Video: White Mississippi Church Refuses to Marry Black Couple

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by Ronnie Tyler | on July 28th, 2012 | 35 comments

Charles and Te’Andrea Wilson in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, had been attending the predominately white First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs regularly and had plans to be married there on July 21st. After wedding invitations had been sent out, they were told that they could not have their wedding in the church because they were black. Members of the church congregation had decided that no black couple could be married in the church. To-date, they have never had a black couple married there, and they were not about to start now.

The congregation threatened to vote the pastor out if he married the couple in the church. Although Dr. Stan Westherford was taken by surprise by this decision, he gave in to the grumblings of a few members in the church and told the Wilsons that they could not be married there. So, he agreed to marry them in a nearby church. The Wilsons are now talking to an attorney.

My opinion, it hurts my heart when I see what so-called “Christians” will get together and come up with. This is racist…plain and simple. If that pastor did not agree with it, then he should not have allowed it. And the threat of being thrown out should not have influenced his decision to do the right thing.

The church has sent a message to the Wilsons that is loud and clear: It is OK for you to attend our church and to give your offerings… as long as you know your place!!! There is no way that I would continue to take my family to that church.

BMWK Family – Should the pastor have performed the ceremony at his church anyway? If this was your wedding what would you have done? Have you ever seen this behavior in churches where a few people pretty much have control of everything going on there?

Check out news coverage of the story here:

About the author

Ronnie Tyler is the co-creator of BlackandMarriedWithKids.com and co-producer of the films Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me, Men Ain’t Boys and Still Standing. The proud mom of 4 has been selected by Parenting Magazine as a Must-Read Mom, is one of Babble’s Top 100 Mom Bloggers, and was an Ebony Power 100 Honoree for 2011 and 2012.

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Comments (35)

single mom creative Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

I love the way the truth is often exposed.
Rose Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

All I'm going to say is BLACK PEOPLE WAKE UP!!!!
- doris Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  get a life that couple did nothing an who are to talk about blacks
Gregory DeVon Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

The Church is Gods house, so everyone is welcome! To suggest that a couple can not be married due to their race goes against biblical principle. For this Pastor to allow those he is supposed to shepard to control and lead his decision making shows poor leadership! Not only is this unethical, its UNGODLY! He really needs to examine his integrity as a Pastor. Making a decision not to stand for what is right sends a message that you support what you know is wrong! This Pastor should have asked his congregation "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO"?
- Harold Andrew Kinyanjui Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  I am just wondering if in that church they read the same bible we all do because we are all the same in the eyes of GOD as per the scriptures.
RockSolidNegroe Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

Sad to say, but let be a lessoned. The author of this article is correct in saying that as long as the couple paid their tithes and offerings, they were tolerated whilst attending with the stipulation of "staying in theri place". My question, why weren't they attending a Black or Mixed congregation church though I am not ignorant to that the fact that the chances of the later existing in that state are 1 in a million. I concur! Black people wake up! If that how the congregation felt then there is no way that no incident hasn't happened prior to this. Denounce membership and GO HOME. Assimilation is not Equalization!
Sharon Newton Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

Be hurt, cry even, but move on. GOD is not the author of confusion, needless to say the spirit of GOD does not dwell in that church.
- Anonymous Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  Amen. Why would they even want to attend a church like that.
Reah Idris Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

why do black folks think there is a 2nd baptist church? I applaud the church for sticking to.what they believe in although unpopular! They never wanted black people to be a part in the first place but blacks were dying (quite literally in some cases) to be a part of a system and religion that wasnt set up for you! THEY ENSLAVED blacks with that very religion to justify it as they slaughter ppl today a so called "Christian" turn the other cheek nation...But knowing black peoples self hatred and willingness to believe white people ice is colder and White Jesus more forgiving they realized the economic advantages and acqused with stipulations such as this even today! They could get married outside because clearly if it is God they seek they will not findustry him there!
- Reah Idris Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  ****find him there
- Greg Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  you racist pig
- TSims Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  I once heard Dr. Carnel West say "Sunday morning at 11:00 is the most segregated hour in America." That was a reference to the de facto segregation that exists in too many churches throughout the land. It's our brand of American Christianity. Until Americans learn to worship together America will never be united. The Mississippi church and its pastor failed to ask what would Jesus do? Unfortunately deeply embedded racism lives in that church and the community. Dr. Michael Dyson asks, "Does Race Matter In America?" In Crystal Springs, Mississippi's First Baptist Church, sadly race does matter.
- tylerjr3 Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  that has got to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard,
- REV KELVIN WILSON Friday - 11 / 01 / 2013 Reply
  
  ARE YOU SERIOUS REAH IDRIS???? ALTHOUGH RELIGION IS MAN MADE, THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT... SO PLEASE MY FRIEND DONT BE SO CARNAL MINDED LIKE THESE GROUP OF RACIST SO CALLED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. THIS IS A DISGRACE TO WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ALL THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE!!!!! YOU NEED TO SEEK HIM AND COME TO KNOW HIM PERSONALLY. I PRAY FOR YOU
Greg Saturday - 28 / 07 / 2012 Reply

This Pastor should be ashamed. He took the easy way out and put himself ahead of the what the bible teaches.He should step down.Makes me sick. Jesus died for us and this pastor who is suppose to be preaching His word can not even tell the racist people in the congregation they are wrong.Instead he just goes with it because it is the easy thing to do.He might as well have been one saying you can not get married here because we are racist.
- Steve Randolph Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  Greg- I agree but what do you think about President Obama endorsing gay marriage???? I think he is taking the easy way out also. Instead of following God's word, he is just trying to get a popular vote...
  - stephanieb Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply
    
    Amen Steve, here we are worried about whether gay folks can or can't get married, but yet and still in 2012 we have a black couple that can't get married in their own church. No wonder there is so much mess going on in the world today, people aren't right and God is getting tired of folk's mess!!!!!
  - Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    
    The difference with Obama and this pastor is Obama is not a religious leader he is all about politics. A pastor is a religious leader who should keep politics out of his decision making.He should not be trying to be popular or play to the pressures of the "in" crowd.He is there to preach and teach the word of the Lord and be an example to his congregation and others.In this case he failed miserably and should be ashamed of himself.If I were a member of that church I would have left on the spot.This is not the kind of person I would want teaching my children about Jesus' teaching.
doris Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply

rose grow up a church is a church an i dont care wat race you are but blacks are back an are here to stay an the pastor should be ashamed for what he did to that couple god bess you and cause god loves everyone no matter what race
Steve Randolph Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply

READ THIS! This is horrible. I agree the pastor just did what he could to save his job rather than following in Jesus's example! However- Do you see that Obama is doing te same thing??? He is about to end the traditional family. This is completely against GOD and JESUS!! Where do my Christian brothers and sisters stand on this??? SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS A SIN! It is in no way connected to race and I hate when people try to connect it! People do not choose thier skin color! People do choose who they sleep with! Do you not see what is happening??? Oprah has helped to alter our Christian Beliefs!! Look at the people she has endorsed- NATE BERKUS (gay) Suzie Orman (gay) Dr. Phil (believes gay is ok). Come on people!!!! Fight for JESUS! Our country is about to not honor a family unit of a many and a woman at all. I am so scared for our children. Just get ready because all of our kids are going to have to live in this crazy world when we are gone!!! I just want to put that out there!
- Bren Bren Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply
  
  I agree with some of the things you said but addressing gay relationships is like opening a new can of worms. I will say this, I don't believe that God is pleased with gay relationships, but HE is not pleased with murderers, liars, aldulters, a proud look and other numerous sins. God teaches us to Love people and hate their sin. I leave you with this thought, God tell us to be fruitful and multiply. If we were to put a group of same sex gay people on a dessert Island, over time they will die out as they will have no way to multiply. As for the white pastor and his church house, He might as well teach that Jesus was white in the flesh and Heaven is segregated as well, thats if Blacks are allowed to enter in the first place. And if we are true Christians, we must forgive him too. Ouch!
  - D Dudley Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply
    
    Bren, funny how no one wants to hear the truth- most so called Christians only lean on the Bible when it comes to homosexuality, and then want to lean on forgiveness when they lie, cheat and steal. I'm convinced that Jesus only cares about one thing- your capacity to Love. As far as the Obama detractors, note that he has made the both politically and constitutionally sound personal decision, in separating so called "church" and state- yet still show love and compassion by supporting an opportunity for all of the citizens of the country over which he presides, to share the same rights.
  - Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
    
    Yes we must forgive him as Jesus has taught us.And that is the hard part. But no where does it say we have to forget because if we forget we do not learn. So forgiving and not forgetting will hopefully will make us stronger Christians by learning from this and doing what we can to not let it happen anymore.
- Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
  
  Obama is a politician. We know politicians are slim to start with.They are not out to promote God's word. They are out to get reelected period. They will say and do what ever it takes to do so. (as we all have seen)So comparing Obama to this poor excuse of a pastor is apples and rocks
Khalfani El Sunday - 29 / 07 / 2012 Reply

One day the so call African-American will wake-up and realize as Reah Idris said, that this religion was not made for us black people. Human history teaches us that religion is the white man institutional system in a response to other spiritual system that predate the cavemans religion. Having a white god, white iesus(jesus the christ) as a figure head that symbolizes white supremacy. This religion and others breed hate, genocide, male dominance. To have blind faith with no evidence, you become a sheep. One must examming the life of a sheep before subjugating youself to that system. We must overstand there is no God in the universe that ever spoke/reveal him or herself to any white man, prophet, inspired human. Only a "fool" will be(lie)ve God's word was place in a book. If there is such a being as a devil, then the religion institution is where one will find such beings. V/R GOD
- Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
  
  I pray for you. You are bitter.Jesus was from the middle east.As far as I know they are not white there.
Cheryl Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply

I am surprised that this couple did not feel unwelcome in this church prior to this incident. Was there no sign of the racism the rest of the congregation was feeling? Had they made real friends with any other congregants? Joined any clubs? I am baffled at how they had no idea that their fellow members thought this way.
casey jones Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply

Situation should arise again? So black couple getting married at the church is a situation. You "allow" us to fellowship with you, you take our tithes, but we can't marry there....Awww, the Christian way!!! That's showing Godly love and compassion...
Shay Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply

The pastor is still "employed" by the church. If he went against them he would have to look for another church. This couple just needs to find a more accepting church. Why would they even want to continue going there? I can't believe they attended this church and felt "accepted". I bet you anything they were excluded either from activities or functions and for some reason they didn't notice or failed to pay attention.
- Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
  
  Shay so you think the pastor did the right thing?Looking out for himself?If you think that you need to look at yourself in the mirror and see that your Christian values are not in order. Wake up and realize Jesus' teachings were to love and accept everyone.
Anonymous Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply

There is a God and it's sad s/o else's lack has caused unbelief that has in turn caused social breakdown! No one is perfect we all fall short. The Word has not changd the Hebrew Torah does not changed and up dated each year. The Word clearly states do not add or subtract! The people perish for lack of knowledge is so true!
tylerjr3 Monday - 30 / 07 / 2012 Reply

the spirit of the Lord can not possible dwell in this place. but, this is something that they will have to answer for, from what I am hearing the renewing of the mind has not taken place. but, this is happening for a reason for all of us to learn from, and prayerfully they will examine themselves and turn away from that they they are partaking in. No way is this biblical and for anyone to say otherwise is not walking in the love In which Jesus freely gives to everyone. Jesus exemplified what love is and should be. so im not understanding the Pastor or the congragation on how they can justify a couple wanting to be under the covanant of God simply based on race. We know that out of darkness came light so where did white come from. im just keeping it real.
Jai Tuesday - 31 / 07 / 2012 Reply

Sad to say that in the south there is still racism.
- Greg Wednesday - 01 / 08 / 2012 Reply
  
  Sad to say there is ignorance everywhere still.