Yeah....no.

Apparently in Shelby County, TN, teen pregnancy is "a problem". One minister, Ralph White of the Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church, thinks that abstinence isn't the only message young people should get--they should hear about "responsible sexual behavior" and that more programs in churches need to address pregnancy prevention. Well, ok. That sounds all right on the face of it, doesn't it?

However, Pastor White has come up with a, let's call it, not-so-all-right solution:
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A Memphis pastor is taking a stand, refusing to baptize a baby unless the child's parents are married.

Reverend Ralph White, the pastor of Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church in Memphis, is trying to set a precedent when it comes to teen pregnancies.

"We will do it, but not in the church setting," he said. "We'll go to the home or if they want to have an event somewhere, we'll go there and do it."

White said he hopes to send a message to young fathers: step up and provide for your family.

"Biblically speaking, a man who doesn't take care of his children or family is worst than an infidel," he said.
Soooo...shame is the method here, eh? "You aren't married, so you cannot have your baby baptized in church!" Because shame works so well, amirite?! Just when did "not being married" = "man doesn't care for his partner and child"? Will Pastor White make an exception for rape survivors who may not know her attacker, become pregnant, decide to continue a pregnancy, and keep the child? Single parents are just SOL, it seems. Also SOL: parents who cannot get married because retrofuck jackholes in their state have made it illegal. Great solution you have there, Pastor White. I think we should call it a "bullshit solution".

There are congregations who address these issues the right way. You might want to try some learning yourself, Pastor White, instead of trying to teach unmarried parents a lesson via shame from your propped up high horse.

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