U.S. Democratic presidential candidate,Sen. Barack Obama said on Saturday that he has resigned from the church where controversial sermons by his former pastor and other ministers created political headaches for his campaign.He said that he don't want to have to answer for everything that's stated in the church and that he was resigning "with some sadness."
The resignation comes days after the Rev. Michael Pfleger,a visiting Catholic priest,mocked Obama's Democratic rival during a sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago,Illinois.In the sermon,Pfleger wipes his eyes with a handkerchief and suggests that Sen. Hillary Clinton wept because she thought that as a white person and the wife of a former president,she was entitled to the presidency.He has apologised since then but Obama said the Pfleger controversy made it clear that,as long as he remained a member of the Trinity congregation,remarks from the pulpit would be "imputed" to him,even if they conflicted with his personal views.Then of course if you remember in the earlier parts of his campaign,there was also the Jeremiah Wright controversy.Obama said he and his wife,Michelle,began discussing a departure from the church after Wright spoke at the National Press Club on April 28.
During the appearance,Wright said that Obama had "distanced" himself the fiery pastor for political reasons.Wright,who has been Obama's minister for about 20 years,drew unwanted attention for the campaign when videos of his fiery sermons surfaced.In the speeches,Wright suggested that the U.S. government may be responsible for the spread of AIDS in the black community and equated some American wartime activities to terrorism.Obama has said he was not present for the controversial sermons by Wright or Pfleger and that with this decision,he hope that it would withdraw Trinity from the spotlight.A spokesman for the Church said that it is disappointed with the decision but will continue to pray for him and his family.
When I heard this news today,there was nothing surprising for me because I can see it coming long before he announced his decision to quit yesterday.I think it was important for him to distance away himself from the Church and what both Wright and Pfleger has said because I think it doesnt mean if you go to a particular church,you actually support everything that is being said there and it is important to remember that both Wright and Pfleger are not running in Obama's campaign and hence,they doesnt speak for him.When they said all those things,I dont think it actually help Obama chances of winning the nomination but instead cause more damage to it.Nevertheless,I think Obama did well in dealing with the problem,denouncing the statements made by both of them as soon as possible and told everyone that he doesnt share the same views as them,even though he goes to the same church.
I find it funny that in America,they actually talk about their political scenes in the church and in Obama case.it actually acted as some kind of a campaign movement for him which I dont think is what any church for the matter should be doing.I think people go to church because they want to get closer to God and listen to the sermons.Forgive me if Im wrong,but that is what I think should be the right thing to do.I think Pfleger knew that he was wrong to do what he did and therefore he has apologised,but as for Wright,he has yet to apologise but I hope someday he will do so and he can get back to good terms with Obama.They have known each other for so long and it would be sad to see their relationship to break away just like that.Anyway,I think Obama did the right thing by qutting the church,because I think if the same incident will happen again,he will have to answer for it even though he shouldnt because he clearly dont represent what the pastor are saying,but because of his link with the church,everyone will try to link him with what the church are saying.
I know it was a difficult decision by Obama.He didnt want to do it,but he had no other choice if he wants to achieve further success in his campaign.The Trinity Church is the thing of the past as far as Obama and I am concern and its time to look forward and focus more on the important issues.Till next time,see you at the next primary.
The article was taken from CNN.
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