IN THEORY:

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has taken heat recently because a magazine associated with his church, Trinity United Church of Christ, once named Louis Farrakhan its person of the year. Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman called on Obama to “confront his minister” and if he did not change his views on Farrakhan, who has been criticized for anti-Semitic remarks, then Obama should leave the church. Obama issued a statement denouncing racism and anti-Semitism and added that he did not agree with the magazine award. Do you think it’s fair to hold Obama accountable for his pastor’s opinions?

It is a concern that one would be held responsible for the statements of a leader of his or her church congregation. Also important to note is that Sen. Obama’s denomination has a great deal of autonomy in its individual congregations. All of us can think of examples of organizations to which we have belonged who have expressed opinions with which we might have disagreed.

Some years ago, I served two terms as president of the then-Orange County Region of the National Council of Christians and Jews. A number of the council’s stands caused me some anguish, such as their criticism of the Boy Scouts. At the same time, there were myriad positions and activities, which thrilled me deeply.

When challenged on these contrary issues, I responded that no organization did everything the way I would have preferred. But, in the whole, what they did was positive and moved America in what I felt was the right direction.

If a religious leader expressed opinions with which I felt uncomfortable, I would evaluate whether these actions were so broad that it would require either my departure or cause me to emphasize the positives and work to change what I viewed as negatives.

If I had to agree with every position a leader took, I would not be involved in any organization. Similarly, if I required any political candidate to meet every one of my personal positions, I would never vote. Every candidate carries “baggage,” but this is not something that Obama should be burdened with.

Tom Thorkelson

Director of Interfaith Relations for Orange County

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

It is reasonable to expect Obama to clarify whether he agrees or disagrees with the views expressed by Louis Farrakhan and by his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama has said about his pastor, “Like a member of my own family, there are things he says at times with which I deeply disagree.” Obama denounced anti-Semitism and racism, and the honoring of Farrakhan by the magazine.

Most people do not agree with all teachings of their church or temple, or with everything those in leadership say and do. The decision about whether to leave an organization is usually one of balance — whether there is enough agreement on important issues to offset the inevitable disagreements.

Obama’s views on racism and anti-Semitism are credible, and his decision to stay or leave his church is personal.

Rev. Dr. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County, Costa Mesa

If my religious mentor extolled a racist hatemonger as an exemplar of “commitment to truth, education and leadership,” as Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s church newspaper did; and if my spiritual leader proudly linked his name to a man infamous for anti-American, anti-White, anti-Semitic ravings; and if my model of faith awarded a man who called Hitler “a very great man,” who condemned Judaism as a “gutter religion,” and who praised terrorists as “freedom fighters,” I would not have to be pressured into completely dissociating myself from him.

In honoring the execrable Louis Farrakhan with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Lifetime Achievement Award, Obama’s spiritual leader made common cause with a man whose contemptible views have no place in American discourse. The specter of Rev. Wright in the Oval Office counseling his disciple is even more revolting than Jesse Jackson counseling Bill Clinton on the sin of adultery.

Obama positions himself as an agent of “change.” Changing the despicable company he keeps might be a good start.

Rabbi Mark S. Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach