Sen Obama's Christianity.

Sen Obama and I are brothers in Christ.  We belong to the same denomination.  My church is in California, while his is in Chicago. Our denomination, The United Church of Christ, has a grand mission of inclusiveness.  This is not to say I agree with every policy statement or theological teaching.  However, we are allowed to think independently and still come together as the body of Christ.   

Over the last few months, I have tried to be a moderate.  I want to find something good about brother Obama.  It is obvious that he is a gifted speaker and projects a calm demeanor.  I like this about him. 

On the other hand, Sen Obama's writings and his associations with extremists moved me from a mild mannered reporter and a possible Obama supporter to a harsh critic of Sen Obama.  I became really angry at Sen Obama for staying in a church that preaches Black Liberation Theology.  I did not know Trinity United Church of Christ was this extreme.  Furthermore, his poor judgment in standing by his extremist pastor and his Black Liberation Theology oriented church led me to believe that he uses poor judgment. 

This being said, I want to give Sen Obama the benefit of the doubt.  And, I have tried to understand why he attends his church and surrounds himself with people like Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton.  I am still trying to figure out why he put a Black Panther on his campaign staff. 

He claims to be a Christian and not a Muslim, even though there is evidence that he trained and studied to be a Muslim.  This is not important to me now.  Because, many people struggle with their faith.  His faith journey got clouded, but I will take him at his word about being a Christian.  I hope his love of Christ will help him overcome his shortcomings.  I pray God will lead him to see America in a more positive light.