 |
|
|
|
|
June 28th, 2012
04:36 PM ET
First lady implores black churchgoers to get politicalBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - First lady Michelle Obama made an impassioned pitch for black churchgoers to embrace political action on Thursday in a speech to the country’s oldest black religious denomination. “To anyone who says that church is no place to talk about these issues, you tell them there is no place better,” Obama said at a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee. “Because ultimately, these are not just political issues,” she said. “They are moral issues.” With Election Day a little more than four months away, the first lady decried what she suggested was voter apathy in the black community. “How many of us have asked someone whether they’re going to vote, and (they) tell us, ‘No, I voted last time,’ or ‘Is there really an election going on?’ ” “After so many folks sacrificed so much so that we could make our voices heard, so many of us just can’t be bothered,” she said. Obama said that while some voters were “tuning out” and “staying home,” powerful interests are busy raising money to influence Washington. Barack Obama took 96% of the black vote in 2008, and strong turnout among African-Americans and other minorities will be crucial if he hopes to win a second term, analysts say. Surveys show that African-Americans attend church in higher numbers than white Americans do, and Democratic politicians have long made a habit of speaking from black pulpits in the leadup to Election Day. The AME Church has a general convention every four years. The first lady also spoke of her husband on Thursday, telling the story of a photo hanging in the Oval Office that shows the president meeting a 5-year-old African-American boy at the White House three years ago. White House photographers change the photos hanging in the West Wing ever couple of weeks, Michelle Obama said, except for that one. “If you ever wonder whether change is possible in this country, I want you to think about that little black boy in the Oval Office of the White House touching the head of the first black president.” She said blacks had to actively make good on their centuries-old legacy of political activism, mentioning names like Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks. “Today, the connection between our laws and our lives isn’t always as clear as it was 50 years or 150 years ago,” she said. “And as a result, it’s sometimes easy to assume that the battles in our courts and legislatures have all been won.” In her speech, Obama promoted causes like investing in roads and schools, creating jobs and taking care of veterans. “Our faith journey isn’t just about showing up on Sunday for a good sermon and good music and a good meal,” she said. “It’s about what we do Monday through Saturday as well.”
« Previous entryLee Greenwood: America is Christian
|
  About this blog
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.  |
|
|
|
what happened to people who want people that DO things in office instead people that just appeal to them via religious views?
when did belief take back its poistion as above the virtue of knowledge?
truly a sad commentary on the average intelligence of this nation!
I'm not a fan of conservatives using the pulpit for their agendas so I can't really be in favor of liberals doing it either. I'm a separation of Church and State guy, regardless of what side it comes down on. God doesn't have an opinion on petty human affairs.
NO!!! I am an independent with left leanings but in this, I TOTALLY disagree with the first lady. If you are a chuch and want to enter the political arena, then give up your tax exemptions. I WILL NOT agree to subsidize politicized churches with my tax dollars.
Just goes to show how low they will stoop to win. Say and promise anything just to get powe. That's evil.
For everyone who complains about state and church, if people don't mind talking about political issues in the church mind your own business. Church is a place where people go to pray for their issues and a place to congregate in. For people who don't understand the lifestyle and culture of a black christian community. These issues are always talked about, whether or not their votes count and what changes are being done. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with Michelle going to talk to people where the issues are talked about. It's one thing to tell people they have to do something and it's another to ensure people that their votes. issues and opinions do matter. After all this country was founded on Christianity and if you have your beliefs on certain things about separation on church and state you have the choice to listen and and make your own decisions.
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
Knock it off, ,d!ckhead!
Yawn....
Actually, it's only 4 MO MONTHS, 4 MO MONTHS, 4 MO MONTHS!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
HEALTHCARE STILL A BFD! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahhahahahahahhaahahahahahahahahahahha!
Wish I had been in that church. I would have jumped up and shouted, "Amen sister...I'm gonna vote, but it sure as hell won't be for BO!!" Can you all say halleluah!!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
President Obama is the Greatest President in US history! Four more f-ing years!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
FOUR MORE YEARS!
OBAMA 2012!!!
NOTHING BUT A BLACK HATER OF WHITE PEOPLE BSFC
Envy and healousy for the greatest President in US history!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
OBAMA/ROBERTS 2012!
GOD bless America and GOD bless President OBAMA, the GREATEST PRESIDENT in US history! haha! Four more years!
Keep church and state separate! Don't pray in congress and I won't think in your church.
When is the last time you said the Pledge of allegiance? What about "one nation under God" do you not get?? This why the United states is suffering, we are no longer " one nation under God".
@Blake – I omit "under god" when I say the pledge. It's not original to the pledge, but was added in the 1950's. We are not one nation under your god, or any god. We are a secular nation.
Our nation is suffering because religious fundamentalists keep trying to turn us into a theocracy.
So I guess it's OK for certain people to use God as their voice, but just don't let the other guys do it, because that's radical.
Bunch of hypocritical fools!
She apparently has never heard of Separation of Church and State. that aside, she ought to watc what she asks for, a lot of religious denominations have some serious problem with Obamacare among other things. This could easily backfire.
Fortunately, I don't look to Michelle Obama for spiritual enlightenment! Clearly, she has no business telling Christians what they should and shouldn't do. Jesus states clearly that we are not to be involved with worldly issues, and there is nothing more worldly than politics.
She's got creepy eyes. I bet she doesn't want the evangelicals to get political, lol.
Keep your religion out of politics.
She hates white people according to the book that is out from a former Secret Service member. Man said she puts down the white people constantly with her mouth. I believe him. Now she is asking her brethren to help re-elect Obama. Lady who is not proud of her country is now begging!
If churches get political they better follow the law and start coughing up taxes.
AMEN!!! TAX ALL RELIGIONS!
Exactly. It comes up every budget cycle in my county. Citizens are always asking the supervisors why churches, whose buildings occupy some of the most premium plots of land in our cities and towns in the county don't have to pay any taxes.
the church as a body is not in the kingdom of GOD. if you associate yourself with them then you are a part of the satanic and demonic traditions which the "leadership" practice and deceive others into there traps. She said she is smarter than her husband let's see if she truly hears the word and also become a DOER, hate the worldly things and thats all the church represent. If you have a political seat and running for re-election why do you need campaign funding, you just go campaigning and those trying to un seat you need to have mulah to run and that's personal cash on hand at least $80 million dollars to run for the house of rep.
It said "Barack Obama took 96% of the black vote in 2008". And the vast majority of them had no idea why, but only voted for him because he is black. And yet they cry constantly that they want to be "judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their heart". I guess that little diddy just doesn't count anymore.
How do you know why we voted for Obama? We know why, look who he was running against, an old mean white guy and a ding bat. The choice was easy, just like this next one.
@ Dan: Okay, Dan, tell us why 96% of all blac voters in this country voted for a politcally wet behind the ears community organizer with ZERO practical experience in politics to become arguably,the most powerful man in the world. I'm sure a lot of us would like to hear your answer. Of course the majority of you voted for him because he was black, don't insult our intelligence!!!
@razmataz – because the alternative was 4 more years of the same policies that had just destroyed the US economy. A better question would be to ask who the heck didn't vote for him because to vote Republican on the face of the facts was just retarded.
To undermine the political intelligence of an entire group of people by assuming that they voted for a particular candidate because of his skin color is demeaning. Perhaps they voted for him because African Americans largely vote for a democratic candidate regardless of his or her ethnicity. Perhaps they voted for him because their poltics were actually aligned with his. Perhaps they voted for him because 2008 was one of the most important election years in recent history and voters were legitimately fired up. The list could go on and on...
@ Dys Dog: Perhaps but that ISN"T the question I asked! And I still haven't seen an answer to that. Minor point, what has he done that has improved anything over the last administrations?
@ Another guest: 96%, really? I got some ocean front in Arizona you may be interested in!
Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, and Al Gore all received 90% or above of the black vote.... so no, i'm not interested
razmataz again refers to President Obama as a community organizor. You do realize he had this job a long time ago, right? Before going to law school. Before being con law professor. Before being a state senator. Before being a Us senator.
I'm curious though – before grad school, Romney worked as a chauffeur. Yet I never see you talibangelical tea baggers referring to him as 'Romney, the chauffeur '. Why is that?
@razmataz... Like others, I can't speak to why black voters did or didn't vote for Obama but there are two points to ponder. 1. Obama winning was more of a referendum of the Republicans more than electing a black president. ( keep in mind, the parties nominate people who they think will win moreso than people who care about the general public. Obama could have won, so could Hilary or really any other democrat as long as they didn't have some serious baggage). 2. (full disclosure I AM WHITE!)....With a month to go before the general election in 2008, the polls had the race in almost a dead heat. That tells me a lot about the population. The republicans torpedoed the economy, yet they had a legitimate chance to win the Presidency with a month to go.If blacks voted for Obama simply because he's black, then it seems safe to assume white's voted for McCain because he was white.
No church can endorse for or against any candidate without facing loss of their tax exemption status:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=163395,00.html
If only that were true....I hear a lot of political rhetoric from catholic bishops and evangelical leaders bashing this president for doing what is the "christian" thing to do and except for a few comments about taking tax exemptions away (which I agree with) I don't see any movement in that direction....we have become so divided in this country, not just along party lines but religious lines as well
topher
I'll be back in an hour, I'm off to lunch.