Pastors rally for Obama
By Robert Behre
It was part church meeting and part stump rally. Talk of health care intertwined with talk of spiritual well-being. Talk of the environment segued into the warmth of hands held in prayer.
However one would describe what happened Tuesday on the front lawn of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture in downtown Charleston, it was surely a sign of how Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama's campaign is battling strongly for the support of black religious leaders in this state and beyond.
Civil rights stalwarts such as Joseph E. Lowery and C.T. Vivian told the crowd of about 75 people why they have placed their hope and faith in the Illinois senator.
Lowery said when Obama graduated from Harvard University and passed up well-paying jobs in corporate America to do community work on the south side of Chicago, "he did something crazy." But Lowery also said many of those who have moved the world forward, including Jesus Christ, also could be considered a little crazy.
"Maybe what we need in America and the world today are a few more crazy people," he said, "people who believe that we can achieve that which others consider unachievable, the impossible dream that can become a reality in our own time."
He also said crazy can be like cholesterol because it comes in good and bad forms. "There's bad crazy, and there's good crazy," he said. "All of us sitting out here in the cold, that's good crazy."
The ministerial rally, peppered by shouts of "Amen!" "C'mon!" and "Preach!" came as Obama and his main rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, are eagerly courting black churches and the voters who worship there. Black voters are expected to make up at least half of South Carolina's Democratic primary electorate on Jan. 26.
The rally also came just a week after Clinton appeared on a Spartanburg stage with about 80 black ministers in the Upstate who are backing her. The clergy sided with her because of her platform on health care, jobs and other issues, said state Rep. Harold Mitchell, D-Spartanburg.
Obama's campaign not only released a list of about 125 South Carolina pastors who support him, but it also released a list of national religious leaders who are on board.
Some pastors may talk politics from the pulpit, while others don't. Bishop Lewis Taylor of Saint Center Ministries in Walterboro said he won't preach about Obama, "but in casual conversation, we talk politics and where America needs to go."
The Rev. Kay Colleton of the Manna Life Center in Charleston takes a similar approach. "The safe thing to do is teach people the importance of being part of a decision," she said. "I preach a message of hope."
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or rbehre@postand courier.com.
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MC29461 (anonymous) says...
Why are they holding political rallies in a church?
The IRS has a strict rule against tax exempt churches promoting politics, but it seems they only enforce it against the Republicans and not the Democrats.
It is a pure shame the double standard has become so acceptable and the P&C fails again to adequately report a balanced story.
December 5, 2007 at 12:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCVOTER (anonymous) says...
Ok, all candidates go on the "church circuit" in the south. There is nothing illegal about a candidate speaking to a congregation or for a pastor to back candidate.
Please tell me how the IRS has "only enforced (rule against churches promoting politics) against the Republicans."
If it weren't for church campaigning Bush II would have never been elected.
December 5, 2007 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
i have to agree with scvoter on this one. republicans have always courted the religious right. in fact RNC proudly admits to its affiliations with many mega churces, denominational organizations.
personally, i have a problem with ANY church formally endorsing ANY candidate. if the organization is requesting tax exempt status then it should make darn sure that it doesn't mix its mission with politics.
December 5, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
There's nothing wrong with churches doing this. The First Amendment states "CONGRESS shall make no LAW" when it refers to the "no establishment of religion". Nobody is passing any laws here. That's what makes it all the more infuriating when conservative churches backing conservative Republicans get threatened by activist judges. All churches SHOULD be active in politics. The Bible has something like 2000 verses related to politics. Freedom of speech is supposed to apply to everyone. In the days of the Founding Fathers (who wrote the first amendment), it was common place for people to go to church on election day so the pastor could preach on what the Bible has to say about the issues of the day. Again, there's nothing wrong with this, but let's have freedom for ALL Americans, not just the liberals.
December 5, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterbug (anonymous) says...
The church are the people in a building. Go figure 1+1= 2!!!
December 5, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
he's black, their black: 1+1=2 (sorry to borrow)who cares. blacks have an agenda and this supports it. he could be a high school dropout with McDonald's on his resume and they would support him. with blacks, it's not about what's best for the people as a whole, just their people. so again, who cares who they back.
December 5, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MC29461 (anonymous) says...
Actually the record reflects the opposite because when any pastor spoke in support of Bush, the IRS quickly sent a notice that their tax exempt status was in jeopardy.
The federal codes specifically prohibit political activity by tax exempt organizations.
The IRS has a clear track record of only enforcing against the Republicans.
December 5, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
Posted by greener1 on December 5, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he's black, their black: 1+1=2 (sorry to borrow)who cares. blacks have an agenda and this supports it. he could be a high school dropout with McDonald's on his resume and they would support him. with blacks, it's not about what's best for the people as a whole, just their people. so again, who cares who they back
Greener1, since you appear to be the authority on Blacks and their agenda, please fill me in. I'm black and someone forgot to tell me the agenda. You have made incredibly merit-less and inaccurate statements and what's worse is: It appears you think you have the answers.
"With blacks it's not about what's best for people as a whole, just their people."
With all that is going on in the world to dispute that, what a stupid thing to say. Do you realize that the military is no longer segregated? FYI :There are blacks fighting, not only for other blacks, not just for Americans, but for the good of the world. Get a clue, think things through before you post comments that depict your thoughts as simple and senseless.
Stupid is forever, but ignorance can be fixed.
December 5, 2007 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
i was going to respond to greener by my_50 did a far 'calmer' job than i would have.
see people like greener actually feel that way. they've read things, listened to radio talk shows, watched the news and truly believe that it's okay to indict an entire race on what some may do or say.
i bet he will change his tune if he or someone he loves falls ill or injured and the only doctor who could help was black. i wonder if he will have the cojones to tell that doctor, "i know you're not going to do your best because i'm white, if i was black you'd cure me"
so when that black firefighter, paramedic, surgeon, attorney or anyone else of color steps in to help you or your loved ones, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be as forthright in your indignation as you are behind your screen name today.
December 5, 2007 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
ignorance, huh? so it's ignorance when i say it, what is it when fellow blacks say it?
the only thing holding your race back, is your race. please tell me your kidding when speak of segregation and racism. how many all white state funded colleges are around? racism is not getting better becasue there is still a separation between us all which was created in the past, but abused today through many vehicles!
those whom succeed on their own merits are the one i respect, being black, white or hispanic or whatever!
December 5, 2007 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Viva_La_Revolution (anonymous) says...
I dont' mean for this to be negative. But, there is noway that the american people will elect a person who has the middle name of "Hussein".
Barrack Hussein Obama
Will never happen!
December 5, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
Let me break down your statement so you can understand:I'm visiting this for the last time. You appear to lack good sense and understanding.
Posted by greener1 on December 5, 2007 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ignorance, huh? Yes, your statements were ignorant:and inaccurate.
so it's ignorance when i say it, what is it when fellow blacks say it?
No blacks in my circle have pledged for vote for Obama because he's black:You have managed to put all blacks in one category.
the only thing holding your race back, is your race. Perhaps:again, you being the authority what's the solution. You know the problem:implement a solution or solutions. Enlighten us!
please tell me your kidding when speak of segregation and racism. Fact: the military is no longer segregated:That is what I said the first time and I'm saying it again.
how many all white state funded colleges are around?
If you are referring to historically black colleges and universities as "all black colleges" you are again wrong. A number of white people receive degrees each and every year from HCBUs, which were intentionally built during segregation eras for blacks:to keep you safe. Further, white students, are provided all the benefits of minorities when they attend HCBUs "affirmative re-action" as some posters like to refer to it. The Citadel, MUSC, Coastal Carolina to name a few, were schools that were traditionally white:and state funded. You do not choose to refer to your "historically whites schools" as HWCU and that's okay. I'm not sure what rock or planet you've been living on, but colleges and universities may have predominant demographics, but they are no longer built and established with races in mind.
racism is not getting better becasue there is still a separation between us all which was created in the past, but abused today through many vehicles!
I agree with that; You also did not mention that there is a sick mind set like yours that exists and serves as a catalyst for ignorance and divisiveness among the races.
those whom succeed on their own merits are the one i respect, being black, white or hispanic or whatever! Again, I Agree.
Again, stupid is forever, but ignorance can be fixed.
December 5, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
My_50Cents_Worth (anonymous) says...
'what is it when fellow blacks say it?'
...Further, if a black person were to state that he/she is voting for Obama solely because he is black, they too are ignorant.
...Just wanted to answer that question directly.
December 5, 2007 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"he could be a high school dropout with McDonald's on his resume and they would support him. with blacks, it's not about what's best for the people as a whole, just their people. so again, who cares who they back."
greener your own words says a lot about YOU. plus you didn't address either my or my_50 statements.
you blanket an entire race based upon your peceptions. to think that black voters would vote for a black man just because he's black is ludicrous. and if you truly are as knowledgeable as you claim you would know that hillary clinton leads the polls in the black community, far surpassing obama. so much for your learned opinion.
i've addressed the scholarship issues in previous posts. if you are a white man and you don't donate to causes to help your children then you are a fool not i. there are religion, ethnic and nationalistic scholarships, contests, social groups etc. people will always celebrate their respective heritages and that is the way it should be. as long as it's not govt mandated.
December 5, 2007 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
i agree with you 50, i see no reason to further entertain greener1. when you try to address an issue with him logically he's like child throwing a temper tantrum. i wish him well. it's too bad, he occasionally has some valid points.
December 5, 2007 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"I don't know why but this elections seems really, really important this time. If change is not made, I fear the consequences."
AMEN!
December 5, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MHA (anonymous) says...
greener1 has proven himself to be an idiot time and time again. Why even bother responding to him?
December 5, 2007 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
We have two Christians running...Obama and Huckabee. They have at least one solid belief. People of the churches have always been involved with politics in this country, from before its founding, in fact. The churches are the historical bedrock of the politics and culture of this country. The power to tax is the power to destroy. What business does the IRS have taxing a church. As long as we look to get something from the federal government (tax deduction), they will own us and bully us any way that THEY see as proper. Stop taking the king's coin.
December 5, 2007 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Bush is sometimes conservative, sometimes liberal, but always overly, overly, overly nice. I disagree with a number of things he's done, so I'm not defending all of his decisions, but he is without question, the one President who has been more lied about than any other in history and he has rarely fought back. There's a time to turn the other cheek and a time for strong leadership. He does not exactly inspire confidence when he comes across as a timid old man. I like some of the things he's done, have been outraged by others, but when it comes to the issue of us needing change, we should throw out all 435 Reps and all 100 Senators. They are the worst group in our nation's history. I don't think I could name 10 out of the 535 that I like.
December 5, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
konphidence (anonymous) says...
Early! Your posting today is the most concise and well thoughtout comment you have EVER posted on this forum. Good job buddy. You actually have impressed me too. But who am I. You are normally stirring the pot....... America has a chance..... Smile.
December 5, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCVOTER (anonymous) says...
Early...I think we have found common ground!
December 5, 2007 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
You know who seems like a real Douchebag? Romney. Something urks me about that guy.
December 6, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
Through me into the box of people commending Early. Great post. I never thought I would ever say it after all the knock-down drag outs we've had on this board.
I also don't necessarily agree with any candidate courting a religious base especially....And Early, I agree this election DOES seem really important for our time. And especially for my generation, will we prove that we are serious about happens to our country and this world?? Only time will tell.
December 6, 2007 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I mean "throw me in the box.." sorry its really been a long day here.
December 6, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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