Obama Delivers Spiritual Speech at New Orleans Church
EmailABC News Contributor Jordan Hultine Reports: Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., invoked Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount at a packed Sunday morning church service at the First Emanuel Baptist Church in New Orleans several days defore the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
"Getting ready to talk to you today, I recall what Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. He said, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock," Obama said.
"The rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. But it did not fall, because it was founded on the rock," he continued.
Obama blamed local, state and federal governments for the slow response in the days following Katrina and noted the city’s continued need to do more to create jobs for residents returning to the area, improve local schools, and provide reliable health care.
Outside the church, Obama shook hands and listened to residents who voiced frustration at what they say remains a slow response by the government to aide the ailing city.
"We need help. The rent’s too high, three times higher than it was pre-Katrina and we’re not getting that money that’s being donated in our name," an aspiring rapper named Sess told Obama.
The small crowd outside — which was unable to attend the church service inside because it was filled to capacity — applauded Obama for coming out and listening to them.
"People supposed to be helping us, instead they’re overseeing us. Everybody’s making decisions for us. Will you make us a priority," New Orleans resident and community activist Diane French asked Obama.
"You already are," Obama told her.
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I liked the dual meaning of his use of the sermon – just as Jesus used it. Its not enough that we simply rebuild New Orleans physically, but we must rebuild spiritually. Just because one is poor does not mean that you have to engage in violence or drugs and faith can help.
Posted by: Pablo Zed | August 26, 2007, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
A wise man may build his house upon a rock, but a stupid man builds his house 8′ below sea level surrounded by lakes and rivers and then is shocked to see it flood, all the while blaming the federal gov’t instea of the local gov’t. All the FEMA cash in the world won’t fix stupid. I actually stole these comments, but they are very fitting. With a Muslim/Catholic qouting Jesus in the name of politics, it’s no wonder why the people of New Orleans love Barack Hussein Obama; they can’t think their way out of a flood one much less an election. They have been “overseen” by Democrats for 60 years and look where they are. Sure, keep voting for the Dems and next time they might not even bring free buses 5 days before the storm hits. Idiots…
Posted by: Tommy Waigand | August 26, 2007, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
Tommy, it seems that Senator Obama displays far more fruits of the spirit then you my friend. And if you want to question the wisdom and practicality of building below sea level, look no further then the Netherlands, they’ve done it successfully, and so can we. Oh yeah. Obama is not a Muslim or a Catholic. Who’s the idiot???
Posted by: Tom | August 26, 2007, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm
Last thing we need in the White House is another religious fanatic. John Edwards is the only hope.
Posted by: chicagopoetry | August 26, 2007, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
great Obama
Posted by: Bertrand | August 27, 2007, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Obama still have inspiration for news ideas, we tired with convention….Clinton is a machine, nothing new to tell people…Please where are we going?????????????Now most of the people agree now that Obama has right for foreign policy…..Shame on you
Posted by: Bertrand | August 27, 2007, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
Obama brings to mind that other ‘parable’: A storm was approaching and the sheriff drove by and told the farmer to evacuate because of the floods. The Farmer said ‘no thanks’ I’ll be ok. The flood came and he climbed up on the roof. A boat came by and the Farmer said, ‘no thanks – I’ll wait a little longer. Then a helicopter came over and he said ‘no thanks- i’ll wait a little longer. Finally the he was swept off of the roof and drowned. When he got to heaven he asked God why he didn’t come and rescue him. God said, ‘son, I did’: I sent you a car, a boat and a helicopter. Obamaslick should have told the truth; that no amount of financial aid will ever rebuild The Corrupt N’Orleans Plantation, that they should stop waiting for Massa to rebuild their slave cabins, that they should get away from that welfare mentality and start saving themselves. They waited for their local and state officials to rescue them once and drowned and they will still be waiting for Massa when they drown again.
Posted by: johnDPatriot | August 29, 2007, 9:27 am 9:27 am
The fact that u guys are on here arguing about who is right for the presidency and who isnt just goes to show how much we have to learn. What happened after katrina was all of our faults. Finger pointing and making assumption about whos responsible reminds me of breaking a window playin baseball when I was 7. I hope that one day we start making choices that we can all be responsible for. Were all arcitechs of our own experiences. Atleast Obama has the courage to speak about the fact there is sumthing wrong with this country. Even if it is for political gain.
Posted by: no one special | August 30, 2007, 1:54 am 1:54 am
Obama attended the terrorist producing fanatical Moslem schools when he was young and a Catholic school when he got older.(Stalin also attended a Catholic seminary). I hope he is not the product of his training, but usually that is too much to hope. As a southern Democrate from upbringing, but a republican in recent times, I wish the Democratic party could let a good, safe choice be offered the American people.
Posted by: Bill | August 30, 2007, 4:27 am 4:27 am
I am not impressed with Obama Hussein’s repackaged Christo-Socialism. We have heard it all before. The Entitled Poor and their White Guilt Cohorts have re-elected the same populists under the Democratic Party Banner for the past 40+ years only to have the worst incarceration, poverty, education, disease and out-of-wedlock birth rates ever. “Obama is another Jesse – just a little less messy.”
Posted by: John D. Patriot | August 30, 2007, 11:57 am 11:57 am