Dear Pastors – Where do you stand on slots in Maryland?
It was Dante Alighieri who said: “the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality.”
And I am of the belief that the moral crisis that revolves around the issue of slot machines in Maryland is demanding that pastors in the “free state” stand up and let their voices be heard. We – as pastors – cannot afford to stand on the sidelines and say nothing as many people are looking for guidance on this issue. We – as pastors – know better than most about the social ills that already plague our community and can only imagine how much more our phones will ring when problem gambling begins to dig its claws even deeper into the psyches of those we say we serve. We – as pastors – will be publicly shamed if we eagerly jump to the podium of public attention to promote our conferences, books, services, or events, but say NOTHING when a vice like slot machine gambling is headed this way to devour our people.
I am thankful for the many pastors who have already made their voices heard on this issue: Pastor Matthew Jones (United Missionary Baptist Convention), Pastor Johnny Golden (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance), Bishop John Schol (Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church), Bishop Doug Miles (Koinonia Baptist Church), Pastor Gregory Perkins (St. Paul Community Baptist Church), Pastor William Calhoun (Trinity Baptist Church), Pastor Jonathan Weaver (Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church), and so many others who are out there standing flat-footed telling everyone who will listen to VOTE NO ON QUESTION 2!
However, there are more pastors, especially those who serve in Baltimore City, who would do well to speak up and make it clear where they stand on slots.
Many of you pastors have already made it clear that you support Obama for President – perhaps it was a kind reference to Obama during your sermon, perhaps it was an Obama t-shirt or hat you wore to a church function – whatever it was, you sent signals to your congregation that you are in support of Barack Obama for president. If you are bold enough to do that, why won’t you say anything about slots?
There are some megaministries – congregations of thousands – in Baltimore with Pastors who are known to be power brokers in the political arena. Some of them stood with Martin O’Malley as he was trying to become Governor. Some of them stood with Sheila Dixon when she was trying to become Mayor. I understand if you are hesitant to speak out because your political friends are for it – even though they were first against it. (O’Malley called slots money a “morally bankrupt way to fund education and in March 2003, Dixon wrote an opinion commentary published in the Baltimore Sun entitled, Don’t gamble with the city’s future “saying that we would be taking steps backward if we allow gambling interests to wreak havoc on Baltimore residents.”)
BUT THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE – The People are more important than your political friendships! The People are more important than any guarantees set to come your way in exchange for your silence.
HOW CAN THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?!
Today the Baltimore Sun referenced Reverend Frank Reid, Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, in an article about Black Churches and the slots issue:
The Rev. Frank M. Reid III, pastor of the 17,000-member Bethel AME Church in West Baltimore, said that bad economic news in recent weeks probably would push a slim majority of black voters into the “yes” category.
“The cuts to the state budget, the cuts to education … that may cause people to come out and vote for gambling,” said Reid, who has decided not to take a formal position on the question despite personal misgivings about gambling.
With all due respect, this type of equivocating and dancing around the issue is unacceptable by anyone who calls him or her self a prophet of God. The Bible is replete with example after example of how divinely inspired men stood before the power brokers of their society and spoke the Word of God despite any consequences that would come their way. The Prophets were convinced that if you stand for God and speak Divine Truth, that God would take care of you. Dr. Reid, a longtime O’Malley ally, is in the unenviable position of having the Mayor of Baltimore who is a slots supporter as one of the members of his church. That notwithstanding, I am of the opinion that any pastors first allegiance is to Almighty God and that whenever issues come about in the fabric of your church family that posit some of the congregation on one side (no matter how influential they may be) and the truth of God’s Word and Will on the other – then God should always win out.
Dr. Reid is certainly familiar with standing and speaking truth on difficult issues.
In 2003, he launched his bid to become a Bishop in the AME Church. The theme of his campaign, was “Let’s Start a Revolution!” Surging on the fact that his father and grandfather were Bishops before him in the AME church, Reid was poised to continue this great family tradition. However, the ugly side of the episcopal process soon proved to be too much for Reid’s integrity. By July 2004, Reid withdrew his name from the Bishop Election process and then published a scathing critique of the AME church. It was his attempt to tell the truth in love and challenge the denomination that he cared so much for to grow and do greater things for God.
I have no formal connection to the AME Church, but I remember when Dr. Reid published that controversial pamphlet. Pastors from far and wide were denouncing it and even clergy local to Baltimore criticized Reid – saying that he was out of touch and bitter that the election didn’t swing more favorably in his favor. Reid stood flat-footed nonetheless.
As a younger preacher and now pastor, that’s the Dr. Frank Reid that I need to have before me. In fact, that’s the type of clergy example that all established pastors in this town should be setting for younger ministers. A pastor who isn’t fearful of getting down in the trenches like Jesus to support the people both spiritually, materially, and politically – even if such revolutionary activity will place you in the path of the wrath of the Roman Empire.
As cherished Jamaican-born author, Claude McKay wrote, “If we must die, let it not be like hogs hunted and pinned in an inglorious spot.” In the spirit of a Dr. Tyrone Powers, I want it to be clear that there’s dignity in dying on your feet rather than living on your knees.
If some members of the clergy – no matter their religious orientation – have decided that they have to go along with the O’Malley Administration on slots, then that’s their business. I disagree with them on the policy, but I’ll never disrespect them personally. However, my mind is made up.
The social and spiritual costs of bringing slots to Maryland will far outweigh any tenuous projected revenues that will come from gambling.
Next time you see your religious leader ask them, “Pastor, where do you stand on slots?“
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It’s amazing, but we have not heard from several of Baltimore’s leading mega-church Pastors on this issue. I have been closely reading the media coverage on slots for the last several weeks and have barely seen any comment from the pulpit.
Pastor Frank Madison Reid III is a sell-out to the white power structure of Baltimore City and the State of Maryland. Bethel AME is still in the midst of building their Baltimore County sanctuary and need the wheels of the process to be oiled by the political machine of the Democratic party, which are hog-wild for slots revenue in this state. I view his indecisiveness like I view people who tell me that they are undecided for the Presidential election. How can you be undecided after two years of campaigning, two conventions and several nationally televised debates? Pastor Ried, you have had several years to study this issue and to weigh the pros and cons of each argument. The fact that you remain undecided tells me that you are afraid of what your decision will cost you.
Where is Bishop Walter Scott Thomas? I will tell you where he is. He is in the pocket of Mayor Sheila Dixon and Govenor Martin O’Malley, because his congregation got a sweetheart mutli-million dollar deal from the city and state to move from their present location in Edmondson Village to a business park in Northwest Baltimore. I am sure Bishop Thomas will talk slick from his pulpit about the danger of slots, but unless you are a member of New Psalmist you won’t hear what he has to say.
Where is Jamal Harrison Bryant? Maybe he is in England working on his degree from Oxford…LOL….That was unfair!!! Jamal has nothing to offer but empty sermons with a lot of pop and sizzle, but no substance. Of course he is a supporter of both O’Malley and Dixon.
My pastor has no opinion unless someone tells him he should!
Thanks God for those pastors you identified that are not afraid to take a stand: Pastor Matthew Jones (United Missionary Baptist Convention), Pastor Johnny Golden (Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance), Bishop John Schol (Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church), Bishop Doug Miles (Koinonia Baptist Church), Pastor Gregory Perkins (St. Paul Community Baptist Church), Pastor William Calhoun (Trinity Baptist Church), Pastor Jonathan Weaver (Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church).
@ Nat Turner,
Man you hit the nail on the head with this one!! Have not heard one peep out of the so-called big boys(large church revenue generators) on this issue. I guess if you are in bed with the politicians you can’t say anything. I would like to be a fly on the wall in some of these mega-dens on the Sunday before the election to see just how these so-called leaders “steer” their flock to vote yes for slots. I gamble but I will vote no for slots and here’s why.
We have more than our share of social ills down here. State run gambling has not helped Atlantic City. I know what I speak of because I just came from up there last week. The headlines of the The Press(Atlantic City daily newspaper) said that the casinos up there took the biggest loss ever in the month of September this year. Revenue in each casino was down 20-30 percent. The crowds for a weekend were not there and I talked to a few service industry people and cab drivers who said that it was really slow up there since mid-late summer. The Tropicana was recently renovated but they are now in some kind of bankrupcy protection. Also if you really think about it, Atlantic City is very, very run down with its share of the same ills we have down here. It mirrors us with the mirage of the Boardwalk(the Inner Harbor) and then the rest of the city in the black areas are neglected. With the economy as bad as it is, we don’t need another pipe dreams sold to us. We have too many churches down here that do that just fine.
Heber,
Have you sent a copy of this commentary to the Afro? If not, you should ASAP. And as a matter of clarification regarding Pastor Reid’s decision to not take a formal position. If I am correct he serves on the State Board of Estimates and that group of folk voted UNANIMOUSLY to support slots. That would include him. I applaud your courage and advocacy for justice.
Heber,
Correction. That is the State Board of Regents and not Board of Estimates.
Great topic!
In my earlier statement about Frank Madison Reid III, I forgot to mention that he is in the pocket of David S. Cordish. Who is David S. Cordish? Cordish, who according to an article in todays edition of the Baltimore Sun has publicly acknowledged interest in a Baltimore casino, is one of the largest developers in Baltimore City. He owns Power Plant Live and the Pier 6 concert venue. As some of you may recall, Bethel AME gets a cut of the revenue proceeds (which tallys in the millions) from the Pier 6 venue through a deal that Cordish struck with the church about 2-3 years ago. I guess you can buy the political influence of the church.