George,

Every since the soon-to-be President of the United States Barack Obama withdrew his membership, not excommunication, from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago because of some controversial remarks his pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright preached during more than one of his sermons there have been speculation and suggestions as to what is the right church for the Obamas to join.

I also feel compelled to offer my suggestion as to what church the Obamas should join, even though I recognize that ultimately the choice of their church affiliation is theirs alone. However, given the nature and significance of the choice they will make it is not just a private matter.

Sally Quinn writing in the Washington Post (Nov. 22), suggested that the Obamas join the Washington National Cathedral, an Episcopal Church. She noted that Sam Lloyd, dean of the cathedral, said that the cathedral is a place of diversity that welcomes all. She also said that on November 12, Deepak Chopra, a Hindu, had spoken there and during a question and answer period said "Obama has transcended religious identity." I would argue transcending one's religious identity is not a noble thing. Apparently, Jesus did not transcend his religious identity.

In her concluding statement Quinn said, "It would be wonderful for the country to have a president who worshiped at a place most likely to welcome all Americans and all people of the world alike."

There are reasons more compelling than those cited above for the Obamas to join a black church. First, let me make it clear, in America there are a black church and a white church. This is the reality that is demonstrated in practice. More than a half century ago Martin Luther King, Jr., said "The eleven o'clock hour on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week." That remains true today, notwithstanding, that there are churches such as these two seen on television where there are a significant number of blacks in the audience of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church and a significant number of whites in the audience of T. J. Jakes' Potter House. Everyone knows that Lakewood Church is a white church and the Potter House is a black church and not simply because their respective pastors are white and black.

Second, the Obamas owe their religious awakening and spiritual development to the black church. Barack Obama has said publicly and stated in his writings that he discovered his religious identity in and was nurtured by black chuches in Chicago as was true with his wife and their two daughters.

Third, if the Obamas joined a white church it would send a message to Americans, both black and white, that black religion and the black church are not good enough for them. Yet, the black church was good enough for Frederick Douglass who was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a member of the Baptist Church, as were his mother and father. It would also say that noble religion, is found in the white church where often the picture of a white Jesus is on display.

Black church worshipers never had a problem with whites worshiping in their churches. More than a half century ago when I was pastor of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama, there were two white men who occasionally attended this church, even though it was unlawful for them to do so, according to the segregation laws of Alabama. Like many black people, personally, I never had anything against worshiping in a black or white church. Since living in Virginia during the last several years I have worshiped in white churches as much as I have in black churches. I know that God is neither black or white but I also know that America is black and white.

This is my challenge to the Obamas, although I hope it is not a challenge, join a black church, preferably one in Chicago. Most politicians who serve in Washington keep their church affiliations in their hometowns. There are many wonderful spirit-filled churches in Chicago, including some on Chicago's southside. Soon after I completed a four-year stint in the Army during the Korean War I took up residence in Chicago having pledged to myself that I would not return to live in my native segregated state of Alabama. While living in Chicago two significant things happened to me: (1) just days after I arrived in the Windy City I was employed at what was then called the "new post office" (and God knows I needed the money because my muster out pay at the time of my discharge was $37.00), and (2) I united with the Greater Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, located on the South side of Chicago where Rev. Louis Rawls was the pastor. He encouraged me to go to college.

President Obama, as you know, blacks are very forgiving, but I dare say, it will be very difficult for them to forgive you if you join a white church, given the issues surrounding the reasons you and your family are presently unaffiliated with a church. May we never forget that the black church, more than any other institution, figured significantly in the achievements blacks have made in America. I believe the Black Church will continue, under your presidential leadership, to play a significant role in helping to "establish a more perfect union."

Urian J. Fields (Electronic mail, November 26, 2008)