Abortion takes center stage at interfaith gathering
Paul A. Anthony, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 24, 2008 at 3:03 p.m.
Updated August 24, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER — Abortion has stormed onto the stage of the Democratic National Convention's opening event.
Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, called on presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama to "follow through on his promise ... to reduce the number of abortions" while stopping just short of criticizing the Democratic Party for its support of the practice.
"Surely we cannot be pleased with ... millions of terminated pregnancies," Blake said to applause from the nearly full Wells Fargo Theater. "Something within us must be calling for a better way. If we do not resist at this point, at what point will we resist?"
Democrats must know about the "moral and spirtual pain so many of us feel because of this disregard for the lives of the unborn," Blake said.
In a speech focusing on society's responsibility to its children, Blake first focused on the plight of the inner-city poor as a human rights responsibility before calling abortion a practice "that conflicts with our position and our responsibility ... to human rights itself."
Blake also reserved some fire for pro-life Republicans -- comments that, either inadvertently or not, served as a response to three anti-abortion protesters who were evicted early in the event after disrupting the gathering with shouts that Obama is "a baby killer."
Although Blake intimated he was frustrated with his party's support of abortion, he praised its positions for the helpless in other ways.
"Others loudly proclaim their advocacy for the unborn," he said, receiving a standing ovation, "but they refuse to recognize their responsibility and the responsibility of our nation to those who have been born.
"They are presently and historically silent, if not indifferent," he continued, "to the suffering of our inner cities."
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August 24, 2008
3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:
"....Get on God's side or Get out of The Pulpit....."
Gloriapoole, tell 'em!
daniel12-1
4Eternity
August 24, 2008
3:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
The Indian proverb states we do not inherit this land from our parents, we borrow it from our children.
The white man simply cancels the debt.
August 24, 2008
7:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dunamis1 writes:
gloriapoole ~ Excellent thoughts my friend. I am a preacher in the denomination of the Bishop BUT I have plenty of reservations about endorsing Barack under any circumstance. Please turn your attention to my blog and if you don't mind. I'm going to post at least part of your comment. I think you said a mouthful.
http://bethelburnett.blogspot.com/200...
100%Change Man
In addition to this one, I will post a new post tonight on the subject. This is really something.
August 24, 2008
9 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sweetpickle writes:
The never ending effort to kill religious freedom and take the U.S. back to the days of the inquisition.
August 25, 2008
12:13 a.m.
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nouse4u2 writes:
oh geez- the religeous nuts are here, too- god, save us from your misguided zealots- why aren't they out adopting the unwanted children who are already here, ministering to the homeless, the drug addicted, the alcoholics, the mentally ill? oh, they might get their hands dirty or have to deal with someone beneath their lofty standing in society. its easier to deal in the abstract then solve the problemsfor those who are already born