Black churches conflicted about Obama’s stance on gays

When the pulpits of the nation’s black churches took measure of President Obama’s decision to support gay marriage, the resulting comments were often conflicted.

Some churches were silent on the issue. At others, pastors spoke against the president’s decision on May 10 but kindly of the man himself. A few blasted the president and his decision. A minority spoke in favor of the decision and expressed understanding of the president’s change of heart.

Bishop Timothy Clarke, head of the First Church of God, a large African-American church with a television ministry in Columbus, Ohio, was perhaps typical. He felt compelled to address the president’s comments at a Wednesday evening service and again Sunday morning. He was responding to an outpouring of calls, e-mails and text messages from members of his congregation after the president’s remarks.