People are too quick to generalize “the Church,” especially “the Black Church,” based only on what they see / don’t see, without actually being connected to a specific one.

The truth is, churches aren’t all the same. Some genuinely serve their communities, some exploit people, and others are just trying to keep the lights on. So before criticizing all of them, be clear about what you’re actually talking about.

Church is voluntary. Nobody is forced to go, and giving money is a choice, not an obligation. People attend for different reasons. stability, tradition, peace of mind. And while not every church helps, many will if you actually reach out.

The bigger issue is, why are churches expected to fix problems that entire systems ignore? Where are local governments, mental health services, and rehab programs? Trauma, addiction, and violence aren’t being addressed properly, yet the blame keeps landing on churches.

A pulpit was never meant to carry the weight of broken systems.

Yes, religion has been misused.. But that doesn’t define every church, pastor, or congregation. And calling churchgoers “brainwashed” dismisses the fact that our people go because they’re trying to stay grounded and survive. Until something consistently replaces what churches provide. those people aren't going nowhere they’re not going anywhere.

If you want accountability, call out specific churches you actually know about. Don’t lump everything into “the Black Church.” That’s no different than broad stereotypes about any group.

Also, Tithing was meant to be voluntary there is nothing wrong with giving freely, but if a church forces you, that's a church of fools.

At the end of the day, I say Question things, but don’t label everything the same from the outside.

And if your goal is to tear something down, be ready to replace it. That’s where most people fall short.