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Post by anointedteacher on May 30, 2008 11:27:21 GMT -5
By CARYN ROUSSEAU, Associated Press Writer
Fri May 30, 6:00 AM ET
Obama distances himself from another clergyman
CHICAGO - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Thursday that he was "deeply disappointed" by a supporter's sermon at his church that mocked Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, a Chicago activist, also apologized for last Sunday's sermon at Obama's church, in which he said Clinton's eyes welled with tears before the New Hampshire primary because she felt "entitled" to the Democratic nomination and because "there's a black man stealing my show."
In video circulating on the Internet, Pfleger said the former first lady expected to win the nomination before Obama's sudden popularity.
"She just always thought that, 'This is mine. I'm Bill's wife. I'm white.' ... And then, out of nowhere, came 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama." And she said, 'Oh d**n, where did you come from? I'm white. I'm entitled. There's a black man stealing my show,'" Pfleger said at Trinity United Church of Christ.
He then went on to parody Clinton, sobbing and wiping his face with a handkerchief.
"She wasn't the only one crying," he said. "There was a whole lot of white people crying."
Obama won the Iowa caucuses, the first contest of the nominating season, in January. Days later, Clinton's eyes brimmed with tears and her voice broke as she talked with New Hampshire voters on the eve of the primary, which she won.
Obama said he was "deeply disappointed" by Pfleger's comments.
"As I have traveled this country, I've been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that that unites us," he said in a statement. "That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."
Pfleger, the white pastor of predominantly black Saint Sabina Roman Catholic Church on the city's Southwest side, said he regretted his choice of words.
"These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message and I am deeply sorry if they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them," Pfleger said.
Clinton's campaign denounced Pfleger's comments.
"Divisive and hateful language like that is totally counterproductive in our efforts to bring our party together and have no place at the pulpit or in our politics," the campaign said in a statement. "We are disappointed that Senator Obama didn't specifically reject Father's Pfleger's despicable comments about Senator Clinton, and assume he will do so."
In March, Pfleger invited Obama's embattled former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, to speak at Saint Sabina, embracing Wright in the church.
Obama recently broke with Wright, who had been his longtime pastor, after video of his sermons blaming U.S. policies for the Sept. 11 attacks and his calls of "God d**n America" became fixtures on the Internet and cable news networks and created a political problem for the candidate.
Pfleger, known locally as a community activist and organizer, was arrested in June 2007 with the Rev. Jesse Jackson during a protest outside of a south suburban Chicago gun shop. The criminal trespass charges were later dropped.
He also has hosted Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, at St. Sabina and has called him "a gift from God to a sick, sick world."
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Pray for these leaders... They need God!!!
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on May 31, 2008 17:24:34 GMT -5
Hey,
I just heard on NBC News that Barack resigned from his church! I guess he is fed up.
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Post by anointedteacher on May 31, 2008 17:55:14 GMT -5
Of Course he realize just how ignorant they are... Instead preaching Christ, his birth, death and resurrection.... they are constantly imparting meanless junk that will not lead anyone to Christ. I hope and pray God will lead him to a Bible believing church spiritfilled, where he can grow spiritually.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on May 31, 2008 19:49:30 GMT -5
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Post by anointedteacher on May 31, 2008 21:15:35 GMT -5
By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
ABERDEEN, S.D. - Barack Obama said Saturday he has resigned his 20-year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago "with some sadness" in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and more recent fiery remarks at the church by a visiting priest.
"This is not a decision I come to lightly ... and it is one I make with some sadness," Obama said at a news conference after campaign officials released a letter of resignation he sent to the church on Friday.
"I'm not denouncing the church and I'm not interested in people who want me to denounce the church," he said, adding that the new pastor at Trinity and "the church have been suffering from the attention my campaign has focused on them."
Obama said he and his wife have been discussing the issue since Wright's appearance at the National Press Club in Washington last month, which reignited the furor over remarks Wright had made in various sermons at the church.
"I suspect we'll find another church home for our family," Obama said.
"It's clear that now that I'm a candidate for president, every time something is said in the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will imputed to me even if they totally conflict with my long-held views, statements and principles," he said.
"I have no idea how it will impact my presidential campaign but I know it was the right thing to do for me and my family," he said.
"This was a pretty personal decision and I was not trying to make political theater out of it," he added.
For months, Obama has been hamstrung by the rhetoric of Wright, whose sermons blaming U.S. policies for the Sept. 11 attacks and calls of "God d**n America" for its racism became fixtures on the Internet and cable news networks.
Initially, Obama said he disagreed with Wright but portrayed him as a family member he couldn't disown. The preacher had officiated at Obama's wedding, baptized his two daughters and been his spiritual mentor for some 20 years.
But six weeks after Obama's well-received speech on race, Wright claimed at the Press Club appearance that the U.S. government was capable of planting AIDS in the black community, praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and suggested that Obama was acting like a politician by putting his pastor at arm's length while privately agreeing with him.
The next day, Obama denounced Wright's comments as "divisive and destructive."
Remarks by Wright inflamed racial tensions and posed an unwanted problem for Obama, front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, as he sought to wrap up the party's nod.
More recently, racially charged remarks from the same pulpit by another pastor, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, kept the controversy alive and proved the latest thorn in Obama's side. As a guest speaker at Obama's church, Pfleger mocked Obama rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Although Obama condemned comments by both Wright and Pfleger, the controversy persisted.
Obama made clear he wasn't happy with Pfleger's comments — in which the Catholic priest pretended he was Clinton crying over "a black man stealing my show" — and said he was "deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."
Pfleger issued an apology, saying he was sorry if his comments offended Clinton or anyone else.
The timing of Obama's decision broke late Saturday, while most of the political attention was focused on the Democratic National Committee's struggle to seat delegates from Florida and Michigan.
Republican John McCain also has had his woes with religious leaders.
Earlier this month, McCain rejected endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists, saying there is no place for their incendiary criticisms of other faiths.
McCain spurned the months-old endorsement of Texas preacher John Hagee after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land. McCain called the comment "crazy and unacceptable."
He later repudiated the support of Rod Parsley, an Ohio preacher who has sharply criticized Islam and called the religion inherently violent.
"This was one I didn't see coming," Obama said Saturday when he asked if he had anticipated the firestorm that would erupt over his relationship with Wright.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on May 31, 2008 21:18:41 GMT -5
Sis, that is the same link that I posted - all one has to do is click on it.
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Post by keita on May 31, 2008 22:28:34 GMT -5
IMHO, Barack Obama needs to take off those tap shoes before he slips and breaks his neck.
And were there anything even remotely Godly or righteous about the American electorate system, imho, a presidential candidate with any spiritual/doctrinal connection to John Hagee should and would be cause for MUCH greater alarm, concern and attention than one with pastoral relationship to Jeremiah Wright.
The glaringly obvious and dramatic difference in the media reporting and hype levels is both telling and striking in its inequality.
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Post by Jasmine on May 31, 2008 22:34:30 GMT -5
Didn't John Hagee write a book on how Jesus was not the Messaiah? Something to that extent.
I will google it, but definitely wouldn't want any type of spiritual connection to him.
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Post by anointedteacher on May 31, 2008 22:41:23 GMT -5
These preacher need to use wisdom and watch what they preach to the public... and the only reason McCain drop him is because of what happen between Wright and Obama.... What he say was far more worst than dawn America for racism...
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Post by kitty on Jun 3, 2008 10:28:51 GMT -5
Guys,
My heart really goes out to Father Pfleger... I grew up in Chicago and he truly has done a lot of positive work in the African American community here. Not to mention this... although what he stated may have been off the mark for a man of God in his position...
It's not as if he was lying... his comments were telling the truth!
Father Pfleger has been known in Chicago to call a spade a spade...
he is over St. Sabina which is a church and a school... He spoke out pubically about the other majority white schools that wouldn't play his kids in basketball games in their league.
he also spoke out when a lot of really good catholic schools were closed down in the Black community under the guise of down sizing... It was long known that the move was racially movated and as of know in the past 20 years almost all and I mean all of those schools were closed in Black communities in the city.
He was one of the few to speak out about it...and he kept St. Sabina open...
Now unfornately they may use this to remove him from St. Sabina... a move they have been probably relishing for a long time... Really sad...
Kitty
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Post by kanyon on Jun 3, 2008 10:54:14 GMT -5
I can't understand why the media and electorate are so shocked by these events. They have been wink winking over the proverbial fence for generations.
When they are caught, they come up with 'You're not offended are you?' or, 'Don't get me wrong, some of my best friends are------------.'
or, 'I think you are every bit as good as I am....'
They can't handle it when someone speaks to truth.
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Post by keita on Jun 6, 2008 13:33:53 GMT -5
Now unfornately they may use this to remove him from St. Sabina... a move they have been probably relishing for a long time... Really sad... Sis kitty, apparently and unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening even now... It's most unfortunate that those same "authorities" did/do not respond with equal expedience and decisiveness regarding their child molesting priests. Apparently, for "the Church" a man of GOD telling the truth and faithfully serving the poor and oppressed is deemed more punishable than pedophilia. No surprise there.  Imho, and in no way minimizing the pain of the brother's painful experience, he should count himself blessed, drop the "Father" title, come out from among them and keep it moving. |
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Post by anointedteacher on Jun 6, 2008 15:32:13 GMT -5
Now unfornately they may use this to remove him from St. Sabina... a move they have been probably relishing for a long time... Really sad... Sis kitty, apparently and unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening even now... It's most unfortunate that those same "authorities" did/do not respond with equal expedience and decisiveness regarding their child molesting priests. Apparently, for "the Church" a man of GOD telling the truth and faithfully serving the poor and oppressed is deemed more punishable than pedophilia. No surprise there. Imho, and in no way minimizing the pain of the brother's painful experience, he should count himself blessed, drop the "Father" title, come out from among them and keep it moving. The problem I have is that they do not used wisdom in preaching the word.... This shouldn't have never been recorded on youtube or any tape or DVDs.... Everything you preach and teach is not for everybody to hear.... I remember times when my Apostle begin the speak on certian issues.... the first thing she do is stop the taping... and move the mic... because the general public are not ready to receive what she have to say.... The Rev (not father).... was only set down for two weeks to spend time with family (what family... is he married with kids?)... they know the congregation will leave and they will suffer great loss, if he was removed... He should have consider, after the situation with Rev Wright, he should have been more careful.... and their is no truth in mocking another person, even your enemies... "He also has hosted Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam, at St. Sabina and has called him "a gift from God to a sick, sick world."The last church I heard of that allowed Farrakhan to use their church facility to speak,.... the Holy Spirit was removed from that place. They lost all their congregation and owls fined a new home on the top of the church... Sorry, but Rev. Michael Pfleger has a problem.... Yes... they should have dealt with the Hillary pastor's issue too, along with McCain long time friend John Hagin.... |
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Post by keita on Jun 6, 2008 17:53:48 GMT -5
The problem I have is that they do not used wisdom in preaching the word.... This shouldn't have never been recorded on youtube or any tape or DVDs.... Everything you preach and teach is not for everybody to hear.... I remember times when my Apostle begin the speak on certian issues.... the first thing she do is stop the taping... and move the mic... because the general public are not ready to receive what she have to say.... Hmmmmmm....... Well, I suppose that is at least one possible solution, but I'm not at all sure that it's the best practice in all cases. Especially for those messages of the "How shall they hear without a preacher?" variety. And it's exactly that kind of preaching which has actually given me a greater appreciation for the use of youtube during this election. Michael Pfleger is (for the moment) a Roman Catholic priest. So "Father" is the standard title for his position and remaining unmarried and celibate is a (imho, totally unscriptural) requirement for maintaining it. And in any case, I'm no more thrilled with the more general (also often used for RC clergy) title of "Rev.", nor with the use of any of the four/five-fold giftings and functions as titles. As for Pfleger being "set down", especially for that token amount of time, I would say that is nothing more than yet another example of his superior's cowardice and questionable motives. And I would venture that Pfleger and Jeremiah Wright had a really good chuckle over this latest attempt at diocesan discipline. I do agree with you that Pfleger could quite easily and wisely have addressed the very real, true and racist issue of the mentality of "white entitltlement" without the personal attack of publicly mocking Hilary Clinton. But I daresay that many of us do not see "the situation" with Jermiah Wright as a reason for being "careful". Actually quite the opposite. And, although I am not at all a fan of "mocking" others, I think that doing so must contain at least some truth in order to be effective, or even funny. It's a mainstay of comedy. Sometimes, we just call our "mocking" by cuter names like "having fun" , "just kidding" or "only joking".  Well I definitely wouldn't go that far in my measure of the man. But I have absolutely no problem giving Farrakhan his props and imho, he does have some coming and they are not all negative. I think Louis Farrakhan speaking in it would have been among the least of the problems for any chuch building/congregation having been declared "Ichabod" by GOD. Even on wheels, Holy Spirit just doesn't leave that easily or without warning. Over the years, I have actually been present at a few venues where Farrakhan spoke, including a chuch building or two, and to my knowledge they are all conducting business as usual. And, in your opinion, his "problem" would be? Indeed. And, as I said earlier, the fact that "they" didn't, haven't, and probably won't, speaks volumes to me. |
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Post by anointedteacher on Jun 6, 2008 23:36:38 GMT -5
The problem I have is that they do not used wisdom in preaching the word.... This shouldn't have never been recorded on youtube or any tape or DVDs.... Everything you preach and teach is not for everybody to hear.... I remember times when my Apostle begin the speak on certian issues.... the first thing she do is stop the taping... and move the mic... because the general public are not ready to receive what she have to say.... When it come to certian things that can be used against you or taken out of context or controversial topic, which is not for everybody to hear... What make it so bad, it was after Rev. Wright situation (I am not against what Rev. Wright have spoken, but it was not for everybody) After Sen. Obama long speech on unity... He should have used wisdom and take all these things in consideration, knowing it will be used against Sen. Obama. There are ppl that are trying to dig up as much dirty as possible They need to hear the Gospel... Jesus' birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection... It wasn't the right time for it.... especially if it can be used to hurt another person, that you support. I wasn't sure about he background.... I have no problem with title, Jesus was called, Master, Lord, Rabbi and Teacher... I call a person whatever they want me to call them except master & lord They are probably hurt over the situation, because their sermons was taken out of context... and they got their hands spank a little... Now they are famous and some hate them and more love them [/size] Personal I probably would have enjoy the sermon, but certian thing don't belong on youtube....If it going to hurt the person I support to become the 1st African American President.... and seeing how Rev. Wright sermons have been misunderstood, yes, I would have been careful to not tape or scured the tape so no one would have access to it.Yes... it was funny.... but it shouldn't have been on youtube.... He is a leader of a cult.... it is no different than bringing a witch into your church to speak and practice witchcraft.... The Word is totally against that... He give honor to his demon god... Allah. Why would anybody invite him or let him used their church, which should be holy. I Believe the spirits and curses are there.. especially you knowingly bring in a leader of a cult into your church to speak or allow him to used it for his religious celemony.... is greiving to the Holy Spirit and Yes God probably remove His Name.... The warning came before Farrakhan enter the building.... I am pretty sure each time the pastor of the church knee down to pray, he/she received a warning.It may seen that way.... they have open the door to demonic activitiesThe part about him dealing wit Farrakhan... I have a problem with that...I have a issue with that too.... John Hagin speech was 10X more controversial than Rev. Wright and Rev. Pfleger put together, although there may be truth in it.... but they attacked the Black Rev. and White Rev. Soulman .... because they represented the Black Presidential Candidate... |
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