By Daniel Burke
2008 Religion News Service
(RNS) Efforts to portray Sen. Barack Obama’s Chicago church as racist and anti-American are “absurd, mean-spirited and politically motivated,” said the Rev. John Thomas, head of the United Church of Christ.
Thomas, the denomination’s general minister and president, said that since Obama won the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, “countless e-mails …meant to undermine the integrity of Trinity UCC” have flooded the UCC’s national offices in Cleveland.
Obama, a leading Democratic candidate for president, joined Trinity 20 years ago. He has praised the church’s commitment to God and the black community and its commitment to the black work ethic.
Trinity and its pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, have been criticized by conservatives who disparage their commitment to Africa and to black empowerment. The church’s motto is “Unashamedly Black, Unapologetically Christian.”
One e-mail circulating suggests that UCC Trinity does not accept non-black members, a claim the church says is demonstrably false.
“Not only does Trinity not exclude anyone from membership or attendance based on ethnicity but … the conference minister of the Illinois Conference of the UCC (Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman) and her husband (both white) are members of Trinity,” a statement from Trinity said.
Thomas said the Chicago congregation is the UCC’s largest, with 8,000 members and is also the largest donor to the church’s national and international missions.
“Contrary to the claims made in these hateful e-mails, UCC members know Trinity to be one of the most welcoming, hospitable and generous congregations in our denomination,” Thomas said.
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted January 14, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I am glad to see this nonsense finally addressed. I have heard countless radio talk-show hosts and their callers rant on this.
On the USPOL board here on bnet this nonsense has been posted a few times.
Peace!
posted January 14, 2008 at 4:58 pm
There’s no lie so low some right wingers won’t tell it.
posted January 14, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I, too am glad to see this political rant on Obama’s Church here on beliefnet brought out. We’ve received a few ‘forwards’ from people and have deleted them. One I googeled about Obama and UCC in Chicago and e-mailed it to the conservative friend who forwarded it to me. No comment, didn’t think there would be.
posted January 14, 2008 at 7:34 pm
It is unfortunate that some folks have to find outragous lies to discredit a candidate.
posted January 14, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Anyone who has read my postings here knows my pre-disposition. I am UCC clergy and I believe that for all our flaws, we are a diamond of worth. The rants are by people who nothing of substance and so they must fabricate what ever bilge they can. It speaks more poorly of the ranters and greatly for the UCC. We can and do live about this sort of potty-politics. I believe Obama is equally above this sort of effluent.
posted January 14, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I’ve not heard any of these “rants,” but you have to admit that the church’s motto is not exactly “P.C.”
God bless.
posted January 14, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Joey-
The motto is very pc.
The church is on the southside of Chicago in an area that has been black for more than 100 years. This church does and incredible job serving the community in which it is located.
Go to its website an look at the countless community ministries. The church has done a tremendous job in making the community a better place for all the residents.
Peace!
posted January 14, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Goggle, Trinity United Christ Church/Barack, Joey.
posted January 15, 2008 at 11:31 am
Just so everyone knows, we are the United Church of Christ (in that order – sorry, Henrietta). And for the sake of clarity, don’t confuse us with the Church of Christ. They do not appreciate the mistake, and you will not likely find references to Obama there.
Also, I need to check my own postings more carefully. The penultimate sentence in my posting here should say, “We can and do live WITHOUT this sort of potty-politics”. My oops.
posted January 15, 2008 at 5:05 pm
What kind of outcry would there be if a church advertised itself as “Unashamedly White”?
posted January 15, 2008 at 5:19 pm
‘What kind of outcry would there be if a church advertised itself as “Unashamedly White”?’
Clever comment, but now wise. In a country where for way too long society and most individuals thought being black was being inferior “Unashamedly Black” makes an important point that of course “Unashamedly White” doesn’t.
posted January 15, 2008 at 7:05 pm
“not wise”, not “now wise”
posted January 15, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Sorry Joey, I forgot the correct name of Jestrfyls’ and Obamas church, trying to do too much in a short amount of time. It is Trinity United Church of Christ/Barack. I hope you found it. It is interesting. I typed it in various ways before I found it, and wanted to help, but I see I didn’t.
The black people had their color laid on them in the most disrespectful way for too many years, Windsors Child, that’s why they have said what they said.
posted January 16, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I would love to see and hear jestrfyl preach there lol based on some of jestrfyl’s theology. oh boy I’d pay anything to see that.
posted January 17, 2008 at 11:28 am
cknuck:
I,too, would like to hear jestrfyl preach there.