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May 13th, 2012
01:07 PM ET
Across country, black pastors weigh in on Obama's same-sex marriage supportBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor Washington (CNN) - Addressing his large, mostly black congregation on Sunday morning, the Rev. Wallace Charles Smith did not mince words about where he stood on President Barack Obama's newly announced support for same-sex marriage: The church is against it, he said, prompting shouts of "Amen!" from the pews. And yet Smith hardly issued a full condemnation of the president. "We may disagree with our president on this one issue," Smith said from the pulpit of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington. "But we will keep him lifted up in prayer. ... Pray for President Barack Obama." And Smith said there were much bigger challenges facing the black community - "larger challenges that we have to struggle with" - bringing his full congregation to its feet, with many more amens. Days after Obama announced his personal support for same-sex marriage, pastors across the country offered their Sunday-morning opinions on the development, with the words of black pastors - a key base of support for Obama in 2008, that is also largely opposed to gay marriage - carrying special weight in a presidential election year.But black pastors were hardly monolithic in addressing Obama's remarks. In Baltimore, Emmett Burns, a politically well-connected black minister who said he supported Obama in 2008, held an event at Rising Sun Baptist Church to publicly withdraw support from the president over Obama's same-sex marriage support. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories "I love the president, but I cannot support what he has done," Burns said at the church. In an interview with CNN, Burns predicted that Obama's support for legalized same-sex marriage would lead to his defeat in November. The Rev. Calvin Butts, an influential black pastor in New York City, did not endorse Obama's views but denounced those who are ready to "watch others be discriminated against, marginalized, and literally hated in the name of God." "Our God is love," he said. And like Smith in Washington, plenty of black ministers talked about distinguishing between opposition to same-sex marriage and views about Obama. "I don't see how you cannot talk about it," the Rev. Tim McDonald, based in Atlanta, said earlier this week. "I have to. You can say I'm opposed to it (same-sex marriage), but that doesn't mean I'm against the president." Though African-Americans provided Obama with record support in 2008, they are also significantly more likely to oppose same-sex marriage than are whites. That may be because black Americans are more likely to frequently attend church than white Americans. A Pew Research Center poll conducted in April found that 49% of African-Americans oppose legalized same-sex marriage, compared with 39% who support it. Among whites, by contrast, Pew found that 47% supported gay marriage, while 43% opposed it. African-American pastors have been prominent in the movement to ban same-sex marriage. In North Carolina, black leaders helped lead the successful campaign for a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage and domestic partnerships. In California, 70% of African-Americans supported Prop 8, the 2008 state gay marriage ban, even though 94% of black voters in California backed Obama. McDonald, who founded a group called the African-American Ministers Leadership Council, says he opposes same-sex marriage, but that he is more concerned about issues such as health care, education and jobs. But he says more black pastors are talking about same-sex marriage than ever before. "Three years ago, there was not even a conversation about this issue," McDoland says. "There wasn't even an entertainment of a conversation about this." In Atlanta, at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church - where Martin Luther King Jr. got his start - the Rev. Ralph Warnock addressed the president's remarks near the end of his sermon. "The president is entitled to his opinion," Warnock said. "He is the president of the United States, not the pastor of the United States." Warnock said that there is a place for gays in the church, and that "we don't have to solve this today." Black churchgoers on Sunday appeared split on same-sex marriage, though many of those opposed to it said they still supported Obama. "It's a human rights issue, not a gay issue. All people that pay taxes should get ... the same privileges and rights," said Terence Johnson, a congregant at Salem Bible Church in Atlanta. At Shiloh Baptist in Washington, Shauna King said she does not support same-sex marriage, but that she respects the president's decision on it. "I think he was very honest in what he was saying and personally he decided to do that," said the 38-year-old mother of two. "As individuals, we all have to make that decision for ourselves." "I believe it speaks to what America is," she said. "That we all have different views and are respected for our views individually." Black opposition to same-sex marriage has dropped dramatically in recent years. In 2008, Pew found that 63% of African-Americans opposed gay marriage, 14 percentage points higher than the proportion who expressed opposition this year. On Friday, a handful of black leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and former NAACP leader Julian Bond, released a letter supporting Obama's position on same-sex marriage but expressing respect for those who disagree. "The president made clear that his support is for civil marriage for same-sex couples, and he is fully committed to protecting the ability of religious institutions to make their own decisions about their own sacraments," the letter said. "There will be those who seek to use this issue to divide our community," it continued. "As a people, we cannot afford such division." But the letter itself was an implicit acknowledgement of discord within the African-American church community on gay marriage. Black pastors who preach in favor of same-sex marriage know they may pay a price if they take Obama's position, says Bishop Carlton Pearson. The Chicago-based black minister says he lost his church building and about 6,000 members when he began preaching that gays and lesbians were accepted by God. "That's the risk that people take," he told CNN. "A lot of preachers actually don't have a theological issue. It's a business decision. They can't afford to lose their parishioners and their parsonages and salaries." Pearson navigates the tension between the Bible's calls for holiness and justice this way: "I take the Bible seriously, just not literally," he says. "It's more important what Jesus said about God than what the church says about Jesus." In Obama's interview with ABC this week, in which he announced his personal support for same-sex marriage, the president talked about squaring his decision with his personal religious faith. "We are both practicing Christians, and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others," Obama said, referring to his wife, Michelle. "But, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it's also the Golden Rule," he said. "Treat others the way you would want to be treated." - CNN’s John Blake, Chris Boyette, Meridith Edwards, Dan Merica and Stephanie Siek contributed to this report. soundoff (3,700 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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My problem about Obama support of Gay marraige is with the churches in America, People kill people you never see the Churches come together and discuss it. but when it come to Gay Marraige, you see all Churches coming together.Can you please tell me, THOU SHALL NOT KILL IS IN THE BIBLE OR NOT. SPECAILLY THE WHITE CHURCHES. May God open our eyes
I was almost with you until your racist collar started showing. Might want to tuck that thing back in.
Logtaads1.... look up self righteous
If you're white and vote for Obama in 2012 , there simply is no hope for you.Your brain is fried.
SAME THING F YOU'RE BLACK!! –=="We are both practicing Christians, and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others," Obama said, referring to his wife, Michelle.–no you are not!!!!!!!
I agree with the the Rev. Emmett Burns. You can love the man and still not support his actions. When our children do wrong, we still love them. Hate the sin, love the man...... Personally, I think Obama is a great guy. The kind of guy you could be real friends with. Hang out with. Go the the game with. Take the wives out on a Friday night together. Personally, I think he got in way over his head trying to run a country and his records bears that out.
As to his occupation, President Obama is above all else, a great politician and strategist. This whole flip flop back to a pro gay marriage thing was nothing more than a smart political move. After all, it netted the man $15,000,000 at a fund raiser the next day right in the middle of "gay-ville". I don't believe for a minute that in his heart, Obama is for gay marriage. It did, however, net a lot of campaign money and kept the economy and jobs issues off the front pages for a few days
The black community should really consider being quiet on this one. There are tons of gay HR Managers.
I agree with the the Rev. Emmett Burns. You can love the man and still not support his actions. When our children do wrong, we still love them. Hate the sin, love the man...... Personally, I think Obama is a great guy. The kind of guy you could be real friends with. Hang out with. Go the the game with. Take the wives out on a Friday night together. Personally, I think he got in way over his head trying to run a country and his records bears that out.
As to his occupation, President Obama is above all else, a great politician and strategist. This whole flip flop back to a pro gay marriage thing was nothing more than a smart political move. After all, it netted the man $15,000,000 at a fund raiser the next day right in the middle of "gay-ville". I don't believe for a minute that in his heart, Obama is for gay marriage. It did, however, net a lot of campaign money and kept the economy and jobs issues off the front pages for a few days. But when people fill up their cars this week at the pump, or cant find a job this summer, the point will be made yet again that we need a change.
CLEARLY THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT CHRISTIANS. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT DAYS IT WAS OK TO HATE. Jesus NEVER mentioned the gay community. he did however say that we should LOVE God and one another. No intemediaries, no hatred. All these supposed ministers are hate mongers. Nothing more and nothing less. Let's use the Old Testament and stand in agreement with slavery and many other things like murder... Forget Black people's Civil Rights and let's go back to The Old Testament. Slavery is cool and so is hate...
It is immoral to impose your religious superstition on others.
You do not believe in religion because you honestly think it is true, you believe in it because you fear mortality or are seeking meaning in your life. It does not take a genius to figure out all religion is man made, so for humanity's sake, please stop lying to yourself.
Deluding yourself in religion does not change reality. Lying to yourself is probably the worst possible way to try to find meaning.
Very true.
I once thought along the same lines. Then I began to seriously consider the claims of Christ. I realized I could say I did not believe in the historical accounts of the four Gospels, but I was unable to disprove them. I was dealing with the writings of at least two eyewitnesses John, and Matthew. Luke was an historian, who went to Israel and investigated, and many believe Mark was writing for Peter. I realized I could state, "I chose to believe not". I also realized I had no historical support for my position. When I finally received Christ a new power entered, His Spirit, and I began to change in a major way! Yea, I was pleasantly surprised. Than was 40 years ago. So, I am locked into Christ. I applaud those Christians stand firm upon the Word. This cultural humanism is a poison, which is destroying our nation.
no, codifying a 2,000 year old book into law would be the ruin of our country
@JOHN –
"Cultural humanism" (if I understand your conflation) is not "destroying our nation", it is the foundation of our nation. Why do refuse to understand that concept?
John, what you described is the same type of experience people of conflicting religions all around the world claim. Why is your claim any more valid than theirs? I would submit you changed by deciding to love your neighbor and if you had explored Humanism instead you would have had the same result.
Why did you choose Christianity verses Islam or any other religion? Technically you can not prove them wrong either, and there is just as much personal testimony and evidence supporting them as Christianity.
Also technically you can not disprove the Tooth Fairy, and as children will testify there is an awful lot of evidence suggesting she exists. Do you also believe in the Tooth Fairy since technically you can not prove she does not exist?
Robber Baron Romney and the founders of the Tea Party (Koch brothers & other billionaires) are using religious conservatives. They need your votes but won't hesitate to screw you over after taking more power. Have they ever done anything substantive about your social issues? They won't because they know you won't come back to vote if they eliminated abortion, allowed anyone to have any gun they wanted, etc. These are the same people who control your gasoline prices and make a huge fortune at your expense. They pay meager taxes and pollute our earth.
Romney and friends extracted millions from companies and left suppliers, contractors, workers and investors holding the empty bag when the companies went into bankruptcy. Legal theft.
how can one reconcile logic and intelligence with religion. it is absurd that this country still believes in a 2000 year old demi god. it is irrational to continue to believe in such an absurd story.
Agree completely.
Yeah...weird isn't it. Ever since I solidified my atheist viewpoint it's always felt like I live in BIZARRO world. Can people really continue to hold to this insanity?
This is America, not Iran. We have freedom of religion as well as freedom FROM religion. Not everyone is a brainwashed zealot for jeebus.
Exactly. If these uneducated fools want to believe in christianity they can, but dont force the rest of us to follow your hateful, amoral, bigoted beliefs.
How about people grow up and stop believing in these ridiculous, bigoted religions and treat this as a human rights issue. All people deserve the same rights, no amount of christian ignorance will change that fact.
What so many of you who oppose any rights for gays should remember is that oppression radicalizes people...ordinary people. If they have no hope of being included in a society, that society ceases to be important to them. If only given the back of a hand when they seek the hand of friendship and brotherhood, what is their choice and what are they to do? You're going to end up with millions of potential "enemies" right in your midst.
I'd worry more about those WITHIN the United States who are marginalized, criminalized, despised and demonized such as many of you are doing to gays. Those who look like the rest of you, who are an integral part of this society and who move freely through this society but are treated badly and abused are far more dangerous than any Taliban, Al Qeda or terrorist from OUTSIDE the US. FAR more dangerous. They can do more damage within a society than any outside force ever could.
If you're going to marginalize and exclude gays from the web of American society, there's a good to great possibility/probability that they'll turn on you from within. That would make for a very dangerous situation. And, that is something you really need to consider.
Just another opinion...and, something about which you should think.
Oboma is a closet twink!!!
you are a bigot
they are all uneducated self righteous fools anyway...self proclaimed 'men of god" they don't know the first thing about 'god' they should keep their pie wholes shuttt.
Talk about self-righteous! Take a look at what you wrote Mr Self-righteous.
Hey Logtaas...look up self righteous
"It's a human rights issue, not a gay issue. All people that pay taxes should get ... the same privileges and rights," said Terence Johnson, a congregant at Salem Bible Church in Atlanta.
"I take the Bible seriously, just not literally," he says. "It's more important what Jesus said about God than what the church says about Jesus."
_________________
Very well said. Faith/religion – or lack thereof – is very personal and should not be inflicted upon others.
danabashed; Go ahead and support Romney and your super important issues of the "Four Gs" ; God, Gaybashing, Guns and Gynecology control. Tea Baggers are the Bane, ( or is it Bain) of this nation.
Talk about bigotry and intolerance... Sounds like you've got the market cornered.
To X pastor B : Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
One who hardly think that a people who have experienced bigotry and hatred all their life would support bigotry against another minority.
Uh, they're christian.
Christianity promotes hatred and bigotry of all kinds. Christianity is an evil disease which teaches people to hate their fellow man.
I agree with Animenut: "a people who have experienced bigotry and hatred all their life would support bigotry against another minority".
Bigotry is bigotry. It's disgusting to me to see that my own culture is largely immersed in hypocrisy.
Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr's wife, spent her final years fighting FOR gay rights.
SURELY, she recognized bigotry.
Religion is the worst thing ever invented by Man.
Gosh what an original handle... You must be another one of the liberal, intellectual elite... LMAO.
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world' Religion is not the invention of man; if you are withuot Christ in your heart, you are fatherless and a widow. Come to Christ
Careful, the christian nutjobs will come out in force after a comment denouncing their little god.
that is not a rational explanation. you can't be persuasive with absurd rhetoric. do you believe in science or are you an anti intellectual?
Of course I'm voting for Obama because he's black, should I vote for Romney? That is absolute lunacy. The tea party and repubs are always and forever will be racists. Black people need to come to grips with this.
LMAO! Now you are funny!
Flash! All whites in US vote Romney. He is white...NO MORE BLACKS as presidents...they are TOO stupid! And they pick idiot whites for Vice Presidents that ill-advise them into supporting gays and other hedonistic crap!
any white person that casts his vote for Oboma is a fool. In 2008, it he was an experiment that I was taking a chance on. Fool me once, I will take it, but not twice!!!
@danabashed
You said, "any white person that casts his vote for Oboma is a fool. In 2008, it he was an experiment that I was taking a chance on. Fool me once, I will take it, but not twice!!!"
Actually, anyone who isn't a millionaire and doesn't vote for the democratic nominee is voting against his/her own economic interest. If you want to see why, look at the major economic indicators for the last 75 years or so (or however long they are available for), and you'll see that in almost every category the democrats perform better than the other guys.
Well, clearly just your opinion. I am white, female, and well over 21.......Obama hands down!!!
what are you talking about? how are things different? how have his policies negatively affected you?
it is what they are LEADING to that ARE GOING TO BRING THIS COUNTRY TO COMPLETE RUIN! U are too stupid to realize that and are obviously young fools!
hateful hateful hateful . i hope you see the error of your ways. you have so much hate
Ever notice that the people predicting absolute doom and ruin use lots of capitalization and call everybody else fools? I think the technical term is paranoia.
wow, "complete ruin".....you don't get any worse than that. thanks for the head's up. we'll get right on it
@danabashed
You said, "it is what they are LEADING to that ARE GOING TO BRING THIS COUNTRY TO COMPLETE RUIN!"
You must have forgotten the cliff of economic ruin that this country was driven to by Bush Lite. You must have forgotten the dimwit and a half that the Republicans nominated to finish that job.
Anyone, except perhaps the top few percent of earners, who voted for McCain in 2008, voted against his/her own best interests.
You said, "U are too stupid to realize that and are obviously young fools!"
Nice sentiment. Wrong on both counts, of course, but not unexpected from someone who clearly has shit for brains.