Black churches conflicted on Obama's gay marriage support

The pulpits of the nation's black churches took measure Sunday of President Obama's decision to support gay marriage, and the result was conflicted.

Some churches were silent on the issue. At others, pastors spoke against the president's decision Wednesday — but kindly of the man himself. A few blasted the president and his decision. A minority spoke in favor of the decision and expressed understanding of the president's change of heart.

Bishop Timothy Clarke, head of the First Church of God, a large African-American church with a television ministry in Columbus, Ohio, was perhaps most typical. He felt compelled to address the president's comments at a Wednesday evening service and again Sunday morning. He was responding to an outpouring of calls, e-mails and text messages from members of his congregation after the president's remarks.

What did he hear from churchgoers? "No church or group is monolithic. Some were powerfully agitated and disappointed. Others were curious — why now? to what end? Others were hurt. And others, to be honest, told me it's not an issue and they don't have a problem with it."

What did the bishop tell his congregation? He opposes gay marriage. It is not just a social issue, he said, but a religious one for those who follow the Bible. "The spiritual issue is ground in the word of God."

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Randy131

Because how Satan tempted Jesus in the desert when He was fasting for 40 days, it has become a scenario for story telling about what humans would do if Satan also tempted them with riches, wants, and desires, and what they would give up for Satan's promises, their soul maybe? Now the Black Churches are under the same temptation, accept what GOD the Father calls a sin and an abomination by voting for Obama, who will make it a law that homsexuals are accepted and allowed to marry, as was in Sodom & Gomorrah, if he's re-elected, going against the precepts of GOD and maybe forfeiting your soul, just so you can have a black President for another 4 years. Is that desire to see a black President worth your immortal soul? Satan seems to think it is.
- Randy131
  
  The black ministers should read Mathew: Ch.5 Vs.17-20, to understand what they too are giving up by 'TEACHING' their congregation that it is alright to vote for the one who promotes what GOD calls an abomination, for other reasons, ignoring the righteous indignation that Jesus said is required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. For Jesus also told His deciples that he who sees sin, and says or does nothing about it, is as guilty as the sinner. How can you promote a person who promotes sin, and expect GOD not to punish you for it? Seems to me that a vote for Obama is a vote for sin that GOD calls an abomination, and relinguishing your soul to the control of Satan. What say you black ministers, in the sight of GOD, for He is always watching and listening?
- Tom
  
  @ Randy 131: Thanks for the excellant post. Christians can not " sit on the fence ". Obama did not just recently choose to be pro-gay marriage; he has participated in the gay life for years. Google Larry Sinclair and see if his " Adventures with Obama " are still out there.
- ParadoxATF
  
  First off, Obama can make no such law by himself.
  
  Let's not give him too much credit on what he can do.
  
  Second, are you now comparing Obama to Satan? What is Obama promising us, riches, wants, desires? You telling me Mitt Romney is NOT promising us riches? Or ANY other candidate for that matter. How do you know Romney isn't Satan and is only pretending to be anti-Gay to TRICK all of you. Wouldn't the devil do that?
  
  Lastly, where God the Father calls homosexuality an abomination as you call it, he also goes on to say a few lines down that eating things like lobster and shrimp is an abomination. But oh yeah, that doesn't apply to us because we Jewish and Jesus changed those laws… But the bit about homosexuality still counts. You just picking and choosing what you want to follow, in my opinion.
  - Mexseiko
    
    So, you just mangled the Holy Scriptures just to justify your blind support for your skin.
    
    Read Romans 1 a couple of times, only after you are able to lovingly pray for me. This is so pride doesn't get in the way of understanding.
MGM

In the area in which I live, many blacks disagreed with him but said they would vote for him anyway.
- joyce
  
  as long as the colored people continue to listen to Jessie Jackson and others like him that tell them that the white folks don't like black people and continue to lie to them they will not know the truth. it is time to put race out of the equation as to whom likes whom things will never change. it is time that the colored people realize that if you are black or white or any other color our blood runs red skin color should not make any difference our men and women who are in the military are of all colors.it is time to stop this bull and start living as we should.
Evermyrtle

I hope that they will stand their ground. that they will not ever bow, to the evil that he is promoting. There are many blacks that are fighting this evil, against their own people who are supporting it. We must pray for them every day that they can stand strong.
Judie

One cannot sit on the fence as followers of our Messiah, first it was abortion which is a part of his record and a part of his whole stance in his Presidency, now marriage between two people of the same sex. Now if people that call themselves believers of our wonderful Father, if they are not following the word are they not into idol worship by putting what someone else says ahead of what their Father has told them??? The wonderful word of God says that you will know them by their fruits, this is more than a dangerous place to tread!!! I pray these people will come out from under this dillusion and follow their God. We people are only like little wisp of grass that whithers away, that anyone would stand in front of our all powerful Creator and say they are not going to follow our Messiah"s teachings but will follow and ant-christ spirit. Please Lord help these people to evaluate themselves and line themselves up with Your wonderful word. His burdent is light and easy!!-Judie
Jim

This whole country is divided right down the middle. That being you are on GOD's side or you are on the world's side. There is no middle ground. Does not matter what skin color that you are. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We are in the last days, people wake up. You are seeing all around you, what the Bible has warned that you would. Men calling evil good and good evil. The world will hate you because they hated Jesus first. Jesus himself said that. All of this stuff happening is just smoke and mirrors to take you away from looking at what they do not want you to see. We are heading fast toward the one government rule of the AntiChrist. It is beyond me how any Christian can or did vote for Obozo seeing and knowing the things that he stands for. GOD save us all from the evil one.
lambsev

The city of satan is Babylon. Some think it will actually be rebuilt (in what we call Iraq today). Babylon was noted for her great wealth, luxurious lifestyle AND SEXUAL IMMORALITY (PERMISSIVENESS). I find this chapter a powerful warning to the church everywhere, especially here and now in the USA. Note especially verses 2,3,7,9 and especially 4.

Revelation 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. 3 For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. 7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” 9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” 11 And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, 12 cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, 13 cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls. 14 “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!” 15 The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, 16 “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! 17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off 18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?” 19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste. 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” 21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; 22 and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, 23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”
- msjallen
  
  You are right, America is following in the same footprints as Babylon. The Bible speaks; we need to listen.
  - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
    
    Sinners do not have inborn ability to listen. That is a fallacious assertion of men.
    God has to move first to a sinner to have ability to listen to Him…
    As the Word clearly, unequivocally and authoritatively teaches in so many places:
    
    NASB John 8:43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word."
- Dionesius3
  
  The USA is NOT Babylon! And the USA has nothing whatsoever to do with Biblical Prophesy. The USA is not mentioned because NO modern Nation is mentioned in Biblical Prophesy, and those nations which have similar names are NOT the same today. Yes America has many sins and sinful people, but God is still in FULL control of ALL. And there is nothing that your efforts can do to change God's plan. You can either get in line with it, or you can be run over by it, but you CAN NOT change God's plan and his Control over ALL the affairs of men.Ecclesiastes 9:12
  " Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them."
  Or read Matt. 6:25-34 and reflect upon the fact that God is in COMPLETE control.
  - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
    
    @Dionesius3
    
    Ditto and I am glad to see this dose of true biblical discernment among so much pulp fiction inspired sensationalism so prevailing in American Churches…
  - lambsev
    
    Dionesius3 ~ I didn't say the USA was Babylon. Here is all that I said:
    
    "The city of satan is Babylon. Some think it will actually be rebuilt (in what we call Iraq today). Babylon was noted for her great wealth, luxurious lifestyle AND SEXUAL IMMORALITY (PERMISSIVENESS). I find this chapter a powerful warning to the church everywhere, especially here and now in the USA. Note especially verses 2,3,7,9 and especially 4."
    
    Do you object to that?
    
    msjallen said that the USA "is following in the same footsteps as Babylon." Even that does not say that America is Babylon, but America is certainly like Babylon in many of her doings.
    
    God is certainly in control. He patiently waits for each man and woman to hear His call.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    You are correct. America is not mentioned in the Bible,by name BUT that does not mean that GOD did not know about the future America. He put those lands masses here.l HE knew all about the size of the separate lands, HE had full knowledge of it., this land of promise. After all, when HE made it, it was with full plans for it. Even though it was not mentioned, by name, of course it was in HIS plan of prophesy. When HIS people meet JESUS in the air, the dead in CHRIST shall rise first, then the living Christians, those who love and serve will all meet HIM in the air, from every place on the universe, that one may be.. "WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE, WHEN MY JESUS COMES FOR ME.
- http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22306708/Jn6.37.png Despeville
  
  I would summon you to stop playing Russian roulette with the Bible according to fallacious and so popular motto of modern day leavenjellycalism of" With Bible in one hand and the newspaper in another"… As you know Russian roulette is truly mad game of death and roulette with the Bible is even more dangerous and deadly not only to the player of it but those who will listen to him as well.
  - lambsev11
    
    So what do you believe lies ahead Despeville? Are you as I am guessing an Amillenialist? A preterist? How about some truth telling?
msjallen

Since their election in 2010, Operation Black Storm Candidates Allen West and Tim Scott have taken Washington by storm by bringing the principles of Frederick Douglass Republicans and the message of Constitutional Conservatism back to our nation's Capital. Do we ever hear about Booker T. Washington or George Washington Carver these days? Carver viewed faith in Jesus as a means of destroying both barriers of racial disharmony and social stratification. He was as concerned with his students' character development as he was with their intellectual development. The lives of these men need to be taught in our schools instead of those who have caused rebellion. If we would follow His mandates in His Word, we would have a great Nation under God.
lambsev

Great points msjallen.
Winston

It is very apparent that many, if not most, church pastors have become "followers of men" rather than "followers of Jesus". It would serve them all…and their sheeple… to return to their first love and stop following a known, homosexual, liar and deceiver, socialist and communist, anti-Christian/pro-Muslim man just because he shares some of their skin color! God have mercy on their souls. And, what kind of board of Elders do those churches to have for them to not reign in those apostate pastors?
ParadoxATF

Ever stop to think that the SEXUAL IMPURITY being referred to there is adultery, which is mentioned FAR more times in the Bible than homosexuality is?
- lambsev
  
  All sexual activity outside of marriage is impure, and to God homosexuality is an abomination.
  
  Definition of ABOMINATION
  1: something abominable
  2: extreme disgust and hatred : loathing
  
  Concerning adultery, God wants men and women to trust each other in marriage and be loyal to each other. This is the same thing He desires of all mankind for Himself, our trust and loyalty, our fidelity. We have be in an adulterous relationship with God by having other relationships we value and honor more highly that our relationship to Him.
Bill Kother

What concerns me is that on one hand we have a totally godless man in the white house, and on the other we may get a Mormon. Mitt Romney may be a decent family man, but his religion to is pure occult, steeped in demon-ism. Does Mormonism not teach that " what man is, god ( their not the GOD of the Bible ) once was – what god ( theirs ) is man one day may be. This is the tragic choice we are facing today. May GOD have mercy on us, may those who are truly GOD'S people humble themselves and pray and really begin to live holy lives. GOD has promised to heal their land.
John J Flanagan

In every Christian's life, there is a time in which one must decide whom we serve. Joshua puts it bluntly in those biblical words familiar to must of us, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." If the black preachers and their congregations so choose to support Obama simply because he is black, then they have placed their faith and conscience behind the word of God. There is a clear choice for all Christians in this matter. One must support traditional marriage. If voting for Obama increases the chances of having perverted and deviant same sex marriage enacted in our society, then no Christian, black or white, can support this president.
- ParadoxATF
  
  Shall we vote for the Mormon then?
  
  How about we vote for who will make the country better overall and then do our best to serve the Lord and serve others in need as we've been commanded.
red nig

Native America was never fooled by uncle tom, but then, we don't make good pets either. Li yi ha! On to Election 2012!
- Esteban Cafe
  
  Dear Red, my read of your American history leads me to believe that Indians were constantly fooled by Uncle Sam (Tom?): Treaty after treaty was signed…then abrogated, either immediately or eventually.
  
  On the other hand, there is little guilt or concern for the myriad Indians slaughterd by other Indians; making it seem strange there should be so much guilt concerning slaughter by Uncle Sam. This same line of reasoning exists in the Muslim world (more Muslims killed by other Muslims than have ever been killed by non-Muslims). Not that I would equate American Indians with Muslims as a culture, but the line of reasoning is similar. Please explain.
- lambsev
  
  Many people (of all colors) are not fooled by the deviant aberrations that the left has drawn out of peoples of color (from whites too as white is a color).
Grant

Now they're speaking against it??? These two individuals Mr. and Mrs. have lost their licenses as lawyer for lieing…
Esteban Cafe

Relatives in your state of California indicate that Black families–and especially Black females–were a huge component in the support of "Proposition 8" (1 Man: 1 Woman = marriage" proposal). Termed "Anti-gay" by your west coast press, it was more "pro-marriage." I noticed that in the US there is a lot of "pro" prefixes stuck to the front of cultural issues. Interesting.
John

I feel for the true Black Christians and the Churches they worship in. I reminded of a scripture found in Matthew 7:21-23. This is for all who call him Lord, it makes no difference whether you are white or black or any color. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. vs22- Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? vs23- And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. We must pray one for another making no difference of color. If you call yourself a christian persecution is here and it is going to effect all of us. They hated Jesus so you will be hated like him. Lets show love, a Christ like love. God hates sin therefore I also hate sin. If he loves the sinner, then I will love the sinner. Time is short!
http://www.eternalvaluesministries.com Chaplain Peter

I believe we are entering a time where the Lord will make a sharp distinction between those who follow the Lamb and those who simply play church. This is the difference between the wheat and the tares. The Lord Jesus said they were to grow together till the time of the harvest, then at his coming He would separate them. In the mean time we are to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. Jude. The wicked one knows how to bring in racial hatred. He has the lost in his grips, to do his bidding. We who are blood washed believers know that this sodomite agenda is an abomination to our LORD. I have preached in jails for over 20yrs. 8yrs at Chicago Cook County, 6yrs. at Glades Correctional south Fl.,7yrs Geo fed.in SanAntonio, Tx. One thing really troubles me was the extreme vile racial hatred from the young black men. In Chicago it was the Nation of Islam doctrine that taught wrath, revenge,hatred. In Florida it was Yahwey Ben Yahwey. I also see that black liberation theology is the same. The spirit behind all these is the same. My prayer is that the true pastors and elders hold on steadfast to righteousness,holiness, eternal life. My dear brothers and sisters in the like Faith; IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL. In His love Chaplain Peter
http://www.procurandomilionarios.com/ Brazilian men

IT all depends on the people..what ever happens in the law.