Barack Obama talks about his church, the Rev. Wright and his mom

Barack Obama stood by his church today (especially its choir).

And, although he was not directly questioned about him, he also had some comments about his longtime (though now retired) minister, Jeremiah Wright.

At a forum in Greensboro, N.C. -- his one event after a brief R&R trip with his family to the Caribbean -- Obama was asked by a student from a nearby Christian college to discuss the role Jesus Christ plays in his life.

As part of his lengthy response, the Democratic presidential candidate broached the topic that no doubt had made a vacation all the more tempting for him -- the spotlight cast upon Wright's inflammatory remarks about racial relations and America.

Obama said the pastor had said some "very objectionable things when I wasn't in church on those particular days."

But he also stressed that Wright gave at least three sermons a week for 30 years, and that people opposed to Obama's candidacy had found "five or six of his most offensive statements" and boiled them down to play over and over, mainly on YouTube.

"I hope people don't get distracted by that," he said.

Before those comments, Obama said that Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, where Wright had presided, "is a wonderful, welcoming church. If you were there on any given Sunday, folks would be doing the same things in church at Trinity as they do everywhere else. They're praising Jesus. They've got a choir singing. It's a very good choir. And the pastor is trying to teach a lesson to connect Scripture to our everyday lives."

And before that, in addressing more directly the query about Jesus, he said he believes in a Gospel ...

Barack Obama stood by his church today (especially its choir).

And, although he was not directly questioned about him, he also had some comments about his longtime (though now retired) minister, Jeremiah Wright.

At a forum in Greensboro, N.C. -- his one event after a brief R&R trip with his family to the Caribbean -- Obama was asked by a student from a nearby Christian college to discuss the role Jesus Christ plays in his life.

As part of his lengthy response, the Democratic presidential candidate broached the topic that no doubt had made a vacation all the more tempting for him -- the spotlight cast upon Wright's inflammatory remarks about racial relations and America.

Obama said the pastor had said some "very objectionable things when I wasn't in church on those particular days."

But he also stressed that Wright gave at least three sermons a week for 30 years, and that people opposed to Obama's candidacy had found "five or six of his most offensive statements" and boiled them down to play over and over, mainly on YouTube.

"I hope people don't get distracted by that," he said.

Before those comments, Obama said that Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, where Wright had presided, "is a wonderful, welcoming church. If you were there on any given Sunday, folks would be doing the same things in church at Trinity as they do everywhere else. They're praising Jesus. They've got a choir singing. It's a very good choir. And the pastor is trying to teach a lesson to connect Scripture to our everyday lives."

And before that, in addressing more directly the query about Jesus, he said he believes in a Gospel ...

of both words and deeds.

"I believe in doing right here on Earth and treating people with the dignity and respect that is inherent in them as children of God," he said.

Obama also then spoke about his deceased mother (subject of this recent profile), noting that she was "not a believer."

He went on: "But she was the kindest, most decent, generous person that I have ever known," he said. "I'm sure she is in heaven, even though she may not have subscribed to everything that I subscribe to."

The event's stagecraft signaled that Obama and his aides know that the controversy over Wright and his remarks have taken a toll, and that repair work is required.

The campaign continued its relatively new use of prayer before his appearances. "Thank you for this time of excitement and enthusiasm," a local minister intoned. "I pray a special blessing, oh God, a special blessing, on Barack Obama."

The audience was then led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

-- John McCormick and Don Frederick

John McCormick writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.

Comments

[Derek]

Somebody needs to inform McCain we need to get our own house in shape before we look to help/save the world.

Our currency is as weak as third world currency and our economy is in serious trouble. Now is not the time to be worried about the rest of the world.

The guy is a joke !

[Derek]

We are being invaded by illegal aliens from Mexico and other parts of latin america, which is crippling our economy, creating domestic terrorist (gangs and graffiti).

Being reduced to Third World status and this idiot is touting what we can do for others.

Focus on America and Americans !

[Jo]

What Obama does not get is that "context" does not help, it makes things worse. His church's web site puts their allegiance to "motherland" Africa over America. Black Liberation Theology maintains that blacks need "liberating" - a position fundamentally incompatible with a black man for president, as you can't be both America's victim and its leader at the same time. Sorry, but "vote for him or else you're a racist" isn't going to win my vote. Neither is "vote for him or else the party will split" - as a centrist, I am sick of the so-called "elites" bullying me around and taking me for granted, so I am not the one who should fear the party split. (Hey, any of you mainstream Republicans out there feeling alienated by YOUR extremist wing?)

[Rainy]

Jo, excuse me, but people of Irish decent have pride in Ireland. Just as Italians have pride in Italy. Blacks calling Africa the motherlands is supposed to mean what actually? A bad thing? You have no idea what Black Liberation Theology is. The simple definition is to be free and do things for yourself. Has nothing to do with rejecting whites or anything like that. You have a lot of nerve calling Barack Obama an elite bullying for your vote! He has never done that. Hillary Clinton on the other hand feels entitled to the nominations and will do anything to stop it. You are looking for wrong in a man who is not wrong on his position about his church. He should be commended for standing up in the face of fire.

[Kolasea]

I was for Obama till I read his book and saw the video, Read for yourself why...

chapter 14 page 293 he talks about setting in church and listing to write preach about "Hiroshima' hm sounds familiar and also talks about how he agreed with the church creed page 284, I think he is still not being honest. I have the book and read it myself. Dreams from my father

Obama lied read and compare to todays news..Speech on Race

There’s a lot of folks in America right now who have heard that. And I want to ask you why you have been listening to this pastor and close to him for nearly 20 years?

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, first of all, Anderson, you know, I strongly condemn the statements that have been shown on the tape.

I have to confess that those are not statements that I ever heard when I was sitting in the pews at this church. This is a church that I have been a member of for 20 years. This is a well-established, typical, historically African-American church in the South Side of Chicago, with a wonderful set of ministries.

OBAMA: And, as I said, Anderson, if I had heard any of those statements, I probably would have walked up, and I probably would have told Reverend Wright that they were wrong.

But they were not statements that I heard when I was in church.

COOPER: So, no one in the church ever said to you, man, last week, you missed this sermon; Reverend Wright said this; or...

OBAMA: No.

COOPER: I mean, I think I read in your books that you listened to tapes of Reverend Wright when you were at Harvard Law School.

OBAMA: I did.

COOPER: So, you had no idea?

OBAMA: I understand.

I did not. Well, I want to be clear that, when I ran for president, some of these statements started surfacing.

COOPER: I mean, you may not have been there, but have you -- you must have heard that he had said these things.

OBAMA: You know, I confess that I did not hear about this until -- until I started running for president.

And then there was a story that was issued in which I strongly objected to these statements and condemned them. But what I also understood that was -- was Reverend Wright was on the verge of retirement and that a new pastor was coming in. The church family was one that was very important to me. It's where my wife and I got married. It's where our children were baptized. And, so, my belief was that this was something out of the ordinary. Obviously, some of these statements indicate that this was happening more frequently.

But I also want to say this, Anderson. This is somebody who was a former U.S. Marine, who is a biblical scholar, who's preached and taught at theological seminaries all across the country, and has had a reputation as a preeminent preacher in the country.

And, so, I have to strongly condemn the statements that were made. They do not reflect my views or Michelle's views, or probably the views of many people in the church.

On the other hand, you know, Reverend Wright is somebody who is like an uncle or a family member who you may strongly object to what they have to say, but, as he's about to retire, I have no intention of leaving the church itself.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/1...
..TABLE>

[What's his face ?]

Poor judgement on Obama's part again. Havent we heard
too much about that sect he mistakes for a church.Goebel
could have taken lessons from this guy. A pig,regardless
how much lipstick you smear on it will remain a pig.

[Nathan]

I hope the 20% of the Clinton supporters that won't vote for Obama when he wins the general election will go back to being right wing of the Republican party where you belong...

For the other 80%, please get on board with us and help us end this bickering. We know who won this, it is time to start the healing and get behind this wonderful candidate!

"Some people die for the good of this country, Hillary cannot even give up her lost nomination for the good of the country,,,,it is all about the Supreme Court Justices, stupid"

[Merri]

Obama's pastor is a prophetic preacher. Anyone who knows their old testament knows that prophets weren't exactly popular with the 'patriots' of their day either. Prophets were put there to call the nation out on their sins. End of story.

[DAVE]

Who made Wright the prophetic preacher. Is there a reference about him in the Bible? He is a business man trying to make a living by selling his lies and hatred that sells.
Get a real job Obama supporters.

[Joan]

Barack Obama a fine man and will make a great leader, if people are not so swallowed up in hate and ignorance that they cannot hear his wonderful message of hope.
I have friends and relatives, and yes, a pastor, whose opinions I do not always share, but you don’t dump the baby out with the bathwater. Barack Obama sat through wonderful inspiring speeches by Pastor Wright, the man who brought him to Jesus, and he rejected the comments he didn’t agree with. But he didn’t abandon him or his church. He understood where it came from. Pastor Wright is of an era where a black man had to step into the gutter to let a white man pass. Where ‘Whites only’ signs were everywhere. There is more; so much more. So many injustices, I think he can be forgiven, as the Lord forgives us all. And I am a white woman in my 70s. Remember, Barack's mother was white and he has said many times that what is the best in him comes from her.
Are there not people in your life you don’t always agree with? Can we not have more understanding, more compassion. Being bi-racial, Barack Obama is in the position to see things from more than one side. He is not perfect. He is a human being, albeit a quality human being and he will make a wonderful President, and will bring change to the world. It would be a tragedy if we lost out on that.
I wish you a fair wind at your back, Mr. Obama.

[Susan Young]

Please, please, people of America! Don't allow sound bites to influence you. I have read Obama's books, and I have read his speech, "A More Perfect Union." I think Obama has a wonderful heart, and the love and compassion to lead this country. I think Hillary's recent comment (about how Rev. Wright would not be her pastor) is opportunistic, and cold-hearted. Obama has stated the good works that his church community has done throughout his 20-year association with it. I am glad that he is not the kind of person who disowns someone he loves just because he disagrees with that person. Obama could look at Hillary and say, "I wouldn't have remained married to someone who liied to me and disgraced the country!" If Obama was opportunistic he could be saying so many things about Hillary, but he hasn't. Think about this!!

[Robert]

In 1983 Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University and while still in his mid twenties began working as a community organizer on the south side of Chicago. Having grown up without a father and in a non religious environment, it was then that Barack Obama began attending Trinity United Church of Christ and met the pastor of the church, Rev. Wright, a black man 20 years his senior, who became influential in his life and became part of his family, his “adopted uncle”, and who helped Barack Obama become a Christian believer.
Barack Obama has strongly denounced Wright's hyperbolic, 1960s style radical rhetoric that Wright has used in a few of his sermons that is based on Wright's extreme anger and bitterness which Obama understands but doesn't share. But Barack Obama has refused to disown his "adopted uncle" simply for political expediency.

[Elbram]

The fact that you think Wright is selling lies and hatred shows me that you are so small-minded that you believe the hype of the media instead of actually researching him yourself. Wright actually has some pretty interesting sermons regarding some interesting topics...I recommend watching some of them before choosing to be like the rest of these morons that listen to the 30 second sound bites... Do America a favor and actually think for yourself please.

[Paul T.]

How can John McCain claim to be morally qualified to be president when he will not disown the Republican Party?

Those people have flaunted our constitution, ruined our economy and ordered thousands of our soldiers to their deaths in an war based on their lies. The Republican Party stopped caring about the American people decades ago. If the devil himself was trying to ruin America what else would he do?

The current administration should be the Republican's last.

[Bosch]

Kolasea, I think your analysis is wrong headed. The book was written in 1995, way before 9/11 which is the one linked to the Hiroshima quote in the video. In the book, Obama talks of Rev. Wright speaking of wrong policies that culminated to the Hiroshima, Japan and Sharpsville, SA killings. He continued by saying;

"As the sermon unfolded, though, the stories of strife became more prosaic, the pain more immediate............ But also the pain of those closer to the metaphorical summit; the middle-class woman who seems to hace all her worldly needs taken care of but whose husband is treating her like the maid, the household service, the jittery service and the escort service all rolled into one"

This was in 1995 and very much the same to what he says today, that Rev. Wright was always hitting hard while drawing his examples to the real life.

[hopeful08]

A few of my Christian friends have categorically told me that my sould is damned and I am going to hell, if I don't convert. One, who was especially passionate about this did strain our friendship for a time. But it survived because we shared other positive experiences. He passed away soon after college. I hope and believe he is in Christian heaven. Another is still a good friend after 20 years and we have had many deep talks on the nature of spirituality. You could even say he has been a spiritual advisor.

It is the history of Christianity to judge and damn, even within its various sects. But my numerous Christian friends have confirmed that good and sane people can be found everywhere.

[dorrett]

It is really good to see some of the intelligent comments about Obama and his pastor and at the same time very sad at some of the comments that are filled with hatred. I strongly believe that comments from people like Jo would have been made even without the airing of the pastor Wright’s couple seconds video clips. These people would not vote for Obama in the first place. My advice to Obama’s supporters is to keep the faith that your candidate is the best of the three and will be able to offer the leadership to guide the USA to a “more perfect union”. Obama believes in Jesus Christ and we should credit Pastor Wright for bringing this man to Jesus and because of his Christian believe which will become an added bonus as he leads the USA to become once again the most powerful and respected nation on earth.

[cdl]

First off, the news out of Washington is that there has never been such overwhelming voter turn-out in all states that have voted (including Florida, and Michigan). As we go into the Pennsylvania primary, they have report record registration for the Democratic Party. Barack, nor Hillary has it in the bag, and it is exciting that the rest of the states left to vote, will have their voices heard, and in the spotlight for a change. So, to say that this contest is hurting the Democrats is not true at all. Not one drop. So drop that argument.
Also, I am concerned that the press is not reporting more on the NUCLEAR ENGERY INTERESTS that support Obama's campaign. This is more important news than Obama's pastor. Let's hear what his PLANS for our future really entail. I am NOT for NUCLEAR ENERGY whose dangerous by-product will be left for future generations to deal with. It is already a dangerous world with NUKES, do we have to make it anymore so?
JOURNALISTS NEED TO GET THIS STORY OUT BEFORE ELECTION TIME OR, YOU WILL ONCE AGAIN BE COMPLICIT IN YOUR SILENCE AS YOU WERE ON BUSH'S ROAD TO THE WAR IN IRAQ. IF OBAMA IS ELECTED AND TAKES US DOWN THE NUCLEAR PATH WITHOUT YOUR EXPLORATION OF THIS IMPORTANT FACT, YOU WILL ONCE AGAIN BE BLAMED FOR NOT INFORMING US FULLY ON A SUBJECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE A DIALOGUE ON.

[cb]

I guarantee that if my pastor had anything out of the ordinary, I would have heard. It seems that these comments were not out of the ordinary which is even more frightening. I just cannot believe he did not know. I cannot vote for anyone that sat in a church for 20 years and did not know what was happening inside his own church. That's scary! He calls these the "most offensive" so apparently there are other things. Republicans will have a time with this stuff!

[Anee]

Obama is a liar, we will loose the White House if he is the nominee, reality.

[shirlin]

Rev. Wright's words were taken out of context. No doubt he was fiery in some of his language, but many of us have near relatives as intemperate in their words, yet we do not abandon them. Their language is not our language. Such guilt by association is unAmerican. We reject such guilt-by-association in how the nation has chosen to define its ideals, our ideals, despite some of our slave-owning, Indian-hating, Asian-excluding fellow Americans. They are all part "of this country that I love," as Senator Obama tells us. Hillary's lies concerning sniper fire, being anti-NAFTA, etc, etc, however, are in a different league. SHE mouths these lies, repeats them with an amazing open smile of seeming honesty. She is the very picture of someone who is lying without a shade of embarrassment, appearing fully to appeal to the listener. How can we trust her, now we have seen her lie again and again to us, smiling, laughing, wearing the shamrock green on St. Patrick's Day? We can see already how she will lie to the American people, from Day One, as President. How can she protect us if she cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality when she picks up the red phone at 3 a.m.? Is this the finger we want on the red button? Or the President whose state of the union address we want to listen to? Who can trust her?

[Deborah]

I am so glad that I do not let sound bites influence my life. Maybe some of the folks who disagree with Pastor Wright should take a visit to a Black church. I bet you will see a different picture. I am suggesting that everyone should listen to whole tape.

Only in America we culturally condition to believe everything Fox's report. I am so glad I read other print news articles.

[Dyetanya]

I don't think that Obama should be judged on the comments of his pastor. Traditionally black churchs have spoken out against how the government is allowing behavior that is detrimental to our country but are slow to remedy or repair the discourse amoung our citizens. This is not a new thing...Visit any predominitely black church..not TD Jakes or Creflo Dollar, but really grass roots churches and see what kind of message you hear about the good ole USA.

That does not mean I am negating the comments. They were bold and offensive to me, a black woman, but I do know where they come from. Rev. Wright might not have had to pick cotton, but times were still hard..Desegregation was only 50+ years ago. I was born in 1974 in the south. My birth certificate has "colored" as my race...

I am tired of the hype and lies. Racism exists. Blacks can be some of the worst racists. Sometimes justifiably and at other times not so much. Whites, Asians, Latinos and every other ethic group experiences this. However, this should not be the issue we focus on when choosing our President.

Let's move forward. We cannot erase the past. We can only deal with it. If some people still harbor resentments and speak out against our country, no matter what we feel about that person, he/she has the right to do it and we are not guilty by association of feeling the same way. Grow up people. If your mom is Gay and atheist are you a hypocrite? Move forward.

[RayDeluxx]

Please listen to Rev Wright's comments in context.
http://baldeagle08.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/cnn-msnbc-cbs-abc-fox-news-lied-about-pastor-jeremiah-wright-see-911-sermon-in-context/

[Harvey]

I disagree with Rev Wright using racial stereotypes or sexual jesters in the pulpit, but maybe old Jeremiah Wright was not wrong about everything. What Rev Wright was saying is that a lot of Americans love this country more than God? We have become like the Roman Empire. All hail Roman”. If you say God bless America then in turn American’s must bless God. Firstly, we bless God by being like his son Jesus. Jesus said the following:

Mark 12:29-31
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
These are words of the Apostles: 1 John 3:13-17 So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them. 16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person? Holy Bible, New Living Translation Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
When you study the lives of the founding fathers, do you see the image of Jesus Christ? Most had slaves and raped and father children out of wedlock. Did they not read the bible?
1 Cor 6:9-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. White Christians enslaved blacks mutilated them, raped women and children, beat, humiliated them and took their dignity all in the name of Jesus and went to church. They also stole the Native Americans land and tried to kill them off by giving them small Pox. White Christian agreed with Jim Crow until it was abolish and refused to worship with black people. I saw white Christians spiting on and beating black kids during the 1960’s and also doing busing. Did they not read the bible? White Christians enslaved people all over the world in the name of Jesus. White Christians raped Africa and South America of its wealth and took its, rubies, diamonds silver and gold. Businesses were built on the back of slaves and by conquering Christian countries. Blacks were not considered legal citizens until the 1960’s. Did they not read the bible?
Jesus came to give everyone an opportunity for salvation was not just Americans Ever person on earth has a right to have an opportunity to believe in Christ and have fellowship with him. This means those that were bombed in Japan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama and other nations. If you bomb countries don’t your enemies have a right to attack you? American’s have become arrogant. Why should we be applauded that 9/11? happened? We promised Bin Laden that we would help him rebuild Afghanistan and we lied. He was once an ally so did our leaders try to talk to him. Ninety percent of the heroin in the world comes from Afghanistan and is financing terrorist. Why isn’t our government doing something? The president of Panama trafficked drugs to the USA for 20 years before he went to prison. Do you really believe that the government did not know? The president of Mexico’s brother was arrested after ten years of selling drugs that went to America. The Director of the DEA quit because he did not the power to do anything. Pro life does not just mean that you are against abortion. All life on earth is sacred. Christians must advocate that every opportunity must be made for peace in the world and they must pray for peace. Could America have been spared war if it truly followed the doctrine of Jesus? God’s wrath has always been against those that claim to be his chosen people and have not kept his commandments. Do some of these scriptures remind you of Rev Wright?

Luke 11:39-43
9 Then the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn't God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. 42 "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
43 "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces.
Luke 11:44-47
Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on." 45 "Teacher," said an expert in religious law, "you have insulted us, too, in what you just said." 46 "Yes," said Jesus, "what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.
47 What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996,
Luke 11:48-50
But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!
49 This is what God in his wisdom said about you: 'I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.'
50 "As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from the creation of the world—
Luke 11:51-54
1 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
52 "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering." 53 As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions.
54 They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright
Matt 23:31-34
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
KJV
Luke 11:39-43
9 Then the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn't God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. 42 "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
43 "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces.
Luke 11:44-47
Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on." 45 "Teacher," said an expert in religious law, "you have insulted us, too, in what you just said." 46 "Yes," said Jesus, "what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with impossible religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.
47 What sorrow awaits you! For you build monuments for the prophets your own ancestors killed long ago. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996,
Luke 11:48-50
But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!
49 This is what God in his wisdom said about you: 'I will send prophets and apostles to them, but they will kill some and persecute the others.'
50 "As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God's prophets from the creation of the world—
Luke 11:51-54
1 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation.
52 "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering." 53 As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions.
54 They wanted to trap him into saying something they could use against him.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright
Matt 23:31-34
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
KJV
Luke 13:23-26
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He replied,24 "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26 Then you will say, 'But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' Holy Bible, New Living Translation Matt 7:14-19 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. KJV
Matt 7:20-23 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I Rev 18:10-14
They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, "How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God's judgment came on you."
11 The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods.
12 She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble. 13 She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and bodies—that is, human slaves. 14 "The fancy things you loved so much are gone," they cry. "All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again."
Holy Bible, New Living Translation Rev 18:19 And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief. And they will cry out, "How terrible, how terrible for that great city! The shipowners became wealthy by transporting her great wealth on the seas. In a single moment it is all gone."Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Is God going to give any person or Country a pass if they don’t acknowledge it’s evil and repent? How did white Christians so misinterpret the bible and do so many evil things for so long and not repent? 1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. So many black men and other walked away from God, because they saw the hate and evil of white Christians. Jesus Christ desires that all be saved not just USA citizens. Every human being has a right to life and it should be valued. What is a patriot? Should Christians honor this country more that Jesus Christ? Should we depend on the military instead of God? Can a president save this country? We are not to love this world or anything in it. 1 John 2:15-16Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. KJV
Rev 9:20-21
But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!21 And they did not repent of their murders or their witchcraft or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Holy Bible, New Living Translation

I believe that the Lord’s wrath will be inflicted against the USA, because it is still not willing to accept any wrong doing or repent for the wrongs it’s done in the name of Jesus. The greatest accomplishments by this country have been by Christians and missionaries that have feed the world and evangelize to the nations. Why aren’t Christians of all races, colors and cultures loving each other and worshipping God together? All Christians must come together in these last days to worship him together and evangelize the world. God’s plan was to use this country to spread the gospel around the world. Once this occurs, Jesus will return for his church.
Matt 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
KJV

Mark 16:15-16 5 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
KJV

[obama cant even lead his family to church]

If Senator Obama can't even lead his family to decent church, where will he lead a country?

Would you take your family to listen to Jeremiah Wright's tirades every Sunday? Would you give 10% of your income to support Jeremiah Wright?

Obama has shown incredibly bad judgement over 20 long years. Why would his judgement as president be any better?