Some of the black clergy across the nation do not see a good choice for the president between one candidate who is supportive of gay marriage and another who is Mormon. Therefore, the clergy is telling their parishioners not to vote on November 6. That message is worrisome for the President Barack Obama the first African-American to be elected president. Obama cannot afford losing any voters in such a tight presidential race.
The clergy have said their congregants have asked how a Christian could support gay marriage, as was done by President Obama in May. Where Mitt Romney is concerned, a major party’s first Mormon nominee, congregants have questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ theology and the ban it used to have on men from African descent in its priesthood.
Obama won over 95% of the 2008 vote amongst black voters and will most likely earn another overwhelmingly high majority in this election, but losing any votes could be harmful to his reelection chances.
One reverend in New York City said that once President Obama spoke publically about supporting gay marriage it made him and his followers wonder what direction the president was taking the country. Reverend A.R. Bernard’s endorsement is very much sought after in the city and state of New York. He voted in 2008 for Obama, but said he was not sure if he would vote for him in this year’s election.
What is not clear is how widespread the sentiment is with Christians who are African American that they would be better off just not voting. Many black pastors said that despite some of their misgivings about certain candidates, blacks fought too long and too hard to get the vote, to not participate.
