The church Obama made

A few decades ago, a future American president came before the people to speak not about his controversial faith, but about the country he believed in. For John F. Kennedy, separation of church and state was an absolute; he would neither seek nor accept any edicts from his church, he would work for the day when all Americans and all religions would be considered equal. Most importantly, he told Americans just exactly where he would stand, should his role as President conflict with his conscience:

But if the time should ever come--and I do not concede any conflict to be even remotely possible--when my office would require me to either violate my conscience or violate the national interest, then I would resign the office; and I hope any conscientious public servant would do the same.

Investor's Business Daily a few weeks ago trotted out the question of Senator Barack Obama's religious past, while repeating and then refuting the rumor that the Senator took his oath of office on the Qur'an. IBD's editors point out that Obama was baptized Christian, but then instantly assert that he might previously have been Muslim. And if he was, these people theorize, radical Muslims might (gasp) try to assassinate him.

As the editors point out - after spending several paragraphs on the subject - the Senator's alleged Muslim faith really isn't the problem. They take issue with his current membership in an "Afro-centric church," which describes itself as "unashamedly black." Once you've read IBD's extrapolation, read David Emery's take at About.com, which includes a quote from Christian Post columnist Martin Marty:

"Being 'unashamedly black' does not mean being 'anti-white.' My wife and I on occasion attend (Trinity United Church of Christ), and, like all other non-blacks, are enthusiastically welcomed."

IBD is apparently disturbed that the church asks members to band together in African solidarity, including support for black-owned businesses. Naturally, they drop the name of Louis Farakahn, because that's what you do when you want to get white folks riled up about black folks. So instead of a reasoned argument for nationalism, including the context in which churches like Trinity United Church of Christ emerged, the writers play shamelessly on white fear.

The bottom line here is, each presidential candidate in this election comes with some sort of baggage. Senator Obama and his church, which champions black-owned businesses, are just the ones Investor's Business Daily chose to pick on.

Gee, I wonder why?