Ethnography

Ethnography

Ethnographic “Participant-Observation”
Anthropology 175 HTA/HTB Fall   2011 Peoples of the World Dr. John Cinnamon
Mike Pressler
Part A: Observation: Zion Global Ministries Baptist Church
Zion Baptist Church is located on the outskirts of West Chester Ohio, in Pisgah to be exact, so upon my first visit I wasn't   too sure who the crowd would be mainly consisting of. Although I had a good idea, my ex-girlfriend (who is black) would complain that the church I've taken her to that is close to my apartment was the white church and she wanted to find a place to worship which she felt more comfortable with her surroundings, aka she wanted to go to a church that consisted mainly of black people, where she feels less like shes being looked at strangely for being “different”, which is ironic because she also relayed a story to me through which she described instances where black people would judge people in church solely based on their appearance. Well being someone who has very little regard for any organized religion (in my own life, I am respectful towards others and their beliefs), being one of the few white participants in a almost entirely black congregation didn't seem to bother   me. So in I ventured to not only gain incite to black culture, but Baptist religious culture as well.
The service was supposed to begin at 11:00 and as usual we we're fashionably late, but still in time to catch the beginning of the service. Although it “begins” at 11 thats just when they start to sing gospel songs and songs from the bible, about 30 minutes later the Deacon starts of the procession by addressing the congregation about possibly church activities which may include church picnics, travel plans such as mission trips to Africa, trips to hospitals, and food drives. After the Deacon starts it off with general announcements, he introduces the Pastor who usually opens up his sermon citing a particular passage in the bible. He then references this passage from time...