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.
Absurd. A man who says the things that Wright said is not a man who says them on rare and isolated occasions. He believes them and preaches and rants them to anyone who will listen.
I have my doubts on just how “respected” a biblical scholar he is, too. He sounds like a race baiter who does everything he can to keep the animosity between the races going. That’s diametrically opposed IMHO to the message of Christ.
Finally, would you stay 20 years in a church where you so vehemently disagreed with a core tenet of the pastor’s belief system? I would not. When I look at this situation, and then throw in Obama’s wife’s statements, I can only conclude that Obama is a political opportunist who at his core harbors great disdain for traditional America in general and whites in particular.
MM
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.
Obama....I am judging you on what you believe in and your values. Don’t we all get some of them at church? You are done sir!....Your two step is painfully obvious!
Right ater he meets with him to tell him that he should not believe the statements that he will make. After all, he is only going to make the denouncements to please the white folks to win the presidency.
Obama: “don’t you folks know this whole Christian church thing was just window-dressing?? I’ve hardly ever set foot in the place and you honky fools want to hold me to account for everything that is preached there?!? Ooops, did I just step in it again?”
BWAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!
“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.”
That’s a LIE and Hussein knows it.
Sorry Hussein, I do not believe you. Your own actions (not saluting the flag, not wearing the flag on your lapel), your wife's statements and activities, all of these things begin to add up now.
You are backing away now because it is politically expediant, but by your own measure, your judgement now is in abject and total question. You are not qualified or judgementaly capable or qoualified of leading this nation.
Sorry....too damned late for Obama to turn loose of that Tar Baby!
Obama sat through that crap for over 20 years...
He was in that Church to earn his “black credentials.”
Well he succeeded in Spades!
This is not an “out of context” issue...
This is not just some nutty bastard who favors Obama - this is the LEADER of Obama’s church of 20 years — his PERSONAL Spiritual leader!
This nutty, racist and America hating “preacher” is Obama’s “cross” and Albatross to bear....
It hangs around his neck with a stench I hope will serve as smelling salts for all those mindless bxxxxes fainting at his none issue speeches...
A good timely response by Obama.- tom
So....why put him on your campaign?
I thought it was telling that Obama described himself as having tried multiple faiths until coming to this church back when he was a 'community organizer.' It sounds like the radical social reformer found a church that resonated, and he stayed for 20+ years...which is a pretty good illumination of the person Barack Obama really is. A long-time radical.
But not a problem for last 20-25 yrs Obama and wife have attended and still attend.
Obama sat for 20 years in the pew and listen to this sick, false shepherd’s divisive and prejudiced sermons. It only further illustrates how Obama is lacking in judgement.
If Obama was a true believing Christian, he would have a far different (and Biblical) view on abortion and homosexuality.
Isn’t this similar to his Candian escapade re NAFTA, and the reported business about being more willing to openly support Palestine after the (Senate) primary race?
IOW say whatever gets him elected and hide his real positions in all three cases.
Obama has fit in with the wrong people for a long time, he's trying to change who he was without even defining who he is.
It's too late after breaking bread with terrorists and America haters in order to be a good "progressive", and now say oops, I take it all back.
Yep HBO and I believe in the tooth fairy!
And Bin Laden built schools in Afganistan (according to Patty Murray, D-Washington).
A forced, untimely one.
I have a Hussein Obama ping list that specifically focuses on his links to subversives, terrorists, and other malcontents - domestic and foreign.
Not many pingees though....LOL.
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