 |
| ||
|
||||||||
|
« Commerce Ups Estimate of GDP Growth in 1st Quarter |
Blog Home Page
| Father Pfleger's Support for Farrakhan »
May 30, 2008 Obama's Other Pastor ProblemIn this era of diversity, pluralism and multi culturalism, promoting interfaith relations with the clergy of one religion appearing at an institution of another religion or an individual of one race or ethnic background speaking to a group of another background is quite common. At worst these events engender some temporary feel good moments, some heated exchanges and then most participants continue their separate ways. But when white Roman Catholic priest Michael Pfleger spoke at neighboring black Trinity United Church of Christ (yep, Barack Obama's church for 20 years) last Sunday hate was in the air. In his best white man imitating black preacher role, Pfleger roared
And the congregants loved it. Remember, this is the same church Jeremiah Wright preached a similar brand of hatred to an approving crowd while Obama ostensibly snoozed in his seat. Pfleger is a priest at a predominantly black Catholic church not far from Trinity; he has spoken at Trinity several times previously and several admiring profiles of him have appeared in Trinity's church magazine Trumpet. Pfleger and Obama are good friends; Obama has, in the best of interfaith, inter ethnic relations, referred to Pfleger as one of his spiritual mentors. And Pfleger has solidly returned/ the favor.
But given Pfleger's many previous antics--he's an "activist" priest--his endorsement will probably not help Obama much with the white ethnic Catholic vote. In his best Sharon "Karma" Stone mode, Pfleger has given a half hearted apology although he has uttered similar speech like this in the past. Perhaps other videos of his similar sermons at his own church or at Trinity will surface. Obama condemned the sermon, expressing his disappointment, stating it was "divisive and backward-looking. Of course Obama never said much during all the years Wright uttered similar thoughts. Meanwhile, all those liberals who piously invoke separation of church and state when conservative clergy express political opinions or become involved in the political process have been deafeningly silent about Obama's relations with Wright and Pfleger. And what will they say if the IRS should come knocking at Trinity's door, removing its tax exempt status because of its political activity? |
Recent ArticlesBlog Posts
|
|
Share
