For Barack Obama, the latest church furor proves enough

Barack Obama is in the market for a new church.

Earlier this afternoon -- probably not coincidentally on the weekend and at a time when most of the political press was focused on the Democratic Party's rules committee meeting in Washington -- word surfaced and his campaign confirmed that Obama would no longer be a parishioner at Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side.

As the Chicago Tribune's John McCormick writes, the church was Obama's "longtime religious home," but it had emerged as "a place that has triggered repeated controversies during his presidential bid."

The first were sparked by the church's former pastor -- once a close Obama associate -- the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr . The latest uproar was sparked by Catholic priest Michael Pfleger, who, in a guest sermon last Sunday, egregiously mocked Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The rest of McCormick's report can be read here.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Daniel]

If "some" of the statements at Obama's now former church "totally conflict with my long-held views, statements and principles" (as he stated when announcing his resignation) then what was he doing there with his family in the first place?

These so-called pastors/priests are anything but. They appear as out-of-control hate-mongerers engaged in behavior extremely removed from everything Christian. And Obama's assertions now are far too little and way too late because of it. He did not "attend church." He and his family have been attending hate rallies, nothing less.

No wonder he doesn't understand what being a Christian is about. He never knew to begin with, though he still (!) seems to think he does. Arrogant, if not downright hypocritical.

[08vote]

Those who claim to be a "Democrat", or life-long... or an active “Democrat," but will be voting for McCain this November need a reality check on their own sense of fear and prejudice - allowing race and gender to be the issue instead of the real issues of the war, the declining economy, health care, reproductive rights, education, global warming, environmental issues, make up of the Supreme Court, ongoing govt waste, Congressional earmarks, etc. Get educated, think twice, measure twice, and then....vote.

[08vote]

If Hillary challenges the DNC ruling on MI and FL and takes it to the credentials committee, may be the thoughts by one of the posts says it more aptly: "Hillary Clinton is a LIAR. That ANYONE could feel comfortable BEING LED by a woman who MADE IT HER MISSION to DESTROY EVERY FEMALE that her philandering husband gleefully chose to prey upon and screw is a MONSTER. She willingly supports his disgusting behavior because she uses his cover for her blind ambition for POWER. THAT IS, WAS and WILL ALWAYS BE HER MISSION. SHE has no morals, compassion nor humanity. SHE will do ANYTHING to get what she thinks is OWED to her. SHE will STOP AT NOTHING to destroy the DEMOCRATIC PARTY because of that fact. She happily campaigns as the “white candidate” in WV and Kentucky, to goad her “followers” to the polls against the “not a muslim, as far as I know” candidate. THEN she plants the ultimate suggestion of ASSASINATION for them to ponder. HILLARY CLINTON is a MONSTER."

[BJ]

Too little, too late... now, it can only be viewed as political expediency! He should have quit years ago, when it became evident that their Theology was divisive.

Now, we ask, how much of this theology has Obama absorbed to form his moral compass?

So, he is now throwing everyone and everything that comes between him and his ambitions. Is THIS the type of person we want leading this nation? Someone who turns his back on you when you become a burden?

WEAK and irresponsible,

[gaypastor]

Of course he quits NOW. He already shamelessly used the Black evangelical community for votes and now he doesn't need them anymore (there aren't a lot of Black evangelics in Puetro Rico, South Dakato or Montana). This is, after all, the man who used "the rules" to beat down a woman candidate in Illinois too (see "Obama played hardball in first Chicago campaign" on CNN's site). It's not like he's really "the hope" he claims to be. Are people really that naive?

[KYJurisDoctor]

With Barak Obama's departure from the church, we can prayerfully say: ENOUGH ALREADY, and get back to a discussion of, and finding solutions for, REAL issues that concern and affect REAL people.

[Tom J]

I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.
- Abraham LIncoln

[Olden Atwoody]

So, now Obama has officially repudiated Christianity. Well, I can't vote for anyone who doesn't go to church!

[Genevieve]

For those who can not see that this is an "issue" and choose to dismiss it as meaningless, then you can not comprehend what this entire situation has brought to life. This is a church which practices open hatred and racism towards individuals who are not AA's. (Yes, the priest is white but not his beliefs and condemnation of others, particularly white people). In this same church, has sat an individual who is seeking the position of Pres. of our country, an individual who is to represent ALL people equitably and fairly. This is the same person who also paid (through contributions), a way to enable such practices to go on.
The general community gave him a break when he said this was a misunderstanding, what we were seeing were sermons which reflected the views of a Rev. Wright, and not the entire congregation's belief or manner in which they worshipped. We now find Rev. Wright is gone, the present minister and his guest speaker preach the same hatred towards other races, feel they can ridicule our government representatives, and then feel we should give up our assests to fund their needs. We also see that the congregation isn't abhorred by the antics but applaud and are receptive to what is being said. (Which was all clearly shown in the longer version of the video which is out).
This is not just an association or an endorsement but a practice which Sen. Obama surrounded himself with. He might have "left the church", but he has yet to condemn the way they have so openly trashed individuals and other races, nor has he denounced this "church" for what they represent.

[Vituperator]

After 20 years of dedicated membership in a Black Liberation Theology church his resignation is a cynical farce - far too little and far too late. The news about what Black Liberation Theology actually teaches (racist Marxism) will become evident for everyone to see and understand and it will hang around his neck like the stinking corpse of an albatross.

Obama has about as much chance of getting elected as Hugo Chavez. Start practicing saying these two words: "President McCain."

[Julie]

Obama for president!!! democrats, republican and Independents, please let us not make the first and second mistake of voting for another bush's third term.

Please say NO to Bush McClone, say NO to McBush third term!!!

No more spin and lies from the Bush McCLone.

We need change and Barack Obama represent the change for good.

Please vote for president Barack Obama.