Barack Obama's church's vision statement

[tinatark]

http://www.tucc.org/about.htm

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

A congregation committed to ADORATION.
A congregation preaching SALVATION.
A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.
Click here to read about Dr. Wright’s talking points for Trinity United Church of Christ its Web site and the Black Value System.

Wow -committed to the Native Land - what about the United States? Sounds pretty exclusive, too - and although it does commit to many things christians hold dear, many of the items seem political.

 

[LoraJ]

Who wants to start a poll as to how many times we will see this posted in the next year. This is at least the second time I have seen it.

 

[Charade]

Who wants to start a poll as to how many times we will see this posted in the next year. This is at least the second time I have seen it.

Why not comment on the content instead of a proposing a poll? The OP did.

And so did I when I started a thread quite a while back.

We have a double standard in the US. That church's statement is quite alright by many people but the minute you change it to white like I did when I started that thread, suddenly it's unacceptable and racist.

 

[tinatark]

Who wants to start a poll as to how many times we will see this posted in the next year. This is at least the second time I have seen it.

Well, sorry, I must have been absent that day!

This is the first time I've seen it, and it really floored me. I am amazed that with all the attention to the candidates religious beliefs, Mr. Obamas' haven't been more publicized in the mainstream media.

 

[ckay87]

Not sure this matters to me at all. I'm can safely say that I am not concerned with the color of his skin or his pride in his heritage. What exactly are you afraid of? That he'll take over the world and open up free immigration from Africa or what? Let him be proud to be 1/2 African....I'm proud to be partially Irish. I'd sing about it in church too if I could.

Too simple and naive of me, I know.

 

[Christopher Robin]

Who wants to start a poll as to how many times we will see this posted in the next year. This is at least the second time I have seen it.

We'll probably see this about as much as we see references to Romney's Mormon beleifs of Huckabee's Evangelical beleifs. Is that a problem?

 

[teacups]

I have not seen it before. Thanks for posting it. Hubby and I were just talking about all this. Seems so silly that we are in a nation where you are not allowed to wear a cross around your neck or carry the Bible at a public school, and yet they say the Pledge... then we jump up and down when a candidate mentions religion and ask "Is he the good kind or the bad kind of religious person?" I just dont get it. Are we a religious country or not? This is insane when you really think about all of it. Religion should be a heartfelt connection to God... not something used against certain people at certain times. Just my personal two cents for me only.

 

[TerriP]

Sounds like a church community that supports it members, remembers it's roots, and wants to help it's community at-large. Very nice.

 

[Charade]

We'll probably see this about as much as we see references to Romney's Mormon beleifs of Huckabee's Evangelical beleifs. Is that a problem?

By who? IMO, the main stream media won't touch it. But they will go on and on and on about the other two.

 

[lilyv]

Not sure this matters to me at all. I'm can safely say that I am not concerned with the color of his skin or his pride in his heritage. What exactly are you afraid of? That he'll take over the world and open up free immigration from Africa or what? Let him be proud to be 1/2 African....I'm proud to be partially Irish. I'd sing about it in church too if I could.

Too simple and naive of me, I know.

Very simplistic and naive. Veterans groups champion veterans, League of Women voters champions women, heck, the Red Hat Ladies prefer only women over 50. I am not bothered by a predominately African American Church.

Rather doubt 'worriers' have read The Audacity of Hope....

I support Obama. I fully expect this to be 'controversial' to some......

 

[Charade]

Sounds like a church community that supports it members, remembers it's roots, and wants to help it's community at-large. Very nice.

Would it still be "very nice" if it were all white people? Say, like the Amish?

 

[lillielil]

This white Unitarian atheist will be voting Obama. I respect him and his beliefs.

 

[tinatark]

Not sure this matters to me at all. I'm can safely say that I am not concerned with the color of his skin or his pride in his heritage. What exactly are you afraid of? That he'll take over the world and open up free immigration from Africa or what? Let him be proud to be 1/2 African....I'm proud to be partially Irish. I'd sing about it in church too if I could.

Too simple and naive of me, I know.

he has a "non negotiable commitment to to Africa" ... but he wants to be President of the United States of America? Does he "pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the country, for which it stands..."?

I do agree with much of the vision statement, but churches just shouldn't be exclusive,or political - and it seems this church is both!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I . Seems so silly that we are in a nation where you are not allowed to wear a cross around your neck or carry the Bible at a public school, and yet they say the Pledge... /QUOTE]


Wow every school I have been a part of allowed people to wear crosses and carry a religious book if they so choose..If you school does not they are breaking the law..Wearing a cross or a yarmulke etc in school is NOT a violation of church and state. I would take this up with your school.

 

[LoraJ]

Why not comment on the content instead of a proposing a poll? The OP did.

And so did I when I started a thread quite a while back.

We have a double standard in the US. That church's statement is quite alright by many people but the minute you change it to white like I did when I started that thread, suddenly it's unacceptable and racist.

What social injustices have whites had in this country. You can't just replae black with white in the mission statement.

 

[lilyv]

This white Unitarian atheist will be voting Obama. I respect him and his beliefs.

another lily that will vote for him....and I'm a white registered republican...go figure...

 

[Charade]

Wow every school I have been a part of allowed people to wear crosses and carry a religious book if they so choose..If you school does not they are breaking the law..Wearing a cross or a yarmulke etc in school is NOT a violation of church and state. I would take this up with your school.

Wasn't there a public school teacher somewhere who was told she couldn't wear her cross in the classroom?

 

[Christopher Robin]

What social injustices have whites had in this country. You can't just replae black with white in the mission statement.

Would you be comfortable with a Jewish candidate for the US presidency belonged to a synogage (sp?) that proclaimed non-negotiable commitment to Isreal? Or an Irish...with a non-negotiable commitment to Ireland? Etc...?

 

[Database]

What social injustices have whites had in this country. You can't just replae black with white in the mission statement.

The Irish?

The Polish?

The Italians?

The list is longer, but all of these groups were "victims" of social injustice.

 

[ckay87]

he has a "non negotiable commitment to to Africa" ... but he wants to be President of the United States of America? Does he "pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the country, for which it stands..."?

I do agree with much of the vision statement, but churches just shouldn't be exclusive,or political - and it seems this church is both!

A "non-negotiable commitment to Africa" does not mean that it is their ONLY commitment. He has a commitment to his wife and children, his job, his dentist next Thursday... Personally, I can juggle several commitments. But I need to assure that they don't conflict with one another too severely and I suppose that's what this comes down to for him. I just happen to trust him on that one.

And yes, he does "pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States..."