RAW DATA: Obama’s Statement Condemning His Pastor’s Controversial Sermons
The following statement was released by the Barack Obama campaign Friday in response to criticism over sermons delivered by his pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.:
On My Faith and My Church
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.
It is illegal for a pastor to use his or her platform to publicly endorse a political candidate. My question is…why has this church not lost their non-profit status as a result of Wright’s political statements of endorsement of Obama, not to mention his inflamatory statements about Hillary Clinton? Every church is held to this standard of behavior, no matter who is the pastor or who attends the congregation. Wright has flatly ignored this and should be held accountable.
I CAN’T BELIEVE ANYONE GOING TO THIS MAN’S CHURCH HAS NEVER HEARD HIS RACIST REMARK’S OR HATRED FOR OUR COUNTRY IN THE 20 YEAR’S HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER! I CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER WHAT ELSE HEWAS PREACHING. MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST TAUGHT US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THEM.
Barak Obama is such a fraud….I was an early supporter, but this is just the nail in the coffin. He went to that racist church for 20 years and had no idea his pastor made sermons that were anti-American or racist? Give me a break…have your identity crisis on your own time! You used that church to gain street cred and now it has come back to bite you. Your explanation on Fox News was week and you looked like someone caught cheating on an exam. Drop out of this race now……what else is going to come out next?
Obama, are you kidding me? It doesn’t take 20 years to find out what
someone believes. Obama says MOST of the time Wright preached about God, Jesus and helping the poor……AND the REST of the TIME…..
he preached on WHAT?
Another preacher defended Wright on Fox news, saying 3 times that Wright preached those strong words similar to Old Testament. 3 Times he failed to mention from which verse Wright was preaching.
Wright is a DIVIDER and HATER and apparently his followers, WHO CLAP when he preaches, embrace his words.
I find no reason to believe that any member of Wright’s church would continue to attend his church, if they did not embrace his views…….
Barack included.
Obama, you had a lot of people fooled with your “inspirational”techniques
of speech abilities….. but seeing YOUR SPIRITUAL ADVISOR at work…and believing so much of what he believes ….. you embrace…..
IT IS A VERY SCARY THOUGHT THAT YOU MIGHT OCCUPY THE WH.
I think Obama is trying to close the barn gate after the horse got out. After a twenty year relationship with Rev. Wright I’m sure Obama knew of all his views and now is trying to save his bid for the presidency.
God bless America not God D____ America.
Obama is a liar.
The congregation liked the sermon.
If they do not like America why don’t they leave?
I guess Pres. Obama will not end affirmative-action
Obama’s Campaign is about change. It is about change because he wants to improve many of the dynamics in this country, including the racial divide. Many African Americans hold similar views to Wright but many African Americans have also moved past these divisions. Obviously these views are inflammatory and can be considered divisive but every racial group in this country has some feelings of division. Sen. Obama hopes to serve as a bridge to help change these discordant views and bring the country into being a more unified entity. Barack Obama is half black and half white. Certainly having been raised by his white mother from Kansas and growing up in America being viewed as a black man, Sen. Obama has had the opportunity to view intently the highs and lows of race in America. Obama has made it clear that he loves this country and does not subscribe to anyone black, white, or brown disparaging America. He has seen these divisions and hopes to move on from them. As every standing contestant in this presidential race knows it is difficult to condemn and denounce any of your supporters and friends for inflammatory statements. Despite this, Senator Barack Obama has elevated himself from these divisions and made it clear that in the America he believes in, there is no place for disunion.
Oh sure, Mr. Obama. I believe that you have called this man friend, advisor, and mentor for 20 YEARS, and that you’ve never heard him utter ANY of this rascist, hate-filled, paranoid talk personally. Who would believe that?!
It’s interesting how FOX buried Obama’s statement in the their news coverage rather than placing it on the front page alongside Rev. Wright’s inflammatory statements so readers could judge the two side-by-side. Apprently, FOX considers Obama’s statement less news worthy than stories about Spitzer’s hookers or why married men hate Hillary. FOX News, fair and balanced? What a joke.
BS: I specificaly remember the Rev Wright say “there is one of us here today that can and will make the changes necessary” to correct these problems” (or words to that affect) During one of these sermans chosen to show the vile hatred this “Rev” has for the country.