Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers on Father’s Day! Senator Barack Obama addressed the congregation at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, IL on Father’s Day, June 15, 2008. He wasn’t speaking in a COGIC Church, but he was speaking in a Pentecostal Church and we can use many of the positives in his message!
Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers on Father’s Day!
June 16, 2008 at 1:00 am · Filed under Apostolic Church of God, Barack Obama, Chicago, Church of God in Christ, COGIC, COGIC Church, Father's Day, Illinois, Obama, Pentecostal Church, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers, Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers on Father', The Church of God in Christ ·Tagged Apostolic Church of God, Barack Obama, Chicago, COGIC Church, Father's Day, Illinois, Obama, Pentecostal Church, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers, Senator Barack Obama Speaks to Black Fathers on Father'
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M.L. Gibbs said
TO: Pastor Derrick Hutchins
re: pro-Obama Charisma article
Pastor Hutchins, the rallying cry of so many people — liberals, Hollywood icons, mainstream news media, abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, Muslim organizations, Gay and Lesbian groups, unions, organizations like MoveOn.org and the N.A.A.C.P. — is “Vote for Barack Obama!” Conversely, as a non-Obama supporter, I find myself often swimming against the tide, especially among my fellow blacks.
In reading your piece in the October 2008 issue of Charisma Magazine, you mentioned many of the same Obama-supporting reasons that I hear from the media, as well as from co-workers, friends, relatives and at that wonderful repository of community wisdom, the local barber shop.
The reason that you’re voting for Senator Obama, from what I gathered in the article, is because of (1) race — “For the first time ever, an African-American has a strong chance of becoming president,” (2) social issues — that Obama “addresses the kinds of social ills” that also concern you, and (3) a belief, a feeling that he is sensitive to “the infirmities of the nation’s most needy communities, and I believe he will listen.”
What I found a bit disconcerting, pastor, is that you gave the same moral equivalency to racial inequities in our courts, banks and law enforcement as you did to abortion (the killing of babies in the womb and even outside the womb) and homosexuality. In explaining this, you reminded us that “we are voting for a president and not a priest”.
As for me, I cannot in good conscience vote for Barack Obama. Though I am voting for a president and not a priest, as you said, I feel it is important to vote for a president who is morally grounded in the values of a “priest”.
I find it amazing that you, as a minister of Jesus Christ, can simply gloss over your candidates unshakeable allegiance to moral and political stands that you find objectionable. It appears that you, like so many of my black friends, are also carried away in the euphoric wind of America having its “first black president”, a candidate who, as Hillary Clinton says, gives a good speech, but has very little to show in terms of real accomplishment when looking at his record.
For example, in reference to his unwavering commitment to morally repulsive issues, I ask you, “Would it not matter to you if a presidential candidate endorsed slavery — or black supremacy?” Of course, your answer would be, “No.” But what if you believed that candidate would “listen” to your concerns, and address some of the social ills that you have to deal with as a pastor? Would you ignore his blatant racism and vote for him anyway?
You said, “I believe abortion is wrong.” you said “I am diametrically opposed
to same-sex marriage.” Apparently these issues do not rise to the level of being at least as abhorrent as slavery. These practices are “wrong” but not abhorrent, disgraceful, against God’s design, sinful, and in the case of abortion — murder? Is that correct?
Historically, an evil man, Adolph Hitler, was the German people’s favorite because he got the trains to run on time, improved the economy (probably improving those sensitive social inequalities of his own country), and gave them the Volkswagen. Pastor, I suppose some Germans might have felt a little uneasy about Hitler’s maniacal racist beliefs, but ignored these issues, justifying themselves in the fact that they indeed were voting for… a president and not a priest.
So I ask you: Does it matter?
Does it matter that Barack Obama told Planned Parenthood, a major Obama supporter and abortion provider (and killer of 14 million black babies), he will keep Roe vs Wade legal: “There will always be people, many of goodwill, who do not share my view on the issue of choice. On this fundamental issue, I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield.” See http://www.lifenews.com/nat4029.html.
And if you are not afraid of Truth, also see http://www.blackgenocide.org.
Does it matter to you that Barack Obama supports partial-birth abortion — killing a baby in a late term “procedure,” turning the little human around in the womb and jabbing a scissors into the skull of the child to kill it before it is fully delivered? See http://www.lockergnome.com/reflections/2008/01/13/democratic-presidential-hopeful-barack-obama-favors-partial-birth-abortion/
Does it matter that Barack Obama has supported babies being allowed to die after a botched abortion results in babies being born alive, as chronicled by Jill Stanek?
See http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ypDwNpgIUQc&feature=related
Listen to his own words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z65F0z-UKmk
On the other hand, in your view, I suppose that allowing a baby born alive to simply waste away and die is morally equivalent to a cop pulling me over in a routine racial profiling stop. Of course, I am speaking as a fool.
Does it matter that Barack Obama not only supports abortion as law, but takes it even further by promising as president to pass the Freedom of Choice Act which removes common-sense and conscience-driven restrictions on abortion, even mandating that taxpayers pay for abortions?
According to NARAL Pro-Choice America, FOCA would “codify Roe v. Wade into law and guarantee a woman’s right to choose in all 50 states.”
On April 7, 2007, when Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) introduced the Act in Congress, they knew that it was far more than a government “guarantee” of abortion.
If enacted, FOCA would obliterate hundreds of state laws that protect women, parents, children, and health care workers, while forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for millions of abortions. It would overturn commonsense laws like parental notification, conscience protections, abortion waiting periods, informed consent, and regulations for women’s health.
In essence, FOCA would tilt the table for abortion.
Obama’s support of FOCA hits particularly close to home among African-Americans, whose women and children have been preyed upon for decades by the eugenically minded Planned Parenthood.
This connection has been pointed out again to the NAACP, who held their 99th annual conference with a sizeable pro-life presence.
Together with Dr. Alveda King, niece of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., black leaders from across the country demonstrated at the convention where both presidential candidates spoke. The pro-life coalition is part of the growing movement of African-Americans who understand the “biggest struggle for civil rights today is for the rights of the unborn.” see http://www.lifenews.com/nat4056.html
Does it matter that Barack Obama says that Christianity is not the only true way to heaven? Do all paths truly lead to God?
“Obama contends belief in Jesus Christ not necessary for salvation In Greensboro, N.C. – Senator Barack Obama has told an audience that although he believes Christ died for his sins, those who reject that teaching can also be children of God.
“During a campaign stop in Greensboro, North Carolina, Senator Obama told the audience that he believes he ‘can have everlasting life’ because Jesus Christ died for his sins. But he then told a questioner that he believes Jews and Muslims who live moral lives are just as much ‘children of God’ as he is.
The Illinois Democrat added that his late mother didn’t share his faith but was a kind and generous person, so he’s “sure she’s in heaven.” Associated Press, March 27, 2008
I wonder why “Muslim Arab-Americans support Obama 84% to McCain 4%”. See http://www.mafo2008.com/forum/topic/show?id=2279493%3ATopic%3A3174
Does it matter that Barack Obama has placed as a priority the furtherance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered rights?
. . . Barack Obama sought the support of voters in the homosexual community Feb. 28, telling them in a letter that if elected president he would work to pass laws important to that constituency and would use the “bully pulpit” to urge states to grant same-sex couples the legal benefits of marriage.
. . He used the acronym LGBT — which stands for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender” — six times.
“As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws,” he wrote. “I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.”
He once again said he backs the “complete repeal” of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law passed in 1996 that gives states the option of not recognizing another state’s “gay marriages.” It also prohibits the federal government from recognizing “gay marriage.” Ever since it was passed homosexual activists have viewed it as a significant legal barrier to nationwide legalization of “gay marriage.”
“While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether,” he wrote. “Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does.” – http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1980043/posts
Pastor Hutchins, how will this affect how things are done in your church – who you hire, which couples you as a pastor marry, what constitutes “God’s” design for family?
I guess we all draw the line some place, pastor. What concerns me is that Christian pastors — especially those of color — are saying these issues don’t matter: the life and death issue of unfettered abortion, the assault on the traditional family exhibited in Obama’s intractable support of gay and lesbian causes, his promise of higher taxes, a softer approach to dealing with America’s Islamic and Communist enemies, his commitment to selecting liberal judges to the Supreme Court, and his past indoctrination and association with godless Marxist radicals. When it comes to seeing a charismatic black liberal radical, Barack Obama, becoming president, apparently NONE of this really maters.
M.L. “Doc” Gibbs
cogicmemphis said
While I am not Pastor Hutchins I will post a message that has been posted on this site at an earlier time about Why Black Preachers Are So Excited About Senator Barack Obama!
Why are Black Preachers So Excited About Senator Barack Obama? There has been a quite a clamor raised over noted black preachers expressing excitement over the Presidential Prospects of Senator Barack Obama. Charisma Magazine has posted editorials expressing their concern and disdain that Bishop T. D. Jakes, Pastor Kirbyjon Calwell, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, and several other noted black preachers have mentioned to the media that they are excited about the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama. Each of these noted black preachers has done nothing to damage their 501 C-3 status by endorsing Senator Barack Obama. What is the big stink about?
Is it a sin for a black preacher to express noticeable excitement about the prospects of a black man being elected President of the United States? There are many black preachers who are nothing short of astonished that a black man is really this close to being The President of the United States. Should a black preacher be exempt from reveling in this moment as most Black Americans are? Haven’t black preachers gone through many of the same trials that most blacks in America have? Are these black preachers practicing bigotry because someone that looks like them is this close to ascending to the highest office in this land?
I feel like it is quite hypocritical for many in the Christian Media to attack black preachers for being excited about Senator Barack Obama. It would be entirely foolhardy for a group of people that has suffered oppression in this land, to not become excited about noticeable benchmarks of progression. Many of these noted black preachers are still the descendants of slaves. How could anyone deny their right to be excited about this moment in history?
The Religious Right and The Conservative Media are primed to send every black preacher that even acknowledges being excited about Barack Obama to Hell. They will ask how could a black preacher support a man that doesn’t oppose abortion? I will acknowledge that most black preachers oppose abortion, but we also oppose the systemic mistreatment of many in our pews. How can so many in the Religious Right rally around abortion to such a great degree, but turn a deaf ear against crime and poverty in our inner cities?
How can we ardently fight so hard for babies that we can’t see, while we neglect speaking out against policies that so adversely affect the millions of children that live in our inner cities? How can we rally so vehemently about abortion and gay marriage, but say nothing about mean-spirited policies that adversely affect our urban areas? I have no doubt that God opposes abortion, but he also opposes the mistreatment of the poor. As a member of a race that owns 1/2 of 1% of this nation’s wealth, I will boldly state that something is wrong in this nation. It is time for a change in this land!
Are black preachers expecting Senator Barack Obama to be a Saviour of Sorts to Black America? No,we are not as a matter of fact we are not even expecting him to be a scaled down version of Moses either. However; his candidacy is refreshing and an inspiration to so many in our inner city areas. How could we not be excited in this moment? How could we not be excited about seeing a black man marching further than any other black man has? Let us enjoy our moment. Many in The Religious Right will call Senator Obama everything short of the Anti-Christ in the coming General Election. Many black preachers followed The Religious Right’s Rallying Against Gay Marriage and Abortion and supported George Bush in 2004 only to reap one of the worst Presidential tenures ever endured by many of their members.
Yes, it is fair for a black preacher to be excited about the possibilities of a Modern Day Joseph Story playing out before our very eyes. It is not racist to acknowledge the great accomplishment of one’s own. Why is it that black preachers can’t stand up for policies that greatly affect their own communities? Are black preachers shallow because we don’t share the same viewpoint as The Religious Right that God is a Republican? Black Preachers are excited about this moment in time. Don’t attack us for appreciating great strides made by one of our own!