The American Spectator

IT IS VERY SAD yet equally clear that the national leadership of the United Church of Christ is in part responsible for the damage done to Trinity. Making its way quietly around UCC circles is the inevitable Watergate-style statement about following the money. Specifically, the suspicion is well out there that Trinity’s extremism was never criticized by Thomas and the national leadership not simply because they shared these views, but because Trinity was the largest individual congregation within the larger UCC denomination — and the UCC needed Trinity’s collection dollars.

Finally, there is something else that troubles. Remember the famous Sherlock Holmes tale about the dog that didn’t bark, the clue that helped Holmes solve his case? When one takes a look at the UCC website in the wake of Obama’s withdrawal from Trinity, front and center is John Thomas’s statement about Obama’s decision. But what’s missing? Either in Thomas’s statement or anywhere else on the UCC website? What’s not there is any statement whatsoever from Reverend Thomas or anyone else in authority about the disgusting performance from a UCC pulpit put on by Father Michael Pfleger.

And why, exactly, is that? Reverend Thomas?

As for Senator Obama and his future in the United Church of Christ:

Senator, as written in this space as far back as June of last year, there are many UCC members who feel the national UCC has let itself be overtaken by its obsession with extremist left-wing politics. These very politics have now caused you great personal and political embarrassment. Will you stay in the United Church of Christ? And if so, what role will you play in whatever UCC congregation you join in helping those of us who believe it is long past time to restore change and good judgment to the national UCC?

Stay in the UCC, Senator. If I may borrow from someone running for president, I think we are the change in the UCC we have been waiting for.