The liberal church of Herman Cain

[rug]

October 18th, 2011
08:54 AM ET

By Eric Marrapodi and John Blake, CNN

Editor’s note: CNN’s John Blake was formerly a member of Antioch Baptist Church North. He left 13 years ago.

Atlanta (CNN) – Herman Cain has vaulted to the top of the polls as a Republican presidential candidate, but there’s one audience that may prove tougher for him to win over: his hometown church.

Cain, a conservative who recently said African-Americans were “brainwashed” into voting Democratic, is an associate minister at an Atlanta megachurch that has been a stronghold of liberal activism and is led by a pastor who cites Malcolm X as one of his influences.

Cain is a longtime member of Antioch Baptist Church North, which sits near the former college and home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

The church, founded by freed slaves 134 years ago, boasts 14,000 members and an operating budget of more than $5 million. For years Antioch has hosted a “who’s who” of civil rights activists as guest speakers, including Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/18/the-liberal-church-of-herman-cain/

[trotsky]

1. I don't see how this is all that weird.

I mean, there are lots of liberal Catholics on DU who still belong to their church, which is very focused on several conservative issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. If they can continue to belong to such an institution, why is it odd for Herman Cain to be doing the reverse?

[jwirr]

2. I don't think that it is Cain who is having the problem with the church.

It is more likely that the church members are having a problem with him and his ideas.

[trotsky]

3. Same applies.

The Catholic Church routinely cracks down on local churches that are deviating from official church doctrine.

[David Sky]

4. Bottom line: Herman Cain running against his church's beliefs, in order to get votes?

Sound familiar?

Sound disgusting?

[iris27]

5. I'm just waiting for the Catholic hierarchy to publicly warn him against taking communion, for his

stance on capital punishment.

OH WAIT, I forgot they only do that to Democratic candidates who are pro-choice. :eyes:

[rug]

6. Plus, they don't say it to Baptists.

[iris27]

7. Whoops. That was a bonehead move on my part.

Note to self: Read more carefully! :)