Obama's Circle Of Pastors

New York Times:

President Obama has been without a pastor or a home church ever since he cut his ties to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. in the heat of the presidential campaign. But he has quietly cultivated a handful of evangelical pastors for private prayer sessions on the telephone and for discussions on the role of religion in politics

All are men, two of them white and three black -- including the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., a graying lion of the civil rights movement. Two, the entrepreneurial dynamos Bishop T. D. Jakes and the Rev. Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, also served as occasional spiritual advisers to President George W. Bush. Another, the Rev. Jim Wallis, leans left on some issues, like military intervention and poverty programs, but opposes abortion.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Littlewords]

Pray that he is appeasing and proactively keeping their hands busy, lest they become idle and later thorns to be dealt with after the fact.

[kingsolomonthe88th]

Mr. President, for the middle men, go straight to God for spiritual advice and substanance.

[kingsolomonthe88th]

Please, Mr. President, don't seek your salvation with any of these people! You are better than this!

[The Albany Kid]

I dig the racial mix of his pastorial selection; iteminds me a bit of one of the Bush twins being married by a Black minister.

As Dr. King said, Sunday morning is usually one of the most segregated times of the week, so it's touching when the races choose to worship together.

[kottison]

Why is this a story?

[pupbayer]

Because EVERYTHING about Obama is a story...ki­nd of like Brad and Angelina except there is only one of him. Haven't you noticed?

[Kalitipo]

IT'S A STORY BEACAUSE ''SOME PASTORS'' ARE POKING THEIR NOSES IN EVERYONE ONE'S BUSINESS BUT THEIRS,,,,, CLAIM TO KNOW JC MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE...

[DrPneumann]

Does the president REALLY need the advice of these multi-million dollar making mega-church ministers or is he just pleasing the MASS-es?

Yes, pun intended.

[youngat80]

I would prefer the inclusion of one of the mainstream denominations, or one of the smaller denominations of Pietist-Anabaptist traditions such as the Friends (where the girls go to school) or Brethren/Mennonite.
But I understand the need for the more flamboyant worship services of the Black tradition.

[Bpeirce]

Mr. President
A bit of advice. You don't need these people. There nothing but Golden Calfs.

[Freesia2]

My guess is that Obama is doing what he always does. He's listening to various points of view on the matter, knowing that it's not a question of "will" they influence sections of America, but "why" because they already do. And I can't seem to feel concerned that their points of view will influence or change his policies on various social or constitutional issues, because if they were going to they already would have. Obama listens and tries to understand. It's one of the things I like best about the way his mind works.

I hope he does find a church or counselor that suits him personally. Not for me - I'm a Christian who frankly does most of my spiritual studying alone. But because I think his faith is part of his calm nature. If he can find what he's personally looking for, it is good for us too. Whether it be in a church building, or just quiet talks with the pastor of his choice.

His religious faith doesn't need to be threatening. His basic beliefs don't seem to have anything in common with the Palin type of conquering the world and bringing on armageddon, which is terrifying. He just seems to be a spiritual man, who happens to be a Christian and happens to make room for other people's beliefs or non-belief.

[Zanti]

"He's listening to various points of view on the matter....­"

But his inner circle is comprised of social conservatives. Not to mention some mega-church sorts. Where's the variety?

[FebM]

This is his private life we dont need to get involved in right now

[grata2ude]

You've said it all. He is entitled to his privacy in matters like this. American's have gotten too nosy for their own good.

[pupbayer]

Anything that affects his decision making is our business.

[1088]

If you want to see a true Christian, look no further than the President Of the United States, in comparison to the co called Christian right. Our President exemplifies love, peace, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, love, peace and calmness. Unfortunately from the Christian right, we see selfishness, hate, judgemental, anger, liars and violence. Don't hate the President for holding on to a higher power, that gives him strength. Thank God that he has something of faith to hold on to in a crisis and danger. Thank you God for looking after our President, thank you!!

[StillIRise]

Well said.

[macintoshsauce]

Yes, but don't think every Christian out there is like the hypocritical Christian so often found on the right of the political spectrum. While I support Obama, I am a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - small "c" conservative church.

[Damaven]

The way I hear it from all preachers, your church is within you. The building is just that. Praise God wherever you are and in your private prayer closet. God's not looking for a show, he's happy with your love, faith and obedience. Amen and hallelujah!

[svmaggieb]

Please, please, please, Mr. President! Don't drink the kool-aid! It's poison!

Enough with the prayer thing...no­-one's listening already.

If, on the other hand, you are just throwing a bone to the religious whackos that these suits represent, then please, have at it.

Do what it takes to pacify them long enough to get science and reason back in place.

We have at least 8 years of catching up to do.

[StillIRise]

Your comment is silly.

In other words, what you're suggesting is that since you don't accept or believe in prayer, then no one else should - including the President!

Can I also assume that if someone who does believe in prayer tried to impose their belief on you, as you want to impose your belief on the President, you would find it acceptable?

It works both ways, you know!

[springsm]

These five men are all basically conservative no matter wht this article says and they are probably rubbing their hands together saying "I got him, I got him". None are truly progressive. T.J. Jakes...pr­ogressive?­?? Well at least he is not Rick Warren. And Obama has a very progressive denominational backgd. I am extremely disappointed (even tho I know it is not any of our business) that Obama has totally thrown Trinity UCC under the bus and goes with these men who have some very narrow beliefs. But then, Obama has to feel somewhat betrayed by J Wright too and when that happens in the church you love, it is hard not to steer away from like kind. Been there, done that.

[svmaggieb]

But, but, but, gee. You're right. There really is a different set of laws of probability for those of us who pray, versus those of us who don't. Not.

http://whydoesgodhateamputees.com/

[truthartbeauty]

its disgusting that he needs to include any of these clowns in anything. all five of them are just a red rubber ball away from being circus side shows.

[Jimmyboyo]

why does he need a home church?

But if he must then let it be the NATIONAL CATHEDRAL! What better way to help unite america than in the nations cathedral where rabbis, mullahs, priests, pastors, preachers, Native American shamans etc all come together in celebratio­n!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!! United otherwise have none of it and away with all myths

[PWM]

Good point.

[springsm]

Because it is not a HOME church. It is an Episcopal church that somehow became the showcase for many different type of services but it is not a homey church. The Obama's probably also want something that will give their girls a background. Most presidents only use that beautiful place as an official gathering house of worship.

[macintoshsauce]

Because in the Bible we are told to congregate with our fellow Christians.

[Stokes]

Obama needs to stay away from the blind pastors and keep a one on one relationship with the Lord along with sincere prayer from his constituents.

[Jimmyboyo]

The lord of what?

The bible??? which supports slavery, says that any man who trims the hairs of their beard must be stoned to death (no shaving for you), that eating shrimp is evil, the earth is flat, etc

myths and fairytales

[PWM]

And bad morals.

[hortonhearsawho2]

of the Rings ?

[Stokes]

Get out of the Old Testament and get into the New.

[Zanti]

I see. Since the Bible is anything but a perfect document, it must have no value? Not being a fundie, I make no demands for perfection from the Bible OR God. Perfection is a man-made notion. Those who demand perfection are absolutists. Are you an absolutist?