A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man."

     One of the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention said this, “A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man." 

     The SBC oversees Southern Baptist Churches that are more rooted in Southern states. While Mr. Land was on his rant, he failed to mention his source of those "statistics." Maybe they polled southern white church members? Or maybe his statements stems from a deep seeded belief that Black men are more dangerous than white men? I’m just curious.

     His "Freedom of speech," or him speaking freely may cause a halt in the growth of black churches that have joined the SBC. While it is true that the SBC repented in 1995 for their involvement in slavery, I don't think they have yet earned the trust of those black churches to make statement like the above one about black men.)You can read the resolution by going to, http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amresolution.asp?id=899 . 

     Mr. Land's words may be the case of another angry "old" white man. Or maybe there is some validity of what he has said about black men? As a black man and as a Christian I find his words toxic.

      As a Christian I am for all believers getting along and walking in unity. No we are not going to agree on everything, but there are some basic principles that the body of Christ should and do share. Christ himself was against injustice. The crowd of men who wanted to stone, the woman, they were the lynch mob of Jesus' time. No doubt up until that point, the men had probably stoned a woman before. I did take notice that the men did not have man or men she had committed adultery with there to stone him or them. Jesus is no longer here, but we are.

     Racial harmony should be modeled by the church as a whole, especially among black and white believers. Knowing that this country is still dealing with the affects of slavery, is more reason that the church has to be vigilant in modeling unity. When a "Christian" leader makes incendiary statements about black men, he should be challenged by the church. Mr. Land's stereotypical statement about black men should have been an offense to all of us black men, saved or not. And just because I as Christian and a black man challenges Mr. Land does not mean that I'm against white people. Mr. Land cannot convince me that Jesus would endorse him saying. “A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man." Especially when history has proven otherwise.