As an ordained priest in my Temple - and one that falls under 401C3 designation by the IRS, and has true non profit status, there are many laws, ESPECIALLY in Illinois of any member of the clergy staying out of politics. Further, in the state, a clergy member is not allowed to do couselling without a licesnse to practice as a professional. I know as a priest that I not only have to watch what I say and how I say it but who I am seen associating with etc. As a writer and producer, this is doubly frustrating for me because damn it, being a member of the clergy, alas does NOT pay the bills. I have a life and I, like anyone else am entitled not only to my own life but my personal opinions. When I speak, I always am certain to preface it that I am speaking for myself and NO ONE ELSE. Even when I do that, people can look at my comments, my actions, my opinions and broadbrush paint members of my Faith as being guilty of the same by association. Never mind the fact that I have not even spoken to a third of them on a one to one basis.
That being said, it really, *really* pisses me off that people are holding Barak Obama personally responsible for what someone else is saying or has said from the pulpit. The fact that they are an ordained minister, married he and his wife, baprtised his children, etc. has absolutely NOTHING to do with Obama's own integrity or character or lack thereof. What does the man have to apologize for if the Rev. Wright said it? Do people in America have the idea that followers of any particular faith are guilty by association. Hitler was a Christian. Does that mean that all Christians are guilty of some form of facism? Benazir Bhuto was a Muslim, did that make her a terrorist?
The same sort of logic is holding true now and it utterly disgusts me that the American people are so simple minded and intellectually and especially spiritually immature as to not be able to differentiate between what is whose opininon.
That being said, it really, *really* pisses me off that people are holding Barak Obama personally responsible for what someone else is saying or has said from the pulpit. The fact that they are an ordained minister, married he and his wife, baprtised his children, etc. has absolutely NOTHING to do with Obama's own integrity or character or lack thereof. What does the man have to apologize for if the Rev. Wright said it? Do people in America have the idea that followers of any particular faith are guilty by association. Hitler was a Christian. Does that mean that all Christians are guilty of some form of facism? Benazir Bhuto was a Muslim, did that make her a terrorist?
The same sort of logic is holding true now and it utterly disgusts me that the American people are so simple minded and intellectually and especially spiritually immature as to not be able to differentiate between what is whose opininon.
How tragic.
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