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I know it may seem like I’m keying in on the clergy lately, what with all the goofy comments from preachers recently about state legislative matters. I’m not. They’re citizens like everyone else and they have the right to inject their opinions into the public debate. But when they do, they need to remember that they’re open to criticism just like everybody else in the arena.
The latest attempt by a coalition of 24 religious leaders from throughout the state to oppose casino expansion and address the needs of the poor, school children and those without health insurance started off innocuous enough..
A group of clergy appealed Thursday to lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich to act morally in drafting a state budget by adequately funding education, health care and human services.
“We must and we can do a better job,” Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, said at a Statehouse news conference. Koehler is a minister for a rural Stark County United Church of Christ congregation.
“We call upon our leaders to reach beyond mediocre solutions to acts of moral leadership,” said the Rev. Alexander Sharp, executive director of the Chicago-based Protestants for the Common Good. He and others in the group, Faith Leaders for Fiscal Integrity, oppose an expansion of state gambling.
But then, as always seems to be the case these days, it devolved into weirdness…
“I think the governor made a pact with the devil to get elected,” said the Rev. Larry Greenfield, executive minister of the Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago, who jokingly offered to perform an exorcism.
Somebody could make a lot of money providing media skills training to these guys. What the heck is accomplished by crud like that?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 9:56 am
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There’s craziness among the ministry all around when it comes to politics. Note this recent letter to the editor by Bishop Trotter regarding criticism of Todd Stroger (published in the Star Newspapers) -
An unfair media attacks Stroger
May 31, 2007
There is a new negative trend developing within the Chicagoland media. It is to scrutinize noteworthy and well-qualified African-Americans who are seeking highly visible governmental appointments. Never before have we witnessed this new dilemma as we have within Cook County government.
While Cook County Board President Todd Stroger may not have been the choice of numerous newspaper editorial boards, he clearly was the choice of Cook County voters. However, it appears that many of the newspapers have chosen to manipulate President Stroger’s appointments by offering biased news reports and one-sided editorials. Never in the history of the county board has the media inflicted a direct attack towards the appointments of past board presidents. Nor have any of these local outlets offered the same scrutiny of appointments made by the mayor, governor or any other statewide or county official.
As much as we, as African-American clergy, civic or government leaders have a responsibility toward fairness and to be unbiased in our duties, so does the media. Insensitive and politically motivated viewpoints by opinionated columnists do not sit well with the African-American community. Our community is enriched with the best of professional minds and talents. Clearly the African-Americans who have been appointed by President Stroger are highly qualified for their respective posts. In many of these appointments, the appointees were promoted from one county post to another. But unlike other city, state and countywide elected officials, President Stroger has yet to receive the same media courtesy as his counterparts.
This is not a clarion call for media passiveness as it relates to issues of concern for taxpayers but is merely a plea for fairness and balanced reporting.
Bishop Larry D. Trotter, senior pastor, Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago; presiding prelate of the United Covenant Churches of Christ International
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:00 am
I love it. That’s just too funny.
Comment by Lula May Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:05 am
Yes, what a ridiculous comment. We all know it wasn’t Madigan who got Rod elected.
Comment by Sango Dem Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:08 am
It was an inappropriate comment at best, but more to the point, do Baptist ministers perform exorcisms?
Comment by Leigh Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:13 am
Didn’t the Rev. Greenfield get the memo that God has already weighed in on Rod’s side in this year’s budget debate? Rod told us so!
Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:13 am
Reminds me of an old tale about domiciles constructed of glass and the hurling of hard substances formed of mineral matter.
Worhol would be proud of these guys.
Speak crazy = 15 minutes of fame
Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 10:52 am
God is love;
Love is blind;
Stevie Wonder is blind;
Stevie Wonder is God.
Comment by Patriot Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 11:44 am
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Bible: New Testament Jesus, in Matthew
Comment by i d Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 12:19 pm
Would not have made such a comment as he knows that final judging is in the hands of the Almighty and no human authority can top.
Comment by A real minister................. Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 12:53 pm
Let us all now pause and pray for Bishop Trotter, so that the Good Lord forgives Trotter for spewing such utter nonsense!
Comment by fedup dem Friday, Jun 1, 07 @ 1:31 pm