Have The Obamas Picked A Church?

By: Prerana Swami
Topics: White House

(CBS)

Time Magazine is reporting that President Obama has made Evergreen Chapel in Camp David his primary place of worship. The nondenominational church is said to have been chosen because of its small congregation – 50 to 70 worshippers - and the privacy it affords.

However, the White House is contesting the Time article, saying that the Obamas are still searching for a "church home."

"They have enjoyed worshipping at Camp David and several other congregations over the months, and will choose a church at the time that is best for their family," Deputy Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

At a press conference Monday, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said "there have been no formal decisions about joining a church."

"They're not formally joining that church, and there have been no formal decisions about joining a church in this area," he told reporters.

Gibbs also reiterated that the president is concerned with the logistics of joining a church because his presence might distract and take away "from the experience others might get."

Evergreen Chapel was also former President George W. Bush's place of worship and is regarded as a place to pray away from fans that may interrupt and distract from a president's worship.

As Time reports, when Mr. Obama visited 19th Street Baptist and St. John's Episcopal Church earlier this year, lines formed three hours before the service and congregation members could not resist snapping pictures of the president as he went to take communion.

The Obamas have been in the market for a church since they arrived in Washington in January.

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by khrish July 1, 2009 2:30 AM EDT: Excuse you! The Obamas are not Republican nor conservatives, why do they need to concern themselves with the president and first family's personal affairs?; Reply to this comment


by blog_fever2 June 30, 2009 11:59 AM EDT: by IThoughtItWasFunnyAsIs June 29, 2009 4:26 PM PDT
Never heard the one about thou shalt not worship false idols?

Never heard the one about false prophets? Like a pedophile who gutted the Judean religion because they wouldn't let him have all the nine year old baby girls he wanted for his wives?

Never heard the one about 'thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain....as you GOD D/AMN AMERICA and it's people of whom the majority are Christians?

You need to check up on your spiritual froots, blog_fever...

Judge not, lest ye be judged...Barak Hussein Dumbama needs to get that one out and study it for awhile before HE sets foot in another CHRISTIAN church all the while debasing Christian Americans.
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He who is without sin cast the first stone.... You are so busy pointing out fault in our leader, and yet act blind to see your own fault. How can you say anything cynical about our leader without first judging him? If you find fault, you should pray for God to fix it, but do not come in here spewing negativity in one sentence and claiming to be holy in another. I pray God opens your eyes. As far as your earlier posts, I do not worship any idols. Period. Supporting your president and worshipping idols are two totally different things. Jesus Christ is Lord. You can not justify anyone else's behavior to further your agenda (which you do a lot) to make yourself seem credible. Like I said earlier, if you find fault or even if you disagree with a policy, pray that God will fix it.

I have never heard Obama claim to be a prophet and furthermore never have I heard him take the Lord's name in vain. Save your hate for someone that cares to share in it.; Reply to this comment


by John_Merritt June 29, 2009 8:09 PM EDT: Blog fever2

That is so true. The worst thing that happens is people find themselves in a place in life and they seek shelter from the storms of life. They expect relief and they find none. They expect warmth and it is cold. The expect to be fed and they leave hungry. They expect to find love, and they leave lonely. That is not only in church, but in life in general. Nice talking to you. sign me: be good to everybody please. After reading these posts, you guys must all have had a terrible weekend. Recommendation: Call in sick tomorrow and take the day off, go to the beach, play with the kids, hug the wife. Be good to each other.; Reply to this comment

by woeisme1 June 29, 2009 8:02 PM EDT

Who cares about this really? So what if he's in a church and who cares if he's Buddist, Christian, Muslim or whatever. He's the President and it's his personal business.

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by khrish July 1, 2009 2:34 AM EDT: Agreed. People just don't have enough to do. If they would spend all that energy trying to help someone or themselves they wouldn't have time for all this idle gossip.


by blog_fever2 June 29, 2009 7:07 PM EDT: Everyone on here that is claiming to be a "Christian" need to do a self check quick. Your "spiritual fruits" are showing otherwise..... show me where it is okay to judge other people, hate people, and not submit to your leaders is "Christian?" Please re-read your Bibles.; Reply to this comment

by RCC_Soldaten June 29, 2009 6:53 PM EDT

The Obamas have been in the market for a church since they arrived in Washington in January.

'...in the market...'

Good grief, it's as if they are buying a house. How sad.

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by blog_fever2 June 29, 2009 7:17 PM EDT: The sad thing is there are some churches that are not very inviting to new people.... It is sad that if we serve the same Master and are all supposed to be holy, but can not come together and fellowship with people unlike ourselves... that is truly the sad part.

by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 6:32 PM EDT

by IThoughtItWasFunnyAsIs June 29, 2009 3:24 PM PDT
by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 3:14 PM PDT
Oh really. I disagree. Does that comment you made indicate you feel that because Obama is the POTUS you have a right to know about his sex life too?
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How strange when you think it is your right to be in Sanford's sex life, and condemn him for it. Where were you when I said, Sanford's affair was nobody's business? Screeching like a banshee and celebrating another republican love affair like the rest of the demorat goons. That's why I feel like I have a right to call out Clinton for skrewing everything in skirts at the White House while neglecting HIS duties.
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Rowdy you are such a blatant liar! I NEVER said any such thing. I said it was nobody's business about Sanfords affair. I said AND QUITE CLEARLY, that his dereliction of duty to the state of SC....his violation of his sacred oath was why he should resign. Go check it out Rowdy and STOP spewing your extremist lies!

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by woeisme1 June 29, 2009 8:07 PM EDT: Was'nt Clinton president along time ago? Why would anyone talk about him now. Sanford is the news not Clinton.


by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 6:12 PM EDT: If President Obama's choice of churches didn't matter, he'd still be a member of the Reverend Wright's congregation twenty years and counting.; Reply to this comment


by kenhamlett June 29, 2009 6:05 PM EDT: What is the hurry? I find no reason to join a church when they are going to be in DC for only 8 years. While he is looking around I invite him to my church but it will be an excessive commute. Thus visiting is still viable when in the area, whether it be in DC or across the country.
Don't rush the big decisions!; Reply to this comment