The personal faiths of presidential candidates, the churches they attend, and the pastors they associate with shouldn’t matter to voters in the upcoming election in November, according to a statement released Friday by leaders representing the three largest African American Baptist denominations.
“During the 2008 race for the nomination for president of the United States, we have seen efforts to malign candidates that cross the line of fair campaigning,” expressed the statement prepared by the Rev. Dr. T. DeWitt Smith, Jr., the Rev. Dr. William J. Thurston, and the Rev. Dr. C. C. Robertson, of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., and the National Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc., respectively.
“Attacks on candidates based on their church membership threaten one of our treasured constitutional commitments – religious freedom, which includes the freedom to worship and the prohibition on any religious test for qualification for public office,” they added.
The personal faiths of the presidential candidates have become subjects of intense media controversy and scrutiny recently after a series of controversial statements made in the pulpit by presidential candidate Barack Obama’s pastor and spiritual mentor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, reached the internet last month, drawing a firestorm of criticism.
In one controversial segment on YouTube, Wright can be seen blaming America for causing 9/11.
The segment drew almost universal condemnation, hurting Obama’s campaign as the personal faiths of presidential candidates and the churches they attend became the heightened focus of the media.
In their major statement Friday, black Baptist leaders condemned the role of the media in bringing scrutiny to the personal faith of presidential candidates and pled for tolerance and religious freedom.
“Nothing has been stated, suggested, or hinted at in the Constitution regarding race, religion, choice of a pastor, or local house of worship where one hears instructions from God's Word. Indeed, Article VI of the Constitution bans any religious test for public office,” they pointed out.”
“Where Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barak Obama or any other candidate worships, how they interpret sacred Scripture, who they listen to preach the Good News of the Gospel, and their choice of denominational affiliation should not be at issue. They have the right to be members of any congregation of faith, worship where they choose, and listen to whomever they desire preach, without these things being used against them to take them out of the running for political office.”
“Freedom of religion, freedom of worship, freedom to hear whomever a person chooses is a fundamental right of all Americans. Attempts to make a candidate's religious affiliation relevant to the candidate's fitness for office should be viewed with skepticism,” the statement concludes.
The statement was released through the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty on April 4, the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
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The Black Baptists didn't talk about character, did they? How can character come from any other source than God's Word and traditional Judeo-Christian morality?
So....You want to talk religious tolerance, Black Baptist leaders? How about this one..a little more of some rational thinking I believe....
The Bible speaks directly to the leaders we elect in government!!! Surprise, surprise!!!
Obama should be scrutinized by the association he keeps!!! Surprise, surprise!!! He was a member of this congregation for 22 years, and ONLY when he was running for President did he distance himself from it. Are we to cheer him on as a "brother in Christ" for the "Spirit leading him to this church?" Why???? He did nothing to oppose the teaching of Jeremiah Wright during those 22 years. Not one thing, and he contributed thousands of dollars to keep that preaching coming right back at him. He needs to be held accountable for that. And forget all that racist stuff, huh??? That's not the issue, here. The issue is what has Obama internalized by subjecting himself to this Wright for the past 22 years? Hmmmmm????
Another thing, our "brother in Christ," this Obama, Black Baptist leaders, supports the murder of the unborn!!! He also supports the homosexualization of this nation!!! Where do you find acceptance of this in the Holy Book?? Where does God say that the murder of the unborn by abortion and the homosexualization of this nation is righteous??? Hmmmm???
We can, and SHOULD, hold a litmus test for Presidential candidates!!! We are not bound by the Constitution, and it is not our God. The Lord God in Heaven is our God, and while we can respect the Constitution, it is not our mandate for personal leadership. It is God who raises up and tears down!!! In this instance, I trust the rational voters of this nation will choose someone other than Obama for President!!! Got it????
REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!!
It is irrational to disconnect one's beliefs from who they are. Isn't the character and behavior of an individual rooted in what they believe? What we believe will determine what we do and who I am determines how I live, act, behave, respond, decide, love, etc...
I don't know if the current response and attitude from white pastors to minority communities or black pastors to anglo communities has more to do with "race" than it does an unreliance on the Holy Spirit. Now I am not nieve regarding the racial issues that divide all of us as people, but I tend to think we default to "race" as being the "cause" where as the root of the issue is spiritual.
As a white male, I grew up in a low income, predominantly black community. Some may relate when I say that color didn't define me because we lived in the same neighborhood and attended the same schools. Basically, we grew up together. So even today, 20 years later, when I mention where I grew up, the whole demeanor of most people of color changes. The wall comes down and we begin to relate on a whole different level. My slang still comes out from time to time. That's just the level of relationship we have together.
Fast forward. I'm an educated man who attends a predominantly white church. From the inside looking out, most white pastors who havn't come where I've come from think there has to be some sort of "system" in place to do "outreach" to the black community. These pastors want statistical data and programs to "attract" minorities to enter the doors of the church. Moreover, many are ignorant to ask the few black members that already attend their church to inquire as to why they joined the church and how or what can the church do to bridge the gap between whites and blacks in the same community. I once had a conversation regarding this subject with a professor who argued for programs and data to acquire the "know how" in reaching blacks in the community. I remember telling this professor that data and programs are never going to cut it. You have to be genuine and genuinely show others, regardless of color that you care. You have to love them. Befriend them. Spend time with them. Enter their neighborhoods, their homes, their churches and not just once or twice, but continually and consistently to the point that it changes your subjective reality and then what you believe will determine what you do and change who you are. Aren't we suppose to be following Christ's example?
People, listen carefully. If we do not rely on the Holy Spirit to change us and that will mean trust, courage, faith, and perseverance, then we will keep on believing lies and continue to live within a nation that continues to define itself by race. What we believe determines what we will do. Who we trust will determine what we believe.
pcgfriend:
AMEN AND AMEN!!! Finally, a rational comment about this topic!!
should have said 'do not have the excuse of dismissing me as a bitter angry person'.
I agree that the AA's preacher's statement about blacks preaching forgiveness is an important part of this. HOWEVER there are two sides to this issue. I agree that bitterness needs to be dealt with. There is also still a major problem with some 'Christian' whites that still feel like they are better than blacks. Sad to say the only time that I have experienced prejudice from white people has been with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm not a bitter person nor am I prejudiced against whites so those that were around me have the excuse that I acted bitterly towards them. They felt that I was beneath them just because I'm black. In some Christian circles white preachers refuse to expose their hearts just like some black preachers do not emphasize forgiveness. One of them that did (in Bible school) was raked over the coals for it. THIS WAS IN BIBLE SCHOOL. Probably the fear of the loss of membership is the reason why. At this Bible School the wife of the founder of the school spoke generically to blacks asking us to be patient. People decide what they want to do. I have decided to walk in forgiveness and openness.
I will never forget an outreach meeting I attended at a predominantly white church about 10 years ago. I was the only black person in this small meeting. The people at this church were really nice that I was around. They started an outreach to a low income housing neighborhood. The leader wanted to get more people involved. I NAIVELY mention that the people were loving and that he should be able to come up with ways. One man said to me 'You are a part of a predominantly white congregation where everyone lives in the suburbs. We have never been in that environment'. I read that man the riot act for 10-15 minutes. The rant started with 'NEITHER HAVE I'. He was so ashamed that he never spoke to me again. It's stuff like this that infuriates blacks. This keeps many from being around whites unless they have to.
However I'm not of that ilk. I currently attend a predominantly white church right now. I approach race discussions with whites by hitting the issue when they feel uncomfortable. It opens the line of discussion. They know they can ask me questions and I will not shoot them down. They also know I will sincerely try to approach it from the letter and the spirit of the word. We must talk with each other instead of at each other from a distance.
“Where Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barak Obama or any other candidate worships, how they interpret sacred Scripture, who they listen to preach the Good News of the Gospel, and their choice of denominational affiliation should not be at issue. . . .would they say this if his name were say David Duke?
"i have heard nothing but acclades for this church by the resisdents of the same city. "...go figure thousands of people attend this church in this community and people are praising it..I wonder if they go to that church?
what i find interesting is that no one credits obama, a brother in christ, to being led by the spirit to that church. surely no human understanding can credit themselves with knowing whom god will lead to what church.
wright might be found guilty of speaking his frustrating of witnessing a lifetime of racist policies instituted by washington.
doesn t washington have racist policies? what did wright say that was not the truth?
i have heard nothing but acclades for this church by the resisdents of the same city.
I know that for a white person to say this it will be seen as a prejudicial remark, but isn't it strange when white candidates were being verbally beat about the head and shoulders for their religious beliefs, it appears that the black community was relatively quiet, but now that Obama is receiving the same treatment well this must stop immediately. To Sen. Obama I would say welcome to the real world of politics, but I would also say that he is being held accountable for something he has no control over. As a Baptist preacher and as a Baptist layperson I have unfortunately seen the pulpit used dishonorably too many times. I was in a predominantly white church and heard a preacher say that he was glad Hubert Humphrey died because he was a liberal and I've also heard things far more caustice comments than that from so-called white pulpits, but a both an American and a Christian I would defend to my death a person's right to share their personal views whether I agree with them or not as long as I am allowed the right to agree or disagree and have the opportunity to share my views as well. Now if Rev. Wright is simply sharing his views that I will defend his right to do, however if he is encouraging others to act-out on those views then perhaps he has crossed the line from challenging the congregation to inciting the congregation.
Jeremiah Wright's unforgiveness towards God because he was born black and his unforgiveness towards the white people in the way they treated the blacks has left him full of bitterness, resentment, and hatred. His root of bitterness has caused many to be defiled. His ungodly rampants indicate the condition of his sin sick soul and it does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:20)
Jesus said that if you don't forgive, God will not forgive you.(Mark 11:25-26). Unforgiveness is a sin. He needs to repent. If he doesn't, he will go to hell.
Hebrews 12:14-15
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the gracce of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
They say the democratic party is split. Christian are split over race. God is not a respector of persons. If Wright is preaching a gospel other than what is written, he is false teacher like a false prophet. Both Wright and Obama are splitting the people of God over race and like fools they are listening.
Where is the white clergy in this debacle? They are unconscionably silent. We need to hear from them. We need to hear them say that a minister should not stand in the well of a church and spew such venom. We also need to hear them say that it is o.k. to be white.......or brown, or of Jewish ancestry, or of Italian ancestry.
In the name of being politically correct there is a deafening silence from the very people who should be stepping up to the plate and defining this issue for what it is - racial hatred.
Jeremiah Wright has poisoned an entire generation of children in his church against the white race. He has given them license to blame every shortcoming in their lives on the white race and the American Government.
Shame on Wright and shame on those who are shirking their responsibility to give the other point of view.
When you consider that the groups represented are all liberal "Christian" groups, of course they take that view. Although I doubt that they would like anyone who is a conservative, bible-literate true Christian.
“Where Sens. Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barak Obama or any other candidate worships, how they interpret sacred Scripture, who they listen to preach the Good News of the Gospel, and their choice of denominational affiliation should not be at issue. They have the right to be members of any congregation of faith, worship where they choose, and listen to whomever they desire preach, without these things being used against them to take them out of the running for political office.”
These pastors whom say things like this are not men of God. God word tell us to look to a man sheppard. A person life is built on their spiritual foundation. How can a people of God have an ungodly leader? Unless we are going into capativity, we should have a man in established in Christ.