Were I Obama, my response to anyone calling upon me to resign would be "Fuck You"

[Stinky The Clown]

I wish religion were a non-issue in politics. I am not happy that the Democrats (not just a few of them .... many of them) have started in on this religious crap just like the Repubicans.

And now we find Obama having resigned from his church. The church that was clearly a big part of his life and of his personal 'community'.

And that's sad and should have been unnecessary.

But here we are.

If we didn't have candidates flaunting their religion with god-related phrases in their speeches, we wouldn't care who the pastors of candidates are. If we didn't have religious pandering in our politics, we wouldn't find the need to know who the guest preachers are.

When a candidate decides he has to forgo something as personally important as his church, has he shown weakness? Or has a campaign tactic (pandering to the 'faithful') backfired? Either way, it isn't good. Obama's church has become a bigger issue than did the churches of either Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, both of whom are actual ministers. I don't recall this much religious furor when Pat Robertson ran.

I'm not worried for the Obama campaign. We (I count myself a supporter) will win walking away come November. That's not the point. The point is, he gave something up that meant a lot to him.

He shouldn't have done that.

Should every Catholic become Episcopalian because there are priests who can't leave little boys alone? Should every Mormon become a Seventh Day Adventist because Warren Jeffs and his posse have a thing for near prepubescent girls?

No.

And so Obama should not have left his church.

Reverend Wright has faded. His 15 minute clock is at 16. Same for the clown on the latest video ..... who was not even associated with the church and who was friggin' guest speaker, fer krissakes.

Who The Fuck Cares????

When personal matters enter the campaign, the strongest would simply say "None of your business". When it comes around again, repeat "None of your business". The third time, get tougher. Metaphorically tell then to go fuck themselves.

We have GOT to stop this crap with religion and personal matters that have NO bearing on one's politics.

A metaphorical or actual "Fuck You" would make me stand up and cheer.

I cheer for tough guys.

Tough has nothing to do with violence (<---- disclaimer for the literal thinkers among us)

[blonndee]

1. I agree that it's unfair and shouldn't matter;

however, as I stated in another post, I don't think that any churches ought to be explicitly campaigning for or against a particular candidate. I think it's wrong in the fundie RW churches and I think it's wrong in the liberal churches, too. I have read just a little about all the great things Trinity does and stands for, and that is to be applauded. To me personally, Barack being affiliated with such things tells me a lot about him. I don't mean to be railing against the church; it's just something I disagree with. And, really, sadly, I don't see how he could do otherwise than what he's done. Maybe it was "only" political maneuvering, or maybe he thinks that it's the right thing to do for the church as well as himself. I'd like to hear what he has to say about it.

[cbayer]

2. I think he may have done it to protect the church and congregation.

In my book, that would be quite honorable.

[livingmadness]

4. Oh snap!! Obviously writing at the same time. Great minds and all that ...! n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

5. I never should have come to require that, if that's what it was.

Religion has NO PLACE in politics.

But if it gets there, one should tell the idiots to just get fucked.

[cbayer]

6. I absolutely agree with you.

The whole thing is shameful, but I think he had to do it at this point.

[livingmadness]

3. I agree with some of what you say.

But have you considered how the Trinity church community are suffering for this? The constant spotlight? The judgmental condemnation? The media scrutiny, the death threats. I have to wonder if this wasn't done as much with them in mind. Now they can carry on their worship, their community work, and their lives in peace.

[cbayer]

7. Yep, I think we were typing at the same time.

:toast:

[NashVegas]

8. He Should Have Left It 3-4 Years Ago, Or Been Prepared to Stand Up For It

The Reverend Father Michael Pfleger isn't saying anything about Hillary Clinton that hasn't been said on MSNBC, DailyKos or Democratic Underground. There are two huge problems here. One is the pathetic attempt to imitate African-American-style preaching. When in Rome, sure, but it looks condescending to me. Does he really need to do that to be accepted by the Trinity congregation? The other is that in the wind-up to his Hillary imitation he espouses the talking points that get used by the pro-reparation crowd.

Republicans - and pragmatic Democrats - know that one of the quickest ways to a heated racial debate is to bring up government reparations. Anyone who thinks the Republicans aren't already planning on going there are in for a treat.

If Barack Obama is the nominee a conversation is going to take place and Democrats are going to have to allow it to get loud on both sides of the line before the grown-ups come in and smash everyone's heads together, if he is to win the White House.

[galledgoblin]

9. I agree

it's terrible that he's been forced to distance himself from an important part of his life, from an important part of his FAMILY.

I disagree with a lot that's said up at the pulpit, but I sit through masses so I can mingle with the larger community that uses the parish as a gathering place.