Posted on 06/02/2012 2:59:09 PM PDT by NYer
Influential African-American pastors have requested Attorney General Eric Holder to grant them a meeting with President Barack Obama, saying he broke their hearts by endorsing gay marriage – "something that is simply wrong" – as a civil right.
"We pray for the President ... President Obama is the fulfillment of our dreams for our sons -- and he has broken our hearts by using his power and position to endorse as a civil right something that is simply wrong," the Rev. William Owens, founder and president of the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), wrote in a letter to Holder late Thursday.
The coalition, which comprises of leaders of the black church and civil rights leaders who marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King, decided to seek a meeting with Obama after Holder announced he would speak with 350 black pastors to inform them of their rights in speaking for the president without violating their 501(c)3 status.
Organizations with 501(c)3 status are not allowed to be involved in fundraising, political campaigning or lobbying.
"I would pray you have enough residual respect for this group of clergy, to agree to meet with us and other national leaders to discuss our concerns over your and President Obama's endorsement of gay marriage as a civil right," Owens said in the letter, signed by numerous black pastors. "Some things are bigger than the next election."
A day after voters in North Carolina approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions by a large margin, Obama announced May 9 that he supports legalizing same-sex marriage. In response to Obama's stance, the CAAP started gathering signatures on a marriage pledge – signed by over 1,000 African-American clergy and Christians thus far.
Holder to black preachers, "As head of the Justice Department, and Obama as the Chief law enforcement officer, we guarantee there will be no investigation, no prosecutions for any of your campaigning in church in violation of your 501 (c) tax exemptions."
yitbos
He ain’t no black guy. He’s playing a part. The Black ministeres should have no qualms in dumping him for his political stances. The only reason thy dont soundly dump him is that he has caste him political future with Blacks.
Dear Black Pastors,
Refer back to Obama’s dealings with the catholic bishops.
Sadly, that is NOT true in Barack Obama's world.
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