Members of flock often disagree

The current flap over Obama's former pastor is an attempt to tar Senator Obama by association.

Obama has strongly repudiated the contentious remarks made by Pastor Wright.

Some have questioned Obama's continued attendance to the recently retired pastor Wright's church.

It wasn't very long ago anonymous e-mails and bloggers were speculating that Obama is really a closet Muslim with a secret radical agenda. Now he's a Christian but a member of a supposedly radical Christian church.

By way of analogy, In spite of the ongoing scandal of pedophile priests in the catholic church. I still attend my local parish, as do millions of Catholics worldwide.

Millions of church-going Catholics disagree with Rome's view on birth control, abortion and other issues. Yet these millions are still active Catholics.

And there have been times I didn't always agree with every sermon I ever heard. Still I count myself, as do many Catholics, as committed to my church and faith.

So it is with Obama. Just because Obama still attends his Trinity Church does not mean he adheres to Wright's inflammatory rhetoric.

Whether or not one agrees with Obama's political views or his candidacy, Obama has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service, his community and his country.

Fred Arenas

Arlington Heights