Reply #248: That's true. I would also point out that as a thinking Christian, I have yet to attend a church....

[earthlover]

...whose minister I totally agreed with. For that matter, I am a member of the Lutheran Church and there is some church doctrine I disagree with (I disagree on the concept of the trinity, yet I still consider myself a member).

I am an avid listener of sermons. I find this the best part of the service! Sometimes there is a pastor who I really relate to. Even then I can't remember a pastor I always agreed with on everything he/she said!

I also can say with confidence that pastors within the same faith can and do disagree with each other!

Obviously there were things in Pastor Wright's call that inspired Obama. I see no reason to doubt that Obama may have had misgivings and total disagreement over certain things his pastor said and still be a member of the church. He, after all, attends a church....not a cult!!!!

So I ask the church goers here who may be inclined to cast asperagus at Pastor Wright and Obama to look at their own pastor and ask if they agree with everything the pastor and/or the church professes. For example, does your church--like almost every Christian church--consider homosexuality a sin against God? I am not asking whether they will be merciful to those who sinned....does your church consider it a sin and do you agree with this? I for one, cannot agree with such a position....can you? (Ironic thing here...Obama's church is one of the most liberal on gays...). Are you willing to quit going to your church over this issue? Or are there other positive things about your church you value even though you disagree on this issue or others?

I think most thinking Christians find things they don't agree with about their church.

So, in the words of Jesus, he who is without sin cast the first stone....