Admitting Your Problem

[Perianne]

‘Racists Anonymous’ groups at churches: The first step is admitting you have a problem

With the familiar backdrop of a 12-step program — folding chairs, burned coffee, the Serenity Prayer — people can explore the often uncharted terrain of their own feelings about race, said Ron Buford, pastor of the Congregational Community Church in Sunnyvale.

“The first step is that you have to acknowledge that you have a problem,” he said. “That is something that we as Americans don’t want to do.”


The barrier to growth is steep, though. Not too many people are willing to sit down in front of a group, and say “Hi, My name is Ron, and I’m a racist,” he said. “A lot are not convinced, but they become convinced over time.”

About a dozen people began meeting every Thursday. Since then, as tensions have intensified along with increasingly racially charged campaign rhetoric, more than 30 other churches have requested materials to start their own groups — from Baltimore to Coral Gables, Fla.

Coming soon to a community near you.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...join/#comments

[Gunny]

That's BS. Going to come up with a 12 step program for racists, are they? They don't know what they're doing. If you ask me,

Get rid of the race baiters. THERE is a solution.

[Noir]

Seems a good idea, if someone accepts that they do not treat other humans as they should and want to change, that should be welcomed. Sadly I imagine many racists are quite happy (even proud) of their racism.

[Drummond]

Seems a good idea, if someone accepts that they do not treat other humans as they should and want to change, that should be welcomed. Sadly I imagine many racists are quite happy (even proud) of their racism.

And when we all think in lockstep according to PC imperatives ... will you then, and only then, be content, Noir ?

You are a Leftie, and I claim my £5 ....

[Noir]

And when we all think in lockstep according to PC imperatives ... will you then, and only then, be content, Noir ?

You are a Leftie, and I claim my £5 ....

Yeah if the 'PC imperative' in question is 'we should not be prejudice towards someone based on their skin colour' then I regard that as a positive thing.

Do you not regard that as a positive thing?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Yeah if the 'PC imperative' in question is 'we should not be prejudice towards someone based on their skin colour' then I regard that as a positive thing.

Do you not regard that as a positive thing?

You are clueless, its not about skin color. Its more about cultural conflict, human interaction that comes from who people want to identify with and belong to as a group..
There is a reason that blacks as a race make the highest prison population in this nation..
There is reason they are more prone to be violent and criminal.

Both, you and your kind refuse to even consider.

Same thing with the gays,THE MUSLIMS--- they are by and large not a group I want to be associated within any way.
Because of my morals you and libs like you declare me racist or subhuman while you defend those that are vile, perverted and far more likely to kill, pervert and/or rape our kids than others.

Good God man, havent you' even a damn clue at all! '

I MAKE NO DEMANDS THAT ANY OF THEM BOW TO ME BUT THEY ON THE OTHER HAND DO MAKE SUCH DEMANDS OF ME!
THATS A DANGEROUS THING TO DO--TO ME..

1.I bow to no man,2.no government, 3. no other entity that tries to use unlawful, unconstitutional force upon me!!
Here is a friendly hint, since I see redeeming qualities in you and bear you no malice --

Those three are the qualities that make an honorable man..---TYR

[Noir]

You are clueless, its not about skin color.

Well it appears it is about skin colour for the people attending this group, and if the end result is some of the people in this group end up treating fellow humans a little better, then all the better for them.

[Drummond]

Well it appears it is about skin colour for the people attending this group, and if the end result is some of the people in this group end up treating fellow humans a little better, then all the better for them.

As befits your Leftie 'persuasion', you're only seeing what you choose, or prefer, to see.

Tyr talks excellent sense. You'd do well to heed what he has to say.

[fj1200]

“The first step is that you have to acknowledge that you have a problem,”

Sadly, that's quite a large barrier.

[Abbey Marie]

Well it appears it is about skin colour for the people attending this group, and if the end result is some of the people in this group end up treating fellow humans a little better, then all the better for them.

If these folks attend a regular Bible study, and really live according to what they learn there about Jesus' teachings, they should be fine.

Unfortunately, many of our mainline denoms have gone astray in their attempts to boost membership, and people sense it.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Well it appears it is about skin colour for the people attending this group, and if the end result is some of the people in this group end up treating fellow humans a little better, then all the better for them.

if the end result is some of the people in this group end up treating fellow humans a little better, then all the better for them.

^^^ I thanked this part --- as its true.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER IF WE TREAT EACH OTHER WITH MORE RESPECT, DIGNITY AND TRUTH.
And in replying such you showed redeeming qualities despite the blind path that you too often follow IMHO.-Tyr

[Trigg]

I have a couple of problems with this.

1. It says everyone is racist, which I disagree with. Prejudice is not racism.

2. In going along with AA it states that you "can't help" but be racist.

3. There's a growing theme in this country that tries to state that only white people can be racist and this seems to be echoing that sentiment.

[Kathianne]

I don't get the idea of 12 step for racism. 12 steps are for addiction, many of which have a physical component.

Racists develop either through lessons taught by others, such as parents or peers or as a reaction to a specific experience that they generalize onto a race.

[Gunny]

If these folks attend a regular Bible study, and really live according to what they learn there about Jesus' teachings, they should be fine.

Unfortunately, many of our mainline denoms have gone astray in their attempts to boost membership, and people sense it.

There's too much business in hate groups for the people profiting to let go without a fight. This iis just another example of them perpetuating the hate. The radical Islamics are back on the back burner. They'll have to come up with something to get back out front.

[Gunny]

I don't get the idea of 12 step for racism. 12 steps are for addiction, many of which have a physical component.

Racists develop either through lessons taught by others, such as parents or peers or as a reaction to a specific experience that they generalize onto a race.

Addiction is as much psychological as physical. You don't have the latter without the former.

Hate is a powerful addiction for some.