HOUSTON - Barack Obama is a man without a church.
The Illinois Senator and likely Democratic Party nominee for the November presidential election against Republican John McCain said on Saturday he had quit his Chicago church in the aftermath of inflammatory sermons that could become a political lightning rod.
Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, cut ties last month with the former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Jeremiah Wright, who angered many with anti-American and racially charged sermons.
Just as controversy over Wright had died down, a Roman Catholic priest mocked Obama’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during a guest appearance at Trinity United in ways sure to cause offense to some.
Obama said he and his family will find a new church although they will likely not settle on one until early next year — after the election.
But can Obama remain “churchless” that long?
The faith factor is always a big one in elections in America, where levels of regular church attendance and belief are much higher and weigh more heavily with many voters than those found in most affluent nations.
If Obama tries to settle on a church before November it could be subjected to the same level of media scrutiny that will be focused on his vice-presidential choice should he secure the nomination, which looks increasingly likely.
That could also bring unwelcome media intrusion into a house of worship.
But while Obama professes a deep Christian faith, his “churchless” status may still stand out as a political liability — though staying with United was obviously a bigger one.
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Obama can resign, he can hide, he can say “I don’t belong to that church anymore so you can’t critize or ask questions about my past.”
But the facts remain the same……your past always with you……..it comes back to life during a Presidential campaign no matter which party you belong too.
The bones are beginning to pop out and spit out regarding Obama’s many past issues….Rezko, Church, House, Land, Voting Record, Lack of Experience, Wright, Michelle’s big mouth (which is accountable), Ayers, Catholic Priest who hates Hillary and all women, etc……
Me, I’m writing in my vote for Hillary Clinton on Election Day.
- Posted by Linda R. in Woodbridge, VADo we know what church McCain, Bush, The Clintons, belong to? It is others who have made his church an issue? (At a time when we have so many important things to talk about.) Please and I mean this, for the leave of the real high power in whatever you believe, can we talk about the issues facing this country.
- Posted by CObama went to the church for 20 years. And was never there the days that the racist sermons were made? Now all of a sudden he wants to leave the church? What a joke. I can’t understand what voters see in this left winged hypocrite. I guess being stupid Americans means we like giving all our hard earned cash to uncle Sam. And voting for a black guy even though he is a total numbskull is “coo”. I’m scared for the future of this country when so many people will vote for this joker.
- Posted by b sI know a great church Obama could go to and see pretty good Bible teaching. It is called Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, Texas.
- Posted by JeffMindless sheep, not even you religious people know why you practice religion, for show?
- Posted by Filip Babaesther said:
“Also, Obama grew up in a loving environment without any particular religious instruction, so he’s more open than many about the ability of non-Christians to be wonderful, contributing citizens - here or abroad.”
first of all, that’s an ignorant, bigoted and sweeping statement about christians, and the fact that you (and many others) see nothing wrong with it is indicative of a deeply stupid holier-than-thou attitude in the american left.
second, what the hell does that have to do with anything? he’s open to the idea that non-christians can be wonderful citizens, so that makes it ok for him to share in the ideology of a bunch of anti-american anger-mongers who themselves profess christianity?
WAKE. UP.
- Posted by valens handelHe does not have the character needed to be president, we’re in trouble, lets face it people…. there is not a really good candidate, Clinton is better than this guy, most definately, I don’t think the democrats will make it if he is the candidate:(
- Posted by Jillian PetersThis is why religion does not belong in the equation. I do not believe those unfortunate sound bites represent Obama’s beliefs anymore than I believe it represents the beliefs of church he attended. It is sad that his former minister and the catholic priest will only be remembered for their unfortunate “15 minutes of fame”. I also do not believe Rev. Hagee represents the beliefs of McCain either. Too bad we are so easily led by the media.
- Posted by J. DuffieThe people of Trinity United are nowhere near as scary as Cheney, Rove and Bush–not by a mile. Pfleger (not of Trinity) and Wright love hyperbole and media hype. Cheney, Rove and Bush operate with secrecy — hiding our reasons for going to war, playing G-d with our soldiers lives, and trashing our economy all while they line their own pockets. Get real, get focussed, and let’s do our country right by keeping our minds on the real issues.
- Posted by ggaynorWhat on earth is wrong with this fixation of the media on the religious proclivities of Americans? Is religion really that important in American life? I don’t think so. Is it ever possible for an American political candidate to come forward and say, yes I am an atheist and I do not believe in God or Gods or angels or demons or ghosts for that matter.
Why does the media not promote rationalism and critical thinking instead of this idiotic fixation on profession of belief in God, church, Jesus, Bible and faith?
Seems we may have left Salem but Salem has not left us. And Obama is being forced into declaring his loyalty to Christian faith before he is asked about anything else.
Towards an atheistic future for the world!
Atheist
- Posted by atheistObama is such a hypocrite. And his supporters despise Clinton for willing to do anything to win? Just look at their own candidate - he’s willing to sacrifice his own church of 20 years, in order to advance his own career. If he has had problems with it, he would have done it 20 years ago. Obama has shown repeatedly that he implicitly agrees with the pastors, but never cuts ties cuz they gave him the necessary political boost. Now that their use-by date expires, he can cut ties. Obama makes me sick, to the bone. I’ll vote anyone to get Obama’s hands off of White House.
- Posted by maxSeems to me he’s doing the right thing. The comments weren’t twenty years of daily spiel, but a few circumstances.
Of course these GOP marketers hitting the blogs dismiss the Hague incident, “that’s different.” Bush’s draft dodging was different, Bush’s alcoholism was different, Bush’s failures were different. These are the sort of rhetorical flourishes that got Bush in, and re-elected.
It’s just spin. Words appealing to emotions. Forget the emotions that got us here today, look to the future and accept a fresh positive approach to America’s future. Maybe it’s McCain, maybe Obama, but stop relying on commentary like the one above. It’s spin.
- Posted by VennDataObama was without a church for the first 25 years of his life. He can handle the next 6 months. And truthfully, right now, I don’t think he has time to go to church anyway. Last I heard, you don’t even need a church to pray to god.
- Posted by CindyGet ready for this: Obama (my favorite in this race) could
- Posted by Steve Williamsjoin John Hagee’s church, picking up the votes McCain could have had…if only he’d believed in Hurricane Katrina being God’s will due to gay parades and other crazy, hateful theories. That’s gotta be it, Obama in Hagee’s congregation.
Anyone fool enough to care about this distractive BS is an idiot.
Lets all get wrapped up in the religion of the candidates instead of focusing on the issues at hand. This is like going to board meeting and debating the latest American Idol - typical distractions created by the political machine to avoid talking about what counts.
So you Obama bashers keep in mind that your being manipulated by the machine - left, right, conservative, liberal, religious or atheist - its all a shell game aimed at getting you to do what your told. So be the sheep your expected to be and argue about this unimportnat stupid distration.
- Posted by not_bob_slcOh, please. This is in response to the comment above about Obama doing or saying anything to get elected: It is so clear that the United Church former pastor (Rev. J. Wright) and other clerical visitors preaching at that pulpit are only showing they are human and fallen too. They want their moments in the media and are capitalizing on the situation, Obama’s presidential campaign. This has nothing to do with Obama’s faith or integrity. I think the question whether he can remain ‘churchless’ for long is a more interesting one and has far more to do with his integrity.
- Posted by AnitaCould not agree more with Howard Cossman. I am unable to vote for a racist anti american person who did not care what his pastor said for 20 yrs until it became a political liability.
- Posted by GILNow that Barack Obama has broken with his church, one would expect that the news media pundits who forced him to make the move will, in the name of fairness, sever ties with their own churches as well.
Truth is that the hate-America ranting of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and the Hillary-mocking humor of Father Michael Pfleger pale in comparison with the evils perpetrated in the name of God by leaders and officials of mainstream religions.
To wit:
–The thousands of alleged heretics racked, dismembered, burned at the stake, deep fried in oil, buried alive, skinned alive by order of Roman Catholic Inquisitors, with the approval of the Pope.
–The witch hunts of menopausal women and the countless tortures and executions inflicted by Protestant churches during the Reformation. “I should not have compassion on these witches. I would burn all of them,” declared Martin Luther. And John Calvin had no qualm about arranging the slow roasting of anyone who dared question his theology. (Check what he did to Michael Servetus).
–The racist teachings of the Mormon Church. As narrated in the Book of Mormon, the good guys, the Nephites, were fair-skinned, whereas the bad guys, the Lamanites, being descendants of Cain, were punished by God with a dark skin. (Nephi 5:21, Alma 3:6) According to Brigham Young the “flat nose and black skin” of African Americans were likewise the stigma of Cain. It wasn’t until 1978 that an African American was accepted into the Church priesthood. Then there’s the Church’s history of polygamy and sexism. Only two women figure in the Book of Mormon, and only in minor roles.
–The genocidal mandates of the Hebrew Jehovah in the Old Testament (Joshua 11; I Samuel 15:1-35). The scurrilous disparaging comments against Gentiles in the Jewish Babylonian Talmud: “All Gentile children are like animals (Baba Kamma 113.a); “Gentiles prefer sex with cows” (Abodah Zarah 22 a.); “Gentile girls are in a state of filth since birth” (Abodah Zara 221-22b; “Jesus mother was a whore”(Sanhedrin 106A)
Self-righteous media commentators bent on pillorying Barack Obama for his church affiliation should take a close look at the dark underbelly of their own religions.
Carlos Navarro
- Posted by Carlos NavarroDavidson, NC
Americans will sympathize with the Obamas’ need to search for a new religious community. People do that all the time when they move.
Also, Obama grew up in a loving environment without any particular religious instruction, so he’s more open than many about the ability of non-Christians to be wonderful, contributing citizens - here or abroad.
- Posted by Esther Rupert20 years sitting, with his family in an anti-American, racist, black liberation church. Now, Obama supporters are trying to make us believe it’s not an important issue. Well, it goes directly to what Obama believes, his character, how he sees America, and much more. And, enough with the thin response of what about Hagee? These extremist religious associates were not merely endorsements, Obama was deeply involved with these scary people for over 20 years. The fact that Obama finally quit the church, obviously for political expediency, only means that Obama has little integrity, and will do or say anything to get elected.
- Posted by Howard Cossman