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Obama’s Church Re-Writes Its Mission Page

Of course the Obama campaign is not the only ones airbrushing their website due to the sudden scrutiny of Reverend Doctor Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. and his flock.

As we noted back in January of 2007, the pastor’s church used to explain themselves thusly (via the Internet Wayback Machine):

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Which has now been edited down to:

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Here is the original text (with photo and some emphasis added):


Trinity United Church of Christ

About Us

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian… Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain “true to our native land,” the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:

1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the Black Community
3. Commitment to the Black Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.

The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

Which is still pretty racist, though not quite as racist as before. Probably it will be enough to fool our watchdog media.

But one suspects Trinity’s mission has not changed one bit.

As we noted more than a year ago, Trinity used to present a further exegesis of these concepts.

It is now hidden away here (pdf file):

THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM

Statement of Purpose

We honor Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, because of the exemplary manner in which he has thrice withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence despite these systemic denials has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. We have prayerfully called the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.

And we shall, beginning in 1982, institute an annual Black Value System-Educational Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd.

This year, 1981, however, we recognize Dr. Byrd as the first recipient of the Dr. Manford Byrd Award which will be given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the Black Value System.

The Black Value System

These Black Ethics must be taught and exampled in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect the following concepts:

Commitment of God

“The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activist, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.

Commitment to the Black Community

The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of substance to the strength and continuity of the Black of the Black Community.

Commitment to the Black Family

The Black family circle must generate strength, stability, and love despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society.

Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate, especially to the children.

Dedication to the Pursuit of Education

We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black Person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that provide high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.

Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds.

To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best: this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.

Adherence to the Black Work Ethic

“It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago” Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states, and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce.

Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect

To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons, if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self discipline coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress, and a model for Black Youth.

Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”

Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must keep the captive ignorant educationally, but trained sufficiently well to serve the system. Also, the captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.

Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:

Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.

Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.

Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us”.

So, while it is permissible to chase “middle-incomeness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method-the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness”: If we avoid the snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright, the leadership, resourcefulness, and example of their own talented persons.

Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills

Available to the Black community

Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.

Pledge Allegiance to all Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace The Black Value System.

Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System - to Measure the Worth and Validity of All Activity in Terms of Positive Contributions to the General Welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards Freedom.

Mind you, when the “post racial” Mr. Obama seeks to assure us that he is a longtime devout Christian, this is the actual faith he has followed for almost twenty years.

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34 Responses to “Obama’s Church Re-Writes Its Mission Page”

  1. HNAV

    mmm…

    It is regretful to consider, but I highly doubt the mindless, ugly, hateful, garbage of this Reverend is going to make much difference in the General Election.

    Especially when McCain fails to reject the anti-Catholic Bigot named John Hagee.
    Did the Senator really say he was ‘proud’ of that endorsement?
    Did Hagee actually refer to Catholics as “The Great Whore”?

    But then again, I wish McCain would rebuke his relationship with Lindsey Graham, Hillary Clinton, Jerry Perenchio, etc…

    Regardless, wanting to wish the mighty S&L and ALL of the S&L Readers the finest St. Paddy’s Day.

    Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig !

  2. Noyzmakr

    HNAV,
    Pastor Hagee is only reflecting what many readers and scholars of end time prophecies have concluded. If you read the Books of Daniel and Revelation, you too might reach the same conclusion.
    That being said, he didn’t advocate doing anything about it and definetly doesn’t hate Catholics.

    On Topic: The airbrushing of Obama’s site and the churches site only reflects what the libs will believe about it. “Obama never held those views.” Maybe next he’ll remove his book from bookstores and libraries.
    It’s laughable!

  3. Sharps Rifle

    How many seconds would a white church get by with that?

    Less than half a second before the ACLU and NAALCP were onto them?

  4. SG

    Notice how Little Green Footballs has shameless lifted this article:

    lgf: Obama’s Church Web Site ‘Disappears’ the ‘Black Value System’ (Update: They Missed a PDF)
    http://littlegreenfootballs.co.....y&rss

    And it’s not the first time — by a long shot.

  5. Noyzmakr

    SG says:

    “Notice how Little Green Footballs has shameless lifted this article:”

    Typical…you do the work. They take the credit.

  6. SG

    It really is a miracle that any original research/reporting gets done. It’s especially despicable when it is done by people who are supposed to be on our side.

    But the conservative world is a small place (unfortunately), and everyone talks.

  7. SG

    WND also have done this to me for years:

    Obama’s preacher sanitizes website
    http://www.worldnetdaily.com/i.....geId=59169

  8. Petra

    “I just wish they’d honor their enslaved brothers and sisters in the old sod even a tad as much as they do this reverend.”

    A passing thought would do - I did a search on their site and found zip about the Islamic Black Slavery currently happening in Mauritania and the Sudan. Leftists do a lot of talking but not much walking.

  9. Petra

    OMG, they plagiarized your work? That’s totally disgusting!!!

  10. Petra

    They just cleaned up the reverends sermons on stream - I had it open and was just going to look something up and hey presto - (unless it’s on my side)
    http://www.streamingfaith.com/500.aspx

  11. DGA

    Very little difference with what Jeremy Wright preaches and the crap most Islamic mosques spew out. Using and abusing their religion for all it’s worth, except the islamic crap isn’t taken out of context quite as much as Wright’s hatred filled rants.

    Of note, the Obama camp is quickly pointing out that B. Hussein Obama wasn’t actually there when Wright gave these ’sermons’, makes no difference whatsoever, how was he to know what the topic would be that day he didn’t attend, and it’s a certainty that the videos circulating aroung of his rants were not of the first ones that went this low.

  12. 1sttofight

    To hear Odamamama tell it, though a member in good standing in his church, he didn’t attend a whole lot of the services.

    Mighty pecular, mighty pecular…

  13. Petra

    1. Commitment to God
    2. Commitment to the Black Community
    3. Commitment to the Black Family
    4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
    5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
    6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
    7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
    8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
    9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
    10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
    11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
    12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.

    “Wherever politics tries to be redemptive, it is promising too much. Where it wishes to do the work of God, it becomes not divine, but demonic.” Pope Benedict XVI

    [...]

    Then, consider these numbers on recent Google searches using only Obama’s name plus one other word:

    * Obama + messianic 75,200
    * Obama + savior 226,000
    * Obama + prophet 312,000
    * Obama + Christ 504,000
    * Obama + change 4,540,000

    [...]

    Saul Alinsky, one of Obama’s primary political mentors…

    Incidentally, Saul Alinsky began his book Rules for Radicals:

    “Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer.”

    [...]
    http://www.americanthinker.com.....ctive.html

    Jesus warned us about False Prophet’s. The Marxists infiltration, wearing wolves clothes of the altar in this case, have been very successful in blurring His message via PC/Multiculturism in some Church’s but this is so toxic that even the multiculture weapon won’t save him. He’s toast already.

  14. Petra

    “# Petra
    March 17th, 2008 at 4:38 pm

    They just cleaned up the reverends sermons on stream - I had it open and was just going to look something up and hey presto - (unless it’s on my side)
    http://www.streamingfaith.com/500.aspx

    Why Are Reverend Wright Videos Disappearing from YouTube?
    http://media.nationalreview.co.....RjMjZkYjU=

    It looks like it’s not me but they’re doing a clean sweep. I think we’ve gotten all we need anyhow but with the ONE exception which is placing him in that church when the reverend was preaching his filth. Someone has it….it’s just a matter of time. The wright time.

  15. HNAV

    “HNAV, Pastor Hagee is only reflecting what many readers and scholars of end time prophecies have concluded. If you read the Books of Daniel and Revelation, you too might reach the same conclusion.” - Noyzmakr - March 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    I know ALL about it…

    As a Catholic, I also know it to be truly ugly.

    To be reiterated, promoted, offered, by a fool named Hagee is one thing, but to be defended by someone on the comments area of a blog is just as pathetic.

    It is an easy study, throughout history, to find those who promote such tiresome bigotry, without thought, while employing some tired justification.

    Some believe their identity, is a JUST excuse to belittle others…

    Ironically, Liberals - Progressives often do the same.

    They believe they are enlightened so much, they find it in their wisdom to consider themselves better than others (often while they promote tolerance - inclusion - acceptance), yet holding disdain for those beneath their perceived enlarged existence at the same time.

    And how alarmingly wrong they are…

    Imagine believing one is Christian, but having within the soul, a completely NON - Christian conviction.

    Sadly, we watched the ugly Anti-Mormon bigotry this Primary…

    We often see some severe signs of Anti-Catholic, Anti-Jewish, etc., elements from the Right and the Left on the http://WWW.

    The USA is so much better than this, a truly FREE NATION, that treasures FREE RELIGION, and the ugly garbage should be shoved to the dust bin of history.

    And enabling ugly fools like Mr. Hagee, is the same as the empowerment of this pathetic Reverend Wright, Jr.

    Very sad indeed.

  16. wytammic

    So …. are they no longer adhering to the black work ethic? Inquiring minds wanna know.

  17. A Mad Pole

    What black work ethic?!?! Has been there any?

  18. SG

    Brit Hume just mentioned our scoop on “the Grapevine.” Of course he attributed it to the Media Research Center, who also lifted it without attribution:

    Obama’s Church Sanitizes Website | NewsBusters.org
    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/j.....es-website

    And we wonder why there is so little original reporting from conservatives.

  19. take_no_prisoners

    A Mad Pole Wrote: What black work ethic?!?! Has been there any?

    It depends on what the definition of is is.

  20. JohnMG

    ……..”The Black family circle must generate strength, stability, and love despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society……..”

    How nice. How about they begin by teaching real Christian values, not some convoluted version of “it’s-not-your-fault-you-can’t-help-yourself-because-you-were-born-black-and-the-man-is-responsible-for-all-your-troubles so it’s OK to breed like rabbits and suck at the public teat until justice is served! Let me hear ya’ say AMEN, brothers!!

  21. U NO HOO

    “God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery,”

    Wait a minute pilgrim, BO wasn’t a slave unless his mother’s folks were from central Europe.

    BO, are you reading this? Here is a way out, just say you have no slavery heritage and bow out of Trinity gracefully.

    TA DA, QED!

  22. JohnMG

    ……..”has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery…….”

    I’m feeling a bit of that “slavery” myself. I’ve had my tax dollars siphoned off my earnings and given away to these poor, helpless souls for the last forty-five years. When do I get a break? I’m anxious to cast off these chains and be free, free at last!

  23. Noyzmakr

    HNAV,
    First of all, I wasn’t trying to defend Hagee or anything he may have said. I was just pointing out that it is a point of view held by many protestants. This and many other differences, that I won’t go into here, is the reason there was a split in the church. It’s also the reason there are some 27,000 different denominations in Chrstianity alone. Almost everyone who reads the Bible bends and twists it’s message to fit their beliefs. Whether or not one is right or wrong is not for me, nor you, to decide for anyone else. There’s already a judge and he’s kind of jealous. I understand your position and appoligize for any percieved slight towards Catholism. That was not my intention and I myself do not hold that view. It’s one interpretation of thousands upon thousands.
    I’ve actually watched and listened occasionally to some of John Hagee’s sermons and have never heard him say that. That doesn’t mean he didn’t and if he has, the bible says those who mislead others about Christ will be judged harshly. People see anti-christs and false prophets everywhere. Just google Obama antichrist ( 719,000 ) or Hagee false prophet( 35,800 ) and see what I mean.
    The main thing, in my humble opinion, is that we both believe the most important thing and, as a Catholic, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what that is.

  24. m072592

    Sharps Rifle “How many seconds would a white church get by with that?

    Less than half a second before the ACLU and NAALCP were onto them?”

    Ugh…my thoughts exactly…the double standard has got to go

  25. Gila Monster

    Looks like the Obamessiah will give a speech on “the larger issue of race in this campaign” tomorrow.

    Any guesses as to his main point of contention or message? More damage control?
    Or is he going to spin this back on the “racism” of the VRWC?

    My money is on the latter.

  26. pagar

    In this interview with Sean Hannity on Fox, 1 Mar 2007, the Rev Wright tells everyone that the Black Values effort came out of the Nicaragua country side 26 years ago and was created by the lay members of the TUCC church “WRIGHT: The black value system, which was developed by the congregation, by laypersons of the congregation, 26 years ago, very similar to the gospel (INAUDIBLE) developed by laypersons in Nicaragua during the whole liberation theology movement, 26, 28, 30 years ago, yes.” Link

    For those who don’t remember what was going on in the Nicaragua countryside 26 years ago. Look up Sandinistas, than ask yourself if that communist doctrine is what you believe not just Rev Wright, but also the laypersons of an 8000 strong member church in Chicago ,USA should be promoting.

  27. mrfocus

    SG

    I think I heard Limbaugh or Hannity mention S&L today regarding this topic.

  28. Nimblicity

    Since this is going away, it looks like my last chance to pick it apart.

    “1. Commitment to God.” Yeah, OK.

    “2. Commitment to the Black Community.” What does that even mean?

    “3. Commitment to the Black Family.” Does that mean having a mommy and a daddy? OK.

    “4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education.” Wait–how is it Blacks are even permitted an education in such a racist honkey country?

    “5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence.” Yeah, OK, but a sizeable portion of the “Black Community” (commit to it!) has another name for the Pursuit of Excellence: “Acting White.”

    “6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic.” How about without the “Black?” If I were to make a list of the ten most industrious people I’ve known and the ten laziest slugs I’ve ever endured, there’d be five Blacks on each. Work ethic doesn’t have a color. You either have it, or you need it, and your melanin or lack thereof is no substitute.

    “7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect.” Yeah, OK. That seems to overlap a lot with the Black Work Ethic, though.

    “8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of ‘Middleclassness.’” Whatever. Let us also disavow “Suburbanitis” and “Peaceandquietism.” Ridiculous.

    “9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community.” Yeah, OK, fruits for all (not including latinos, asians, or whiteys).

    10. “Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.” Ah, so if allocate a portion=tithe, maybe Black=Christian. Actually the whole “Black=Christian” confabulation lends some coherency to a few of the tenets above. Not reality, but coherency.

    “11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System.” Does that sound obliquely authoritarian scary to anyone else? Though with the ‘Black Work Ethic’ thrown in–or any other phrase that includes the words “work” and “ethic”–that clearly disqualifies a large section of the US Congress.

    “12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.” i.e., Take all of the above. No picking and choosing. No commitment to God without allegiance to Black leadership. No self-respect for you until until you pledge part of your income to a Black institution (whatever the definition of that is).

    With that as your de facto creed, why not apply Occam’s razor and just become a Muslim? Islam has only 5 pillars. So much less complicated…and for that matter, more inclusive and diverse.

  29. Lurkin_no_mo

    Nimblicity, if they embraced Islam they’d have to hate and behead all non-believers, not just white folk, hispanics, orientals, Catholics, etc (OMG, didn’t know how many non-blacks the so called reverend hates until I started the list, it could go on and on). I’m not sure which holocaust scenario would be easier for him to attain.

  30. JohnMG

    Let me see if I’ve got this right. If you happen to be black but elect to study, work hard, apply your talents, actually practice TRUE Christian values, and are rewarded for doing so by climbing out of the self-pittying morass of black culturalism, then somehow you’re supposed to celebrate this success by remaining behind in the sewer of an existence and expose your family to the drugs, crime, and all the other “benefits” the rest of the population won’t do anything at all about. Is it more about “bemoaning my plight” than it is doing something about it? Better you should stay put and let some parasite like Jeremiah Wright attach himself to you and make you feel guilty for hauling yourself out of this pit of despair. Oh yeah, bring your money to church whern you come, too!

  31. Noyzmakr

    Like Oprah and Obama did?

  32. Voice of Reason

    SG

    March 17th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
    Brit Hume just mentioned our scoop on “the Grapevine.” Of course he attributed it to the Media Research Center, who also lifted it without attribution:

    Obama’s Church Sanitizes Website | NewsBusters.org
    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/j…..es-website

    And we wonder why there is so little original reporting from conservatives.

    Hey Steve,

    Long time dude. I just wanted you to know I have been linking to your stuff for a bit over at Ann Coulter and always make sure they know who it was who found this stuff out. I was always amazed at your ability to be out in front of stuff. And it is a shame that “bigger” venues don’t give credit where credit is due.

    IMO, credit is long overdue to you and this fine site. I may not post anymore…….I spend too much time over at Ann’s site giving folks what for……….but I check in here at least once a day to see what you have been investigating.

    BTW, I mean this as no slight to the other folks here. I come back to not only keep up on what Steve has managed to scoop everyone else on but to read missives from my favorites like SJ, Gila and 1st.

    Keep up the good work folks and remain ever vigilant.
    VoR

  33. SG

    Thanks so much, VoR.

    You keep up the good work, too.

  34. Voice of Reason

    Hey!!!

    Back again….two days in a row with a post…..I’ll be SJ soon!!!

    Anyway I was listening this morning to I think it was O’Reilly and he gave y’all props as in giving credit to S&L for a story.

    I had to jet to a meeting and that’s what blurred my recollection of who it was. Some of these beauracrats babbling on could put speed freaks to sleep.

    Anyway it was either Boortz or Officer O.

    Aight then…..finally some props!!!!

    Keep on keepin’ on you yahoos!!!
    VoR


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