Barack Obama's Church is Committed to Africa, not the U.S., and only African Americans are Admitted for Membership-Truth! & Fiction!

Barack Obama's Church is Committed to Africa, not the U.S., and only African Americans are Admitted for Membership-Truth! & Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
The eRumor says that the Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago, Senator Barack Obama's home church, has a "non-negotiable commitment to Africa" and that only African Americans are admitted for membership.

The Truth:
Senator Barack Obama has been a member of Chicago's Trinity Church of Christ since 1988.

As a result of Obama's candidacy for president, Trinity Church has come under scrutiny. Critics have accused the church of being racist. Supporters say the congregation is proudly black and with a strong linkage and commitment to its African roots. That's a matter of heritage, they say, not a lack of commitment to being Americans.

The "About Us" page at the church's website says the church is "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain 'true to our native land,' the mother continent, the cradle of civilization."

It also says that it is a "congregation with a non-negotiable commitment to Africa."

Because of its black emphasis, the church is overwhelmingly black but there is no requirement to be African-American for membership.

Updated 12/27/07

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's
the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.

Obama's church:
Please read and go to this church's website and read what is written
there. It is very alarming.
Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President
of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn
that this congregation has a non-negotiable
commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too,
what color you will need to be if you should want to join
Obama's church... B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn't look like his choice of
religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing.
Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do
you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of
his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even
today.
This guy desires to rule over America
while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa!
I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers.
This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of
our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest
chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.
Click on the link below:
This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to:

www.tucc.org/about.htm