Obama’s Religious Credentials Threatened by Rev. Wright Flap
Religion is supposed to be Barack Obama’s strength.
Unlike many Democratic candidates before him, Obama speaks with ease about his faith. He attends Sunday worship and knows his Bible. His supporters believe he can pry some committed churchgoers away from the GOP.
But the furor over comments by his Chicago pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, broadcast again and again on TV and viewed by millions on YouTube, is tempering those hopes.
“It certainly gives people pause,” even in the Democratic Party, said Corwin Smidt, a Calvin College professor who studies religion and politics.
All the top Democratic presidential contenders spoke of their faith this election year. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Methodist and Obama’s remaining Democratic rival, has spent years reaching out to traditional Christians. But more than any other candidate, Obama has made religion a core part of his message and outreach.
The Illinois senator has held faith forums, created a grass-roots support network of “congregation contacts” and has spoken at evangelical churches that Democrats had rarely visited.
His strategy is rooted in the Christian faith he found as an adult through Wright at Trinity United Church of Christ, a predominantly African-American megachurch. Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope” was inspired by a Wright sermon.
But last week, Obama distanced himself from his pastor, after video circulated of Wright’s most inflammatory rhetoric from the pulpit. Among the most remarked upon sound bites was Wright proclaiming “God damn America” for its racism. He also accused the government of flooding black neighborhoods with drugs. In a March 18 speech on race that was partly aimed at damage control, Obama described the history of injustice that fueled Wright’s comments, while also condemning his pastor’s statements and acknowledging the resentment of whites.
Shaun A. Casey, an Obama adviser and a Christian ethics professor at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, said the campaign will change nothing about its faith outreach because of the controversy.
“We’re months and months away from the general election. I think that gives Sen. Obama time to lay out his own views,” Casey said. “Over time, people will spend a lot more time listening to what Sen. Obama says than to a few well-chosen, cherry-picked video clips from his pastor.”
But at least for now, the campaign is on the defensive.
No one expects Obama or Clinton to draw voters from the Christian right, especially considering the candidates’ support for abortion rights.
Still, polls have found that younger evangelicals are less tied to the Republican Party than their parents have been. As a generation of old-guard Christian conservative leaders, such as the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, fade from the scene, some evangelicals are pushing for a broader agenda that includes environmental protection and fighting poverty. And Christian right activists remain wary of the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain.
Democrats view this as a rare opening that could win them the White House. In a close general election, if the Democratic nominee can peel away even a small percentage of the traditional Christian vote, he or she could win the presidency.
Obama’s focus on racial reconciliation has a special appeal to traditional Bible-believers. Their concern about diversity has intensified recently, in part because of the growth in immigrant churches in the U.S., and by a new awareness that conservative Christianity is spreading dramatically in developing countries. Multiethnic churches are a rarity in America.
The turmoil over Wright could cost Obama these votes.
Barry Hankins, a Baylor University historian who studies religion and politics, predicted that Christian right activists would bombard less-politically engaged evangelicals with the message that they should be leery of Obama because of his pastor.
“That’s where it’s going to hurt him,” Hankins said.
James Guth, an expert on religion and politics at Furman University in South Carolina, said Wright’s comments haven’t killed Obama’s chances. The candidate has built up some goodwill and “curiosity” through his outreach to evangelicals, including appearing at a Christian AIDS summit hosted by megachurch pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay.
But Guth said he had always been skeptical that Obama’s strategy would succeed with traditional Christians. Wright’s views inevitably would receive extensive publicity, as would Obama’s denomination, the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal of the mainline Protestant groups that theological conservatives deeply distrust, Guth said.
“I just thought the ‘beginning of the end’ would come during the general election, not the Democratic primaries,” Guth said. “I don’t think Obama has lost all the benefits of his earlier ‘quiet’ campaign among evangelicals, but this episode is certainly sets back those efforts.”
Obama made a statement in yesterday’s NYT that he believed in Christ but that his Mother did not but he was sure she was in heaven. Not true. The only way to enter heaven under the Christian faith is by accepting Jesus as your personal savior - no matter how good you are, it doesn’t get you to heaven.
Noticed one thing about Obama:
This guy for some reason in his head thinks that by making speeches at places where President Lincoln had done in his lifetime, would make him get as close to Honest Abe’s popularity, credibility and judgment!
Brother Obama you “AIN’T” NO LINCOLN. you will NEVER BE A LINCOLN. Well if any, you are close in being another “STEPHEN DOUGLAS”. Its a shame that a few fellow AMERICANS are blinded by this man’s phony “YES WE CAN” and “HOPE”. By the way, Mary Todd Lincoln was always proud of the UNION and volunteered in treating the wounded soldiers. Whereas, Michelle O made it clear about her pride in America for the first time (only when her husband started winning caucus/primaries in RED states). WHAT A CONTRASTING PATRIOTIC AMERICAN FAMILY?
McCain or Hillary or heck Nader or Knut the POLAR BEAR will make a better president than this impressionist obama.
I for one do not want OBama’s form of religion where whites are typically racist - and one that condemns the very government OBama hopes to run and is a part of. That hypocrisy is just too much. thank you!
While some of you still continue to wonder about Senator Obama sitting in the church for twenty years, listening to Pastor Wright’s sermons of hatred. There are/were individuals born and have lived in this United States of America and have endured slavery, seen people lynched while others just looked on and laughed or instigated so many atrocities and did nothing, while still tolerating that oh so blessed suit and colorful fabric that is them and not us . How could you for so long abuse another human and keep them in bondage (way over 20 yrs.) without batting an eye or lifting a hand to help? Why don’t you listen to the sermon to its entirety!!
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: . . . And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. Some of you sit today and speak of racism and racists and still listen to others spewing the same resentment and hatred for people of color and do NOTHING but lie to yourself. Who told you that you were superior any way? You act as if you are GOD, judge, jury, and executioner. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee . . .
I was moved and brought to tears by Senator Obama’s race speech because much of his speech was correct. Some of you still do not have a clue. You obviously don’t get it. It’s way over your heads. Do you change your views and open your mind and try to change this world in which we live. NO!! Why? What are you afraid of? Are you so afraid of change, change that will help bring these United States of America closer to a unity and oneness that was designed by a higher power or are you so swept up in your own selfish ways.
Like Obama so eloquently put it, out of many we are one. One died to save us from our sins and took the world to another level. Many need to get yet closer to a better world for the sake of our children.
Was it not Jesus that was betrayed but yet found it in his heart to forgive? This world will never change with people such as you. What a shame and waste of a life so precious. Some of you need to do some research in history and some self examination. Start with this Easter sermon by Rev. Dean Snyder, Sr. Minister of Foundry United Methodist Church, http://www.foundryumc.org/sermons/3_23_2008.htm then http://badazzmofo.com/?p=636 .
DROP THE RELIGN ,TIME TO MOVE ON AND GET DOWM TO ISSUES ,WHILE THIS CRAP IS GOING ON THE COUNTRY IS FALLING APART.
You are in error in this article above in the second paragraph. You stated “He attends Sunday worship and knows his bible” speaking of Obama. See the following link that came out today:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.aspx?id=73553 Obama contends belief in Jesus Christ not necessary for salvation
Read it all. This man does not know his bible and any true Christian voting for him or sitting out this election is no better than he is.
Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: FOR THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.
Obama should drop out of the race. He’s got too much baggage that the Republicans are licking their chops to unlease in the general election. That’s why the Republicans deliberately and willfully crossed over to vote for Obama in the traditional Republican states during the democratic primary to boost him as the Democratic nominee. The Republicans are scared to death of running against Hillary in the general election. Drop out Obama before you damage the party any further.
Obama should drop out of this race before he damages the democratic party even more. He will not win a general election. If he is our candidate, I will vote for McCain.
When you won’t disassociate yourself from a very close friend and mentor who spews anti-American rhetoric with ties to Farrakhan and you give thousands of dollars in contributions to this Trinity Church and your wife thinks America is mean then you cannot hold the office of the Presidency of the United States. Not now, not ever.
GO HILLARY !!!
Thank You FOX News for this NEW report on the recent Anti-American bashing by the pastor in the church bulletin. Obama must know and agree with the general message. Obama will not be elected -his background & judgment are far too questionable to be President of the UNITED States.
America - Wake Up!!!! We need a Leader - Not a Tall, Dark, Handsome man who can give a good speech!
I have to tell you, it is becoming very difficult for me to even have a concept of Barack Obama’s nature as he professes it to be. He came off as a person who was not generated in the “racist” sections of the American life. He promotes hope and change but leaves a severed flaw in that he has continued to, what I see it as, support for Rev. Wright and his views, not as a pastor, but as an enstigator of hatred towards whites, jews, italians and who knows who will be next.
I can not believe that Obama sat through 20 YEARS of this hatred filled concept his pastor promoted and still claims that this is not what he saw in person. Was Obama asleep through the preaching of this inconsiderate and rheotorical man? And why would he allow his wife and children to be subjected to this ministry unless he felt that this is what they needed to know and follow themselves? The more I see the less I have for any regard towards Obama.
I am a Democrat and I want to see a democratic president. I am, at this point, going to vote for Hillary Clinton for she reveils her dreams for Americans which include all Americans. I believe her health care program entitles all people to insurance coverage where Obama’s may leave out millions of people. He claims that Hillary Clinton will mandate that all people have insurance. Well, Obama’s plan leaves out millions of people but his plan also mandates that parents provide for their children. Everyone should know that if the parents arn’t healthy, it would be extremely hard for the parents to provide coverage for the children. That is where Clinton steps up to the plate and will help subsidise the cost. Sure, we as taxpayers will help with the tab. If we can spend ONE TRILLION dollars on a country that we have not helped to provide adequate SECURITY TO, HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS TO, FOOD TO, SCHOOLING TO, or INFRASTRUCTURE TO and say….OH its worth it, why not our own?
A vote for Obama may become very disaterous to our country.
Headline after inflmmatory headline has failed to do what Fox News Network has desperately attempted: Derail Barack Obama’s campaign for President of the United States. The true integrity and character and shining spirit of Senator Obama has emerged untarnished after weeks of unfair and unbalanced coverage of his assocation with his former Pastor. With gratitude, I thank Fox news for pointing me to such an outstanding candidate to support. Once an avid fan of this network, the blinders are off and I see this network as everything that stands in the way of a Unified United States of America. Journalism is deteriorating before our eyes to be replaced with opinion, speculation, and desperate innuendo. Fox is dead, long live MSNBC and CNN. Negative coverage of Obama has derailed Hillary’s campaign instead! Bravo!
Marie McDermott
Lakeside, AZ
I’m sorry Obama can’t get enough religion between now and November (EVEN if he is the nominee) for me to vote for him. Anything he does now is just to try and get the votes he needs to be president. It won’t work, not on this OKIE>
Comments that include unlawful, threatening, libelous, or obscene content are regularly reported in articles such as these and on your network, and website: Why are they not also moderated?
None of this has changed my faith in Obama to lead this country. This country is so messed up. It’s a country of uncaring people. A country led by straight hypocrisy and unforgiveness. These are a few of the things that has DAMNED this country. It has nothing to do with comments from Rev. Jeremiah Wright. With all of this you’re doing to one man, have any of you ever stopped to think of his emotional and mental state at this time. What if Rev. Wright today decided to take his own life because of the pressure. I would personally thank FOX NEWS. You have been on a witch hunt for over three weeks now and don’t know when to stop.
Those of us that were going to vote for Obama anyway hasn’t changed in any way. You’re only touching the lives of the weak and wavering. My faith in Obama has nothing to do with Rev. Wright. Most of the pastors I know think and preach the same way Rev. Wright does. This country is ran by a bunch of hypocrites and it’s sad that in the end we all lose.
The Reverend seems more like a black “White Supremacist” or neo nazi. Would such a situation be tolerated in the reverse? For how long really?
I was watching fox news at 4:30 pm and I think your reporting on the Rev Wright issue is hateful in itself… You need to separate Rev Wright from Obama… as Rev Wright is not running for President. Next, please stop playing and reading small pieces of Rev Wright’s sermons as you are definitely reporting only pieces of the information presented and therefore everything you report is out of context!!!
IF YOUR REPORT ON A SERMON, YOU NEED THE BEGINNING, THE MIDDLE AND THE END…!!! I AM SICK OF FOX NEWS AND i HOPE YOUR PROGRAM DISAPPEARS LIKE PRESIDENT BUSH WILL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. YOUR REPORTING ONLY FEEDS THE EVIL ONE AND FURTHER DIVIDES YOUR VIEWERS IN AMERICA.
god is watching you… blessed are the peacemakers…
Fox News sucks -
Are you still printing this old Rev Wright news story? Obama gave a great speach on the economy and this is your story?? Note to Fox News You will not change the mind of an Obama supporter. We are not that guillable. The people who care about this story were never Obama supporters. They are just as ignorant as you!
I have news for all of you lousy republicans. If my candidate (Obama) does not get the nod. I will hold my breath and vote for Hillary because the only thing worse then Hillary as President is John McCain. NO THANK YOU! If Obama gets the not GREAT! But Hillary will NOT get my vote when she goes for senate re-election. She messed up with all of her lies and garbage talk.
If anybody seriously thinks evangelicals will vote for Obama after the Rev Wright fiasco is sadly mistaken or on drugs!
The Rev Wright saga may die down for a while but if Obama is the nominee expect the flames toi be fanned! It will be very very hot come November!
Anybody that would have a mentor and pastor (for 20 years) and then try to hide that pastors hatred for white America is not worthy of the office of President!
He tired to play us for a bunch of fools! And he got busted! Then he gave us a fine speech on “race” where he tried to justify and rationalize Rev Wright’s inflammatory remarks and hatred for America. In the end he “finally” admitted to knowing about Rev Wright and also admitted to hearing him spew his vile while in the church pews which he originally denied.
Bottom line is I think he lied to us all! Once he found out he couldn’t keep the lid on he got caught and now there’s no way out! This will not go away!
We still haven’t heard from Ann Coulter on this issue!
Fox won’t be satisfied until Obama’s and wright’s lives are at risk or taken out.
I think Mr Wright done this is becouse i think he want the Hillary to win. i think that Clinton are behide this and Mr Wright is with them becouse why is he come out with all this. becouse they don’t want Obama to win.becouse they think that white house is there. they don’t want a black man in the whit house and if then listen this and vote for her. they win. it time to tell the Clinton hell no.
This religion stuff is getting frustrated! WHO CARES! Its sad that Obama is being judge by something he never said! If we can forgive Bill Clinton for disgracing us with Monica, then we can allow Obama to move forward and finish what he started, lets be fair! Judge him by WHAT HE SAYS, not some ex pastors dumb comments!
A FRAUD is not difficult to recognize.
I find editorials written by non-Christians about Christians….very lame. For the most part non-Christians miss the boat by a mile when trying relate to Christians. On the other hand, a true Christian identifies quickly with those who are sincere and genuine.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean you are brain dead, but in fact they can be very perceptive.
Obama preaches faith, understanding other views and yet he listens to this hate speech for 20 years, makes the pastor his mentor and continues to attend that church and provide financial assistance to that church and its racist views. How can anyone argue with this. Go ahead and compare this to any past president giving one speech at a church, not making that pastor their mentor and not providing financial assistance. Obama made a choice to continue to attend after it was well known the racist and hateful commend wright had made. Obama disinvited wright to his announcement of running for president - this shows he knew about wright. Many talk about not believing Bush and WMD’s, imagine listening about WMD’s for 20 years and making Bush your mentor and then asking for the support of Democrats - this is what Obama is doing. He wants us to listen about the words on race and faith, yet he has put himself and his family in an organization that spews hate speech, brings politics into the sermon and the new pastor compares wright to Jesus - and he wants to bring Christian support to him?? I have a better idea, have Obama continue to attend his church, continue to have wright as his mentor and continue to provide financial support of his church - these three are all correct and true, however the only difference is we in America tell Obama to leave us alone and go back to IL and continue to have “preachers” such as this warp your childrens views towards other Americans and we can continue to listen to you call us “a typical white person” and listen to your wife and her comments.
Mr. Obama, just because a mouse is in the cookie jar, it does not make him a cookie.
Just because you spend time in a church, that does not make you or your Pastor a Christian.
Liberation Theology, the belief that Jesus taught that the highest calling is to arrange a government that provides cradle to grave support for all, is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“The poor you will always have with you”…
“How difficult it is for a rich (and powerful) man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Study what Jesus said, not what your teacher taught you he said.