ProgressOhio

This letter appeared on the Editorial Page of The Columbus Dispatch on Sunday February 3, 2008.

Don't take Oprah's word on ObamaSunday,  February 3, 2008 3:10 AM

Oprah Winfrey endorsed Democractic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama on her television show a short time ago. Right away we get the mob mentality and everyone wanted to jump on his bandwagon.

I suggest we take a closer look at Obama.

Granted, he is charismatic and articulate. However, he has Islamic roots, and attended school in Islamic Indonesia when his stepfather moved the family there.

Obama says he is a Christian and attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Perhaps it would be wise to do a little research and go to the Web site of the church, www.tucc.org.

Personally, I found it a little disturbing. Judge for yourself.

JOHN A. HUGHES
Columbus

 The sender of this particular correspondance has raised concerns based on an e mail that was sent to him.  That does not bother me.  Questioning and rasising concerns helps to open the door of opportunity.  In Mr. Hughes case he can use a lesson in Black History and African American Culture as it is actually practiced in the United States.

I welcome the opportunity to provide Mr. Hughes and others with information that will hopefully give a different perspective of our cultural hertiage.

This is not the first time that I have seen this particular information being circulated. It has been used in a variety of forms as a tool to create misinformation and prejudice. Not just toward Obama. This e-mail also attempts to create fear and misunderstanding towards a faith based group.

Consider the context of this particular email. First of all it is begun with an assumption based on Oprah Winfrey's endorsement. Oprah is popular and does have influence within the national community. But it is an insult to lump every supporter of Obama up under her influence. There are plenty of individuals within the United States who have taken the time to learn about Obama '08. Many of Obama's supporters joined groups long before Oprah made her support know. However,crediting people with making an informed self~choices is not the purpose of this particular piece of writing. It is to create a divide and to use information in a slanted manner. To create an atmosphere of fear around Obama.

Mr. Hughes has invited readers to do their own research. I do not have a problem with that advice. If you have never been exposed to the traditions or the doctorate of any other Christian Church but your own~here is your opportunity to see what goes on.

I can only image how uncomfortable it must be for those who have never had actual contact with a traditional African American Christian Church. That is what you will see when you visit the Trinity website. Perhaps what disturbed Mr. Hughes was the open display of our heritage in a Christian setting. This is not unusual to African American's who inter act in faith based communities. There was an attempt to try and discredit this particular body because of their open embracement of pride and heritage.

I would invite Hughes and others to look at the history of the African Methodist and Episcoplian Churches of America. The AME bodies have also served in this particular manner. Keeping ties between African Americans and Africa well connected throughout several decades.

If Mr. Hughes and his friends were actually interested in conducting research on the Christian churches that have served within black communities, he would discover the historical role that our houses of worship have served. The black churches in the United States were active during the Civil Rights Movement.
Also in providing assistance and guidance within the respective communities that they serve.

If the individuals who have composed this particular e-mail were honestly interested in presenting the truth, all they had to do was type Trinity United Church of Christ in search. Ample information is provided about this particular group of Christians. It would also become obvious that Obama's church is a member a national body with churches located throughout the United States.

The information that dispells the e-mail misinformation about this partiular faith based group can be found on this link:http://www.snopes.com./politics/obama/church.asp

There is accurate information that is provided in regards to Trinity United Church of Christ.

For a large picture of the United Church of Christ informaion can be obtained by following this link: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ

There is also information regarding Obama's faith based education and involvement on this link: http://www.aboutpedia.org/k/trintiy+united+church+of+christ+in+chicago

In regards to Barack Obama's educational background. Information provided on Media Matters website will give readers the opportunity to determine what is true about that particular aspect of the e-mail.
"In addition, the Tribune reported that "[i]nterviews with dozens of former classmates, teachers, neighbors and friends show that Obama was not a regular practicing Muslim when he was in Indonesia." Furthermore, while Cunningham claimed that Obama's "father was a Muslim," Obama wrote in a Time magazine piece posted online on October 16, 2006, that "although my father had been raised a Muslim, by the time he met my mother he was a confirmed atheist, thinking religion to be so much superstition." Finally, Obama's Indonesian stepfather, Lolo Soetoro, was described by the Tribune as "much more of a free spirit than a devout Muslim." The title of the article is, Conservative radio host Cunningham falsely referred to "Barack Mohammed Hussien Obama" advances madrassa falsehood. This article was published on 1/29/2008.

Hopefully the information that has been provided will help to provide useful and accurate information in regards to Obama and the faith based background that he and his family are from.