Obama's Pastor

Reverend Jeremiah Wright ministers at Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. He officiated Barack and Michelle Obama's wedding and baptized their daughters, Malia and Sasha.

In 2007, Wright came under public scrutiny when a video tape was leaked of him giving a sermon making derogatory remarks about the United States. He was seen urging African-American members of his congregation to not sing the original lyrics to God Bless America but rather, "God Damn America." He also insinuated that the United States "brought on" the attacks of 9/11 due to the country's own poor treatment of other governments.¹

Fast Facts

1. Born: September 22, 1941
2. Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3. Church: Trinity United Church of Christ
4. Colleges: Virgina Union University, Howard University and Chicago Divinity School
5. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps in his youth

Quotes

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people."¹

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