CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES: Helping Obama With Blacks — Or Hurting?

BIG SCREENS, lining Independence Hall grounds, gave over 10,000 attendees of African Strategic Leadership Prayer Network “Calling Prayers for America-Jesus Rally” chance to view up close host of nationally known clergy leaders. On screen is Bishop Harry Jackson from Hope Christian Church in Maryland. No mention was made of how to vote in Presidential election … only to pray for this country. How will congregations go?

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Philadelphia Delegation and Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity held a conference early this week to announce free rides to Philadelphians who wish to register to vote or obtain acceptable photo ID. Held appropriately at the offices of the Black Clergy at 128 Chestnut Street, the conference drew many of the elected Democrat leaders in this city as well as a host of Black clergy leaders.

Setting the agenda was Rev. Terrence Griffith, pastor of the 1st African Baptist Church and president of the Black Clergy, who invited all religious institutions to participate in offering the free rides and asking those ministers interested in helping out to contact him. He noted, “It is the responsibility of the church and those elected to advocate for the disposed people.”

Black Democrat political and religious leaders in this city and throughout the state are working to insure everyone in their respective their African American voter base can vote. They know, from the previous presidential election, over 90% of their constituents will vote for President Barack Obama.

But will that be the case this time around? How many of their members will vote the straight party ticket if the message filters down to them provisions in Obamacare are a direct affront at their Christian values? Local Black ministers believe their congregations will vote for Obama regardless of religious conflicts they may feel.

Believing the opposite and working to bring Christians to the polls on election day are a slew of ministers belonging to the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network. Its pastors across the state are actively registering and urging their congregations to vote for “Biblical principles” in the November election.

Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network has launched an election initiative honoring pastors who accept its challenge to become a Christian Citizenship Church by preaching on prayer, the challenges facing our nation, and by seeking a 90%+ voter-participation rate from their congregation. Pastors who join in this effort will be publicly commended by the Network with a certificate of commendation and inclusion of news items recognizing their achievement.

What they hope is their congregations will turn out to vote – but not for Obama, especially since provisions in his Obamacare health package support abortions and force religious-affiliated hospitals to conduct abortions. They hope also to reach out to the African American faithful in their congregations, pointing out what they see is a major encroachment by Obama’s policies on freedom of religious expression.

Roman Catholic bishops have been relatively silent since their first outburst over Obamacare and its infringement on the religious policies and philosophies practiced in Catholic hospitals and by Catholic doctors. They seem to worry more over their nonprofit status than do African American ministers. But they have made their intention to not support Obama, but are not pressing their congregations nor how will react.

Last weekend, African American pastors were evident in an “America For Jesus” rally that drew 10,000 to Independence National Historical Park. These urged a return to pray, fasting for 40 days, hoping to turn around what they see to be a  move away from God, government and nation. The obvious unsaid message was a vote for Romney would be a vote in the right direction.

The Network’s “From Pews to Polls – an Initiative to Protect Religious Freedom in America” initiative is a Christian get-out-the-vote project aimed at ensuring that Christians across the state are registered and aware of the proper identification needed in Pennsylvania in order to vote on Nov. 6. The effort asks all who participate for dedicated prayer – both personal and corporate – for our nation, as well as for pastors and grassroots leaders to facilitate voter registration and identification for all who share what they regard as Biblical values.

“It is critical for Christians to exercise their faith as a part of public life, and the first and easiest way for Christian adults to do this is to vote,” said Sam Rohrer, president of the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network. “But in order for people to better understand and recognize this sacred responsibility, we’re working to motivate and equip pastors to encourage their congregations to live out their faith by voting on Biblical principles. The simplest and most-significant thing we can do is to vote for people who represent our Christian values.”

To help overcome both the fear factor and the stigma that is associated with preaching on moral or cultural topics, the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network is urging churches around the state to commit to preaching on the first Sunday of every month on a topic of cultural or moral relevance. The hope is that by providing Christians with increased teaching about what the Bible says about moral issues, Christians of faith will live out their faith as they vote.

Though a judicial decision has eased the pressure to get proper voter photo IDs, local Black ministers will continue to provide free rides to Dept. of Transportation Driver’s License Centers Oct. 9. Anyone wishing to request a ride should call the Black Clergy at (267) 639-9875.

“I’m very pleased to work with the Philadelphia Black Clergy and to have the opportunity to make sure that everyone rights are protected,” said State Rep. Ronald G. Waters (D-W. Phila.), chairman of the PLBC. “I commend Rep. Harold James and Rev. Griffith for taking action to insure all residents in Philadelphia of voting age have the tools they need to become registered voters and acquire the proper identification to cast their ballot on Nov. 6 and in all future elections. I am proud to support this initiative and I encourage all religious institutions in Philadelphia to get involved.”

“With the rules and requirements of what people need to obtain a photo ID for voting purposes constantly changing, it’s important to take care of getting ID now,” said State Rep. Harold James (D-Phila.). “The election is just weeks away.”

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