Obama’s Statement Condemning His Pastor’s Controversial Sermons

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

On My Faith and My Church

The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He’s drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.

Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.

Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.

As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It’s a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he’s been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.

Let me repeat what I’ve said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.

With Rev. Wright’s retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good. And while Rev. Wright’s statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/14/ra...ersial-sermons/

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Seems honest and unambiguous.

[garya505 2]

Seems honest and unambiguous.

Sounds good to me too. If no tapes surface, he should be able to ride this one out with minimal residual damage.

[HAL 9000 96]

Definitely agree with that one. Somehow I think he's been vaccinated enough to more silly attacks.

[Alex+R 0]

He handled that perfectly, IMO.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That was a satisfactory answer.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That was a satisfactory answer.

Its about all he could say. But that doesn't mean anything to the rumor mill or the spin-meisters who are propagating this stuff.

The goal of course is to get him to defend himself (on every level) against accusations of extremism. Meanwhile, it stops him and his campaign discussing policy.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That was a satisfactory answer.

Its about all he could say. But that doesn't mean anything to the rumor mill or the spin-meisters who are propagating this stuff.

The goal of course is to get him to defend himself (on every level) against accusations of extremism. Meanwhile, it stops him and his campaign discussing policy.

One of the things he said that diffuses much of the concern was his acknowledgement of those concerns as being valid. Perhaps, by continuing to acknowledge and validating those concerns as they keep surfacing will keep this from getting blown out of proportion.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That was a satisfactory answer.

Its about all he could say. But that doesn't mean anything to the rumor mill or the spin-meisters who are propagating this stuff.

The goal of course is to get him to defend himself (on every level) against accusations of extremism. Meanwhile, it stops him and his campaign discussing policy.

One of the things he said that diffuses much of the concern was his acknowledgement of those concerns as being valid. Perhaps, by continuing to acknowledge and validating those concerns as they keep surfacing will keep this from getting blown out of proportion.

It would be, if being honest were all that it would take to convince people.

I don't think this stuff is driven by honest concerns about his ideology, but rather cynicism on the part of people who don't want to believe him, whatever he says.

Its par for the course in this nomination race. The candidates stances on the issues are so similar that the only thing left to differentiate themselves on is personality. All that's missing is a sing and dance routine and a talent contest.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That was a satisfactory answer.

Its about all he could say. But that doesn't mean anything to the rumor mill or the spin-meisters who are propagating this stuff.

The goal of course is to get him to defend himself (on every level) against accusations of extremism. Meanwhile, it stops him and his campaign discussing policy.

One of the things he said that diffuses much of the concern was his acknowledgement of those concerns as being valid. Perhaps, by continuing to acknowledge and validating those concerns as they keep surfacing will keep this from getting blown out of proportion.

It would be, if being honest were all that it would take to convince people.

I don't think this stuff is driven by honest concerns about his ideology, but rather cynicism on the part of people who don't want to believe him, whatever he says.

Its par for the course in this nomination race. The candidates stances on the issues are so similar that the only thing left to differentiate themselves on is personality. All that's missing is a sing and dance routine and a talent contest.

I'm sure as there is towards all the candidates, but it's difficult to quantify, whereas if the media is raising those concerns, he'd do well to address them with same thoughtfullness in this statement until this becomes a dead horse to the mainstream media.

Edited March 14, 2008 by Mister Fancypants