Fiery sermons didn’t drive Barack Obama away from his church, but they did unnerve one other prominent parishioner — media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
According to Newsweek, Winfrey stopped attending Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ in the 1990s in part because she wanted to distance herself from the incendiary views of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
“She’s always been aware that her audience is very mainstream, and doing anything to offend them just wouldn’t be smart,” one anymous source tells the magazine. “She’s been around black churches all her life, so Rev. Wright’s anger-filled message didn’t surprise her. But it just wasn’t what she was looking for in a church.”
Wright, of course, is the preacher whose racially charged denunciations of the U.S. government have caused such heartburn for Obama’s bid for the Democratic nomination since they were made public in March. Evidently Winfrey, an Obama supporter, wanted to avoid a conflict of her own.
But Oprah had other reasons for leaving as well, another anonymous source tells Newsweek.
“There is the Church of Oprah now,” the longtime friend says. “She has her own following.”
Photo: REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (Winfrey campaigns for Obama in Los Angeles, April 2)
Trackback
65 comments so far
Previous | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Next
I really just came in to read the comments, but when I clicked on the button…all I saw on the screen cuz I didn’t scroll up at first…was the signin screen.
I was caught in a moment because you know when you sign in it asks for ‘file of the word’ to ‘prove you’re a person - not spam script’.
Mine said: love
that’s all I wanted to share then….is
*love*
- Posted by ArtgardonHow in God’s name does anyone figure that Obama is responsible for words that came out of Wright’s mouth?
I sat in many classes in the University and heard my professors say many a controversal thing, but I was never held accountable for them in fact… I was rewarded for how well I coul remember and recite them
The whole idea behind church is the idea of free will. You have the right to accept or reject any statement
- Posted by KayThe Rev Wright is not only wrong he seems to embody many of the the most negative elements of religion and religious zeal.
The man has a big mouth and conveys the sentiments of a foolish egocentric. He is also a spouter of cant, devisive preaching and shows an abject lack of sensitivity.
And he calls himself a Christian??
Obama has been besmirched by this foolish reactionary, and I think the Rev. should hang his head in shame!
- Posted by Keith M WarwickJeremiah Wright appears to be crazy! Any reasonable person can see this. Those who are not familiar with Black churches don’t know many pastors say crazy things when they get caught up in the moment. Balance is needed in everything and I think Obama and others know how to balance what is said across a pulpit. White churches are a lot different - what is said is mostly scripted and carefully stated. These pastors do not ad lib per say. Obama is electable; some just don’t want to let their mind and heart believe it.
- Posted by PLNLOprah left Wright’s church in the mid 90’s because of the radical preaching was offensive and would have a negative impact on her viewers if they became aware.
Obama didn’t find anything offensive and defended the preacher until it was an obvious political liability.
- Posted by Al