Furor over Obama's church brings call for race discussion

The furor over Barack Obama's church led to a call Thursday for a nationwide discussion of race among all United Church of Christ congregations and a plea for peace as the church faces threats and a media onslaught.

Leaders of the denomination want their 10,000 pastors to conduct a "sacred conversation" on May 18 about the racial divisions highlighted by reaction to the comments of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Wright leads Trinity church in Chicago, where Obama is a member, and some of his sermons have condemned the U.s. government in harsh terms -- drawing strong criticism from many, including the presidential candidate.

Trinity has received threatening calls, letters and e-mails -- for example, a call saying Wright would meet Jesus sooner than he thinks, church officials said.

The church has stepped up its security. Chicago police are monitoring the situation but have no reason to believe the congregation or the South Side neighborhood is in danger, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

The furor over Wright's comments shows the complexity of race in America, church leaders said.

"The events of the past few weeks in relation to Trinity church have catapulted Trinity -- and our nation -- into a new awareness of the ongoing impact of race in America," said the Rev. John Thomas, president of the United Church of Christ.

The Rev. Otis Moss III, who is replacing Wright when he retires next month, defended Wright's comments, which include saying God should damn the United States and calling the country the "U.S. of KKK-A."

Moss compared them to Martin Luther King's anti-war statements that offended many people in the 1960s.

"One of the roles of the prophets: Sometimes you offend. You afflict the comfortable but comfort the afflicted," he said.

Moss also complained some reporters have annoyed Trinity congregants and disrupted worship. They have called sick members at home and bothered members during services, he said, asking that reporters give more respect to the church's "sacred space."