Apr 4, 2012
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The White House is facing criticism for their decision to invite the Rev. Al Sharpton to the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast, while excluding top leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention – the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
Dozens of Christian leaders from around the nation were invited to the East Room Wednesday for a time of prayer and reflection as well as remarks from President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.
A White House aide said the heads of major denominations and non-profit leaders were invited – including Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Church and Sharon Watkins, president of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.
However, top leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention were not invited. A spokesman for the SBC confirmed that SBC President Bryant Wright and SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page were not extended invitations. Neither was Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the denomination’s public policy arm.
The White House declined to release a full list of those invited and those in attendance and the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Initiatives did not return calls seeking comment.
But the Obama Administration did extend an invitation to Sharpton, the MSNBC host who’s come under fire for his inflammatory statements in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin shooting.
That drew a sharp rebuke from Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dallas.
“It appears that the Obama administration is more interested in the views of race-baiting, black liberation theology spokesmen like Jeremiah Wright and Al Sharpton than those of mainstream, evangelical Christians,” Jeffress told Fox News.
He said the White House could be sending a message to Southern Baptists.
“To not invite leaders of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination to the White House Easter Prayer Breakfast is more evidence of this administration’s tin ear toward evangelical Christians,” he said.
Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said the White House is free to invite who they choose to invite.
“My feelings are not hurt,” he told Fox News.
Land also said he was not surprised that the White House invited Sharpton.
“As my east Texas grandmother once said, ‘Birds of a feather tend to flock together,’” he said.
With information from the Associated Press and the White House Pool Report.
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Why would any true evangelical Christian wish to attend breakfast with anti-Semitic charlatans patting each other on the back about their latest scams?
I guess Baptists aren't socialist enough to be invited. In any case, its offensive that a character like Al Not Too Sharp carries the title of "Reverend" when he's anything but. Same applies to his fellow white haters Jesse Jackass and Jeremiah Wrong.
slow news day.
Pres. Obama is only doing what his heart says he should… dishonoring Christian conservatives because he does not think he needs them to get elected. If conservatives proved him wrong by becoming more effective in the eyes of OTHERS, perhaps they will see how powerful they are when they are kinder, wiser and more deliberate in actions.
When conservatives lash out and prove themselves to be racist by what they say and do, they give liberals an excuse to re-elect Pres. Obama. The best course is to show compassion and love; speaking out when required but as a well reasoned person not as a raging lunatic. In the last election young people (of all races) waited in lilne and HAPPY to vote for Obama. Conservatives stayed away in droves. We haven't learned. There is still the appearance of hatred that comes from conservative camps. and it just might cost us the next election.
Dorothy Williams Brooks most all of the racism I see on here are liberal (Communist – Progressive) plants pretending to be cracker racists to inflame the fence-riders to voting for Obama. Thats why its important to call them out for what they are – TROLLS.
I must stand with James Arthur Scott. I am VERY conservative, as are all of my close friends. None of us promote racism, or hate.We consider people in this country bestowed with intrinsic value. My experience with the majority of liberal/progressives is an attitude of hateful closed mindedness. I doubt Obama is only doing "what his heart says". My carefully researched impression regarding Obama is that he is arrogant, has no respect for the principles upon which this country was founded, a agenda which is destructive to the well-being of this country, and a distain for people with Christian/Jewish values. He may have fooled the naive citizens of this country once, hopefully not again.
Deborah Turner The Bible says out of the heart.. so that is the context out of which I am speaking. How can you doubt that he is doing what his heart says? His heart is speaking with his actions… whether good or bad. That is what the WORD says.
And I say that conservatives must be careful because it will take more than active conservatives to elect a less liberal President. If you push moderates and the uncertain AWAY, you will see Pres. Obama reelected. I am not arguing with the conclusion just some of the mean spirited methods many conservatives use in writing, speaking to others, etc. It will NOT help get someone ELSE elected.
Dorothy Williams Brooks As you have said, Obama is doing what his heart says…I would hate to visualize what it is which directs his heart. I have tried to find anything about him which edifies, inspires or speaks well to his worthiness in leading this country another four years." By their fruits ye shall know them". I do not see anything which indicates good fruit. Except he is a husband and father. I do not believe after much research he has this nation's best interest at "Heart". Unfortunately I am also at a loss as to who I would choose and be really inspired as a leader in this moment in time. Unfortunately also…I think anyone running would represent us in better stead, as a country, than Obama.
All we can do is VOTE the jackass out, I'm White , Redneck, and a Cracker AND DAMN PROUD TO BE SUCH If that's Racist then I guess I am And so is Obama and all the black people that VOTED for the S.O.B if you don't like it you can kiss the ass! Hell who would want to go eat with the RAT BASTARD ANYWAY……..
Ok ok ok..ill vote for Obama!yayyyy..lol
I been telling yall about that dude since before he was elected..ranting about him on facebook..yall thought i was crazy..now yall finally get it..like i always said..he couldnt run a hooker wit his pimp walk!:)
WELL, AL SHARPTON GOT HIMSELF OUT OF THE TAWANA BRAWLEY SCANDAL WITHOUT GOING TO JAIL SO IT'S PROBABLY FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID JAIL TIME FOR HIS OWN WRONGDOINGS!
TWO SLIMEBAGS WHO BOTH NEED A CONCRETE ENEMA AND DUMPED OFF INTO THE SHARK INFESTED WATERS OFF THE COAST OF BFE!
WELL, AL SHARPTON GOT HIMSELF OUT OF THE TAWANA BRAWLEY SCANDAL WITHOUT GOING TO JAIL SO IT'S PROBABLY FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID JAIL TIME FOR HIS OWN WRONGDOINGS!
TWO SLIMEBAGS WHO BOTH NEED A CONCRETE ENEMA AND DUMPED OFF INTO THE SHARK INFESTED WATERS OFF THE COAST OF BFE!
Why am I having to see Moochelles ugly mug advertising for her continued position as first lady on this website?
President Obama,& his family is the very best to been in the White House.He got my hold family vote for him.And will in up come electric e.
We need to get our stories straight. Russell Moore, prominent Professor and blogger at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was invited and present (Baptist Press), so The SBC was represented. Given the prominent and very critical rhetoric coming from Southern Baptist leaders lately like Richard Land, I can understand why some of these leaders were not invited. Would you risk the distraction of having a hostile leader at an event that honors the major moment in Christian faith, or would you invite leaders and teachers whom you know would retain the focus of the event? I don't like Sharpton's antics, but he would not use this event for the camera. He has other interests. This appears to be a non-story in the least, and even a political ploy by Fox news. This is Easter, and these are worshipers gathered as one. The President can invite those who he thinks will retain the focus.