imes before getting married because of the initial reaction of Todd's family (Randolph 154). These people nevertheless survived their family disapproval. Fred and Anita Prinzing, both Caucasians, know the troubles of interracial marriage. Both their son and daughter married African-Americans. Fred and Anita responded that they thought that they were not prejudiced, and were proud of it; but when it came to their children, they could not explain their prejudice towards their children marrying African-Americans. The best explanation they could give is that their prejudice is the left over residue of their parents (Gilbereath 32). Another major barrier that African-American and Caucasian couples encounter comes from an unlikely source, religion. In Earnest Porterfield's classic survey of interracial marriages, one fact stands out. The majority of couples actively involved in Christian churches before marriage discontinue church membership and attendance after marriage. A growing number of couples in America are crossing racial and cultural lines to marry. Every couple has their own crisis but, for some, church officials who are against divorce will turn around and recommend a separation simply because the couple are African-American and Caucasian. In several books of the Old Testament, intermarriage is strongly opposed by God and his prophets. Ezra and Nehemiah, two of Israel's God-ordained leaders, challenged the people to repent over intermarriage and encouraged divorce en masse. They describe intermarriage with those who do not revere God as one of Israel's most offensive crimes. A closer look at the Old Testament, however, reveals misinterpretation. Opposition to intermarriage arises when people of God marry those who worship a God other than Him. These couples are searching for churches that feel like home. If national trends are any indication, the American churches need to be prepared to face a growing phenomenon. Until that happens...
