DISPUTE DIVIDES CHURCH'S Congregants

[no name 1]

By AUSTIN FENNER, Post Correspondent

May 1, 2008 -- CHICAGO - Some parishioners at the United Church of Christ are so steamed by Barack Obama's condemnation of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright that they say the presidential hopeful might want to find another place to worship.

"I don't think Obama will still be welcomed here," said Odean Lathan, 80, who was attending a bible study session.

Lathan was referring to Obama's repudiation at a Tuesday press conference of some of Wright's statements against the US government. But she wasn't putting all the blame on Obama, as she gave the back of her hand to the longtime pastor for first going public with his claims on Monday.

"I don't think Rev. Wright did the right thing. I think he should have waited until the election is over," Lathan said. "I hope Obama stays strong. He's looking weak."

Another congregant, Wright's next door neighbor, said the controversial pastor wasn't out to hurt Obama's campaign - although he "most definitely" did damage it.

"I don't think it was an ulterior motive," Ophelia Guillermo said of the fiery rev's appearance before the National Press Club. "I think he was answering back because he needed to defend himself."

The 58-year-old nurse, who lives next to Wright's historic South Side home, said his outburst on Monday didn't change her vote because she was already for Obama's rival.

"I'm for Hillary," she said. "I think you need experience to handle the country."

Another congregant, Monique Taylor, 49, disagreed.

Obama "never did leave Trinity," she said. "Rev. Wright is not Trinity. We still go on."

A parishioner who also lives on the same South Side street as Wright, said the dispute made her "very uncomfortable."

"I'm totally for Obama," she said, adding, "Both men are needed. To be divided and have Rev. Wright seen in this light is . . . uncomfortable."

An 85-year-old reverend who is not connected to Trinity blamed the media for fueling the controversy.

"They're pitting one black man against the other," he said.

link

Edited May 1, 2008 by illumine

[Fuzzness 2]

By AUSTIN FENNER, Post Correspondent

May 1, 2008 -- CHICAGO - Some parishioners at the United Church of Christ are so steamed by Barack Obama's condemnation of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright that they say the presidential hopeful might want to find another place to worship.

"I don't think Obama will still be welcomed here," said Odean Lathan, 80, who was attending a bible study session.

How very..... christian

[HAL 9000 96]

[Sister Fracas 5]

By AUSTIN FENNER, Post Correspondent

May 1, 2008 -- CHICAGO - Some parishioners at the United Church of Christ are so steamed by Barack Obama's condemnation of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright that they say the presidential hopeful might want to find another place to worship.

"I don't think Obama will still be welcomed here," said Odean Lathan, 80, who was attending a bible study session.

How very..... christian

[chri'stina 190]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

[no name 1]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Yeah, cuz I'm sure it's only ONE (older*) lady who's pi$$ed. VJ SHEESH.

*your excuse

[chri'stina 190]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Yeah, cuz I'm sure it's only ONE (older*) lady who's pi$$ed. VJ SHEESH.

*your excuse

Why "VJ sheesh"? I was writing a serious answer. I didn't say she was the only one mad. And I wasn't trying to make an excuse for her b/c she's old. But that could make a difference. I was trying to say overall in the post that it'd be understandable if some are mad, it doesn't make them un-christian and yet the article also shows people who still support him. It's not just saying one thing and you highlighted only one part that supports your feelings.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Like I'd want to join another church...

[HAL 9000 96]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Yeah, cuz I'm sure it's only ONE (older*) lady who's pi$$ed. VJ SHEESH.

*your excuse

Why "VJ sheesh"? I was writing a serious answer. I didn't say she was the only one mad. And I wasn't trying to make an excuse for her b/c she's old. But that could make a difference. I was trying to say overall in the post that it'd be understandable if some are mad, it doesn't make them un-christian and yet the article also shows people who still support him. It's not just saying one thing and you highlighted only one part that supports your feelings.

Its called seeing what you want to see.

[chri'stina 190]

I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Like I'd want to join another church...

I personally would feel that way too.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Yeah, cuz I'm sure it's only ONE (older*) lady who's pi$$ed. VJ SHEESH.

*your excuse

Why "VJ sheesh"? I was writing a serious answer. I didn't say she was the only one mad. And I wasn't trying to make an excuse for her b/c she's old. But that could make a difference. I was trying to say overall in the post that it'd be understandable if some are mad, it doesn't make them un-christian and yet the article also shows people who still support him. It's not just saying one thing and you highlighted only one part that supports your feelings.

Its called seeing what you want to see.

Here, since you apparently lost yours:

[HAL 9000 96]

The article also has people saying they still support Obama...

As for the older lady saying he's probably not welcome there, I am sure she is just hurt over the issue. I can imagine it would be very hard to belong to that church right now and you would feel hurt if you liked your pastor and this all was going on, with your fellow church member saying things about your pastor on TV that you find uncomfortable. Whether it's wrong or right is a different thing. But I don't think it's un-christian of her to say, I am sure it's out of being upset and she is 80 years old. I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Yeah, cuz I'm sure it's only ONE (older*) lady who's pi$$ed. VJ SHEESH.

*your excuse

Why "VJ sheesh"? I was writing a serious answer. I didn't say she was the only one mad. And I wasn't trying to make an excuse for her b/c she's old. But that could make a difference. I was trying to say overall in the post that it'd be understandable if some are mad, it doesn't make them un-christian and yet the article also shows people who still support him. It's not just saying one thing and you highlighted only one part that supports your feelings.

Its called seeing what you want to see.

Here, since you apparently lost yours:

Actually that should have been diverted to those that see what they want to see in the process...

[no name 1]

I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Like I'd want to join another church...

I personally would feel that way too.

Um, you do know Wright is not the pastor there anymore....(I'm assuming)

[Sister Fracas 5]

I mean, how would anyone feel if in that church now?

Like I'd want to join another church...

I personally would feel that way too.

Um, you do know Wright is not the pastor there anymore....(I'm assuming)

um...yes

But he's only been out of the pulpit for about 15mins....

Edited May 1, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[chri'stina 190]

I know he retired, but to be honest am not clear on whether he still attends. But either way he would still be looked at as a pastor there even if he isn't the one giving the main messages anymore.