Why Oprah Left Reverend Jeremiah Wright's Church

Reverend Jeremiah Wright has become a household name due to his association with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. However, Obama's not the only famous figure to attend Wright's church. Oprah was a member of Trinity church, where Wright preached, from 1984-1986, and she continued to attend off and on through the early 1990s. Then she stopped, and as Newsweek reports in its latest issue, Wright himself was a major reason:

According to two sources, Winfrey was never comfortable with the tone of Wright's more incendiary sermons, which she knew had the power to damage her standing as America's favorite daytime talk-show host. "Oprah is a businesswoman, first and foremost," said one longtime friend, who requested anonymity when discussing Winfrey's personal sentiments. "She's always been aware that her audience is very mainstream, and doing anything to offend them just wouldn't be smart. She's been around black churches all her life, so Reverend Wright's anger-filled message didn't surprise her. But it just wasn't what she was looking for in a church." Oprah's decision to distance herself came as a surprise to Wright, who told Christianity Today in 2002 that when he would "run into her socially ... she would say, 'Here's my pastor!' " (Winfrey declined to comment. A Harpo Productions spokesperson would not confirm her reasons for leaving the church.)

But Winfrey also had spiritual reasons for the parting. In conversations at the time with a former business associate, who also asked for anonymity, Winfrey cited her fatigue with organized religion and a desire to be involved with a more inclusive ministry. In time, she found one: her own. "There is the Church of Oprah now," said her longtime friend, with a laugh. "She has her own following."

Read the full story here.

Read more of HuffPost's coverage of Reverend Wright here.

Comments

[BetterAmerica]

Oprah should have thought about Obama's connection to Wright before she endorsed him.

That was bad judgment and it peeved a lot of her audience.

[allison]

http://www.newsweek.com/id/135392 more about Oprah and leaving Rev. Wright's church.

[kcam44]

Oprah, Rev Wright--yada, yada, yada, enough already. We have some serious issues in this country that have absolutely no relevance to Oprah or Rev. Wright. (he's a nutcase) You people just don't get it--you can keep spinning until you get dizzy and fall out--the ranting and raving about Rev Wright does not solve anything. Let's talk about impeachment and getting those crooks out of the White House. You want to talk about bad judgement? I could go on and on about the bad judgement for the last 8 years, but I won't go there...I'­m ready to move on and take the White House back and restore America's pride and dignity.

[going2ireland]

Ah, yes. You mean those uppity white WASPs? They all are like Stepford Wives. It amazes me when I (once in a blue moon) turn to Oprah's show and watch these women with their tongues hanging out just hanging onto every word Oprah says.

Don't these women have a mind/brain of their own? Do they have to have Oprah tell them everything before they do it? They won't go to a fitness place unless they espouse old whats his name that appears on Oprah. They won't go to a plastic surgeon unless it is one that Oprah has on. They won't go to a psych unless it is Dr. Phil (and we all know how that one turned out!).

These women need wean themselves off of Oprah and get a life.

And Oprah needs to get a life outside of trying to wind the love and admiration of all. She really shows a lack of self esteem.

[beetlejuiceonline]

Oprah's reasons for leaving the church were well known and this provides confirmation. One interesting point to note is that Oprah seems to have more insight and awareness of inappropriate associations than Obama has. Seeing as Obama's supporters argue that we should elect someone who lacks governmental experience, perhaps Oprah should run for President.

[going2ireland]

The Oprah is just as guilty as Obama in her past association with Wright. The fact that she ONLY left the church because of her image speaks very poorly of Oprah.

[maxwellinformed]

Clinton's former pastor: http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1637676857

[jhink465]

What kind of judgement does Hillary have to be ministered to by a criminal pedophile rapist? Has she denounced her former pastor?

[allison]

He was a pastor in Clinton, NY, not Clinton's pastor. Obviously, you can't read or have to lie to make your case against Hillary. BAH

[hinnis]

See my post directly below. You Obama fans are so desperate to divert attention from your candidate's problems, that you pathetically grasp onto anything you can. Unfortunately for you, Hillary does not have a racist and anti-American "mentor and spiritual adviser."

[going2ireland]

READ it - he was not her pastor, the church was in Clinton, NY!

Gawd, you people are dense idjits.

[NCMan]

hey, that's a pastor from a TOWN called Clinton, NY. Has nothing to do with Hillary Clinton.

Nice try though.

[dulios]

I am not Hillary supporter, but this is misinformation. The convicted pastor is from Clinton, NY. He was not the Clinton's pastor.

[hinnis]

maxwellinformed, you're not as well informed as you thought. That story was bogus from the start:

REV. WILLIAM PROCANICK WAS NOT HILLARY’S PASTOR: Plenty of misinformation is spread by the Internet. For example, the Rev. William Procanick of Resurrection Assembly of God in Clinton, N.Y., was convicted of child-molesting. News reports said "former Clinton pastor sentenced.­" Quickly, erroneous cyberland items said Bill and Hillary Clinton denounced Democratic campaign rival Barack Obama for actions by his former pastor, while their own former pastor was worse. Good grief. The New York preacher had no connection to the Clintons. His church was located in the city of Clinton, New York. This silly online mistake probably will be distributed thousands of times by folks who don't know it's untrue.

So, the pastor was not Hillary's pastor, he was from CLINTON, New York.

[Matt7]

Good luck un-ringing THAT bell.

[kcjc]

Wow, maybe we should vote for Oprah! At least she had the good sense to get away from him unlike Senator Obama. Too bad!

[eshalom]

HuffPost's readers applaud tabloid journalism when it's smearing Hillary Clinton, one of her family members, a member of her campaign, or any other supporter.

[Independent007]

I will correct myself. This should not be in the MEDIA section but the Entertainment section! Because that is where gossip belongs.

[kcam44]

You're right on the money. Oprah and Rev Wright are wealthy and they are not facing the financial crisis that most Americans are feeling right now. They don't have to worry about food and gas prices, they both have million-dollar homes, they don't work 9-5's, and they both are financially stable--so why are we wasting our time talking about these non-issues. These posts are so ridiculous, I can't believe the idiotic statements that i'm reading. We need to support our democratic candidates and keep John McCain out of this race, otherwise we'll continue to be in deep do-do. Whether you are for Hillary or Obama, please keep in mind that we have to win back the White House, despite our differences.

[Cat82]

this is all hear say and unless the sourse is oprah I don't think I'd really pay much attention to this

[going2ireland]

Is that what you say when you hear something negative about Hillary (i.e. went to Bosnia under sniper fire)? That unless you hear it directly from Hillary you won't take it as fact?

Do you think Hillary is going to come clean? Did she come clean?

Gimme a break, will ya!

[NoahVail]

George W. Bush gave the Medal of Freedom to a follower of Louis Farrakhan. Why is that not news?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

[beetlejuiceonline]

If you recall, Muhammad Ali being awarded the medal of freedom did make the papers at the time. Ali is considered an American hero but years ago he was criticized very harshly for his association with the Nation of Islam.

[andyg]

so wasn't he the greatest boxer.

[hinnis]

Wow, this is desperate.

[spiritualized]

tabloid journalism at its very finest!

[stilldreaming]

2 anonymous sources. Why is Newsweek even printing this story? Tabloid is right.

[dana94591]

Non issue! Let's move on!! This is just another angle to keep this story alive. Let it die, folks!!!!

[DMHendrix]

another perfect example of tabloid "journalism"

[tendeafears]

1000 internets to anyone who can point to where "Oprah discusses Reverend Wright" or "Oprah tells Newsweek" anything. Instead, there are two unnamed sources, and the article itself says "Winfrey declined to comment." Is there such a thing as an editor on Internet news sites, or is that just a mythical creature?

[beetlejuiceonline]

The word "discusses" refers to Oprah discussing the issue with her friend. It does not imply she discussed it with the Huffington Post.

[Unabogie]

Uh, this headline is completely misleading. It says "Oprah Discusses" and then does not quote her in any way, shape, or form.

Not very ethical.