DNC Interfaith or NO FAITH?

The Democratic National Convention Interfaith Alliance hosted an event Sunday August 24th at the Colorado Convention Center, that met much criticism and gendered much local unrest. The Denver Rocky Mountain News reported that anti-abortion protesters disturbed the event both inside and out during a speech given by my Presiding Bishop, Bishop Charles E. Blake, who was invited as a guest speaker at the event.

Just earlier this week I received a comment from an anonymous poster asking me if I thought that this was a conflict of interest. I asked the poster "let's wait and see". What we can see is that there are more than a few issues that have arisen as a result of Bishop's appearance. Here is part of the report of the Rocky Mountain News:

"Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, called on presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama to "follow through on his promise ... to reduce the number of abortions" while stopping just short of criticizing the Democratic Party for its support of the practice.

"Surely we cannot be pleased with ... millions of terminated pregnancies," Blake said to applause from the nearly full Wells Fargo Theater. "Something within us must be calling for a better way. If we do not resist at this point, at what point will we resist?"

Democrats must know about the "moral and spirtual pain so many of us feel because of this disregard for the lives of the unborn," Blake said.

In a speech focusing on society's responsibility to its children, Blake first focused on the plight of the inner-city poor as a human rights responsibility before calling abortion a practice "that conflicts with our position and our responsibility ... to human rights itself."

Although Blake intimated he was frustrated with his party's support of abortion, he praised its positions for the helpless in other ways. "Others loudly proclaim their advocacy for the unborn," he said, receiving a standing ovation, "but they refuse to recognize their responsibility and the responsibility of our nation to those who have been born. "They are presently and historically silent, if not indifferent," he continued, "to the suffering of our inner cities."

There has already been a host of commentary regarding religious leaders participation in this event. It is also presumed that Bishop Blake has joined other Pastors such as Bishop T.D. Jakes and Pastor Rick Warren in the ranks of endorsement of Obama/Biden ticket. Here is commentary from Gloria Poole RN who was one of the respondents to the Denver article:

"Bishop Blake, perhaps if the so-called ministers of this nation did not speak out of both sides of their mouth at once there would be no legal abortion in this nation? HOW DARE YOU? How dare you try to defend a man as President who never once voted prolife on anything? Who voted for legalized infanticide? Who voted to not notify parents of their minor daughter's attempt to get an abortion? Who never once voted prolife while in Congress or his state; and who wrote inflammatory articles at the Harvard Review claiming his support of the killing of innocents? What was written about you today in this article,if true, is what is wrong with America i.e. 'politically correct' wishy-washy, namby-pamby 'ministers' and 'priests' who don't know what they believe or why. GET ON GOD's side or get out of the pulpits!" ~ Gloria Poole RN, Artist

As you can see this is a very heated discussion especially in light of what Senator Obama said at Saddleback Church just a few days ago:(8/17/2008)

WARREN: ..."Now, let's deal with abortion; 40 million abortions since Roe v. Wade. As a pastor, I have to deal with this all of the time, all of the pain and all of the conflicts. I know this is a very complex issue. Forty million abortions, at what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?"

OBAMA: "Well, you know, I think that whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade."

WARREN: Have you --

OBAMA: "But let me just speak more generally about the issue of abortion, because this is something obviously the country wrestles with. One thing that I'm absolutely convinced of is that there is a moral and ethical element to this issue. And so I think anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think, is not paying attention. So that would be point number one. But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade, and I come to that conclusion not because I'm pro-abortion, but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they -- they wrestle with these things in profound ways, in consultation with their pastors or their spouses or their doctors or their family members. And so, for me, the goal right now should be -- and this is where I think we can find common ground. And by the way, I've now inserted this into the Democratic party platform, is how do we reduce the number of abortions? The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down and that is something we have to address."

WARREN: "Have you ever voted to limit or reduce abortions?"

OBAMA: "I am in favor, for example, of limits on late-term abortions, if there is an exception for the mother's health. From the perspective of those who are pro-life, I think they would consider that inadequate, and I respect their views. One of the things that I've always said is that on this particular issue, if you believe that life begins at conception, then -- and you are consistent in that belief, then I can't argue with you on that, because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can do is say, are there ways that we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, so that we actually are reducing the sense that women are seeking out abortions. And as an example of that, one of the things that I've talked about is how do we provide the resources that allow women to make the choice to keep a child. You know, have we given them the health care that they need? Have we given them the support services that they need? Have we given them the options of adoption that are necessary? That can make a genuine difference" Transcript Courtesy CNN Forums.

The figures on abortion have been placed at 100% Change Man for your review. I would ask the question to Senator Obama,

When you found out that your wife was pregnant with either of your two daughters, WHEN were human rights conferred upon them? Did you or did you not feel that they were entitled to human rights in the womb? Finally, and I strongly assume that you believe that they were entitled to HUMANS rights in the womb; why should anyone else's children be considered less valuable, less important, or less entitled than yours?

Will This make me vote for McCain...I'm afraid not. Should you assume that I will vote for Obama...DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH! Does this blog endorse either candidate....NO!

Opportunities are Golden. Did Bishop Blake say enough or go far enough? Do you feel his presence sent a confused or wrong message? I would like to hear from you on regarding this. May the Lord bless and keep you is my humble prayer. In Jesus Name!

Blessed!