Disregard for TRUTH

A response to slanderous emails with offensive disregard for TRUTH about Barack Obama:

Tomorrow, Jan. 1st, 2008 marks the 200th anniversary when slavery importation was first prohibited in the U. S. (reference: Forgotten Step Toward Freedom) The reason I mention this is because it has some relevance (tradition/culture per se) to the response below I wrote to my brother-in-law in answer to his questions about the same email herewith (at end of this writing) you forwarded to me. Please allow me to apply the ROTARY truth, fairness, goodwill and beneficial test to it (Or should I say my Christian-values test?). But understand I’m not claiming to have 100% truth; at least it is the search for truth to give a more balanced, reasonable perspective. I share the reply herewith for the enlightenment of all. I would welcome comments from anyone. Thanks, Cornell
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Yes, I've received several of these emails, and in the next few months we can count on many more of political orientation.

Being "black" to be a member of Trinity UCC, I would think would have much to do with culture and possibly the church's mission to reach out to a huge underclass in Chicago area of African-Americans to meet them "where they are" in their need to understand “from where they came” and how they can fit into an orderly society. For an outsider to better understand all this, one would have to, at least, try to find a place of empathy within the lives of those who are less hopeful than we. Trinity may, or may not, have a few white members; Centenary (my church) has only one or two blacks who attend regularly, and I don't know if they are actually members.

Black churches, especially southern, have to be given much credit for social justice, which has made America more ideally a morally democratic country. The book I am currently reading, God’s Politics by Jim Wallis, points to the Christian-values that brought about racial social justice in the U. S. Can you imagine where this country would be today without Martin Luther King Jr.’s peaceful initiative of the sixties? As Wallis says, “with a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other” he did what would have never been initiated out of, most at least, the white churches.

Churches of the same denomination differ greatly by ethnicity (especially color/race), as well as theology, given many adhere to liberal or conservative theology even though there's a "statement of belief" we recite. Just how that statement of belief is defined within each member's heart is where each of us finds a place to remain true to our religious values. (And of course some of us never think about what we really believe or would we dare to question it; we just go with the flow -- as most do.) That's true also of United Methodist, as there are, if not predominately, wholly "black," "Hispanic," "white," or other ethnicity of which probably most do not mention being Americans but do claim to be members of the "Universal Christian Church." I could not find "American" mentioned on the UMC website. So far as I know there is only one "United Church of Christ" denomination, and my son Mitch's church, at Hillsborough, NC is a member of this denomination.

To delve further into the pros and cons of Obama/Trinity UCC read a discrediting by the black Erik Rush who appeared on Hannity and Colmes: http: Obamination. (This article is posted on the Alan Keys website. It was Keyes who was defeated by Obama in the last Illinois U. S. Senate election.) However, don't read it without also reading the Trinity UCC pastor's response: Trinity UCC. I can't speak for Obama, but people who are members of their “claimed faith” don't always necessarily agree verbatim with it's doctrine/policies. That's certainly could apply to me as a United Methodist, and I believe that could be true with (many) others as well. It is the strict doctrine and literal Bible interpretations that plays havoc, creates disunity and division within religion. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia published by the Oxford University Press there were over 9,900 documented distinct and separate religions in the world – as reported in 2002 from The Atlantic essay Oh, Gods!. Religious tolerance! Yes. Religious freedom! Yes.

Again, I can’t speak for Obama, and I’m not supporting him or anyone else at this point. However, I would defend him or anyone else in his or her Christian faith, even so Mitt Romney. After all, in Christian Faith our allegiance is to Christ first. “Render to Rome what is Rome’s” even though Rome is not always right. Possibly, we’ve seen an excess of politically hyped patriotism over the past years, while many true patriots have been ridiculed and falsely accused of being unpatriotic. True patriotism is revealed by work, action, and effectiveness to make a better country more so than by symbolisms. Jim Wallis points to this in God’s Politics.

I was impressed by Obama's book The Audacity of Hope, and believe it revealed much about his Christian values. Nothing that I have heard or read yet has caused me to question his motives or to in anyway identify him with extremist views; although, I'll stay tuned. Several email rumors against Obama are corrected at Urban Legends.

No doubt radical-religious extremism is a serious problem throughout the world, by which I am very concerned. Have you seen the documentary by Christiane Amanpour: God’s Warriors, Jews, Muslims, and Christians? It is the infighting of the children of Abraham and their religious-extremism that is one of the biggest threats to democracy and world peace. (A good book to learn more about Abraham’s children is Abraham: A Journey to The Heart of Three Faith, by Bruce Fieler) The three segments of God’s Warriors on CNN were initially run in Aug. and have since been rerun. I recommend these to anyone who is concerned about the future of our country and the world. Where is the leader with the best understanding of these issues who can communicate with other world leaders to find the best solutions and resolve to defend our nation and save the world from complete destruction?

Well, these are some of my thoughts, however probably not as fine tuned as needed. I welcome your comments.

Cornell Cox

Here is one example of the emails with offensive disregard for truth:
Lets be sure and remember this!!!
Subject: Fw: Obama's church
Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.
Obama's church:
Please read and go to this church's website and read what is written there. It is very alarming. Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church... B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing.

Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa! I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers.
This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency is really scary. Click on the link below: This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: www.tucc.org/about.htm