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Obama Quits His Church
May 31, 2008 2:24 PM
Jake Tapper, George Stephanopoulos, and Sunlen Miller report: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., today resigned from his controversial church, Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side of Chicago.
Obama had been in discussions about resigning with his church's new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss before the latest controversy, which involved a longtime friend of Obama's, Father Michael Pfleger, mocking Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, just last Sunday form the church's pulpit, using racially charged language, to the apparent delight of the congregation.
"Rev. Moss, when Hillary was crying, and people said that was put on, I really don't believe it was put on," Pfleger said from the pulpit. "I really believe that she just always thought, 'This is mine! I'm Bill's wife, I'm white, and this is mine! I just gotta get up and step into the plate.' And then out of nowhere came, 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama,' and she said, 'Oh, damn! Where did you come from? I'm white! I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!'
Pfleger then mocked Clinton's tears.
"She wasn't the only one crying, there was a whole lot of white people crying!" Pfleger said to laughter.
After his sermon, Rev. Moss thanked Pfleger: "We thank God for the message, we thank God for the messenger, we thank God for Father Michael Pfleger," Moss said.
Obama's resignation from his church was first reported Saturday evening by CNN.
The previous controversy involving his church involved heated rhetoric from its former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose sermons used incendiary language to discuss the U.S. and race. The controversy prompted Obama to deliver a widely-publicized speech about race and later to condemn Wright.
Sources tell ABC News that Obama felt that as the campaign continued, the media would continue to focus on the church, to the detriment of the church community, that Obama would be held responsible for what happened in the church, and that the Church would be held responsible for his campaign. It would be best, Obama felt, to simply cut ties. He has not yet joined a new church.
As he distanced himself from Wright on April 29, Obama expressed disappointment in how the media maelstrom had intruded on the church.
"When I go church it's not for spectacle, it's to pray and to find to find a stronger sense of faith, it's not to posture politically it's not to, you know, it's not to hear things that violate my core beliefs," he said. "And I certainly don't want to provide a distraction to those who are worshipping at Trinity. As of this point I'm a member. I haven't had a discussion with Rev Moss about it so I can't tell you how he's reacting and how he's responding ... there’s been great damage."
Obama will address the matter this evening at a campaign stop in South Dakota.
UPDATE: Trinity United has issued a paper statement from the current pastor, Rev. Otis Moss:
"Trinity United Church of Christ was informed that Senator Barack Obama and his family will no longer be members of our church. Though we are saddened by the news, we understand that it is a personal decision. We will continue to lift them in prayer and wish them the best as former members of our trinity community. As in the prayer for the ephesians, our entire trinity family ask that the nation entrust Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha, to God's care and guidance, so that Christ may continue to dwell in their lives, in their hearts, and in their work. We ask now for god's peace to be with them. 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more and all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.'
Ephesians 3:20"
- Rev. Otis Moss III
May 31, 2008 in Political Radar | Permalink | Share | User Comments (857)
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If this man had any judgement whatsoever, he would have quit this church 10 to 15 years ago.
Posted by: s.b. | May 31, 2008 2:30:13 PM
That's the right thing to do. I think his whole church thing was just a distraction from his campaign.
Posted by: Muath | May 31, 2008 2:30:34 PM
Gee just a little late.......
Posted by: mPCT | May 31, 2008 2:30:57 PM
After twenty years, resigns from his church during the rules committee meeting, during Saturday news dump time.
Wow.
Obama is whack. No courage, no leadership, no ethics. Womp, womp.
Posted by: DJK | May 31, 2008 2:31:52 PM
and obama thinks Hillary supporters are going to vote for him? what an idiot.
Posted by: XTRA1XTRA2 | May 31, 2008 2:33:11 PM
Interesting. I guess much of the nation's mainstream voting bloc will interpret that move as meaning that he's returning to his original Muslim faith.
Posted by: Marty | May 31, 2008 2:33:32 PM
Even the liberal media cannot SPIN this stunt.
The guy stayed at the church 20 years, defended wright , defended the church, but NOW decides to 'quit' .
Sorry.
If the american people elect a jerk like this , it will be the biggest upset in american history.
Posted by: cgeast | May 31, 2008 2:33:44 PM
He should have resigned the minute he decided to run for President. So big deal he resigns today.
Posted by: alpaig | May 31, 2008 2:33:47 PM
A political ploy, but too little, too late.
Posted by: Tom in MA | May 31, 2008 2:33:52 PM
isn't this like ... 20+ years too late?? He already exposed his children to this racist, divisive rhetoric.
... under the bus for the "ol uncle"
Posted by: Jackson | May 31, 2008 2:34:47 PM
WOW after 20 years attending this church. Sounds like he is just doing it untill after the election. Then Jerimiah Wright will move in if Obama wins.
Posted by: alpig | May 31, 2008 2:34:54 PM
Good job Obama. Am black and understand. You did a great thing associating with us. You will always be a hero no matter what. We will never blame you for this. Many people who share the heritage you have will never have done what you did. God bless you.
Posted by: vuzous | May 31, 2008 2:35:00 PM
It is probably the appropriate thing to do. This has certainly been a distraction for him.
Posted by: Ben Straub | May 31, 2008 2:35:03 PM
obama is just like them he is filled with hate also all his speaches are about hating bush and McCain people are sick of hearing it
Posted by: Terri | May 31, 2008 2:35:23 PM
One down, a million to go. Condoles to the church fragments
Posted by: miki | May 31, 2008 2:36:08 PM
This proves Mr. Wright's words. Obama is a 'typical politician' and will say and do things even if they mean to him or not. He had thrown Mr. Wright under the bus, now he threw his church under the bus and next one in line is his own wife Michelle. Watch out Michelle! You married to a man who puts his personal agenda over everything else.
Posted by: Chiman | May 31, 2008 2:36:10 PM
Obama quitting his church at the 11th hour only when its hurting him proves what an EMPTY SUIT the guy is with no backbone.
There is no way middle america will buy this.
I honestly thought Obama had a bigger backbone than this.
This kind of pathetic pandering is not what the american public needs.
The humourous thing about it is to now watch all the Obama supporters SPIN why Obama left.
After they just SPUN 5 months of defending why he stayed.
Bring it on Obama supporters.
Posted by: cgeast | May 31, 2008 2:36:23 PM
The people who will blame you are the racists in our society. Keep on your good work and concentrate on your goals.
Posted by: vuzous | May 31, 2008 2:37:25 PM
SPIN IT OBAMA LOVERS, SPIN IT
Posted by: cgeast | May 31, 2008 2:38:08 PM
Understandable because of the serious distractions both to the campaign and to the church.
Posted by: Churchill | May 31, 2008 2:38:45 PM
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