Thanks Mel,

I don't think we've seen the last of Rev. Wright though, and you can be sure that the news people won't let this go.

Hope it doesn't hurt Obama's chances.

Kuji

Hey, Kuji! I found your site!!

I love diversity, but my vote is still up in the air. The choices for President are not near as good as I'd like them to be. I think Rev. Wright may have helped Obama by his making the divisive remarks. It seemed to have widened the gap between the two.

It could also swing the other way if the people continue to be skeptical about Obama's long time association with Rev. Wright's church. That is an exceptionally long time to stay under one pastor and not believe in his messages.

Also, I believe Obama said the reason he began attending the church in question was because he was working with inner city youth & charity organizations, and that it was hard to do that without joining a local church.

So, now I have to question whether Obama is truly a Christian, since his motives for joining the church were not re: God, or if he has a different role with the Muslim population. What do you think? Will this make matters worse? Very interesting dynamics.

Judi,

Glad you found the group.

I think Rev. Wright's speech is hurting Obama, mostly because that's what the news people want. I didn't see anything wrong with what he said, but apparantly some people did.

Time will tell the outcome.

Wonder whatever happened to separation of church and state?

There are still Christians out here that believe in separation of church & state. Legally it is easier to do, but philosophically it is not so easy, since certain Christians are having a knee-jerk reaction to more people turning away from the Christian God, and the increasing problem with immorality in our country. Or, believe it or not, they have misinterpreted something in the Bible (go figure). : - 0 God has given us free will, and part of our mandates as Christians is to respect & promote that.

Judi,

I agree with you. I question whether or not Obama is truly a Christian. I would not just pick a church out of a hat. I pick my church based on whether or not the GOSPEL is being preached there. If he wanted to help Inner City Youth (perform a social service), he could have done that from ANY church--White, Black, Jewish, or whatever. I think he FELT like he had to "FIT IN"--and he BELIEVED that he could only "FIT IN" by joining a "BLACK CHURCH". That is false. Love (charity) knows no color. There are churches of every color and denomination doing good works.

It REALLY bothers me that Obama could just cast off his "Pastor of 20-some-odd years"--This man "married him, baptized his children, AND PRAYED with him before he started running for office." Where is Obama's LOYALTY? Where is his INTEGRITY? I do not believe that one can attend a church for 20 YEARS--or be associated with someone for 20 years--and NOT know what that person (or church) stands for. I think it is all about Politics. I think he joined that church perhaps NOT because he was seeking to do God's will, but to set himself up (put himself in position) to run for office. I believe that the only way one cannot get to know what a church stands for, having gone there for 20 years, is if one NEVER or RARELY attended service. HELLO! If this is the case with Mr. Obama, then his association with Reverend Wright's church (one of the largest Black churches in Chicago) could have been politically motivated.

Of course, I could be wrong. These are just my thoughts. Only God knows for SURE. I just feel very hurt and disappointed over Mr.Obama's behavior. I think he threw his "longtime friend" under the bus. This makes me wonder what other values he is willing to sacrifice. At this point, I do not feel I have a really clear choice in who to vote for. For me, it may just come down to the Old Testament act of "casting lots".

Indeed, I think you are right about all you have said, Melolivia! Either way one looks at Obama, it doesn't seem to bode well.

We are living in very uncertain times, and with all of the evil taking place, it would not surprise me in the least if the "rift" between the two was staged in order for Obama to "appear" to not be aligned with the Reverend (although I'm tempted to use that word loosely), then after the election, they decide to mend fences, & hidden agendas are carried out. There is also the Muslim background that is of concern, although I am uncertain as to its significance.

We must ask God for guidance in making this choice for our next President. Hillary has not shown herself to be truthful, and knowing the kind of man that she is married to, I am unable to feel good about that package deal and the integrity associated with either. Then there is the Republican side with McCain, and Republicans seem to be wanting to give our country away, bit by bit (among other things).

Let's see, here are the things that the Republicans, some Democrats and the media have been able to dig up to create controversy about Barack Obama:

1. He doesn't wear a flag pin all of the time.

2. There is a picture of him one time not putting his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance.

3. His father, who is deceased, was a Muslim.

4. His minister gave a sermon, after he retired, which had a couple of controversial sound bites in it, but when viewed as a whole was actually very pro-America.

5. Then when the man breaks with his former minister over further remarks he makes, we say it's probably a fake.

I find it interesting, but not in a good way, that rather than talking about issues, we have been diverted to talking about trivialities. This is always the political tactic when running against a good candidate.

What we should be concentrating on is that both Clinton and Obama are competent, qualified people with similar views and either one would be a good president. What will make Obama a GREAT president is his charisma, ability to talk to anyone at their level, and his disconnect from "politics as usual". After the past years of Republican disaster, we need a man like Obama to help us heal the rifts that have been created in our world.