Some very interesting comments on my post about whether the Internet is to blame for a rising number of people believing Obama is Muslim.
A few of them help me understand something that's been puzzling me. Remember that whole Jeremiah Wright controversy, which dominated the news for about a month? It almost killed Obama's candidacy but, I figured, well, at least this will teach people Obama isn't a Muslim. He may have sat in the pews listening to a zealot but at least it was a Christian church and a Christian zealot.
Apparently not. Writes "Ricky Pickles":
"Obama as an adult joined the a Black Liberation UCC church. There is decidedly nothing Christian about this religion."
For what it's worth, here's a statement from the United Church of Christ website:
"The United Church of Christ embraces a theological heritage that affirms the Bible as the authoritative witness to the Word of God, the creeds of the ecumenical councils, and the confessions of the Reformation. The UCC has roots in the "covenantal" tradition--meaning there is no centralized authority or hierarchy that can impose any doctrine or form of worship on its members. Christ alone is Head of the church."
I'm no theologian but that statement sounds Christian-ish.
"Sara" makes a slightly different argument for why Obama's church wasn't really Christian:
"Obama may not be a Muslim but he settled in a 'Christian' Black Nationalist church that sounds like the Nation of Islam. In addition his "mentor", Rev. Wright, gave an award to the Nation of Islam leader and traveled to meet Quadifi with Farrahakan."
There's all sorts of reasons to complain about Wright; his church's honoring of Farrahakan showed moral obtuseness. But it does not mean that all those people who showed up every week in that church to praise Christ were weren't actually Christian.
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Having been a member of a UCC congregation that mostly votes Republican, I can answer emphatically that Obama's former church most assuredly is Christian--although many of us humbly pray for Brother Wright's conviction of sin and enlightenment of grace. Which one of your denominations doesn't have one or more leaders who lead for worldly gain, even if most don't?
To claim that unidentified donations must be coming from terrorists is irresponsible at best. It is slander and bigotry. I am sickened by the fear and hate being spread by the Republican party. Where are the Christ-like members of this campaign?
It's always seemed to me, as a Christian, that what really matters is if you believe in Christ, his example, and his teachings. It also seems to me that a whole lot of Christians never say a word about the example and teachings of Christ. Indeed, I've sat in many a pew listening to sermons seeking to explain away why Christ didn't really mean what he did or said when it came to the sick, the poor, throwing stones, or our enemies. Most un-Christian-like of all, to me, is one Christian explaining why another is not a Christian, when both profess a belief in Christ. I guess I'm just too dense to understand.
If the Church is saying that Jesus or Christ is the head of the Church alone. They are correct, this means that its not suppose to be a black church or a white or muslim church. It states in the Bible that Christ is the Head of the Church and they and anyone else or members of his Body. Its sounds like to me that they are going with the correct doctrine that was preached and written in the Bible.
Now I am not a muslim but I do know that they take their believes serious, unlike the majority of those that claim to be christians, they will not never ever claim Jesus or "Christ" being the head of the Church, that is not their beliefs nor nature. They believe that Jesus was just a prophet that did not die on the cross for anyone's sin, they believe that God switched Jesus and Judas and it was Judas that actually died on the cross, not Jesus. Obama said he was a borned again and was a Christian now and that is Faith and Trust is in Jesus Christ. A true muslim would never ever say that, they stand on their Beliefs in Allah not Christ and consider that blasphemy to say the Trust and have Faith in Christ or that he died for their sins.
Please forgive my lack of tact. Is everyone nuts? I see in no uncertain terms that Trinity United Church of Christ dose NOT fit as an orthodox christian church. By orthodox in mean following the basic tenets of christianity. I don't see a lot of good news in their gospel unless you are black. Don't believe me go to their website. Read their statement of faith. Read the THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM. I will not judge a man's soul, but I will judge their theology. We all have been called to do this.( see Matt. 7:15-20) God is not a respecter of persons. (James 2:1-13,Job 34:19, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Acts 10:34-35)
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