REVrant 35.3 - Obama's Pastor

FOXNews.com - As Obama Talks Religion, Questions Surround His Controversial Pastor.

Any headline with the word “Pastor” in it obviously catches my attention.  As you’ll read in the linked article, Pastor Jeremiah Wright is once again in the news as revelations of pulpit political endorsements, racism, conspiracy theories, and profanity-laced sermons makes the headlines.  No need to draw this out – this guy is out of control and recklessly shaming the name of Christ and the church.  He should be ashamed of himself, and should make a public apology. (Bet he won’t though!)

Two further observations:

1. Obama would do well to specifically address the controversial content of his “spiritual advisor’s” sermons.  He can no longer get away with simply saying, “I don’t agree with many of the things my pastor says.”  For example he needs to specify that he does not agree with Wright’s assertion that the “white government” invented the AIDS virus to infect and kill blacks.  And so much more…

2. For years, I’ve felt pressure from certain people who were attending our church to make public political endorsements.  We’ve had people leave the church because I won’t stand in the pulpit and tell people how to vote.  Recently, I stood in the pulpit and said this publicly, “I know some of you want me to endorse a political candidate.  I never have and I never will.  My job is to point people to Jesus not to a certain political figure.”  The sad story of Jeremiah Wright strengthens my resolve to maintain this commitment! 

Comments

[Sandy]

MHR,
I have always respected you for not using your platform to make "public political endorsements." I would venture to say that there are many pastors nation-wide that DO, however...obviously Wright is one of those. Sadly, he appears to have a clear agenda :-(

[Donna Lee]

You speak the word of God from the pulpit and that is why I make Foothills my church home. If I had been attending, even sporadically, for 20 years, you can bet that I would be aware of any out-of-line remarks, let alone lies and innuendos intended to enrage and inflame. It is hard to believe that Mr. Obama would be capable of running a country like America, when he claims/freely admits he knows nothing of his 6,000 member church.

[betsyb]

MHR...I have always agreed with your decision to refrain from endorsing a political candidtate. In addition to being a potential divisive distration from the gospel of Jesus, I believe that doin so would jeapordize the IRS tax exempt status of the church. (How people like "Pastor" Wright get away with it is beyond me.) And I agree...Senator Obama should address the issues personally and distance himself as much as he can from Wright.

[Jim C]

I agree. If I wanted politics I would attend a political rally... not a church service. Please keep up your commitment!

Jim C