Black Pastor Receives Death Threats for Opposing Democrats' Platform?
A former member of the militant Black Panthers who now pastors a megachurch in Sacramento, Calif., has received aggressive criticism, including death threats, for his support of biblical values that are more in line with the Republicans' party platform, according to a local news station. The pastor told a Fox News affiliate recently that he will not be voting for President Barack Obama.
"I accepted Christ in my life. My relationship with Him means more to me then the Democratic party, Independent, Republican, black or white," Dr. Phillip Goudeaux, who leads Calvary Christian Center told FOX40.
Goudeaux, whose church has 20,000 members, was not available for comment. The Christian Post wanted to confirm the death threats, but the church is closed on Mondays.
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Some in the black community have been upset at Goudeaux for his more recent political stance. He had voted for Obama in 2008, according to FOX40.
"I'm going to support people who support life, marriage between man and woman, smaller government, who supports Israel," he said.
Goudeaux has traveled the nation to promote traditional marriage and "his outspoken views have not only drawn criticism but even death threats," according to the station.
"Why don't I have a right to speak my values without being hated on?" Goudeaux said.
Pastor Sherwood Carthen told the station that he defends Gordeauz's right to have his own opinion.
"We're diverse," Carthen said. "We have thoughts of our own. And we don't have the idea that you can put us in one box. One size does not fit all."
Goudeaux said his opposition is pointing in the wrong direction. "They're getting it all mixed up. I'm voting for values, my commitment to the kingdom of God," he said.
Syndicated columnist and TV talk show host Roland Martin recently told The Christian Post that the Black vote is always important it serves as a tremendous base for the Democratic Party.
"On the national level, Democrats traditionally receive at least 90 percent of the Black vote. If you look at 2008, two million more African-Americans voted that year than they did in previous years," Martin said. "If you are a Democrat and you get less than 90% of the Black vote you are going to likely lose your election."
Martin told CP that he predicts that the most Mitt Romney will get in the way of Black votes nationally is 5 percent.
