Obama's church teachings under microscope

by Fran Eaton

CHICAGO – On Saturday, when U.S. Senator Barack Obama officially announces his plans to run for the Democratic Party’s 2008 presidential nomination, he is sure to be asked questions concerning his church and his spiritual advisor.  Both the Trinity United Church of Christ and its pastor Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. have sparked heated discussion in the mainstream media and local radio talk shows.   

The eight thousand member Trinity UCC’s 12-point “Black Value System” and its 10-point vision is troubling because it is racially divisive and biblically heretical,  Mychal Massie, chairman of a black conservative think tank Project 21 said in a phone interview this week. 

The church requires its members to minister through finances and resources specifically to the black community,  and its doctrine lists allegiance to African history above biblical instruction, something that troubled Massie.

“Trinity has narrowed their scope of God to conform to a ‘god’ that fits their segregational paradigm.  One cannot help but question the exact nature of said historical education – is it based on truth and fact, or is it based on opinion?” Massie said.  “Trinity has placed god in a box based on color and ethnicity.  That is not the God of Scripture, it is not representative of the Triune God born-again Christians serve.”

Trinity United Church of Christ, where Obama and his wife Michelle were married 14 years ago, has been Obama’s home church for twenty years and is where he continues to worship.  Trinity is the United Church of Christ denomination’s largest congregation, but boasts that its “Black Value System” is unique among other UCC churches. 

Trinity’s unique Black Value System and its focus on African-Americans is drawing critics' attention specifically because the teachings collide with Obama’s emerging presidential campaign platform of unity.   

In his 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote that shot Obama to political rock stardom, Obama stressed, “[T]here is not a liberal America and a conservative America — there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America — there's the United States of America.”

Still, Obama affiliates himself with a church that upholds African history over biblical teachings, according to the church’s 10-point vision statement.

“We reach out to those with an African heritage like others reach out to the Irish, Polish or Latinos,” Rev. Otis Moss III, Trinity’s associate pastor, said in a WVON talk show interview Wednesday.  “We focus on the black community where the church is located,  there’s nothing unusual about that.  We just reach out to blacks in particular.”

Mychal Massie took issue with those teachings, emphasizing that God is no respecter of persons. 

“Trinity is obviously a church, but according to their own illustration of same, they are a example of separatism and pan-African theism that has no foundation in the word of God.”

Obama’s announcement is to take place at Illinois’ state capital Saturday morning at 10:00 am CST.

Comments

[Jerry]

It has always been my understanding that blacks rejected a church where they would not be welcome, and rejected the notion of a God that would segregate them from the rest of the children of God.

This is what the Catholic Church taught me, and what my parents reinforced, and it is what I believe today. And I reject a church that looks at me as different because I am not black, and believes that this is in keeping with the word of God.

It isn't.

[Jarrod]

As a member of the United Church of Christ, Obama's denomination, I reject the remarks made by Ms. Eaton and then echoed by pundit Tucker Carlson.

If anything, the UCC - which includes Obama's church - is one of the most inclusive Christian denominations out there; everyone is welcome.

I'm a little suspect about the objectivity of this article, seeing as Ms. Eaton just happens to be a former worker from the Alan Keyes campaign against Barack Obama for Senate in 2004. It sounds to me that she mashed her sour grapes into a bitter-tasting wine of distortions.

The remarks that Ms. Eaton made and Mr. Carlson echoed, stating that Obama's church - my denomination - the United Church of Christ, is "Anti-Christian" is severely flawed.

First, I would like to know what Ms. Eaton and Mr. Carlson consider "Christian". For them to consider something "Christian" does it have to be their version of Christianity? Is it only "Christian" to them if it falls directly in-line with their theology, their doctrine, their denomination? If that's the case (and it certainly appears to be), what does that say for fellow Christian believers outside of their denomination? Are Methodists "Anti-Christian"? Are Epsicopalians "Anti-Christian"? Are Presbyterians "Anti-Christian"?

I can recall another spokesman who defined Christianity in such a narrow and exclusivist way, stating that any denomination that didn't fall in line with his theology was "the work of the Anti-Christ." That spokesman was televangelist, and regular espouser of inane comments, Pat Robertson.

Perhaps Fran Eaton and Tucker Carlson should refrain from talking about a denomination they obviously know nothing about.

A final thought:

Barack Obama often refers to his Christian church in interviews and is proud of his faith. Are the statements of Fran Eaton and Tucker Carlson not somehow "Anti-Christian" in and of themselves?

I would encourage Ms. Eaton to be a little more responsible in her journalism. I would also encourage Mr. Carlson to be a little more responsible in searching for credible sources and "news" to report.

But many of us have been waiting for Mr. Carlson to be a responsible pundit for quite some time. Slander and anger-mongering seem to be his forte.

As for Fran Eaton, judging from her past employment in the Alan Keyes campaign against Barack Obama and her blatant errors regarding the UCC, it is obvious she has an axe to grind. It is even more evident that she has little regard for honesty and integrity while grinding that proverbial axe.

[countmein]

Jarrod, I don't see Fran calling the whole demonination of UCC Anti-Christian, I see her asking questions about the teaching and doctorine of ONE particular church ran by ONE particular pastor that seems to be a little on the racist side. Goodness there are a lot of churches out there that are called Baptist that I wouldn't align myself with, even though I was raised Baptist and graduated from a Baptist Christian School before attending a private Presbyterian College.
I too have questions about a man who has lined himself up (almost half of his lifetime) with what seems to be an noninclusive group that seems a little more concerned about lifting up only a certain color of skin instead of all mankind. Sounds familiar with other racist organizations I've heard about.
If what I have heard and read about this one particular church is true, then Senator Obama and Senator Byrd have a lot more in common than simply a "D" behind their names on the ballot.

[Jerry]

Jarrod, you made good points, but I believe that your basic premise is wrong:

"The remarks that Ms. Eaton made and Mr. Carlson echoed, stating that Obama's church - my denomination - the United Church of Christ, is 'Anti-Christian' is severely flawed."

That's not what I read. I read that Fran is referring to one church, Trinity UCC, and one minister, Wright.

I have been a member of two UCC-affiliated churches, and have worshipped at several UCC churches, and never once heard or seen reference to a values system based on skin color. I reject that, and I believe most Americans reject that, and pardon me for pointing out that Martin Luther King, Jr. made a significant impression on the history of this country by stating that he rejects that. I believed him.

It is important to remember that African Americans occupy a somewhat unique place in our culture because they were denied equal participation in some churches in the past.

But most black congregations and nearly every denomination in the Christian church has moved beyond this past, and now reject this sort of thinking. And I believe that Obama will be fairly viewed with suspicion for his embrace of a minister who clearly has not.

[Oma Pollard]

Isn't it true that Obama refuses to salute the flag of America and will not recite the pledge of allegiance? How in the world can a man with no respect or honor for the U.S. be our president? Isn't it also true that he pledges his allegiance only to Africa?

[Sue]

I need to ask this question, What if a republican canidate went to an all white church whose "vision statement" says, The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, White Power and White Theology.???????

He would last about 5 minutes....
Well Barrack's church says, "The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, Black Power and Black Theology".
In the pictures of the congregation on their website I don't see a single white face.
Absolutely enough said.

[Janet]

The Kennedy Clan and so many others that want to sweep Obama in to the Presidency, want a person they can mold and control. They know Hillary is strong and is Presidential. She will listen but not be manipulated. She has handled more scrutiny than most men. Rush and the others are playing a head game. They know Hillary can withstand any attack. They really want Obama as they will destroy him with his inexperience.
He will not just slip right in without a debate and he will not do well. McCain can beat him.
In 4 or 8 years he will be ready.
Well Michelle Obama, she is not Jackie, she is and should want to be Michelle Obama. After the Oprah effect she will need celebrity rehab. They lost me when Michelle said "WAKE UP THE BLACK COMMUNITY!". Yet they want to attack Bill Clinton for his remarks which were not in the same content.
If Bill were to say Wake up White people, vote for experience. It is no different and we should realize this. But the media finds M.O's comments acceptable. She states she is not certain she can suppport Hillary should she win the nomination. Wow, that's reaching across the isle material. Barrack did not even have a vote when we went to war. His speech afterwords was hindsight and a prelude to his running for president . Since having a vote he has had ample opportunity to vote no on every issue regarding Iraq but does not. Well that's right he misses votes. I am speaking as passionate as any Obama supporter. If we did not have such an amazing person as Hillary than Obama would have my support as a Democrat. But I would be sad as we will not beat McCain and possibly Huckabee with Obama. He can't handle the pressure. CNN has told top Dem strategists James Carville, Paul Begala, and Robert Zimmerman due to complaints from Obama???????????? Go to CNN
What If Tim Russert, Andrea, Wolf
were taken off? They are pretty obvious of thier dislike of the Clinton's.
What happens if Obama won, He or Oprah can make it like FOX. No one can speak badly about B.O.

[April]

for all you people out there making this pastors sermons an issue.....here comes the truth from a GROWN WHITE WOMAN....so what if obamas pastor is preaching to a black congregation about racism in the united states...the shyt has been going on for years against black people...what white people are offended now because black people are sticking together grow the f#%*@#% up its a free nation thats what our ancestors wrote in the beginning documents of the united states...are you offended because its a black congregation???? that doesnt mean whites are not welcome...my brother in law was married in this church in march of 2007 my sister in law and i were the only WHITE people at the wedding!!!!!! but we were not treated differently or outcasted we were welcomed as family!!!!!! did you ever think maybe its a 99% black congregation because whites CHOOSE not to go to a black church???????? GROW UP if you did choose to get outta bed and jopin the congregation at this church you would be welcomed with open arms ,,,,,, one thing you all need to realize about black folks they are 10000 times more accepting of white people than white people are of them ,,,,, QUIT being prejudice just because they dont come kiss your ass to get you to come to their church does not mean you will not be welcome if you show up....Black people have been shunned by racism for at least the last 236 years in this country they should not have to kiss your ass to get you to join their church and they wont but they will not turn you away either... until you attend this church DO NOT disrespect its teachings ... if you attended you may not like what they preach but it is the truth and yes sometimes it is politically incorrect but you know what your white ancestors are the ones who put that sorry shyt upon black people either visit the church for a sunday or 2 or shut up its not your business 2 speak on......A PROUD WHITE WOMAN IN AN INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIP AND A MOTHER OF 4 BEAUTIFUL INTERRACIAL CHILDREN WHO WOULD BACK EITHER OBAMA OR HILLARY THEY ARE BOTH OR EITHER WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS .... THIS COUNTRYS DOWN FALL WILL BE A RICH WHITE MAN ......LOOK AT THE BS BUSH GOT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!