Obama Resigns 20-Year Church Membership

Controversial Remarks From Church's Pastor, Minister Prompt Obama To Submit Letter Of Resignation

(CBS/ AP)  Barack Obama has resigned his 20 year membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and more recent fiery remarks at the church by another minister.

Obama campaign communications director Robert Gibbs said Obama had submitted a letter of resignation to the church and would discuss his decision in a session with reporters later Saturday.

It happened "over the last few days," Gibbs said.

In the letter, obtained by CBS News, Obama told Rev. Otis Moss III he made the "decision with sadness," noting it was the place he and wife Michelle were married and where the couple's children were baptized.

"But as you know," wrote Obama, "our relations with Trinity have been strained by the divisive statement of Reverend Wright, which sharply conflicts with our own views."

The letter was signed by both Obama and his wife.

In a statement released by the church, Moss wrote, "we are saddened by the news, we understand that it is a personal decision."

Comments by Wright have inflamed racial tensions and posed an unwanted problem for Obama, front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, as he seeks to wrap up the nomination.

More recently, racially charged remarks from the same pulpit by another pastor, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, has kept the controversy alive and proved the latest thorn in the side of Obama.

Pfleger earlier this month mocked Obama rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as a guest speaker at Obama's church.

Obama has condemned comments by both Wright and Pfleger, but the controversy has persisted.

For months, Obama has been hamstrung by the rhetoric of Wright, whose sermons blaming U.S. policies for the Sept. 11 attacks and calls of "God damn America" for its racism became fixtures on the Internet and cable news networks.

Initially, Obama said he disagreed with Wright but portrayed him as representing a part of him he couldn't disown. The preacher had officiated at Obama's wedding and been his spiritual mentor for some 20 years.

But six weeks after Obama's well-received speech on race, Wright claimed at an appearance in Washington that the U.S. government was capable of planting AIDS in the black community, praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and suggested that Obama was acting like a politician by putting his pastor at arm's length while privately agreeing with him.

After that, Obama denounced Wright's comments as "divisive and destructive."

On Thursday, Obama was again forced to reject another man of the cloth, this time Pfleger, who made racially charged comments mocking Clinton in a guest sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ, Obama's church.

Obama made it clear he wasn't happy with the comments - in which Pfleger pretended he was Clinton crying over "a black man stealing my show" - and said he was "deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."

Pfleger, too, issued an apology, saying he was sorry if his comments offended Clinton or anyone else.

[radiob-2009]

To late, the damage is done and he should have resigned when Wright originally made the comments, now he looks like McClellan.

[patriot12436]

Again too little too late. Just shows he will throw anyone under the bus when he thinks it is necessary, now he has thrown the whole church under it. When does he stand up and show loyalty to what he believes in ? Does he believe in anything ? Can we trust him about anything ? Is Michelle next ? ( I hope so) Will Michelle divorce him for denouncing the church ? Will she divorce him if he doesn''t win the election ?

[patriot12436]

Now will the black community still support him ?

[patriot12436]

truusa
What does having half the fresh water in the world have to do with white sexists pigs and black racists ?

[eroosevelt08]

On May 31, 2008 Barack Obama throws his horrible church, Trinity United Church of Christ, under the bus too. He is a SSLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW learner.

[floydzeppl]

All of the politicians are finally running away from the religious Nutwings. First Grandpa McDepends dumps the Freakvangelicals by the curb by spraying bug repellent all over "Jesus John" Hagee and now Commander Tuvok ditches the Holy Church of the Black Racist and the Right Reverend Huey P. Newton.

All this and much, much more, if you only vote.
---
Does it really matter who the Captain of the Titanic was?

[patriot12436]

I love to see a house of cards crumble when built on deceit.

[eroosevelt08]

We need a President who is a fast learner. Superdelegates: Vote for Hillary Clinton

[jntlw-2009]

It is too bad that mainstream Christianity is so full of unclean worldly politics and traditions that one must resign as a member to free oneself from the corrupt nature within all Christiandom. Politics and christianity should never be mixed! That is why you should have never voted for Bush - he knew absolutely nothing about true Christianity, and mainstream Christianity is full of abominations and pitfalls and false preachers. Beware the leaven of these shepherds.

[ubrew12]

patriot12436 said: "I love to see a house of cards crumble when built on deceit."

You referring to the Bush economy
Or the Bush Iraq war?

[floydzeppl]

We need a President who is a fast learner. Superdelegates: Vote for Hillary Clinton

Posted by ERoosevelt08 at 07:43 PM : May 31, 2008
-----------

Superdelegates, not so much.....we don''t need Monica Lewinsky''s Sloppy Seconds Receptacle for President.

[patriot12436]

ubrew12
I hate to see what bush has done to this coutry but no i was referring to all the deceit by obama.

[ubrew12]

FloydZeppl said: "Does it really matter who the Captain of the Titanic was?"

True. All that REALLY mattered was the iceberg.

[floydzeppl]

patriot12436 said: "I love to see a house of cards crumble when built on deceit."

You referring to the Bush economy
Or the Bush Iraq war?

Posted by ubrew12 at 07:44 PM : May 31, 2008
-------------

Or perhaps the Bush Response to katrina?
Or the War in Afghanistan?
Or the failed hunt for Bin laden?
Or not remembering anything he read in "My pet goat" upside down on 9/11.

[terrorislami]

Obama Resigns 20-Year Church Membership
Controversial Remarks From Church''s Pastor, Minister Prompt Obama To Submit Letter Of Resignation

hahaha

20 YEARS TOOOOOOOOOOOO LATEEEEEEEEE YAH STINKING RACISTS,,,

hahaha

[floydzeppl]

True. All that REALLY mattered was the iceberg.

Posted by ubrew12 at 07:46 PM : May 31, 2008
------------

And Bush beaned that baby and tore a gash all the way down the side of the US.

[patriot12436]

jntlw
If you lay with pigs your bound to get muddy. It is too late for obama to have cleansed himself of this racial group. I have faith in the American people and do not believe they would elect someoe like obama to the oval office. I could be wrong, bush got elected.

[feelfree4u]

...and we should care about this........why?

[patriot12436]

floydzepp
Give credit where it is due. I am positive bush knows where ben laden is at and has all along.

[terrorislami]

ARE YOU PART OF THE HUSSEIN FAN CLUB???

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama+william ayers
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama bernardine dohrn
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama rev jeremiah wright&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama rev michael pfleger
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama louis farrakhan
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama hezbollah
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama hamas
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama radical islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama mahmud ahmadinejad
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama fidel castro
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama hugo chavez

DEMOCRATS FOR MCCAIN,,,

HUSSEIN IS GOING DOWN,,,

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=democrats for mccain

HUSSEIN IS LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

HUSSEIN LOVES RADICALS THAT HATE AMERICA,,, LIKE HE DOES

[floydzeppl]

20 YEARS TOOOOOOOOOOOO LATEEEEEEEEE YAH STINKING RACISTS,,,

hahaha

Posted by terrorislami at 07:48 PM : May 31, 2008
-----------

Have you caught Bin laden yet? If not, why are you on this blog when you should be out there fighting terrorism to keep America safe there skippy? Now run along.

[ubrew12]

FloydZeppl said: "Bush beaned that [iceberg] baby and tore a gash all the way down the side of the US."

Guess who gets the few remaining lifeboats??

[patriot12436]

I think this shows obama is worried about the election and is looking for a way to gain favor again. Like someoe said he is a slow learner. I think it also shows he will throw anyone under the bus if he thinks it will help him win the election.

[floydzeppl]

floydzepp
Give credit where it is due. I am positive bush knows where bin laden is at and has all along.

Posted by patriot12436 at 07:50 PM : May 31, 2008
------------

Oh, I''m sure.

[terrorislami]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm WHY ARE????

Most of the Obama supporters are Muslims or Morons..

Obama has on staff several nation of Islam members:
"Obama employed and continues to employ several Farrakhan acolytes in high
positions on his Illinois and U.S. Senate campaign and office staffs."
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2008/01/obamas_nation_o.html

[patriot12436]

fenner
If obama gets elected his people might very well slay you.

[floydzeppl]

FloydZeppl said: "Bush beaned that [iceberg] baby and tore a gash all the way down the side of the US."

Guess who gets the few remaining lifeboats??

Posted by ubrew12 at 07:51 PM : May 31, 2008
---------

It ain''t gonna be us and Kate Winslet....

[terrorislami]

hmmmmmm what does ham-asss, nation of terrorislam and ism(international solidarity movement) know that you do not know???

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hamas+endorses obama&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nation of islam endorses obama &btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=International Solidarity Movement obama &btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama islamic marxist group ISM &btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama Audacity of Hope I will stand with the Muslims&btnG=Search

snakes on the plane airforce one,,,
snakes in the whitehouse,,,

Once upon a time there was a serpent who was badly injured in a fight with another animal. It managed to slither away to safety but would have surely died if a benevolent man had not seen it suffering by the side of the road. The goodly man carefully wrapped the snake up and took it to his house, where he bestowed the kindest and gentlest care on the snake until it was healed and could return to the wild. Just as the man was releasing the serpent back into the grass, the ungrateful snake turned and bit him on the hand.

"What did you do that for?" cried the man, who knew that the bite of this particular snake was usually fatal. "Didn''t I take care of you when no one else would?"

The snake shrugged (no small feat for a snake!) and replied to the benevolent--and now doomed-- man, "What did you expect? You knew I was a snake when you picked me up."

[floydzeppl]

Posted by terrorislami at 07:53 PM : May 31, 2008
--------

Have you captured bin laden yet? Snap to it sweet pea!

[ubrew12]

fenner said: "this has nothing to do with Bush."

He said with evident relief...

[patriot12436]

floydzepp
If bush doesn''t know he is dumber than obama (that is a point i wouldn''t want to debate). It has been reported several times to federal agencies where ben laden is and nothig has been done about it. We even have troops in the area where he is at fighting terrorists and thy do not go get him. It has to be political reasoning.

[terrorislami]

LOOK WHO SUPPORTS THE WAR IN IRAQ,,, hahaha

Obama said he would support sending more troops to Iraq if it would hasten the end of the war. An immediate withdrawal, he said, would create "an extraordinary hotbed of terrorist activity" and be "a slap in the face" to the troops fighting there.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2007/aug/30/rnc-goes-after-clinton-obama-iraq/

[floydzeppl]

floydzepp
If bush doesn''''t know he is dumber than obama (that is a point i wouldn''''t want to debate). It has been reported several times to federal agencies where ben laden is and nothig has been done about it. We even have troops in the area where he is at fighting terrorists and thy do not go get him. It has to be political reasoning.

Posted by patriot12436 at 07:57 PM : May 31, 2008
---------

I''ve never seen any of these reports. I''d think something like this would be all over the news. Do you have any web links?

[ubrew12]

FENNER said: "OBAMA WILL NEVER GET HRC''''S VOTES........THAT''''S REALITY."

Here''s one HRC supporter who will support Obama if need be, especially if she''s his VP choice.

[terrorislami]

IN 52 SECS WHY BARACK OBAMA CANNOT WIN A GENERAL ELECTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

[floydzeppl]

too late.
republicans wont vote for obama
hillary clinton''''s supporters wont vote for obama
he gets half college votes and Black vote
conclusion? HE NEVER GETS INTO WHITE HOUSE.

Posted by fenner at 07:55 PM : May 31, 2008
----------

Delusional Behavior won''t get you anywhere on here Mister.

[terrorislami]

hahaha,,, what bs propoganda hahaha

Obama Closes In On Dem Nomination
Illinois Senator Has Majority Of Pledged Delegates With Oregon Victory; Clinton Easily Wins Kentucky, But Campaign In The Red

hussein cannot even beat a woman LOL

hahaha

insane husseins,,,

they hate the country that made them millionaires,,,
good one,,,

what bs left wingnut koolaid drinking barking moonbats,,,

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SEND THESE NUTS TO THE WHITEHOUSE???

[patriot12436]

floydzepp
The agencies that he was reported to do not like to be interviewed.

[floydzeppl]

IN 52 SECS WHY BARACK OBAMA CANNOT WIN A GENERAL ELECTION

http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

Posted by terrorislami at 07:59 PM : May 31, 2008
----------

No matter how hard you last desperate hoot''n''vannies cling to the hope GrandPa McAlzheimer''s will still let you somehow create the United States of Jesusland, the dream is over buddies.

Give it up. Your time has passed.

[floydzeppl]

floydzepp
The agencies that he was reported to do not like to be interviewed.

Posted by patriot12436 at 08:01 PM : May 31, 2008
----------

OK, that''s a convenient excuse. Apparently they don''t know where bin laden is.....

[patriot12436]

ubrew12
It is people that think like you that scare me almost as much as the terrorists.

[grammawhamma]

I''d like to see what Trinity''s congregation has to say about Obama now that he tossed them under the bus too. Who is next Michelle?

[beehive21-2009]

He''s a better man now,Religion is for the weak,who believe in Fairy Tales and Hocus Pocus.Gee, Rev.Wright you may have blown a ear to the President ,it''s good you failed. A whole lot of *** flows from your lips.

[ubrew12]

terrorislami said: "hussein cannot even beat a woman LOL..."
Thanks for posting.

[patriot12436]

fenner
Better yet, who are they to say who and who not cannot be couted as votes ? These people in Michigan and Florida have the right to be heard also.

[terrorislami]

HUSSEINS,,, I HATE AMERICA FRIENDS, SOUL MATE AND SPIRITUAL ADVISERS,,,

the i hate america wife michelle,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama+michelle not proud to be an american&btnG=Search

the radical i hate america 60s bombing weather underground william ayers and bernardine dohrn,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama weather underground william ayers and bernardine dohrn&btnG=Search

the i hate america, whitey and jews louis farrakhan,,, but pro fascist nazi terrorislam that still practices slavery,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama louis farrakhan&btnG=Search

the i hate america, whitey and jews rev wright,,, but pro fascist nazi terrorislam that still practices slavery,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama rev wright&btnG=Search

the i hate america, jews and non-muslims ham-asss,,, but pro fascist nazi terrorislam that still practices slavery,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama hamas&btnG=Search

the i hate non-muslim radical kenyan luo tribe that recently slaughtered thousands of non muslims and are hussein''s brothers and sisters as he claimed in a family reunion in a 2006 trip to kenya,,,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=obama luo tribe&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=islam muslim slavery

[floydzeppl]

ubrew12
It is people that think like you that scare me almost as much as the terrorists.

Posted by patriot12436 at 08:03 PM : May 31, 2008
----------

Why? You think ubrew2 is going to stand up for our Constitutional Rights instead of letting your Precious Bush and McSameoldshit use the Constitution as toilet paper because you''re deathly afraid of a few thousand tribal level terrorists?

You think they''re gonna kill Jesus?

[ubrew12]

patriot12436 said: "It is people that think like you that scare me almost as much as the terrorists."

Admit it: nothing scares you as much as the Bush clan...

[rudy654-2009]

Soon, very soon, all the politicians will follow suit to save their skins. Religion is quickly going to become a liability for anyone. Her rivers are about to dry up.

[patriot12436]

floydzepp
It is not an excuse. I know a man in the Philippines (American) who reported the location of ben laden because he lives in that area. I also have intelligence connections who i sent a report thru, nothinghas happened. I think maybe bush is waitig to just before election to caputer him to make the republicans look good or doesn''t want him captured because of something ben laden might knowm tat could hurt bush, although i doubt bush has that reasoning capability.