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Post by anointed on Oct 23, 2007 15:06:49 GMT -5
Obama urged to drop Donnie McClurkin from tour
Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
By: ANN SANNER -- Associated Press Writer, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) A gay rights group has urged Barack Obama to cut ties with a gospel singer who it says spreads false information about homosexuality being a choice.
Donnie McClurkin is among several gospel singers scheduled to raise money for the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate at a concert in South Carolina this weekend.
McClurkin has drawn attention from gay rights activists for his views on homosexuality.
"I don't believe that it is the intention of God," McClurkin said Monday in a telephone interview. "Sexuality, everything is a matter of choice."
McClurkin said he does not believe in discriminating against homosexuals. "What people do in their bedrooms and who they are as human beings are two different things," he said.
In a statement, Obama said he believes gays and lesbians are "our brothers and sisters" and should be afforded the same respect, dignity and rights granted all other citizens.
"I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."
The statement did not say whether McClurkin will still perform on the tour.
"We strongly urge Obama to part ways with this divisive preacher who is clearly singing a different tune than the stated message of the campaign," Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out, said in a statement.
At a forum on gay issues in August, Obama argued that civil unions for same-sex couples wouldn't be a "lesser thing" than marriage. Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ, which supports gay marriage, but Obama has yet to go that far.
In a telephone interview Monday, Besen said he admired Obama, but wasn't ready to endorse him, especially considering McClurkin taking part in the campaign's "Embrace the Change" concert tour.
"I think he'd be a great president. But I think it's going to drive away support from people who are on the fence such as myself," Besen said.
McClurkin is a Grammy Award winner who performed at the Republican National Convention in 2004. He told AP Radio in an interview that September that he was "once involved with those desires and those thoughts," which he attributed to being raped at 8 and 13.
"That's what thrust me into it, and then God delivered me from that and gave me back who I really am and my true purpose," McClurkin said.
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Post by newmercies on Oct 23, 2007 15:23:55 GMT -5
Wow I didn't know Obama was for guy rights.You know its crazy I know back in the Bible days God destroyed whole cities because of the Sin"Sodom a Gamorrah". I can't Imagine what would happen to a whole country. This is really scary we are trully living in the last days........... The Bible says in the Last days People are goingto be callin Wrong Right and Right Wrong. This is really sad.  |
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Post by kanyon on Oct 23, 2007 15:28:20 GMT -5
I think this is a good thread to move to the political forum..lots to discuss here.
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Post by newmercies on Oct 23, 2007 15:34:09 GMT -5
Yeahhh This is exactly where this thread should be!
You know Kanyon sir, you are trully blessed to be in Canada Right now cause America has really gone crazy. We really need Gods Help Right Now!
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Post by livinganewlife on Oct 23, 2007 15:36:55 GMT -5
That's why it amazes me that "most black" people of God will just jump on the bandwagon with anyone without reading or researching what these people stand for.......
Even during one of the first televised debates i started to question was Obama really for "black" people or people period......
and every since that night I have been leaning toward (if I were to vote Democrat) John Edwards because JE took a strong stand in trying to organize a universal health care system......
that's just my two cents.............
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Post by anointed on Oct 24, 2007 19:53:32 GMT -5
I commend Donnie McClurkin for his stance. As far as Obama, consider this information when you vote in the next election. However, I will look at all of his stance on issues because every candidate has pros and cons that can be viewed in light of God's Word and not all their ideas measure up. We live in a democratic land instead of theocractic.
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Post by keita on Oct 24, 2007 21:08:34 GMT -5
I commend Donnie McClurkin for his stance... Weeellllll.....  Gospel singer says he is not anti-gayBy Kelley L. Carter | Tribune staff reporter 6:09 AM CDT, October 24, 2007 [/b] Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin says he was surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to a media firestorm. The 47-year-old Grammy Award-winning musician is scheduled to perform this weekend at Sen. Barack Obama's three-day concert series in South Carolina. But in the wake of accusations by a gay-rights group that McClurkin falsely asserts that homosexuality is a choice, bloggers are calling for the Democratic presidential candidate to cancel the singer's Sunday night appearance, saying McClurkin's views are anti-gay and incite hate. McClurkin told The Associated Press on Monday that "sexuality, everything is a matter of choice." But on Tuesday he told the Tribune that his ideals, and most importantly his ministry, were severely misconstrued. "I don't believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I," McClurkin said in an exclusive interview with the Tribune. "Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren't true." "My only concern is to be in place with Sen. Obama in unity and bring all the factors together for the sake of change," he said. "That's my only thing. Of course some agents have twisted it as though he [Obama] were embracing a racist or a Nazi, and that is anything but true." McClurkin and Obama first connected last month in California at an Oprah Winfrey fundraiser for the Illinois senator. "I believe in his stance. I believe in his platform and his agenda. So when they asked me if I would be a part of it, there was no problem," said McClurkin, who has performed at both parties' conventions and identifies himself as a Democrat. "We don't have to agree on everything, but we do have to agree on the main thing: that there needs to be change and I believe he is the candidate to bring it." For years, McClurkin has talked from the pulpit about how he was raped by a male family member as a child. It was that act, he has said, that sent him into living as a gay man for the better part of 20 years. He now says he is straight and that his ministry is open to those who say they no longer want to live as a gay person. What he doesn't do, he says, is crusade against homosexuality. "There's never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it. There's no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change." klcarter@tribune.comLINK |
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Post by newmercies on Oct 24, 2007 22:30:58 GMT -5
My goodness, I knew something was up with Donnie as well, I don't get how people say that ohhhhh I didn't choose to be gay I was born that way..... The Devil is a Liar as my Pastor always says "God didn't make Adam and Steve, He made Adam and Eve." It is a Spirit of Perversion. Thats my story and im stickin too it. Im just sayin this in general  Be Blessed Jessica |
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Post by anointed on Oct 24, 2007 22:47:58 GMT -5
"I believe in his stance. I believe in his platform and his agenda. So when they asked me if I would be a part of it, there was no problem," said McClurkin, who has performed at both parties' conventions and identifies himself as a Democrat. "We don't have to agree on everything, but we do have to agree on the main thing: that there needs to be change and I believe he is the candidate to bring it."
For years, McClurkin has talked from the pulpit about how he was raped by a male family member as a child. It was that act, he has said, that sent him into living as a gay man for the better part of 20 years. He now says he is straight and that his ministry is open to those who say they no longer want to live as a gay person. What he doesn't do, he says, is crusade against homosexuality.
"There's never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it. There's no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change."
Keita, what is your thought process? It seems that McClurkin is saying he doesn't agree with every single detail that Obama addresses but overall, he stands with him. And McClurkin has a point. Can a person actually "crusade" against homosexuality (when it will be present in the world regardless of anyone's preach). But as McClurkin said, for those seeking change from this lifestyle, then that's when help can be found. Do you feel he is contradicting himself of some sort? Plus, I need to go read some more on Obama's issues (but I do know that his take on homosexual liberties and possibly marriage might not get him votes from the Church unlike President Bush.)
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Post by krazeeboi on Oct 25, 2007 2:13:42 GMT -5
Oh how I hate the media.
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Post by giantsdodie on Oct 25, 2007 7:53:10 GMT -5
Stay saved yo... stay saved..... |
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Post by Nikkol on Oct 25, 2007 8:02:05 GMT -5
That was very generic..... the main thing is that the world needs Jesus...... sometimes, I truly wish that people would be bold enough (esp. since in the US at this moment we have religious freedom) to use every opportunity to really spread the gospel.
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Post by keita on Oct 25, 2007 11:30:46 GMT -5
Keita, what is your thought process? Oh something like...... pandering, deceitful, political doublespeak meets compromising, lukewarm, cowardice.... for starters. |
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Post by keita on Oct 25, 2007 11:33:54 GMT -5
"Gay Minister Joins Obama Concert in SC"
By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON LINKIn response to an uproar from gay activists, Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign on Wednesday added a gay minister to the lineup for its weekend gospel tour. Gay activists had criticized Obama's "Embrace the Change" tour in South Carolina because the performers included gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, who says homosexuality is a choice. Obama's campaign invited Rev. Andy Sidden, a South Carolina pastor who is openly gay, to appear on Sunday in Columbia. Obama discussed Sidden's inclusion Thursday with Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign,... ...which supports gay rights. In a statement, Solmonese said he thanked Obama for including Sidden but told the Illinois senator he was disappointed McClurkin will remain part of the program. "There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin's message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies," Solmonese said. "That's a message that certainly doesn't belong on any presidential candidate's stage." McClurkin is a Grammy Award winner who performed at the Republican National Convention in 2004. He told AP Radio in an interview that September that he was "once involved with those desires and those thoughts," but God turned him away from them. Obama has spoken out against homophobia, including in the black community. He supports civil unions for same-sex couples but not the right for gay marriage.
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Post by anointed on Oct 25, 2007 11:43:46 GMT -5
Donnie might be a little taken back for the moment, but hey he's still getting hated on by the gay community for his initial comment. Poor Obama might loose many votes from the church leaders if he enthrones the principality that deals with homosexuality in the nation. And the man has Oprah Winfrey to back him up who is a strong supporter for gays (so you know Obama has to be proactive for the gay community). I was reading an article by Apostle Eckhardt that addresses Obama's homosexuality stance. This article was written awhile back. I'll post it.
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