Stealing Church From Obama

Just for the record, I’m not an Obama supporter at all. At all. Yet for some strange reason I find myself defending him more often than not.

I saw the headlines late yesterday trumpeting Obama’s resignation from the church he’s attended for years. I was immediately horrified.

Yes, I know that reports are of some questionable things being said in that pulpit, but I’ll be honest. From what I’ve glimpsed on the fringe of this election cycle, this race has been so very nasty that people will do and say anything to discredit their opponents. That leaves me taking all reports of “he said she said” with several grains of salt. I don’t know–nor does it much matter to me–whether or not Obama’s pastor said those things.

What does matter to me is that a man is giving up his church home under extreme outside pressure of a political nature. This, as an American, sickens me beyond belief. We have allowed politics to interfere with a man’s free exercise of religion. Some of us are even happy about it. Happy! About an America where we can coerce someone into going or not going to a church because we don’t agree with the message of that church.

Think about it, then go vomit and then come back and read the rest of this if you like.

I hear the arguments against my point and they’re all valid to a degree. Yes, Obama made the final choice (under extreme duress). Yes, Obama chose to run for office–against a Clinton, no less–and is not in any way a naif. Yes, the things this pastor is reported to have said can be offensive.

Well, I’ve gone to plenty of churches where what is said from the pulpit is offensive to someone. I’ve gone to churches that actively preach against divorce, alcoholism, obesity, homosexuality, gambling, drug addiction, cheating on your taxes, driving over the speed limit, women working outside the home, women in the pulpit…the list is endless. Even now my pastor says things from time to time with which I take issue. There have been a few things about which we have to agree to disagree. For instance, as a libertarian I’m offended by having our children forced to say the Pledge Of Allegiance in VBS. But I’m not leaving my church because of it.

The free exercise of religion is the reason for this country. It’s the first thing we put in the Bill Of Rights–before we even get to talking about guns or voting or soldiers living in the basement.

And we’re happy about a man being coerced into changing his religious habits?! I’m sorry. It’s just not my America.

Hat Tip: Aunt B.