to defeat his agenda. Some would even suggest that Obama’s Affordable Health legislation is equal to apartheid. The fact that President Obama shook hands with those who may be classified as our enemy may also be in line with the teaching of Jesus. Remember...President Mandela nor President Obama stands as our roll models… JESUS IS!  Who Is On The Lord’s Side?…THINK ABOUT IT!

                                                                        Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                            931-220-1522

                                                                      Clarksville, Tennessee

                                                                     jerryjerkins@gmail.com

GUEST COLUMINST SUFFAGE BY ANOTHER NAME!

Negroes were supposed to be freed under President Lincoln’s Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, they were enslaved again by Southern politicians. Some people are asking, “Why do most Negroes strongly favor one political party over others?” The reason is stated in American History. When President Lincoln died, Johnson became president and vetoed every legislation that favored former slaves. Northern politicians supported the political party that assisted in advancing opportunities for former slaves. Negroes knew that it was Lincoln’s party under which partial freedom came, but the trend changed with the election of President Johnson.

            Women suffrage and Negro suffrage were linked together regarding the vote and some other privileges guaranteed to other citizens. After 200 years, today the era of suffrage is presented under a different name. It doesn’t matter what it is called, if the intent and the result   is the same…the issue is the same, and requires the same resistance to it as was applied then.

            “Taking America Back,” is a statement often heard in political campaigning today. I am persuaded that by some of the new legislation pushed through 34 states that may mean taking this nation back to early post slavery days. This is denied, but there is evidence that this is a single party national agenda that minorities has had to fight against. Photo ID legislation takes us back when it was almost impossible for former slaves to qualify to vote. This will affect more than 5 million citizens of color today. While we are expressing concern for open and fair election in other nations, it may be time for the UN to send election monitors to America and discover if we are practicing what we are preaching…suffrage by another name.

            There may also be women suffrage by another name. No problem with women right to vote now, but they don’t have a right to determine what will happen to their own bodies. The discussion on health care also includes children and the poor. 

            For the record, I am Negro, Christian, and Democrat. I claim neither liberal nor conservative label. I am a preacher concerned about the welfare of all people. I preach and teach against abortion. I preach and teach what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. Men and women who share homosexual life styles must be afforded every accommodations other citizens (job, housing, education, healthcare, etc).  If it is true everyone should marry the person they love. What about a son marring his mother, a father his daughter, a brother his sister?  If the union is based on love “Eros”…is that where we are headed? Even nature testifies real marriage is between male and female.

            We also hear suffrage by another name in words. A selection of people associated with one of the political parties real feelings for President Obama and women slips out in words. Words beyond debate on the serious politics of our day, like that of a federal judge suggesting Obama’s mother had sex with a dog, like that of a recent law suit challenging Obama qualification to be president based on his birth as a mulatto, words from birthers questionings Obama’s citizenship and scholarship and many more.  Then there are slanderous words suggesting that women are sluts and prostitutes because they dare fight for the right to have their concerns addressed in the national political discussions. Personalities of all political parities may at some time be guilty of personal attacks, whoever and whenever it is…this must be recognized as sexist and racist. Could it be that the party of Lincoln that precipitated the freeing of slaves may now be under the influence of a party called Tea? SUFFAGE BY ANOTHER NAME!

                                                                                                  Pastor Jerry G. Jerkins

                                                                                                Clarksville 931-552-6045

                                                                                                       March  8  2012

OPINION LETTER TO LEAF CHRONICLE MAN’S LAW / GOD’S LAW

OPINION LETTER TO LEAF CHRONICLE

MAN’S LAW / GOD’S LAW

            A few days ago, President Obama’s statement on accepting same sex marriage has created a storm of protest across the nation. The view expressed by the president is personal but  I  am also strongly opposed to it.  Historically in our nation’s law and in God’s law, marriage has been defined as a union between man and woman. This is the position I stand on. However,  there  should be no discrimination against these persons related to jobs, housing, other rights, etc.

            The week following the announcement, pastors made protesting statements to their congregations and to the media regarding  the president.  I applaud those pastors but here’s my concern. Many of those pastors, including Negro congregations, address this as if this is the only sin that displeases God. This same Bible  from  which I draw my conclusion on homosexuals, also addresses my love and concern for the sick, the poor, the stranger.  The Catholic Church expressed strong opposition to the president but this  Church has also taken a strong position against the political party policies that will greatly restrict care to poor, elderly and sick citizens.

            Some Negro preachers, very vocal about this, have been quiet about the politics of our time when we are facing a movement to return the order of our society back to pre civil right demonstrations. As a citizen, I can choose a candidate to vote for or choose not vote at all. Not to vote is never an option for me. Opposition forces are already determined to minimize my vote by the ID law. My struggle for equal opportunity and the vote will not be in vain. Not to vote supports the ID law and is a vote for someone. I must read the whole Bible, study the candidates’ platform, then vote for the candidate I believes best shares my interest…Make this a matter of serious thought…but vote!

                                                                                    Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                    Clarksville, Tennessee

                                                                                    931-220-1522

           

TRAVON OPINION

What is the opposite of justice? How can we know it when we see it or when we experience it? How do we define racial profiling?  Almost two months have passed since the incident in Sanford, Florida fueled a national discussion on the progress of race relationship in America. In some way, each citizen is responsible for what America looks like today. The story has been covered by the media but one TV network suggest it was just an accident.

            I agree with the national outcry and protest that is including citizens of all economic and racial identification. It is not just about the individual who shot the gun, but the conduct of the police department (who serves and protects) presenting a case of institutional racialism. Hooded individuals are therefore gathering all over the nation to express concern.

            The fact that the murder of a black by a none black seemed covered up by police is not incidental to this death and is cause for great concern. However, while we are concerned that a black boy is dead, the fact is, several black men are killed each month in Detroit, Chicago, Nashville and other large cities across the nation. What if the circumstances of this case were the same, except the shooter was black? Another black man would be dead and the shooter would have been arrested that night and destined for prison’s death row. We lose more young men in Black on Black crime than are murdered by others. Where is the Black church, clergy, civil rights organization’s in our own communities regarding this fact. How can we so strongly condemn the neglect of police, legislators and government officials, when we are not involved in a nation campaign to solve our own problems?

            It is not just Sanford’s police Department. It is part of our criminal justice system. We are 12% of the national population, yet 50% of prisoners are Negros. Justice is not just...equality is not equal. Prisons are big business on the stock market. It is not the intent of the criminal justice system to rehabilitate, but to stabilize the ex-con in the circle of returns to prison. Meanwhile, we are shut up in our houses of worship on Sundays and have forgotten what  Jesus said about our commitment to the hungry, sick and those in jail. When will the church call thousands together to seriously deal with black on black crimes? Check your news media, a black man probably died at the hands of another black today.

            Some who claim to be the moral right seems more  to be the moral wrong. They claim to be patriots but their legislative agenda has made it more difficult for American citizens to vote, and at the same time easier for citizens to commit murder...protected by “Stand Your Ground”  legislation across the nation. What is the opposite of justice? How can we know it when we   experience it?  Every day, our school children are repeating the pledge.  ”One nation under God…with liberty and justice for all.”  Neither is true!

                                                                                    Pastor Jerry Jerkins

                                                                                    Clarksville, Tennessee

                                                                                    931-220-1522

                                                                                    April 6, 2012