Barack Obama has resigned from Trinity Church. Guess Father Pfleger's ridiculous minstrel show was the final straw. I have no doubt that Obama sat there in the pews for 20 years listening to that kind of garbage, and said nothing. But at least this will put some of that nutty place's baggage behind him.
On a human level, though, this has got to hurt Obama. If you had told him this time last year that within 12 months, he would be estranged from his spiritual father, and would have resigned from the only church he and his family have ever known, he probably wouldn't have believed it. I bet now he rues the day he ever threw in with Jeremiah Wright & Co. If he loses this election, Rev. Wright and Fr. Pfleger will have a lot to do with it. Hope they're proud of themselves.
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Just a sidenote to the discussion of Obama and Trinity: we need to recognize that even though the UCC has become an incredibly liberal denomination (with some members passing through Christianity into some kind of post-Christian belief system), there is still an evangelical renewal movement within the denomination. The renewal movement is often found in rural churches, and the UCC even has a pro-life caucus. As one who attended a UCC church in the 1970s, I just wanted to make this point for the record.
I am as alarmed as anyone else about Trinity church and pastor Wright, and Obama's relationship to them. But in fairness, I wanted folk to realize that not all UCC members can be tarred with the same brush. Although I chose to leave the UCC, I have a huge amount of respect for my theologically conservative brethren who chose to stay and work for renewal within the denomination. I wish Obama was one of those folks working for renewal, but I see no indication of that.
Okay, so now that I've tried to defend the honor of theological conservatives within the UCC, you can go ahead with the debate concerning Obama and Trinity.
BO joined TUCC twenty years ago for political reasons. He quit yesterday for political reasons. Give him credit for a perverse kind of consistency: a phony then and a phony now.
Mel is being brutally honest here.
Does BO believe in God even? Who can tell. He believes in power, that much is clear. Especially in HIS power. (Please not to tell me that McCain is any different!)
Not that this quality distinguishes them from any of our other candidates for high political office.
"I've spent time in black churches, I've talked to African-Americans about their church life, I've read sermons from the black church, including those by MLK. In addition, I am African-American myself. On the basis of all these facts, I can say with certainty that you are indeed a troll."
Nonsense. MLK preached sermons on US foreign policy that were every bit as radical as those of Jeremiah Wright. If MLK were alive today and had been Obama's pastor, Obama would have to feign shock and outrage over his statements. Obama himself referred to the radical nature of some of King's sermons in his interview with Fox News about a month ago.
I don't have much respect for Obama, but I have even less for his opponents and the people who are shocked by Wright. Wright said some really stupid things (mainly the HIV conspiracy theory), but he's right that the US government used black people as lab rats in medical experiments, and he's right that the US has been guilty of terror.
What's wrong with Obama is not that he went to Wright's church. What's wrong with him is his desire to be President. You can't worship both God and political power. Politicians have to pander to people's worst instincts-- especially their unwillingness to think badly of themselves. You can't go to a church like Wright's and listen to harsh criticism of US policy and then expect to run for President and not have this come back to haunt you. He had to have known he can't have it both ways. You can't listen to radical prophetic criticism of US culture (not that all of it is accurate, btw) and then expect to win an election for President without rejecting those same criticisms.
It's a great day for Christians when both presidential contenders have to disassociate themselves from their clergy pals!
I thought I was going to read comments that reflected people with some measure of spirituality. Instead I was shocked. Where was the comapssion, forgiveness, understanding...one would expect of people connecting with Belief Net!
First of all, I do not believe Mr. Obama sat in the pews of that church every Sunday for 20 years. Given he and his wifes professional stature and what they do for a living it isn't even feasible they were there weekly.
Secondly, I can understand people being upset about Rev. Wrights statements and expecting Mr. Obama to respond...and he did without slamming him personally and totally...which I think is very Christian as well honorable of him.
And finally, I think it is ridiculous of people to expect him to have to respond to a guest speaker at his church. How is he responsible for this mans RANT let alone the RANTS of Rev. Wright.
I think it would be helpful if folks would read Obama's words himself to find out where he stands spiritually (read his books)and better yet check out his record. I think as Christians or otherwise the good book says judge a person by their fruits if you are going to judge...which of course the good book says also, Thow shalt not judge lest ye be judged...etc. I think in any case we all should be in prayer that the next president is a peace maker in all areas.
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