Political Hotsheet
June 29, 2009 3:06 PM

Have The Obamas Picked A Church?

(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.
Tags:
Barack Obama ,
Church
Topics:
Barack Obama
Add a Comment See all 31 Comments
by 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.
************************************************************

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.
Reply to this comment
by 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.
Reply to this comment
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?
______

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.
---------------------------------

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!
Reply to this comment
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
by r9119111 June 29, 2009 6:04 PM EDT
Very frankly -- it isn't anyone elses business.
Reply to this comment
by TheStolenGiraffe June 29, 2009 6:00 PM EDT
i personally don't care whether or not they choose a church. start reporting real news, instead of all of this b.s. your network uses to distract us from the real issues.
Reply to this comment
by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 5:42 PM EDT
by hungry1968-15 June 29, 2009 2:28 PM PDT
In just a few short decades, America is going to be a predominantly secular society, and I can't wait!!!!
-------------------------

Don't bet on it, Hungry.

This is just part of the ebb and flow of the human condition in America. The rest of the world is very different.

You can separate church and state, but you cannot separate religion from society.

God forbid, but another 9/11 and folks will be scrambling to find a church and saying things like, "God bless America."

With our current WH leadership, another 9/11 is not a such far-fetched idea.
Reply to this comment
by iamFOURhonest June 29, 2009 7:13 PM EDT
CLoverNYC1
"With our current WH leadership, another 9/11 is not a such far-fetched idea."

--Not only will this happen but it will finally give a wake up call to this pathetic sissy country that priorities should be to protect our sovereign identity and the citizens instead of open borders, climate change, and anti-trans fat.

I am guessing that after the attack a Republican will be elected by running with a 'National Defense' campaign, compared to the current "white flag" administration which has done a stand up job at placing blame this year but yet to supply a working solution to anything.

I am independent and currently the last administration I want in office is one that is willing to submit to the country that would rather see our constitution torn to threads. Another four? no thanks, let's just see how many of us live through the next 3.5!
by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 5:37 PM EDT
by slownewsday_05 June 29, 2009 2:19 PM PDT
Respectfully, Joe, MOST of the people who claim to be Christians aren't.
____________________________

This from the one-man Christianity Clearinghouse.

Respectfully, Slow, you don't know "MOST" Christians.
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968-15 June 29, 2009 5:28 PM EDT
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/29/national/main5122660.shtml

"Religion is a far bigger part of the lives of older adults. About two-thirds of people 65 and older said religion is very important to them, compared with just over half of those 30 to 49 and 44 percent of people 18 to 29."






In just a few short decades, America is going to be a predominantly secular society, and I can't wait!!!!
Reply to this comment
by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 6:35 PM EDT
Wow Rowdy....you have a bible and claim to be a Christian? ROTFLMFAO!! You are the FURTHEST thing away from being a Christian that ANYONE could ever be!

ROFL!! That's tooooooooo funny. You a christian. Yeah sure you are.
by xlib June 29, 2009 6:37 PM EDT
Hey hungry, lotta rain here is good ole Western New York. Now, sweetie, you have a perfect right not to practice religion, not to believe, etc,etc.See that's the difference between you libs and conservatives.
As for citing a story done by cbs,you do realize that stories, polls, etc can be slanted anyway the powers that be want.
So, why the hard on for people of faith?? Don't give me the old libster "pushing our religion on you", that's garbage and you know it. It is the secular so called progressives that are pushing your non-beliefs on us.
As for the stats you cited, sweetie, what DO you libs plan on doing with all us old folks?
You know the alternative to getting older-it's getting dead.
by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 4:35 PM EDT
by r9119111 June 29, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
Very frankly -- it isn't anyone elses business.
______________________________

Wrong.

President Obama swats a fly and it makes front page news. Who are you kidding?

President Obama is doing his usual fence straddling.

President Obama has said numerous times that he is a Christian.

So Obama's got Christians on one side wondering how he can claim to be one of them yet he hasn't been to church since he was elected, but he's been to the golf course and nights out on the town with his wife.

He's got the homosexuals on one hand who are terrified he'll align himself with a church that preaches against their lifestyle. Gotta keep the homosexuals happy, Obama!

Then he's got the secularists who want a President who makes statements like "America isn't a Christian nation..."

President "Gotta-Please-Everybody-At-All-Costs-Can't-Take-A-Stand-And-Stick-To-It" Obama is at it again.

The nondenominational interfaith church at Camp David is perfect for him.
Reply to this comment
by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 4:48 PM EDT
by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 1:41 PM PDT
No. It's nobody's business.
__________________________

Stuart2021,

Barack Obama is a celebrity who gave up his right to privacy when he became the first black POTUS, and you know it.
by CLoverNYC1 June 29, 2009 6:24 PM EDT
by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 3:14 PM PDT
Oh really. I disagree.
----------------------

Stu,

You have the right to be ill-informed and misguided. Go with it.

You do it so well and so often.
by stuart2021 June 29, 2009 6:30 PM EDT
What's the matter. I hit a nerve? LOL You seem a mite defensive there as if you are guily of something and got caught.

You'll be allright. I disagree with you and you insult me. Great Neo-con fascist extremist response. All too typically ignorant and immature of you. You are good at that!
by r9119111 June 29, 2009 4:00 PM EDT
Very frankly -- it isn't anyone elses business.
Reply to this comment
by Joe_NY_15 June 29, 2009 4:26 PM EDT
It is our business when this clown claimed to be a Christian, then come to find out, he doesn't even go to church or even practice Christianity, it was all a cover up......we can see what he really cares about everytime he goes on a "hate America" tour to Egypt.
by xlib June 29, 2009 6:32 PM EDT
When he opened his mouth and droned that we were not a Christian nation and then turns around and says "we have one of the largest muslim populations in the world" that makes it our business! He used his Christianity to get himself elected (along with soros money, he brought it up.
Besides, your media loves to do a daily messiah story so live with it.
As for me, I could care less about what church this clown goes to.
by iamFOURhonest June 29, 2009 6:59 PM EDT
It's not anyone elses business?

*sigh* This is the mindless sheeple mentality of today. Dare you make an argument, instead just go with the flow because if not you will be cast as a racist bigot.

The dull'd down mindset of todays American population is more worrisome than any religion. He feeds them trash via teleprompter and they can't wait to gobble it up wanting more.

Is it any wonder America is the butt of all foreign jokes?
by blog_fever2 June 29, 2009 6:59 PM EDT
Everyone in here is whining and complaining cause Obama has found a church home to worship, yet none of you stand for Christianity. When someone comes on to witness and talk about Christianity, you want to report them.... sad, but typical.
by Joe_NY_15 June 29, 2009 3:38 PM EDT
I think they meant Mosque......Obama's haven't picked a mosque....YET.....it appears that Christianity, is not on his list of priorities in his personal life.
Reply to this comment
by John_Merritt June 29, 2009 7:52 PM EDT
Joe lighten up. I can walk into any church, synagogue or mosque anywhere in this country, and if my heart is right and I am thinking with love in my heart; I will find God. Rest assured, he loves everybofy. We could all learn something from His character.
See all 31 Comments

About Political Hotsheet

Stay up to the minute on the latest news and developments from Washington, from the White House to Congress and everything in-between with the best political reporters from CBS News and CBSNews.com.

E-Mail Political Hotsheet
Follow On Twitter

Add to your favorite news reader
google
yahoo
msn
HOTSHEET ON TWITTER