Obama Breaks With Trinity United Church of Christ

Politician dumps longtime associates in the name of political expediency, what else is new. Is this the 'Hope and Change' we've been waiting for?

Sent by Bill M | 1:35 PM | 6-2-2008

I don't think Obama should be blamed for Rev. Wright or Fr. Mike --especially Fr. Mike-- but I wonder what else Obama will draw from his exegesis of the Sermon on the Mount. According to one campaign speech, he claims that the Sermon on the Mount support sex-same unions.

Now, leaving alone for the moment that this is the same Obama who insisted that we pro-lifers couch our arguements in secular terms, I have one question for the Senator.

Really?

Sent by Matthew Scallon | 2:59 PM | 6-2-2008

I think Barack Obama would sell his sister for a shot at the Presidency. That may sound harsh, However, let's not forget Rev. Wright hasn't said anything different regarding anti white or anyone other than black remarks, that hasn't been preached repeatedly for the last 20 years. The length of time, Barack Obama has been a member of this church. At some level, Barack Obama must agree with this thinking or it wouldn't take him this long to change sides. Some may say, the congregation has done much good and it's only one man's opinion. However, it is every church members responsibility across this nation to hold its' elders accountable for anti-christian doctrine.
No, Barack Obama strikes me as a person with a hidden agenda and this delayed change of heart only stengthens these suspicions.

Sent by Therese | 7:58 PM | 6-2-2008

Obama leaving his church is his first mistake in a hitherto brilliant, gaff free campaign. Until now he has resisted Clinton style capitulations.

Republicans resolutely, unabashedly and shamelessly hold steadfastly to the most grotesquely reationary positions come what may. (They know Rove and his minions will destroy as many opposing votes as necessary to win the election. Remember Florida 2000?)

Our principles do not allow that, but we need to take a stand anyway. Otherwise how are we different than Republicans?

I walk out from our Sunday service when guest preachers' sermons condemn homosexuality. (Why would any any Christian denounce love for another person?)Sometimes they do, but I remain a proud member of Bright Hope Baptist Church. I am sorry that the Obama family is not remaining at their church home. I suspect one day they will regret it. The haters will hate them no matter what the Obamas do.

ASB

Sent by Alfred Bernheim | 10:56 PM | 6-2-2008

Sen. Obama was clear about why he left the church. He did not want to have to answer for everything that was stated in the church. I agree. He should only have to answer for his views and statements. The media was using guilt by association and assigning the negative words of others to discredit him, define him and keep him off message. Bill Clinton is now claiming the Obama put Father Pfleger up to mocking Hillary.
The church members were being harassed (one dying woman was called at hospice) and stressed out by Fox News and others who are looking to exploit phrases taken out of context.

I think what he did was best for him and for the church at this period in his life. He is on a life journey and he is following a vision---the Lord will lead him where he needs to go---if he becomes president, he will have to move to DC and find another church anyway.
Being a church member is not just about the sermons on Sunday or the pastor--it about salvation,your relationship with Christ, worshiping in a community of faith, and showing the love of Christ to others.

Sent by Glenda A. | 9:49 AM | 6-3-2008

I applaud Senator Obama and his decision.

As a secluarist, I think a well supported wall of separation between church and state should be maintained. He will no longer have to answer for the absurdities of folks whose beliefs trump all reasoned debate and contrary evidence. I want a thinking president - not a believing one. Senator Obama, of course, is entitled to his beliefs but his policy decisions should be grounded in facts that are debatable and testable, not faith.

When churches are taxed or held accountable for charitable work the supposedly do, as all other non-profits are, then they may be allowed a place at the table for their contribution to public discourse. Otherwise religious faith needs to be given the same respect as belief in astrology. Believe as much as you like but keep it do yourself, please! And by the way, don't look to public funds to support your faith.

Now let us turn our attention to other matters of importance.

Sent by M Jones | 10:03 AM | 6-3-2008

Reverand Wright is an honorable man that stands for what he believes in. He hasn't said anything that many Black people voice on a daily basis. Barack Obama must agree with much of Rev. Wright's opinions or he wouldn't have remained a member of the church this long. Of course Mr. Obama did the politically expediant thing. Isn't that what politicians do? As far as I'm concerned, if elected, Barack Obama will not be able to change this system to materially help Afrikans in America. Also, Black people will never be free until we get away from all forms of foreign culture worship, such as Christianity and Islam. Our only salvation will be found in sound moral principles, Afrikan spirituality, and each other. As an Afrikan, he made the wrong decision. As a politician we must ask the question-Could he decide any other way?

Sent by Kevin Haggard,Sr. | 1:17 PM | 6-3-2008

I think this must have been a difficult decision for Obama. For people to write that it is simply political is like saying his faith is a fraud. I think he did the right thing becuase people would continue to associate the words of these guest speakers and the home preacher with Obama. Who is to say the rhetoric at the church hasn't gotten more and more extreme since he began so many years ago? I've seen it happen before.

People need to stop criticizing him so much. Realize that he is running for president of the United States not the SGA. Remember back in the day when elders told us that as a black person you have to be twice as good as everyone else. That means you have to go out of your way to get what others get just by doing. If he was white maybe he could remain friends with a Jerry Fallwell or Pat Roberts. As a black man he has to make certain decisions becuase the words and actions of others come down twice as hard on him as an individual.

Sell his sister Therese? Are you serious? Are you sure you aren't talking about the Clintons? He's raised the bar so far above politics as usual. I was a supporter of the Clintons and was considering voting for Hillary. I always appreciated the way they knew how to play the political game. This election showed me and many others that play time is over and it's time for action. All the underhanded things they did didn't work this time around because Obama was the real deal and wouldn't feed into their BS. Now all Billary can do is whine and cry about sexism, like this man didn't have to overcome racism. Her campaign reeks of desperation and if anyone would sell out a family member it's them!!

Sent by Melle G | 3:32 PM | 6-3-2008

Could someone please tell me what is so great, what is so honorable, about belief? People have believed, and continue to believe in any number of false things. Flat earth, sun orbiting earth, demon possession 'theory' of illness all come to mind. How many doomsday cults have seen their ETD come and go without incident? Yet they believed. Again I ask, what is so great about belief?

Belief, in and of itself, is nothing to be held in such high regard. Whether based in foreign culture or African culture, if your beliefs are not substantiated by facts and fail hold up to reason, then they are at best wishful thinking - at the worst, damningly delusional. Think of the consequences that have been wrought based on beliefs: witch trials, slavery, anti-semitism, misogyny, genital mutilation, hatred of homosexuals, terrorist attacks. Hell, picking up sticks on the sabbath caused one poor fellow to be stoned in the bible. It was believed that he was not honoring the sabbath day. How many of us embrace these beliefs these days? Kudos to the man who walks out of church when he disagrees with what is being espoused from the pulpit, but know this, that you are acting in contradiction to your holy book. Beliefs are a funny thing.

I would agree that the only hope, not salvation, for all humanity and life on the planet, is that we develop sound moral principals which are subject to rigorous debate.

Good for Obama for drawing a line between his personal beliefs and his responsibilities as a representative of a secular republic.

Sent by M Jones | 3:43 PM | 6-3-2008