Posted on 03/14/2008 1:51:14 PM PDT by pissant
Barack Obama's campaign has sent The Brody File here at CBN News a statement regarding the controversy swirling around his former pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Read it below:
The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.
Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.
Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.
As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.
Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.
The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.
Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.
With Rev. Wright's retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good. And while Rev. Wright's statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.
What's your reaction to the statement? I will have more followup soon. Stand by.
Alrighty then.
Sounds like Barak didn't make it to church very often...
Thanks for posting this- I just popped a link in another thread of your’s for the same letter to the Huffington Post...
He’s sending this letter all over the internet.
Hollow words, Obamie. This isn't the first time your 'pastor' has said inflamatory things. If you truly 'vehemently disagreed' you would have left this church long ago.
Hollow words, Obamie. This isn't the first time your 'pastor' has said inflamatory things. If you truly 'vehemently disagreed' you would have left this church long ago.
He agreed with them before he didn’t.....
And Al Capone opened soup kitchens all around Chicago during the depression.
Ping for Obama’s CYA letter...
Do you have a “Hussein BS” ping list you can add me to please? :]
They seem to reflect your wife's views pretty closely, Barry.
I tell ya - I wish this would all just bubble a bit until he gets the Dem nomination, then erupt.
And Al Capone opened soup kitchens all around Chicago during the depression.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are AWESOME!!!!!!
No, no ping list
This was smart on Obama’s part. Candidates have to respond quickly.
Smarter would have been to leave this church years ago.
Sorry B Hussein.......... this one is gonna stick!
And, Hitler had no intentions of invading Poland, France, Russia, Austria, Hungary, England, etc., etc., etc. Really he didn’t want to... really... really.
The American people will see this statement for what it is--without any credibility.
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