Church is One Body, Many Voices

I greet you in that wonderfull name of our Lord and saviour. I female aged 31yrs from Kimberley in SA and a very Proud Born Again Christian. I don't have a comment but a compliment on the obove discussion because recently i becam every active in church and chared an idea that we have to engaged in out community as children of God and not everyone within the youth and choir was to happy about that but i think it's because they don't undestand the purpose of it, therefore i would like you to pray for so GOD can grant me th ewisdom and strenght to guide them so we can live up to our vision. Please email me with any feedback or enspired script on virginia.vdlinde@suniternational.com

Thanks yours in christ

There sure does seem to be some that call themselves "christian" that don't seem to have a clue what "christianity" is about and definitely don't seem to know much about Jesus except for His Name and Who He Is.

Sometimes it does seem very human how some people can know the bible from cover to cover and don't seem to have a clue about what any of it means.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Oh, Obama this is a bishop to milliions. I pray you and Bishop Jakes cross paths, and he can be in your life as President.

Like hateful white evangelical neochristians have hijacked Christianity for their political agendas, Black apologists for the hateful, racist Wright have hijacked the name of Black Church to further perpetuate the collective chip on black shoulders.
The labeling of Black churches is not just another whitey plot but is rather self-inflicted. Just as Muslims and Muslim clergy are reluctant to denounce their brothers' terrorism, Blacks and black clergy are reluctant to denounce Wright.

I feel bad for you, Reverend, for your pain from this abomination just as I feel bad for Jesus for what his white neochristian "followers" are doing in his name.

In the meantime, the media, has a "all Reverend Wright, all the time" frenzy. The most glaring is Faux news who dismisses Philadelphia police beating suspects as a "snippet out of context" while looping short clips of the vulgar racism of Wright over and over again as part of the racist neocon agenda to define Obama as someone different than who he is.

To Anonymous Regarding the $723.00
I was there that night. I heard everything. What you must have missed was the fact that he specifically said that it was for the people who had businesses and that they were "sowing a seed" for their businesses. He specifically said that it wasn't for everybody. Now because God didn't speak to me to give, then I felt no stress, strain, or struggle to give anything. It didn't bother me that he asked for it. The key here is Give according to as the Spirit leads you. Just because someone asks for it doesn't mean you have to give it. There are always opportunities for people to sow their seeds into good soil for purpose of edifying the Body of Christ. Our church has opportunities as a whole and if God so leads me to give at a certain time then if led to I will do it. I am never under any pressure by any of these preachers when they ask for money. God might be speaking to some but not to all. If you know about the whole meaning of sowing and reaping and sowing seeds into good ground you wouldn't have felt so bad about what went down. I personally didn't give anything that night but to those that were called to do it they will (if they have the faith) reap an harvest on their seeds sown IF IT WAS INTO GOOD SOIL. I personally am not a "follower" of Jakes because it isn't where I am in my life right now. I don't need anyone to "preach me happy". But when I was a babe in christ, I listened to him more often because he takes things a little deeper for those that may not know much abuot the word.
I hope you understand what I have stated.

I attend a church that yes is predominately black and that's primarily because of the location. Yet we have white people, Hispanic people and we invite all to join our services. Our Pastor is a wonderful man of God who not only "teaches" the "GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST" but he lives it. He doesn't have one racist bone in his body. We don't talk politics but we do tell people to go out and vote. Our pastor never tells us who to vote for but he teaches us the Word of God and that's his part and now we have to obey the Spirit of the Living God and do as HE commands us to do.

So if you are anywhere in the Baltimore-Washington, DC, Maryland area I invite ALL PEOPLE to come to our church. You don't have to "Get your self together" you don't even have to have your sins forgiven to come to church. THE BIBLE SAYS COME AS YOU ARE.

WWW.SpiritOfFaith.org
Pastor Michael A. Freeman
3 Locations:
Temple Hills, Md (Sundays at 8am and 11am)
Brandywine, Md (Sundays at 9:30am)
Ellicott City, Md (Saturdays at 6pm)
Come and hear the word of God as it is supposed to be TAUGHT.

Be blessed

Thank you to Bishop T. D. Jakes for his reasuring and helpful comments about the African American Church.

Churches historically have done little for the little people except to keep them in servitude to its institutions and the governments with which it has associated itself.

Its reforms have rarely come from within but have been imposed upon it by civil governments.

During the nineteenth century the church was brought to heel by secular civil forces after a thousand years of torture, burning and butchery yet even today it snubs human morality by protecting its priests from prosecution for sexual abuse and moves them to unsuspecting parishes where they can continue their predatory actions.

Actions, not words, are the basis of legitimate criticism and one can hardly keep a straight face when one hears the claim that the rights and concerns of individuals have been a real concern of religious institutions over the centuries.

A check list for Christian church leaders:

Jesus spoke truth to religious leaders not secular rulers. It makes sense to reflect, get honest feedback from others both positive and negative, use all criticism as valuable building blocks for real change instead of going into a self-defense rationalization mode.

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper and commanded His disciples to do the same, to serve their flock with deep humility and love, to be good shepherds.

When religious leaders are corrupted by power and/or wealth and begin to feel infallible expecting their flock to accept them as such trouble is bound to follow.

It is good to know that the black church is not a monolith and the concept of black liberation with forgiveness, love in action and integration with all races is practiced by many.

Bishop Jakes,

If the black church doesn't want to be stereotyped then it should discipline its own ranks. When Wright spewed his lies and hatred at the national press club, playing the race card with "An attack on Jeremiah Wright is an attack on the black church!", the black church leaders in attendance cheered him on.

How can one not conclude that the black church operates in lockstep and does not call its own to accountability?

I spent time at a black charismatic church. Wonderful people, but there was a racist element coming down from the pulpit. Sadly, eventually I left because of pastoral abuse.

Your words here portray a wonderful ideal, but not the reality. There is an awful lot of black identity in the black church, and it has little to do with Christianity.

I was very disappointed that Rev. Jakes did not proclaim his unequivocal objection and opposition to the more divisive of Rev. Wright's comments, such as the US government inventing AIDS for the purpose of killing African Americans, and the US deserving the attacks of 9-11.

The silence from the entire Black Church on these outrageous and slanderous remarks by Rev. Wright has been deafening.

We must all stand together and denounce racists of every color before race can ever fade into the fabric of faith.

"The blood washed Church for which Jesus died is not relegated to one group or another..."

Sorry, but I found the imagery evoked by that myth-inspired sentence extremely distasteful and couldn't bring my self to read any further.

What is it with the blood sacrifices and the Christian cult of death? Disgusting!

Great insight. Unfortunately it comes a little late.

The problem is no one understands the difference; religion is not politics and politics is not religion. Nothing people say will make sense until they understand that fact. Jesus was not a politician.

The problem is no one understands the difference; religion is not politics and politics is not religion. Nothing people say will make sense until they understand that fact. Jesus was not a politician.

The problem is no one understands the difference; religion is not politics and politcs is not religion. Nothing people say will make sense until they understand that fact. Jesus was not a politician.

I actually believe that B.Obama didn't hear these statements that keep being repeated. Here's why. I believe that Barack only joined that church to gain street cred in that community. It was a political move. He showed his face every once in a while in order to rise to political power in the Black community. He spent all the other Sundays courting his political allies. The times they did spend together, they probably spoke generically of overcoming struggles. Blah blah blah. Barack wasn't listening; he was taking a head count and tallying how many votes he was racking up. He was probably thinking, "Rev. Wright sounds so much like Charlie Brown's mother."

Bishop Jakes is beyond hypocritical with his "show me the money" prosperity gospel. I went to hear him preach at Jericho City of Praise; he can preach it. Unfortunately, after his wonderful preaching, he told the crowd that the only people who would receive any blessings from God were those who brought him up $723 since God had prompted him to preach chapter 7 verse 23. Yes, he's got room to write about that which shall UNITE us.

To Wallace, you need not be an atheist, my friend. No one can take God's love for you away. Try a UCC church.

Good piece Rev. Jakes

America is drowning in it's own soup of Christian situational ethics. Please vote for whomever ye wish, but please, consider this:

Rev, Wright has said some things (which the post has noted)that seemed inflamitory, whilw other white preachers get a free pass, or a soundbite on CNN, then it's over. My pastor, who is white, remembers being told by his pastor to dont worry about preaching to blacks, "for they have no soul". I guess he should have left that church never to go back.....

Everybody has an issue that is important to them; for some it's abortion, it's guns, or the economy, real hot button issues. So who does not turn to their voting conscience when these issues are At the foreront? Obama said people turn to "things" when things are not right in their world, including religion and issues, like GUNS, ABORTION, the ECONOMY, etc. So everybody, vote accordingly and stop trying to act like you/we are having a hard choice. Vote your issues! Dont hide behind these silly soundbites. I have very conservative christian values, but live in a country among other christians that will cry holy foul about abortion, but wont shed a tear about what we do, or have done to other countries! Our great nation is greedy and our politicians have sold "WE The People" out. Why not health care as a right? Why not help keep jobs in the US? Why not use more alternate fuels? Why, because we have been sold out and blinded by the media that fills us with the elixar of "American Idol" and other mind numbing funk. In the meantime we watch the news media make news and issues that dictates what we focus on, stupid stuff. All of the candidates will do a great job in my opinion, I just feel the new guy will be what the Big Bush set out to be: kinder and gentler.

I find it imperative to post this comment, as several people commenting here seem to have forgotten (or maybe did not know) that Jesus commanded not only to follow Him, but to turn from one's sin ("go and sin no more"). Thus no one who continues to willfully act in sin after being "saved" truly has salvation.

If you believe the God of the Bible, and the regeneration He provides through His Son Jesus Christ, you accept that the Holy Spirit has acted upon the heart and mind of a person, conforming them to Christ. Thus, the fruit of a saved person is their new life in Christ, freed from the bondage of his/her sin and everturning from their will to God's.

Bishop Jakes is correct. Media's projection of the opinions expressed by one individual has been grossly unfair to the individual as well as to all of us. The magnification of these opinions by the media has shaped a device that can indeed be used to divide all of us. The consistent finger pointing by Senator Clinton further encourages division. The only candidate who has spoken on unifying the country and has addressed our unpopular past has been Senator Obama.

Although America would like to ignore the affects of our past; these uncomfortable truths need to be confronted. If we never confront that ugly past, how can this country heal as a whole? It's more than just lip service, it is acknowledging what happended and then making the effort to repair the damage.

The Holocost museum does not repair the damage or speak to the pain of the survivors; but it does offer a humble apology and a promise of "Never Again." The truth remains that our America has a problem being equal.

Just today Laura Bush "implores" the government in Myanmar to allow the US to help it's people. What about helping our own? New Orleans has not recovered from a storm called Katrina that happend over two years ago. Shouldn't she be begging for those displaced by that tragedy to be housed? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for Mrs. Bush to pled for the rebuilding of this area in her own country?

America has a problem being equal. Until we address the issue of inequity in this country, we, the people of this country, will continue to have a problem.

Bishop Jakes is correct. Media's projection of the opinions expressed by one individual has been grossly unfair to the individual as well as to all of us. The magnification of these opinions by the media has shaped a device that can indeed be used to divide all of us. The consistent finger pointing by Senator Clinton further encourages division. The only candidate who has spoken on unifying the country and has addressed our unpopular past has been Senator Obama.

Although America would like to ignore the affects of our past; these uncomfortable truths need to be confronted. If we never confront that ugly past, how can this country heal as a whole? It's more than just lip service, it is acknowledging what happended and then making the effort to repair the damage.

The Holocost museum does not repair the damage or speak to the pain of the survivors; but it does offer a humble apology and a promise of "Never Again." The truth remains that our America has a problem being equal.

Just today Laura Bush "implores" the government in Myanmar to allow the US to help it's people. What about helping our own? New Orleans has not recovered from a storm called Katrina that happend over two years ago. Shouldn't she be begging for those displaced by that tragedy to be housed? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for Mrs. Bush to pled for the rebuilding of this area in her own country?

America has a problem being equal. Until we address the issue of inequity in this country, we, the people of this country, will continue to have a problem.

Bishop Jakes is correct. Media's projection of the opinions expressed by one individual has been grossly unfair to the individual as well as to all of us. The magnification of these opinions by the media has shaped a device that can indeed be used to divide all of us. The consistent finger pointing by Senator Clinton further encourages division. The only candidate who has spoken on unifying the country and has addressed our unpopular past has been Senator Obama.

Although America would like to ignore the affects of our past; these uncomfortable truths need to be confronted. If we never confront that ugly past, how can this country heal as a whole? It's more than just lip service, it is acknowledging what happended and then making the effort to repair the damage.

The Holocost museum does not repair the damage or speak to the pain of the survivors; but it does offer a humble apology and a promise of "Never Again." The truth remains that our America has a problem being equal.

Just today Laura Bush "implores" the government in Myanmar to allow the US to help it's people. What about helping our own? New Orleans has not recovered from a storm called Katrina that happend over two years ago. Shouldn't she be begging for those displaced by that tragedy to be housed? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for Mrs. Bush to pled for the rebuilding of this area in her own country?

America has a problem being equal. Until we address the issue of inequity in this country, we, the people of this country, will continue to have a problem.

Sadly, I agree with Wallace . . . to some extent. All the "black churches" I've been to, sooner or later, get into that "black/white" thing. I have left two churches because of that. Imagine, coming out of church angry, upset, mad at the world. I want peace and love! I don't attend church now, but I do beleive in God and thank him for all my blessings.

Man is destroying our relationship with God. God knows this - that's why there will be many in church going to hell and many on the streets going to heaven.

Well said Bishop!!! Thank you for putting this mess in perspective. WHY is the media gicing him vocerage??? This issue is NOT about Jeremiah Wright and his one-sided comments about the "Black" church. His motives are self-serving and without merit. And more importantly, HE does NOT represent the Black Church--he is a joke and an embarrassment to the church. God is NOT the author of foolishness and confusion. Thank you Bishop T.D. Jakes for representing what "true" ministry and a true follower of Christ is all about. Many of these so-called ministers today are a joke and are more concerned about themselves and their selfish-ambitions, than they are about helping others and doing the work of missions and ministry. God Bless You. L. Collier, Maryland

WHAT: You said what needed to be said. I believe some Christians would have a fit when they hear someone is gay. If you're saved, you may have been gay but you won't act upon the desires of the flesh anymore and that goes for liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, selfish desires: Galatians 5:19 speaks about the sinful nature and the second warning from Paul. A liar will be thown in the lake of fire; There's only sin that is unforgivable and that's blashemy against the Holy Spirit. And as WHAT quoted: denominations should go out the window. I am a member of a non-denominational Church and as long as our beliefs line up with scripture; we are called, one body, one baptism, one Lord: the Body of Christ....Casting Crowns has a song entitled: "If we are the Body", why aren't our arms reaching, why aren't our hands healing, why aren't our feet going. Also, this I believe w/out a doubt, that the majority of churhgoers are not saved including pastors. They quote that they're saved by grace, but grace expresses itself through love, godly sorrow that leads to repentance, obedience, and of course, hoiiness. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. We cannot become holy in our own strength; it's the work of the Holy Spirit, which stamps His law, love for Him, Love for our neighbor, and Jesus' righteousness on our hearts where we can spend eternity with in Heaven, which is perfect, with a Holy, merciful, just God...

Carlton Pearson's "doctrine" is totally against the word of God. I have denounced this as well.
That doctrine is stating that Jesus died for all so there isn't any need for people to become "saved" or "born-again". That is totally opposite of what Jesus preached for 3 years for and died for. Jakes wasn't the only one that "denounced" him. Oral Roberts, John Hagee, an many others as well.

But Potter's House exiled Carlton Pearson, who preaches the doctrine of Inclusion. Maybe the Post could interview him for this column.

Respectfully,
Laura

Dallas, Texas

I am not a fan of Rev. Wright, but I will say, that I don't think it was hatred that he was talking about. It was anger and if you recall the soundbyte was right after September 11th when a lot of people were going crazy and trying to point the fingers at everyone for what happened. And that wasn't something he preached for 20 years. He said nothing about "white people". He said nothing about hate. He told no one to hate your neighbor. He was simply stating the fact that people have been mistreating americans (specifically the poor and blacks) and now when something had happened to america from somewhere else we are supposed to think we are immune to it. I don't agree with everything and anything he says but I will tell you that I don't think anything he has ever said was "racist". What's racist is the fact that you have presidents and people of power acting like the black community doesn't exist. The government ignores the issues of the black community and only speaks a moment about these issues. If the gas prices were only effecting black people I TRULY believe no one would be making a fuss about it. But because it's hurting the pockets of EVERYONE even up to some who thought they were well off, now they want to make it a priority. And even now some of them are still acting like there isn't anything going on. Including Bush who has the nerve to joke about gas prices because he doesn't have to worry about them. That's why it is very important for people to vote for someone based on what they truly beleive and not what they are saying. I can say something but it not be from the heart. I can say it just to get votes or I can say it becaue I really want change to happen. Rev. Wright isn't any different than the parishioners of John Hagee's church or Rod Parsley, or any of the other ones that have gotten such hateful things said about them. If what I am saying is truth it should be received as truth no matter how it is said. If your breath stinks I can tell you but you might not receive it because you don't think your breath stinks or you are in denial that your breath stinks. But if you accept the fact that it stinks and brush your teeth and floss so it doesn't then and only then can your breath not stink. DO YOU GET MY POINT. Change can't happen until you realize there is something there that needs to be changed.

Rev. Wright shouldn't have been having all of those news conferences but I think that was a bad decision on his PR person and he just wanted to defend himself. But honestly look at the man and what he has done for the community he is from for all races of people. The people in Chicago understand him and that is for whites and blacks and all other races.

Check out FATHER FLAGER From Chicago. This is a WHITE MAn who knows a lot about Rev. Wright, Obama and many others and he speaks the truth.

i happen to beleave that you can not sit in a church for twety years and have your minister spew hatred and not be effected by it. i know if my priest talked about america and another races of people the way the rev. wright does then i would have a moral obligation to get up and leave. if not then iam just has bad has my religious leader.

Gabby: That's your opinion. If you don't want to go to heaven, that is your business. But I know I don't want to be living in the Lake of Fire or Hades or HELL! I mean what harm could it do to trust God and go to heaven rather than die and go to hell and wish you could have been there.

READ: Luke 16:19-31/ The rich man that wouldn't let the beggar Lazarus eat from his table. Then when Lazarus died he was carried to heaven in Abrahams' bosom and the rich man died and was buried and was in hell being tormented. He had the nerve to call out to God and ask if Lazarus could come and dip his finger into the water to cool his toungue because he wsa being tormented in the flames.

My God why would anyone want to go there? I believe that if you just get saved and actually believe that Jesus died for you then you will go to heaven even if you don't believe in heaven. Why risk the chance of living in torment in the lake of fire for eternity with no chance of ever going back. Guess whate else, if you get to heaven once the rapture comes, if you don't like it then after the thousand year reign of satan on earth you will have a chance to get out of Heaven and go to hell with satan and all of his people. But guess what, I can't even imagine anyone being that stupid to want to miss out on heaven.

That is truly sad and I pray for your heart not to be so hard. Just think about it. TORMENT/FIRE I know I don't want to be there.

WHAT:

Put a sock in it!

That baby was not a seed implanted by GOD ALMIGHTY. It was implanted because two humans had SEX.

If it's people like you who will live in your imaginary heaven, I don't want to be there anyhow.

Bishop Jakes, thank you for a very moving piece. As a non-religious, white woman who for the first time is deserting the Rebublican party to support Barrack Obama, I appreciated to hear a different view on the issues of the "Black Church".

I wasn't particularly concerned about Rev. Wright's association with Sen. Obama, but reading many of the comments on the on Faith website I was perturbed that so many Americans gave up on Obama so quickly because of a few 5-second sound bytes.

Regarding Abortion. DOES THAT BABY HAVE A CHOICE?
God created us all. That baby was a seed that was given to that mother/father by GOD ALMIGHTY. So how dare ANYONE put their choice above God's will.

Has anyone ever seen a picture of an aborted baby? It is very humiliating to see. And even worse are the Mothers who have the nerve to go full term and then go through a partial birth abortion. HOW DISGUSTING! And yet people always says it's a woman's CHOICE. What craziness is that. That baby is a God given God Ordained human being. He knew that child before he was even formed in his mother's womb and you are just going to go out and MURDER an innocent FETUS because you "Can't Handle it" or "Afford It". Let's not get into "well what if they were raped". That's why they have adoptions.

WWW.PROLIFE.COM ( take a look for yourself the pictures of these babies that people are MURDERING everyday. It's the lies of the devil)

IN RESPONSE TO WALLACE:

Did you know that you can be saved and be gay?
Although I think that the gay lifestyle is a sin, I don't put that above a heterosexual committing fornication or adultery or anyone lying.

If you are truly saved and by that I mean you have spoken with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died for You and that he rose again on the 3rd day then YOU ARE SAVED. Now only the Holy Spirit can convict you of any wrongdoing that you are currently living in or are doing. The key is to LIVE HOLY. BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY IS WHAT JESUS SAID. So if you are a SAVED person that has accepted Jesus CHrist as Lord then you are saved FROM HELL. Now I would rather get into heaven by the hairs of my chinny chin chin then not to get there at all and not even having a chance to get out of hell.

Now, Jakes has not endorsed anybody. He simply stated that people are attracted to the change that Obama represents. He simply stated that people are tired of living life the same old way. It just so happens that's Obama's message. And in fact, from what I know of Pastor Jakes, he probably is going to vote for McCain over Obama. But regardless, THERE IS NO SUCH ANIMAL CALLED THE "BLACK CHURCH". The Church is ONE BODY OF CHRIST. Now if your church happens to be predominately black well then so be it. But how can you say you are inclusive when EVEN THE TITLE OF YOUR CHURCH EXCLUDES SOME PEOPLE. I.E. The AME CHURCH-African Methodist Episcopal/ So if I am not African I can't come into your doors? That's is stupid. Also we need to get rid of DENOMINATIONS. That is what has killed the BODY OF CHRIST. Our Church simple says "Christian Church". That's all you need to know. We are a Body of Christians who preach the Word of God exactly as he has stated. Now once you come into our doors you will notice that most people there are black but that's only because of the area it's located in. In a predominately Black county in Maryland. We have whites, blacks, hispanics, the real Africans, and others. We welcome all people. And we don't tell gays they are going to hell because once they are saved you are always saved. YOU CAN NOT "LOSE" your salvation. You can freely give it up but you can't LOSE IT. And the only people who can FREELY Give up their salvation are those that were MATURE in Christ and they know exactly what they are doing. The key here is LIVING HOLY. Once You become Saved, that isn't the end of the thing. You now have to Live as CHrist commands you to live. So if he said that Fornicators and Homosexuals would not enter the Kingdom of God (NOT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN THAT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT) Then you have to know that there are some things that GOD DOES NOT ALLOW. You can't be blessed and have God's favor on you if you are living in Holiness. That includes fornicators, liars, thieves, adulterers, cheaters, and all manner of sinful natured people.

BE Blessed PEOPLE

I believe you should decide for yourself and your family what should be done if someone in your family becomes pregnant, and I should have the same choice for me and my family. I believe that the States should continue to place the issue on their ballots so the people of that state can determine what if feasible for them. Actually, you anti-abortionist voted for BUSH and guess what is still legal after how many years in office. Take care of yours...

Thank you Bishop Jakes, well said. I too pray that we don't sleep through this nor get distracted. I hope we as Americans wake up!

Again thank you.

T.D. Jakes, I love to read all of your words and my hope first lies in the Blood of Christ we then can move onto hopes in other men. Unfortunately all too often we all get caught up in who the best man or woman can be to get us up out of our stigmas when all the while we take our focus off of the blood of the lamb. I have too often been the center of this kind of abuse too...the kind that Rev. Wright has forced down our throats. It was not my classmates of 5th grade that brought their racist views to the class room in 1974...it was their parents views they brought. But there in lies the problem. My views have evolved into the changing times where as I think some people are stuck in the past. My views went from a 5th grader that had many friends that their parents told to stay home from school so that they would not have to attend school with those #@#$$, whereas my parents look me in the eye and said they are people that deserve the kind of education that we can afford for you. Then my first day of school I befriended a girl knowing that my parents wanted me to love these knew kids on the block just the same. She asked if she could wear the birthstone ring my brothers bought me for my birthday, she never returned that ring (probably not worth more then $20 in 1974). Anyway, that incident turned into about 20-40 girls of her same race coming out during recess and threatening to kick my @#$ if I went to the Principles office to report the ring stolen.
Since that very formable time in my life I have found my savior as an adult. I now know the difference between racism and survival. I now know the difference between hatred and just doing what you were raised to do. I don't blame that little girl anymore, I blame society for forcing a blanket of "change" onto us. Even today a woman I work with, an African American, when I mentioned that Dr. Martin Luther King stated that the most segregated day in America is Sunday. Her response was "So what, why must we conform to anyone elses way to worship, I like the way I worship, why does everyone think that needs to be changed". Well there's the truth right there...even if people were to reach across the aisle does that mean the person they are reaching for will want the change they are offering.

Another thing I will never vote for a man or woman who would allow a baby to die on a table all alone only because that baby was a baby of a botch abortion. So that is why I will not vote for Obama...my Christ would not agree to that act and neither do I. If that's the kind of change he is offering I don't want any part of it.

We are looking at a preacher that is teaching hatred to the members of his church. Mr. Obama has gone to this church for 20 years and he expects us to believe that this is the first time he has heard his minister preach hatred. Give me a break no one in thier right mind is going to believe this.

Thank you.

Bishop, I have been listening and following your teachings for years now. I agree with every word spoken, we must not get distracted by all the nit picking and allow greatness to come forth. I do see the Reverend Wright issue as a distraction for all that Mr. Obama seems to stand for. I thing it would be an injustice to all to allow the media or anyone else to distract us in what is important for the here and right now moment. Change is inevitable and it is an necessary process. People all over the world is watching to see what we do next. We all should get back to the business at hand which is selecting and electing our next U.S. President.

We shoudl be carefull in what we say for Jesus himself said " It is what comes out the mouth of a man that defiles him"

Jesus was not a politican nor did he involve himself with politics saying to "give to Ceasar what is Ceasars and to give to God what is Gods.."

His kingdom is not of this earth as he himself stated so many times.

I would also remind my fellow believers of the parable of the seed that fell to the ground and to beware of being caught up in the things of the world. Especially Politics.

"The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who heard the word but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful."

We are not here for politics and promoting new messiahs to the masses.

We are here to promote a heavenly kingdom and the salvation that Christ gave us at his expense.

We must be ever careful to distance ouselves from becoming too deeply involved in lending our names or the authority that we are given through Christ to taking sides in a wordly and political debate; and, even more careful not to attempt to cover the position we take with his name.

We are to give love, charity, kindness, food, lodging, clothing, and the word of salvation to the masses.

"All I know is Jesus and him crucified..."

I am a member of a church that partners with TD Jakes' ministry. I really think that TD Jakes does not realize that he, in essence, just endorsed Barack Obama. He did not sing the praises of anyone else. It is one thing say the media frenzy is a distraction and quite another thing to say that Barack Obama can bring this country together. That sounds like an unofficial endorsement to me. Since it sounds like TD Jakes is supporting Obama, let me remind him that Barack Obama is pro-choice. He supported a measure in Illinois to allow babies from failed abortions to die from neglect. Do the research. I know this contradicts Jakes' beliefs because I heard him take a stand against abortion and its devastating effects on the Black community. I heard this with my own ears.

T.D. Jakes is such a hypocrite! The black church community is representative of exactly the type of divisiveness that Rev. Wright preaches.

As a gay black man, I have been at a crossroads with the church for years as a child and teenager. When my life got so unbearable, primarily because of the church, and my inability to share who I was, and why I was being cast as filth and hell bound, I attempted suicide (I wasn't successful, but many of my friends were!). The church, particularly the black church, has never been a haven for understanding and acceptance. They "do" preach the way "they" think. They do divide and judge. They are inhumane, and so far grounded in quakery and fear mongoring, that they are driving men, youth, and other people that don't fit the traditional mold, away from it.

I have since become atheist, and I am happy. I am no longer guilt ridden with my "inferiority" through the eyes of the black church. I have learned that I don't need the blessing of a church, or the belief in a myth to be complete.

Rev. Wright has become the defacto face of the black church. An old black man, running up and down screaming and hollering, shouting conspiracy theories, and making insane comments. It is fitting of the black church I know. I think that after this, if Obama should win the nomination, the black church will have very little power in his administration, just as it should. America will be watching, and I don't think he will give up the whole of America, for the ignorance and divisive politics of the black church. Rev. Wright has given him every right to turn his back on the church. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes an atheist himself after this...After all, these men are no more inspired by the concept of a god, than by their own greed...Overweight all of them, excessive homes, cars, and clothing...The message has never been about inclusion, on the contrary, it has always been about control.

Amen, Bishop Jakes!

Unfortunately, many in todays media--both conservative AND liberal--are more concerned about sensationalizing the story than actually TELLING the story as it is.

Furthermore, most of these people have never been active members of any church--"Black", "White", or "Other"--yet feel fully qualified to MIS-inform the American public of the "divisive" nature of today's church.

Too many articles have been written that portray church folks--ESPECIALLY BLACK CHURCH FOLKS--as some sort of robotic, monolithic society; all followers of the teachings or opinions of the media-anointed 'Pastor of the Day'.

As a result, persons of ALL races, creeds and colors--Christian or NON-Christian--are done a true disservice!

Thanks you for your comments, Bishop Jakes!

I agree with you Mr. Jake

people need to be careful, what they say
and speak from the spirit and not their own.

I also think that mr wright got carry away

Very well-written application to replace Rev. Wright as Sen. Obama's pastor. I hope you get the job, Rev. Jakes.

I couldn't agree more with this message. My church experiences have almost always been multi-racial and certainly far more free of hatred than what I encounter in society and at work. the Church is indeed living and breathing and is at its core the organ by which Christ's body sustains its life and its mission of love.

"Gradually race fades into the fabric of faith and becomes less central to the over arching core of human needs in general."

I believe that this is the most profound statement a man can make, and I appreciate that it came from Rev. T. D. Jakes. In my ministry I have seen nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, and even religion, fade into the fabric of faith, and bring people together knowing that as there is only One God, there is only One Spirit expressing as One People. The Black churches that I have visited and presented my message of faith and One-ness, have amazed me with their love and receptivity to my message. And I have been marvelously overjoyed to see a growing diversity within each church that I have visited. As our faith in God and in the goodness inherent in each person grows, all things other than the Spirit within the person, I believe, fades away.