Clenard Childress: A crisis of conscience at Church of God in Christ

"Having visited COGIC churches and having admired Bishop G. E. Patterson for years, I have always noted the large amount of Seniors in the COGIC Congregations. These are those who have laid the foundation and set the standard, and in these troublous times, are a refection of wisdom and counsel we should cherish. How can any affirmation at all be given to legislation that is a calloused perversion of your values and charge given you to protect the most vulnerable of your society? I would ask, Bishop Blake, why do you support a bill that will be a detriment to such a major portion of the COGIC Congregation. Did you read the entire bill, Bishop?

"President Obama has already said in effect, 'We spend too much money on Seniors' mirroring his party's erroneous ideology and perception within the Health Care Bill. As Shepherds, our responsibility is to protect and care for the Sheep. The bill you just sanctioned, Bishop Blake, would ration care, taking it from the Sheep and penalizing doctors who would give extended care to Seniors. The Democrats, Bishop Blake, who you vowed your allegiance and fealty to, voted down an amendment that would not penalize doctors for extended care to Seniors and would prevent the rationing of heath care to our aged warriors. Bishop Blake, do you support that? Can we, as Shepherds, stay silent, and in the worse case scenario, support any legislation or administration who would deny our Seniors and Veterans the best care we can give since they gave their best for us? Isn't COGIC, and all of America, benefiting from their labors? I would ask, Bishop, that you read the entire bill and rethink your support for the sake of the office you hold, the message you send to America, and the generations coming after us.

"'There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.' — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King"