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PrintObama quits Chicago church steeped in controversy
Sat May 31, 2008 11:35 AM EDT
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ABERDEEN — Barack Obama said Saturday he has resigned his 20-year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago "with some sadness" in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and more recent fiery remarks at the church by a visiting priest.
"This is not a decision I come to lightly ... and it is one I make with some sadness," Obama said at a news conference after campaign officials released a letter of resignation he sent to the church on Friday.
"I'm not denouncing the church and I'm not interested in people who want me to denounce the church," he said, adding that the new pastor at Trinity and "the church have been suffering from the attention my campaign has focused on them."
Obama said he and his wife have been discussing the issue since Wright's appearance at the National Press Club in Washington last month, which reignited the furor over remarks Wright had made in various sermons at the church.
"I suspect we'll find another church home for our family," Obama said.
"It's clear that now that I'm a candidate for president, every time something is said in the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will imputed to me even if they totally conflict with my long-held views, statements and principles," he said.
"I have no idea how it will impact my presidential campaign but I know it was the right thing to do for me and my family," he said.
"This was a pretty personal decision and I was not trying to make political theater out of it," he added.
Trinity released a statement Saturday night saying: "Though we are saddened by the news, we understand that it is a personal decision. We will continue to lift them in prayer and wish them the best as former members of our Trinity community."
For months, Obama has been hamstrung by the rhetoric of Wright, whose sermons blaming U.S. policies for the Sept. 11 attacks and calls of "God damn America" for its racism became fixtures on the Internet and cable news networks.
Initially, Obama said he disagreed with Wright but portrayed him as a family member he couldn't disown. The preacher had officiated at Obama's wedding, baptized his two daughters and been his spiritual mentor for some 20 years.
But six weeks after Obama's well-received speech on race, Wright claimed at the Press Club appearance that the U.S. government was capable of planting AIDS in the black community, praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and suggested that Obama was acting like a politician by putting his pastor at arm's length while privately agreeing with him.
The next day, Obama denounced Wright's comments as "divisive and destructive."
Remarks by Wright inflamed racial tensions and posed an unwanted problem for Obama, front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, as he sought to wrap up the party's nod.
More recently, racially charged remarks from the same pulpit by another pastor, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, kept the controversy alive and proved the latest thorn in Obama's side. As a guest speaker at Obama's church, Pfleger mocked Obama rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Although Obama condemned comments by both Wright and Pfleger, the controversy persisted.
Obama made clear he wasn't happy with Pfleger's comments — in which the Catholic priest pretended he was Clinton crying over "a black man stealing my show" — and said he was "deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."
Pfleger issued an apology, saying he was sorry if his comments offended Clinton or anyone else.
The timing of Obama's decision broke late Saturday, while most of the political attention was focused on the Democratic National Committee's struggle to seat delegates from Florida and Michigan.
Republican John McCain also has had his woes with religious leaders.
Earlier this month, McCain rejected endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists, saying there is no place for their incendiary criticisms of other faiths.
McCain spurned the months-old endorsement of Texas preacher John Hagee after an audio recording surfaced in which the preacher said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land. McCain called the comment "crazy and unacceptable."
He later repudiated the support of Rod Parsley, an Ohio preacher who has sharply criticized Islam and called the religion inherently violent.
"This was one I didn't see coming," Obama said Saturday when he asked if he had anticipated the firestorm that would erupt over his relationship with Wright.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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- Tom Raum's Column, All of Newsvine
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- Regions: United States , Puerto Rico , Rapid City
 | Priest who mocked Clinton again draws spotlight | Associated Press | Fri May 30 | 39 |
 | Obama Leaves so Trinity's congregants can worship in peace. | The New York Times | Sun Jun 1 | 1 |
| Obama Quits His Church | The New York Times | Sat May 31 | 10 |
 | Obama and The Trinity Divisive Church of Christ | lisaed | Sun Jun 1 | 346 |
| Chicago Tribune | Exploring race | Chicago Tribune | Sun Jun 1 | 1 |
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{"commentId":1865221,"authorDomain":"kirubig"}
I like how Obama is taking this to St. Pauls.... It's called having b@lls people and I love it!!!
{"commentId":1865221,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"kirubig"}
#1 - Sat May 31, 2008 2:06 PM EDT{"commentId":1866646,"authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
So how (and why!) did this article change from Obama campaigning in St Pauls to an article about Obama's church?
{"commentId":1866646,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
{"commentId":1866824,"authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
I swear, NOTHING satisfies the American public.
They push and they push and they push "OMG, WHY IS HE STILL WITH THAT CHURCH?!" "omg omg omg wright wright wright" Every time Obama is mentioned, WRIGHT! TRINITY! CHURCH!
So now, the man feels he is being asked by the American populace to leave his church, community and friends that he has been a part of for 20 years. Leaves them dry. Tough decision. Probably a lot of slack from even his immediate family. And how does the public respond?
"Oh, he's just playing politics."
Come on, folks. The issues. THE ISSUES! The man isn't racist, he doesn't think our government gave Africans AIDs and he's not going to imprison the white race. Grow up and move on.
{"commentId":1866824,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
- 5 votes
{"commentId":1867666,"authorDomain":"njb"}
THANK YOU arcanebliss Finally reason..
Sorry for shouting--
{"commentId":1867666,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"njb"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1868503,"authorDomain":"johnrupertg"}
Dear arcanebliss,
So exactly what are the issues? What matter character or principles? The issues?
If Mr. Obama had any true character he would not have tendered his resignation from the Church, but rather from seeking the Presidency of the United States.
Now that would show character.
What was done was done out of politically expedient ambition.
It is no secret as to why you are blissful.
{"commentId":1868503,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"johnrupertg"}
{"commentId":1869278,"authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
It is no secret as to why you are blissful.
That's really classy, I'm sure you thought that jab up all by your lonesome. You're not one to talk of character, apparently.
{"commentId":1869278,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"arcanebliss"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1866071,"authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
And while no Republican presidential candidate has carried Minnesota since Richard Nixon in 1972, Republicans see opportunities this year in Minnesota and other electoral-rich bastions that Democrats won in 2004 including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
How does this make Minnesota or even St Paul GOP turf? Just because the convention is being held here? As I recall, the Repub convention was held in NYC in 2004 and that's not really considered GOP territory either.
{"commentId":1866071,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"tacitus13"}
#2 - Sat May 31, 2008 5:39 PM EDT{"commentId":1866525,"authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
hmmm.....He sat and listened to this crap for 20 years. Now, with all the publicity, he quits the church. Sounds a little like one of those "political stunts" he accuses McCain of.
{"commentId":1866525,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Sat May 31, 2008 7:23 PM EDT{"commentId":1867082,"authorDomain":"danish"}
I respect Barack Obama's right to choose whatever church he and his wife deems fit for their family.
{"commentId":1867082,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"danish"}
- 3 votes
#4 - Sat May 31, 2008 8:40 PM EDT{"commentId":1867135,"authorDomain":"J-Rob"}
Why would he stay in a church whose pastor constantly attacks him through media outlets? Whether or not Obama was involved with politics leaving the church is something any normal person would do. Personally, I feel more comfortable that Wright will not be influencing Obama anymore with his radical, outlandish statements and outlook on life.
{"commentId":1867135,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"J-Rob"}
- 1 vote
#5 - Sat May 31, 2008 8:46 PM EDT{"commentId":1867681,"authorDomain":"njb"}
I just want to get this straight--you are judging 20 years on how many minutes of Youtube clips?
Have you actually seen the whole--in its entirety the now infamous 9-11 sermon?
I'm sure not--because if you had you would not be talking this kind of trash.
{"commentId":1867681,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"njb"}
{"commentId":1867712,"authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
So do I. Apparently Trinity was just fine until the media started in. Then, in the name of winning an election, he threw it away. That says nothing to people?
{"commentId":1867712,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1867315,"authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
I keep saying, be careful what you ask for. This has been the craziest arse primary I've ever seen, Rev. Pfleger was telling the truth about every darn thing he say about Hillary Clinton!
Now Obama, rather than deal with the media's biased reporting, would just as well throw in the towel. It's a wrap..you win...the hell with it...the people win, the media wins, Pat Roberson wins, Carlson- Morning Joe wins, and every swinging right wing conservative to include Hillary Clinton's supporters all win.
I guess his wife will be next on the chopping block and he'll have to divorce her, and then there's the nasty business of the kids and the schools they attended and after school activities they participated in, of course, he'll have to denounce and reject them by placing them in foster care.
They did the same thing to black men when they hauled them over here in the bellies of wretched ships, the ones who made it over. Separated them from their language, their families, their heritage, and their roots. Today it's Obama, yesterday it was New Orleans...they separated them from their churches and scattered families all over the country, some are still till this day lost and separated.
I don't understand how we want to spread democracy in foreign lands, when foreign countries can look in on this country and see the work that still needs to be completed in our own back yard.
You talk about Obama listening to this crap for 20 years...which is nothing compared to the crap black people have listened to and put up with for 200 years of unfulfilled promises and now this crap with Obama.....please, give me a break!
Hillary Clinton, McCain.....Bush supporters of this lie of a War, that's killed over 4000 plus of our faithful young Soldiers, over 30,000 wounded and 18 a day committing suicide and McCain wants to stay the course for ...oh about....100 years. You don't hear the media blowing up the front page about this Real 'CRAP' and all the idiots who placed our men an women in harms way for their own political gain, for this they are all 'PIECES OF CRAP'!
{"commentId":1867315,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
- 5 votes
#6 - Sat May 31, 2008 9:16 PM EDT{"commentId":1867684,"authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
And, if he continued to listen to it, I would understand. It's that he listened to it for 20 years with no problem. Then, when the media jumped him (which they certainly did!) he left the church. So, it looks very much like he left the church because of the media coverage and not his outrage at the sermons. If you can't see that, I'm sorry for your closed mind.
The history of slavery is, indeed, horrible. However, I doubt that Obama was ever a slave and I doubt that it plays in this.
You can't possibly think that ALL political candidates aren't put through this same stuff. Look at the comments about Hagee and Parsley. And McCain never attended their churches. The media, and the public are hard on all of them. Look at the whole picture for a change instead of just one candidate.
{"commentId":1867684,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":1868448,"authorDomain":"johnrupertg"}
Dear abowhite45
We are protected by the enormity of your stupidity.
{"commentId":1868448,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"johnrupertg"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1872861,"authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
Hey John...Likewise. ;o)
{"commentId":1872861,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1872911,"authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
Even blind people can see, it's obvious there are people who just don't get it, as it's really obvious Obama was never a slave.
You probably think 'Ice Tea' is a drink...right, and what about 'Ice Cube'?
{"commentId":1872911,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"abowhite45"}
- 4 votes
{"commentId":1868169,"authorDomain":"karryf"}
Kool-Aid Drinker
Comment collapsed by the community
Comment collapsed by the community{"commentId":1869576,"authorDomain":"bluecollarbytes"}
Disingenuousness. It's not unusual for a politician to exhibit it. But it hurts Obama more because he placed himself above all that.
Obama has yet to take a clear stand on any of his radical affiliations. He's chosen to make micro-moves towards what he perceives as the center. But since he's so out of touch with the center of this country, his center is still smack in the middle of Leftist muddle.
{"commentId":1869576,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"bluecollarbytes"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Sun Jun 1, 2008 10:51 AM EDT{"commentId":1869590,"authorDomain":"susan-c"}
If I was Michelle Obama, I would start worrying about how long Barack was going to keep me around. She better toe the line and stop acting so black. She seems to be the only visible tie Obama still has to the black Chicago community. But I have seen very little of her (or the children) lately. The Johnsons may be a little bit too black for the new Barack Obama. But I am sure it has nothing to do with politics. The man just keeps having "personal" identity issues. Will the real Barack/Barry Hussein Obama/Dunham please stand up?
{"commentId":1869590,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"susan-c"}
#9 - Sun Jun 1, 2008 10:54 AM EDT{"commentId":1873053,"authorDomain":"danish"}
Wow. That was vicious.
Susan C's Friends
Susan C has not added any friends yet.
No wonder.
{"commentId":1873053,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"danish"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":1873026,"authorDomain":"njb"}
Looks like McCain's plea for trolls worked.
Lets not feed them.
{"commentId":1873026,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"njb"}
#10 - Sun Jun 1, 2008 10:29 PM EDT{"commentId":3423784,"authorDomain":"cricketticket"}
If Wright were white and ate four meals a day he coulda been Jerry Farwell.
Actually Wright is no different than the masses of white Americans who claim the U.S is turnig socialist or who hate black men...or those who preach love and hate gays.
Wright also has survived years of civil rights protests and grew up in world full of hate for him and his community based on his skin color- at one point negroes were not allowed to use water fountains- is he allowed to be paranoid and have feelings of ill towards man?
Yes.
He wouldn't be human if he wasn't. Why should he have divine understanding maybe the teacher needs to learn. So go to hell to every person who needs an excuse to mask their fear and project their inner hated back on its victim. And for the record, Jesus wasn't Christian he was from the mid-east. Again you ignorant unlearned hypocrites Jesus was from the mid-east. You were taught to not cast stones and love thy neighbor-
{"commentId":3423784,"threadId":"274362","contentId":"1526108","authorDomain":"cricketticket"}
#11 - Fri Oct 10, 2008 5:39 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"274362","isPrivate":false}
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