The Black Lives Matter movement started in 2013. Its founders claim, “#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer.”* Further, about four years ago Black Lives Matter became an official organization. The idea for such organized efforts seemed noble, “Four years ago, what is now known as the Black Lives Matter Global Network began to organize. It started out as a chapter-based, member-led organization whose mission was to build local power and to intervene when violence was inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.” Note that the intent of the organization was to “build local power.” However, such power comes with strings attached.
The cry “black lives matter” is supported by the majority of Americans (some tend to disagree). Despite the fact that the media and certain groups claim most Americans are racist, the opposite is true. Most believe that black lives matter. Racism issues that exist in our country are legion. However, though the majority no longer believes in “One nation under God,” most decent Americans believe in one nation “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Many evangelical pastors are presently having discussions on race. Some have pronounced to the world that black lives matter. However, pastors as well as congregants have not yet been able to differentiate between the phrase “black lives matter,” and the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
4 Reasons why I do not condone BLM
1. First, I do not condone Black Lives Matter because it is a Neo-marxist movement. In an interview for The Real News Network, Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors said, ““We are trained Marxists. We are super-versed on, sort of, ideological theories. And I think that what we really tried to do is build a movement that could be utilized by many, many black folk.” But really??
Marxism was founded by Karl Marx, who believed all class structures should be abolished by one system that is supposedly good for all. Its ideals were to be accomplished at all costs, including violence. In practice, marxism gave birth to communism, killing more than 100 million people in the last century. Marxism, as an ideology seeks to destroy all other points of view. There is no freedom of religion for Christians, and others, within this system. Karl Marx himself said, “The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.“
Furthermore, Marxism is about the establishment of a new order. It is also about change in the here and now, no matter the cost, it is about societal activism. As Christians, we are not called to be social activists. We are encouraged not to live for an earthly kingdom, but a greater heavenly kingdom (also see Colossians 3:1–4). The kingdom of God. We are called to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
2. Second, I do not condone Black Lives Matter because it seems to seek “black supremacy.” While decrying white supremacy, BLM leaders simply want to replace it with what I would label “black supremacy.” Hawk Newsom, at the very end of an interview with Martha McCallum, exclaimed, “I just want black liberation, and black sovereignty by any means necessary” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ClaPgXpOag). Though the BLM website claims the movement seeks freedom and justice for all people, and celebrate differences and commonalities, it also states, “We are unapologetically Black in our positioning.”
Such ideals are not about human dignity for all. They are aimed only at black Americans (or blacks in general). The gospel message is not exclusive to just a particular group of people. The gospel is for all nations, panta ta ethne, and it is not preferential to any particular color of people (i.e., Matthew 24:14; 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 2:28). Further, the Christian person’s agenda is the supremacy of Christ above all things, not other people, organizations, political systems, or ideologies contrary to the Word of God. Christ’s supremacy above all things is the only way and the best way (Colossians 1:15-23). Why? Because he gave of himself so we can be eternally reconciled by the shedding of his blood on the cross.
3. Third, I do not condone Black Lives Matter, because for Black Lives Matter, not all black lives matter. The death of black people only matter to BLM as long as it supports their political narrative. Case in point, since June 20, 2020, 9 black CHILDREN killed by violence in Chicago. Davon McNeal, an 11 year-old chid was shot in the head while heading to a family cookout on July 4. The next day, July 5th, Anthony Robinson, who was walking with his 6-year-old daughter in the Bronx was shot dead. What did BLM say about such deaths? Nothing (insert cricket sounds!).
Further, if BLM truly does value all black lives, why do they not decry to the disproportionate abortion numbers of black babies? BLM claims, “We are guided by the fact that all Black lives matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status, or location.” But what about unborn black lives? Do they matter?
Though white and black abortions ratios, from the latest CDC statistics (2015), are about the same (124,893 white abortions and 121,829 black abortions respectively), 36% of abortions in the US are from black Americans. That is a huge number since Black Americans only comprise 13.4% of the US overall population.** Rev. Clenard H. Childress Jr. claims, “The most dangerous place for an African American to be is in the womb of their African American mother.” Though his statement is not true of all African American women and certainly hyperbolic, black abortion rates in the US are a serious problem.
As Christians, we value the right to life. We believe that God conceives a child in the womb. God made us (Psalm 100:3), he formed us in our mother’s womb (Isaiah 44:24; Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5). We stand against all violence, including violence against the life of the unborn. BLM does not seem to care about it, because it does not fit their agenda.
4. Finally, I do not condone Black Lives Matter because its ideals are not merely about taking a stand against police brutality. All Christians should stand against police brutality. And all Christians should also be for justice, law, order, and peace in our communities. We should both condemn police brutality, while at the same time not falling into the trap that vilifies all cops as bigoted, racist, and violent people.
Furthermore, BLM is against the traditional view of marriage. In fact, their goal is to disrupt it. “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.” The nuclear family mentioned has to do with the view that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
However, the biblical model affirms marriage as one between one man and one woman (Genesis 2; Matthew 19). BLM’s affirmation of the gay and transgender agenda are also non-biblical. We stand in contrast with the idea that one’s gender is malleable. The Christian view is that one’s biological sex is directly related to one’s gender. Genesis 1:17 affirms that God created man and woman, “male and female” (zakar and neqebah) into his own image.
In conclusion, yes…all black lives matter. Because all lives are created in the Imago Dei and because Christ died so that all black people, and everyone else, may have eternal life through him. Though I do support the statement “black lives matter,” I stand in opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement (organization).
Written by Daniel Messina
CLICK HERE FOR ANOTHER ONE OF MY ARTICLES: https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/black-lives-matter-all-lives-matter-addressing-the-big-elephant-in-the-room/
*Info gathered from the official BLM website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/
*Also read one of my articles that highlights the movement: https://thepreachersdevoblog.com/black-lives-matter-all-lives-matter-addressing-the-big-elephant-in-the-room/
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