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One priest in the diocese, James Parker Dees, then the rector of Trinity Church in Statesville, played overtly to the conservative strain of racism. His rhetoric would be deeply embarrassing to the cause of Christ as he told of all the horrors that would ensue if “nigra children and white children were allowed to commingle.” The positive side of the argument was carried by Thom Blair, the rector of Christ Church in Charlotte… Thom argued for justice, for doing what was right. I shall never forget Jim Dees gesturing to Thom with a finger across his throat suggesting that Thom was damaging the church and killing his own career.
It’s funny, but predictions like that never really come true. When issues are being fought over in a changing world, those who risk rejection by embracing the future and moving beyond the barriers of past prejudices are never finally hurt. Those who cling to the insights of a dying world of a passing prejudice are the ones who will ultimately lose both credibility and integrity.
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John Shelby Spong, Here I Stand
Speak your prophecy.
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