39th Live Stream with Carlton Pearson - Trayvon and Zimmerman: Racism and Ignorance

About this sermon

There is lots of chatter about race in the media, socially and otherwise, especially since the Trayvon/Zimmerman murder trial. Obviously the trial was handled irresponsibly and greatly fed into the hurt, suspicions and anger already experienced and expressed across our nation since Trayvon's murder, over a year ago. It was like pouring fuel on hot coals that have since burst into a national consuming fire that could burn out of control like those in Colorado and Arizona recently. In one case, 19 firefighters died battling the fire. Some would reduce this entire Trayvon tragedy to who was on the bottom hollering. Or who was predator and who was prey. In my opinion, they both were, as are we all. But it's not who's hollering in an aggressive or aggression of panic, but who's hurting pandemically and consistently and who's wounded, frightened and angry of all colors, kinds, creeds, races and genders. This case is not just about Trayvon and his dear parents and family. It is about all of us, indeed, the whole of humanity. Millions of people holler without ever opening their mouths but I hear them in and with my spirit. They are the ones who continue to fall thru the cracks and off the edges of society and are often the living dead. As one who has served in ministry including pastoral, for over 40 years, I never simply judge what people do, but why they do it. Carlton Pearson After college at the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa Oklahoma he served for 15 years on its Board of Regents, and two years as Associate Evangelist of The Oral Roberts Association, (ORA). In 1977, Pearson founded Higher Dimensions Ministries (now New Dimensions ), in Tulsa, which grew to over 5,000. Bishop Pearson was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 1996 thru a College of Bishops headed by Bishop Charles E Blake, presently the Presiding Bishop of the Churches of God In Christ, the denomination he was raised in and through whom he was ordained in 1971. In 1993, Carlton married the former Gina Marie Gauthier who is a professional Life Coach and Yoga teacher. More recently, he has felt a passion to proclaim the "Gospel Of Inclusion" and has written a widely acclaimed book by that name, published by Simon and Schuster. It confronts the Christian church's exclusivism as being inconsistent, in spirit with the teachings of Jesus. Pearson's frank and often controversial take on a number of different subjects has earned him appearances on television programs such as NBC and MSNBC's Dateline, ABC's Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley, The Edge with Paula Zahn and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, The Monique Show on BET, and a number of other television, radio and print media outlets. Bishop Pearson was recognized as one of America's 10 Most Influential Black Ministers by Gospel Today and Belief.net. He has received several honorary doctoral degrees. Bishop Pearson recently served as the Interim Senior Minister at Christ Universal Temple in Chicago. He and Gina now host New Dimensions of Chicago, building a local multi-cultural and radically Inclusive spiritual community that emphasizes expanded consciousness and Self Actualization. His newest book, God Is Not A Christian, Nor A Jew, Muslim, Hindu...God Dwells With Us, In Us, Around Us, As Us was published by Simon and Schuster and released in the spring of 2010. Visit our Youtube Channel for more video! Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/bishoppearson Website: http://www.bishoppearson.com Join Email List: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=cqgwpvn6&p=oi&m=1011112155650

Topics

• Justice & Mercy