NYC Pastor Ruffles Feathers With 'Obama Is Evil' Church Sign
NEW YORK – A New York City pastor who routinely targets President Barack Obama has mounted a new sign outside of his church calling the president "evil," and neighbors are none too pleased.
Pastor James David Manning, head of the ATLAH World Missionary Church in Harlem, posted a message on the sign outside of his church reading "Obama is evil," and it has some in the area shaking their heads.
The sign, running in four lines, reads:
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"JESUS IS TRUE: OBAMA IS EVIL ...
HE USED BLACK VOTE TO ...
UNCLE TOM FOR WALL ST ...
I SPEAK LOVE & TRUTH"
"I was shocked when I saw that. I couldn't believe it. It's very disrespectful," Mary Hidalgo told the New York Daily News. Hidalgo lives near the church, located on 123rd Street.
Another resident told the New York City paper that ATLAH's sign does not speak for all of Harlem.
Leaders at another place of worship next door to Manning's ATLAH ministry apparently agree, and posted their own sign.
"This church is not affiliated with the church on the corner. We Support President Barack Obama," the sign outside Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church reads.
Manning, who also believes Obama is a Muslim and not a Christian, said he sees nothing wrong with criticizing the president.
"I thought that it would be appropriate...to let Harlem know that it's all right to vent against Obama," Manning told The Christian Post (CP) Friday.
He added, "Black people look at black politicians and feel that they can do no wrong."
Manning claimed that Obama has done little to help the black community. He cited Cornell West, Tavis Smiley, and other prominent voices in the African-American community who have made the same claims against Obama.
"Since Obama is alleged to be black...a number of black people had extremely high hopes for a number of things that would materialize with his presidency," the Harlem pastor said.
When asked whom he would be supporting this campaign season, Manning immediately shared his preference for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Herman Cain.
Calling the duo a "dream team of dream teams," Manning described Bachmann as a "bonafide Christian who sticks by her guns and her beliefs." He noted that Cain "sticks to his guns, too, for the most part, except for that bit about Islam."
Manning, ordained as a Baptist, has served as a minister for more than 30 years and has baptized over 1,000 people during his time at ATLAH.
"In over 30 years we've had over 4,000 members," Manning told CP.
The pastor admitted that his anti-Obama stance has contributed to the church "dwindling down to a scant 100 members."
"But we're still vital," Manning added.
