Another pastor's perspective on Obama

That won't satisfy the rabid. Their candidates have nothing to offer so they will continue to use guilt by association.

Saddly these soundbites aren't as funny as Rev. Wrights. I want an America where you can be denied promotion because of what your pastor says.

My wife's grandfather (a Catholic for 90-odd years) once said to her: "Humans, including priests, have failings. Never let the actions of members of the organized church (i.e, priests, nuns, etc.) get in the way of your own personal relationship with God."

Wise words, in my book.

T o: Bill R. I understand exactly what this Pastor is saying. HOWEVER, Wright was Obama's mentor..He was not just another member..He even wrote about him...He even admits of their closeness...This is all a political stance and most people are too intelligent to buy into yet more rhetoric...HRC will bring our soldiers home...

It is a shame how the republicans have disowned, and condemned the entire congregation of Hagees', Falwells, Robertson, and Haggertys' church. These parishners were members of their base. How can they turn their backs on them?

Its funny to watch the swamp writers go into damage control for their chosen candidate Obama. Obama chose this guy as his pasotr specifically because of these types of things that Wright says. Its in his own book. No one with a straight face can say that Obama wasnt well aware of how Wright viewed the world thru these twisted thoughts. Come on guys they had a personal relationship outside the church as well.

HOWEVER, Wright was Obama's mentor..
Posted by: kaye m. | April 30, 2008 11:04 AM

I assume you attend church...is your pastor a "mentor" to you. Don't be foolish...you are grasping at straws for your candidate. Most of the church goers couldn't tell you what the sermon was about 2 weeks ago if not 1 week ago. I believe your religion says something about judge not.....but does anyone follow this? This seems perfectly obvious to me you don't.You guys can continue the guilt by association if you wish....I, like most Americans think this is just more of the idiotic politics that need to be changed. How about you tell me why to vote for your candidate instead of why to vote against one.

Sorry, but I saw the video of Wright's roosting chickens speech and saw the parishioners dancing and waving their arms in joy to his words. Don't give me some line that they don't have a connection with the pastor. That is one of the most spurious arguments I have ever heard.

No one with a straight face can say that Obama wasnt well aware of how Wright viewed the world thru these twisted thoughts.
Posted by: Vinny | April 30, 2008 11:22 AM

How can you disown and condemn most of your own base? Hagee, Falwell, Robertson, and Haggerty have spewed hate towards many American groups and other religions. How can you turn your back on thousands of your own base?

To Bill R
Wright was not only his mentor but he was on Obama's canpaign staff. This guilt by association is a valid case in that when you surround yourself with low-life you are low-life.

I think the point that is being missed and may explain why Wright was a spiritual mentor to Barak is that in Barack's case Wright was responsible for introducing Barack to Jesus, to the Church and initimately involved in whatever community organization he claims to have been doing. So it is not your typical pastor parishnor relationship, but a much more involved one....and Baracks past statements have alluded to that. At the end of the day, it is not about Wright, and what he says, and who he is associated with, but About Barack and His JUDGEMENT - which seem sto be non-existent ; his leadership - which is MISSING. Basically is a snake oil salesman, who has fooled millions so far, but hopefully there are enough who have not be fooled by this LIER

I've been a Catholic for my entire life.

If I don't leave the church, does that make me a pedophile?

Hey Vinny, when you learn to spell correctly, perhaps I'll listen to your drivel. Guys like you will never vote for a minority candidate or woman for president.

Jim Jones:
no. but you cannot apply that logic to this debate. it's people that are flawed, not the gospel.

Jim Jones:
no. but you cannot apply that logic to this debate. it's people that are flawed, not the gospel.

Posted by: Andrea | April 30, 2008 11:59 AM

How about the parishners of Hagees' church? Falwells church? If the pastor of these churches talk hateful things of Gays and other religions, blame America for 9/11 and Katrina on Gays, isn't every parishner agreeing with the hate?

As another pastor, I think that we all reed to realize that Pastor Daniels is both spot on, and dead wrong!

It is both illogical and unfair to paint an entire group of people with the attitudes and actions of their leaders; and it is true that we need to look beyond fallible leaders to the entirety of the Christian church, or the whole of any congregation to really determine what they are about. But that is just the point. In the case of Pastor Wright's congregation - in spite of all of the good they have and are probably still doing, they were a church family who also enthusiastically endorsed his teaching - both the good and the bad! It makes no sense to focus on just the good they may be doing and to ignore the very radical and evil things their leader is teaching them to espouse. In this case, it seems that, tragically,that good is overshadowed by the bad.

While it is true that two wrongs do not make a Wright - and that we need to also recognize the good that the man has done if we are to be fair; it is also true that two or ten or even a hundred good Wrights cannot justify the wrongs he teaches and glorifies.

We also need to recognize that we follow leaders, we choose them as our mentors, because we believe in them and where they are leading us. That is the very essence of why we choose leaders and mentors. When a leader is flawed in belief and/or practice, we have the choice whether to blindly follow; to adopt the leader's positions and direction; or, we can choose another leader.

The thing that concerns me with Barack Obama is not that he discovered a leader who was flawed or who chose to go somewhere he did not believe that he should follow; it is that he chose to stay in the position of follower behind a man who he knew was flawed, to stay in connection and to follow. There is no record that he ever made an attempt to change his mentor's mind or position and that he only chose to denounce and distance himself from the Reverend Wright when he became a political liability. We are all we are all influenced by our leaders. Again, that is the definition of a leader. In the long run, we cannot not be influenced by our leaders - especially when those around us are emotionally and intellectually excited by what the leader is all about.

Barack Obama only chose to distance himself from Pastor Wright became politically expedient to do so. If it had occurred years before he had senatorial or presidential aspirations, we would all be applauding him right now - as it is, his denunciations of Pastor Wright sound hollow and contrived.

In spite of the fact that he is a charismatic and exciting man and speaker; in spite of the fact that he is obviously brilliant and politically astute, I think that the issue of his long term friendly and supportive involvement with Pastor Wright and some of the other unsavory characters who have been important influences on Barack Obama speaks to the issue of his core integrity and need to be carefully considered by anyone who is deciding which candidate to support in the upcoming elections.

Vinny. Don't listen to him. Everyone makes a typo. Your post was correct..Bill R.. You are certainly entitled to your opinions as we are that detest Obama..However if you want the middle class restored, gas prices to go down, families to be able to purchase another home and losing theirs to forclosure and mainly to bring our soldiers home then you will see why we want HRC in the White House. She is the only candidate with the strength. to lead our Coutry..A vote for Obama is a vote for McCain...

Andrea - This is the same logic being applied to Obama: All parishioners are responsible for the all the words and actions of their pastor.

People are saying that Obama should have left the church since his pastor had a some sermons that included controversial ideas. So if we apply that same argument to Catholics, they all must leave their church or risk becoming anti-American pedophiles.

And what about those who listen to Robertson, Falwell, or Hagee? All of their followers believe that gays caused 9/11. It wasn't chickens coming home to roost, it was the Village People. And how about those who seek their support (McCain)?

And what about the other Dem candidate who has surrogates campaigning for her that also attend Wright's church? Jackson Lee and Dyson are active surrogates for Clinton.

I'm obviously not advocating that parishioners are clones of their pastor/priest/rabbi. I'm pointing out how ludicrous this argument really is.

Casey Monfils needs to learn how to write before she can comment on anyone being a low-life!!! Barack Obama and Rev. Wright are not low-lifes and are true men who speak about the truth that this SO called great country of ours is doing to the American people. People really need to read about the true history of this country and speak on things they know about , not assume. You know what we say when you assume!!! Really read your true history and learn how the chickens are coming to roost in this country of ours . Keep up the good work and sermons Rev.Wright and God Bless You and Yours!!!

Wright was not only his mentor but he was on Obama's canpaign staff. This guilt by association is a valid case in that when you surround yourself with low-life you are low-life.

Posted by: casey monfils | April 30, 2008 11:45 AM

Therfore John McCain is a big money corporate lobbyist.,

I can't believe I'm witnessing the Republican Jackals high tech bombing of Obama's Church. You people are disgusting.

hey Tom in Alabama. I actually did vote for Hillary here in IL. I am one of the few voters who vote both parties. I like both Hillary and McCain. I dont like Obama. I think he is the worst kind of politician. One who pretends to above the fray but really isnt. But hey keep up the Obama campaign talking points that says anyone who disagrees with me is a racist.

This is not an endorsement of Obama, but I keep hearing that Hillary is the one with the strength to make changes. What no one can tell me is how is she going to go about to make those changes?

Congress makes the laws and the President sign the laws. Unless Congress can override the Presidential veto nothing changes. Right now Congress has such a low approval rating because, I believe, Bush is in the White House. While the Democrats control both houses of Congress they don't have enough votes to override the vetos. Hence nothing gets done.

Now, Hillary and Bill have shown themselves to be hot buttons for the Republican party. The long standing joke is "Hillary is the only one who can bring the Republicans together." That being said, the procedural rules of both houses are hard to understand. The Republicans will try anything to thwart any of Hillary's policies just because she's Hillary.

From what I have read through various inside the beltway sources, Hillary is not liked by a lot of Democrats. They fear her. She was viewed as a carpetbagger who got elected in a Democrat friendly state. She was only biding her time until she could run. Ironically, she had to wait in 2004 because it was viewed that she didn't have enough experience yet by only having 4 years of experience in elected office. If elected, Congressional members have no doubt that Hillary will exact her revenge not only against the Republicans, but also against the Democrats who did not support her.