Indiana

Are You the Light of the World?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

There’s an old saying that politics and religion don’t go together.  Someone should post that reminder at the door of the Light of the World Church.   At an ecumenical service slated to kick off  Indiana Black Expo this week, Bishop T. Garrett Benjamin took the opportunity to not only engage the audience, but also take a couple political shots at the Mayor while heaping praise on his challengers in next year’s elections.

The Bishop reportedly told the audience that the Mayor was “not their guy” and when he referred to Melina Kennedy and Jose Evans he said “it was good to see brothers and sisters running for Mayor.”  Please note, neither Evans not Kennedy stayed for the entire service, but Ballard did.

The Bishop also encouraged the audience to attend a scheduled march on Monday to protest the excessive force used against Brandon Johnson.

Shortly after the service the Mayor spoke with Benjamin about his remarks.  The bishop reportedly told Ballard that he had to be tough because there were people “who wanted to burn the city down” and he had to appease them.

We all have our opinions about the Brandon Johnson case.  Regardless, the pulpit is not the place to play politics, especially with the people who’ve reached out to you.  There is a time and place for everything and that was neither the time nor the place.

I’ll have more to write about this tomorrow when I ask will the real black leadership in this town please stand up?

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on July 10, 2010 (boomark / email).