A conservative Houston pastor and close friend of President Bush switched political camps this election cycle and is going all out to get Sen. Barack Obama into the White House.
Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell – the same person who introduced Bush as the nominee at the Republican National Convention and presided over the wedding of Jenna Bush – has been passionately campaigning for Democratic nominee Obama.
Not only has Caldwell donated time and money, but he has built a pro-Obama Web site, organized meetings for the candidate with prominent Christian leaders, and talks to the campaign several times a week.
He said he was won over by Obama’s “heart” and could identify with the candidate’s life story as an African-American who worked hard to get a good education and a better life.
"Senator Barack Obama went to two good schools. In the neighborhood I grew up in, that's what they said: 'Get a high-school education, get into a good school,'” Caldwell said while criticizing Republicans for attacking Obama as an elitist, according to Newsweek. “He did that. And now, they are taking his educational background and trying to twist it to make him an elitist."
But the founding pastor of the 14,000-member black congregation, Windsor Village United Methodist Church, has been the target of attacks by Christians who criticized him for trading in his moral conviction in order to support Obama.
In one instance, Caldwell volunteered to take a ministry that seeks to help homosexuals to understand that “change is possible” with the help of God off the church Web site so as not to give Obama "unnecessary angst."
Pro-gay groups had protested the ministry, called Metanoia, and contacted the Obama campaign about it. In response, Metanoia was removed from the church Web site although it is still operating and will return online soon, Caldwell said.
Responding to accusations that he sacrificed Christian convictions for politics, Caldwell says he believes homosexual sex, adultery, and premarital sex are all sinful acts.
"I agree with Senator Obama on this one,” he said. “I think marriage is between a man and a woman, but I support gay persons' rights under the Constitution."
While Caldwell may be able to reconcile Obama’s abortion rights and pro-homosexual agenda with his religious conviction, other African-American evangelicals have vehemently denounced the Democratic candidate based on those same two issues.
Pamela G. Wilson in her book, Finding Soul Brothers: Dismantling Black Christian Racialism, chastises African-American Christians for what she calls behaving like a secular black society.
“Most of the time, people (black Christians) are supporting a candidate for the sake of how they feel they will advance the race,” Wilson told The Christian Post in an earlier interview.
“People just jump on the black bandwagon at the expense of their faith,” she said.
Wilson called on black Christians to vote based on a faith-based agenda including family values, morality, and spiritual authority.
She criticizes, in her book, top African-American religious leaders for “turn[ing[] their back” on biblical issues of abortion in exchange for a civil rights agenda.
Likewise, conservative evangelical leader Bishop Harry Jackson, an African-American registered Democrat, has criticized Obama. Jackson has often worked closely with Focus on the Family Action to highlight Obama’s left-wing position on values issues.
Obama is backed by 91 percent of registered black voters, according to the latest Gallup Poll for Oct. 6-12.
RSS
Margaret Sanger Would Have Loved Barack Obama and this minister: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/497845888.html
This is a sad state that the Christian Chrurch in is now that we have a pastor and leader endorsing a candidate that stands for abortion and gay marriage. Things that go directly against the bible. There is no reconsiling this as a christian. This is outright wrong. My Grandmother always said all those that cry Lord, Lord won't make it through the gates of Heaven!
I have come to this conclusion: Not many are going in the 'catching away' (rapture) as some would call it. Just like the Word of God says, "You talk with your mouth nice things, but your heart is far from me." Who do we think we are that we can fool God? We better wake up before it's too late. America does not love God. America doesn't even acknowledge God. We just go through the motions.
Seedplanter.
That's a sad story. I'm afraid that pastor will have to answer to God for that.
Me and a friend once went to the house of a pastor of a Methodist Church. He asked the pastor how a person gets to heaven and he answered, you have to be a good person. My friend then asked him what about being born again? His reply was, "I can't preach that. I'm born again, but I can't preach that."
This is no shock. It is just another confirmation of where America and it's so called 'christians' are headed and where they stand. Even so Lord Jesus, take your bride away. Are we truly ready?
"Have you ever met a United Methodist minister who is a ture born-again Christian?"
I have but he was on a small island on the coast of VA. I guess you get marooned if you believe in being born again! (I believe he called it turning your life over to Christ and ask Him to forgive you.)
Short of a miracle from God, Alan Keyes and Ron Paul will never be on the republican ticket. I'd vote for either one in a heart beat. But they are too independent. The party would never allow it.
rocky, I know Free Methodist Pastors who are truly born-again and the two UMC Pastors I knew who were have left the UMC, one to the SBC and one to a Charismatic church.
Did anyone note that the so-called Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell is a United Methodist? Have you ever met a United Methodist minister who is a ture born-again Christian? I haven't. Most of them believe in salvation by doing or being good, do not accept the Virgin Birth of Christ, His Substitutionary Atonement on the Cross (they call Christianity a bloody religion), the Inspiration of Scripture, the Resurrection, the Rapture, nor the Second Coming. They do not accept that Hell is a real place. In other words, they do not believe the Bible. Too bad...they had better start reading it...it'll scare the hell out of them...oops, they don't believe in Hell but use the word in their swearing, while they are drinking and smoking in front of their parishoners while making arrangements to meet with some local "lady of the night" to learn about the "social ills" of the unfortunate. I have heard them say this myself and I am quoting them...a former Methodist.
I wonder if all of the statements above that are being censored by "Faith in God" are being blocked because s/he is expressing the true...which is something this liberal left-wing socialist/Marxist website does not want revealed about THE ONE their own MESSIAH who has stated he wishes to remove (even if violently) conservative born-again evangelical Christians in a speech made to the members of Ayers' group who met at Ayers' home (a meeting he does not rember attending). If he can't remember that meeting which started his political career, how he can be trusted to remember anything truthful as President. By the way, I am not anti-African American. I am for life, not for killing, I am for traditional marriage, not homo marriage and I am for Alan Keyes, an African-American, who should be the Republican candidate for President in 2012.
All those capable of choosing God or the World do so. Wheat and Chaff are being separated.
You just have to ask yourself this question: That when you stand before God you will say either you Served him completely or threw your lot in with man.
DP,
"Do you know that polling is such a science that.."
Derailed...polling is scientific, since when? It's an opinion response, it's not science in the least.
"If you want me to do a poll 2000 voters I could do that and McCain would be the front runner hands down. In fact, the poll would show Obama doesn't have a chance!"
I guess, but this would require subjective polling questions. Again, not very scientific. The responses given by blacks as a voting block have been heavily democratic for decades though, simply aiding Obama to the ticket didn't result in the already heavy leaning.
And, after all, that's twice as many people as most of these polls represent."
2000 still isn't that reflective of the populace (usually samples of 10,000 or greater are used for margin of error), especially considering the population of the country which can vote.
"How could I do that? I'd just poll 2000 people at my church...."
Nope, that wouldn't suffice, not even close. Never mind the fact that all 2000 would by any account share very similar views and thus this subjective approach of polling just them and not sampling other areas isn't allowed for it results in unreflective data. This is why polls never target specific areas, they are multi-regional.
It would be like polling one household from a city and asking them views on crime, education, while ignoring the rest.The 2000 people from your church are local, not national, and generally localized views are more homogeneous when compared regionally. Thus why polls are always national.
"With the exception of the second Reagan election, the democrat has been the front runner at this point in the race for the past 25 years."
Were Dukakis, Gore or Kerry? No, maybe Gore, but certainly not the others.
"91% of black voters support Obama"
91% of black voters polled support Obama. Do you know that polling is such a science that there are groups who will ask you what you want the outcome to be and they can call by demographic region to get you your results?
If you want me to do a poll 2000 voters I could do that and McCain would be the front runner hands down. In fact, the poll would show Obama doesn't have a chance!
And, after all, that's twice as many people as most of these polls represent. Of course, I would be polling 2000 people from all walks of life, income levels, occupations, family dynamics...the lot. How could I do that? I'd just poll 2000 people at my church....
Just FYI, I've been tracking political polling for the past 25 years starting back when I was in journalism. With the exception of the second Reagan election, the democrat has been the front runner at this point in the race for the past 25 years. The polls proved it! Of course, Clinton was the only dem Pres. in the past 28 years. So much for the polls.
dg, that's the pathetic thing about this is not only does he know those things, he is opposed to homosexuality and abortion, but he's going to support obama anyways.
Mr. Caldwell....I believe you should check in with the Bible, and forget about the Constitution. The Bible says homosexualism is wrong!!! Also, you are rooting for a murderer of children, a homosexualist, a socialist, an un-American, un-patriotic, and a Communist! May God open your blinded eyes!!!!
wj, the difference is that McCain views are in synch with the views of these men you named. Whereas unless this Pastor is a total hypocrite his views do not line up with Obama's views.
SqueakyWheel sez: "It is a shame to see a pastor placing his priorities of political expediency and favor with Obama over the priorities of biblical and ministry faithfulness".
-
I can only imagine the horror, revulsion, and disgust that you must harbor about the advocacy for John McCain by Rod Parsley, James Dobson, Donald Wildmon, Pat Robertson, and Ted Hagee.
-
Will you describe that as "COMPROMISE"? Or are you presenting a case study of personal hypocrisy?
Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the IRS frown on churches who openly endorse candidates, or is that just for churches who support conservatives?
"You praise me with your lips but your hearts are far from me"
agent, I totally agree with your post with regards to minorities, but I sense that small % of whites maybe be somewhat larger than the polls are showing.
"91% of black voters support Obama"
Statistically speaking, minorities in general and blacks in particular have always heavily voted Democratic. Review the past elections both state and federal and this bears it out and the figures for % of blacks voting democratic have been, at least in recent times (past 50 years or more) around 80-90% voting democratic. Saying race is an issue is interesting, but not too convincing, it seems from the polling that a small % of whites wont vote Obama simply for this reason.
Concerning this article, two things immediately come to mind, at least for me:
From Matthew, chapter 7:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?"
These words were spoke by Jesus Himself.
----------
Beloved, beware of those that are teaching something contrary to what is written, for they are set out to deceive even the elect. More of these are coming and we must be grounded in His Word to be able to combat what these false prophets and false teachers are saying to these little ones.
msnchris70 said, "Sad, when Republicans have done more for blacks than any democrat has done"
I can't stop laughing, my sides are hurting.
Compromising with the Devil is never a good thing to do, when Obama supports all sorts of evils like; abortion, gays, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia, etc. If it is immoral, Obama will support it and call it "Freedom".
"He said he was won over by Obamaâ
91% of black voters support Obama and his Marxist-anti Christian views. So, either blacks really agree with all of his policies or they are voting for him because of Race. Me thinks the latter, which makes me think that blacks are racially motivated still to this day.
Sad, when Republicans have done more for blacks than any democrat has done.
Search for Truth....McCain/Palin, the only way to preserve our democratic/capitalistic society.
Just sad and misguided. More disappointment with another of our "so-called" leaders.
Questions for pastor Caldwell:
Was your daddy rich and from another country? Obamas was.
He had the best money could aford living in Hawaii and abroad. No poor slaves in his anstory.
Are you ready for the change of America to a socialist country where the people dumbed down and janitors are paid more than teachers (like in Russia and other places)? Are you for letting children die on the clinic shelf after being born alive after a failed abortion atempt? Obama is.
Are you ready to weaken our military strength and leave the american people more at risk of Islamic militant attacks? Obama is. In the words of Dr. King I tell you its time to vote according to the persons chacter not the color of his skin. And may we all christians do acordingly, amen.
Don't some wish they could flag God as easy.? The Word of God can't be changed or flagged.
To help vote someone in office that is known to support abortion, which is the killing of an unborn baby, makes one a " Partaker of that sin.
The church for the most part has departed from sound Doctrine, and has become a partt of this fallen world.
lossnerp, why don't you post specific examples and try to support your argument with evidence? Instead of merely being partisan and divisive while at the same time encouraging paranoia and despair?
It is a shame to see a pastor placing his priorities of political expediency and favor with Obama over the priorities of biblical and ministry faithfulness.
There is one word for this: "COMPROMISE."
So why aren't churches that support democratic candidates threatened with losing their tax-exempt status, the way that churches that would like to support Republican candidates are? Why isn't Americas United for Separtion of Church and State yelling about this one? No need an answer, really. It is obvious. It IS America. What is right is wrong, and what is wrong is right.
Those who support a pro-abortion canidate, have become " Partaker " of that sin.
pinochos, I would encourage you to not use to wide a brush in this matter and to also realize the brush goes both ways. I know a number of black Christians who will not be voting for Obama and I know a lot of diehard democrat whites in Southeast Kentucky who won't be voting for him either.
This Pastor sadly lacks integrity, he says he's opposed to same-sex marriage and the sexual practices of homosexuality and then he removed his church's ministry to those in the homosexual community who want to step out of that lifestyle from their website, but rumor has it in will be back online in a little while, like maybe the day after the November elections. But if a white Pastor would come out and do the same thing in favor of McCain and for the same reason he would no doubt be labelled a racist by the media.
How sad that Caldwell would sacrifice ministry for the sake of political expediency & favor with Obama!
The same mantra is given as the excuse...personally, I believe... but then publicly and policy-wise I support...
(which contradicts one's own beliefs and principles).
There's one word for that: "COMPROMISE."