If Obama's church affirms same-sex marriage, why is he "reaching out" to anti-gay Christians?

I would have thought that Obama's message of hope and change would have urged the "Embrace the Change" gospel concertgoers to embrace gay Americans. Instead, the master of ceremonies gave a half-hour long speech against gays and opining that God can "deliver you" from homosexuality.

Since there is so much attention on Obama's church today, I am wondering why he did not bring his own faith's message to South Carolina, rather than affirm the prejudices which already existed there?


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ATLANTA -- The United Church of Christ's rule-making body voted overwhelmingly yesterday to approve a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage, making it the largest Christian denomination to do so. The vote is not binding on individual churches. It could, however, cause some congregations to leave the fold.

About 80 percent of the representatives on the church's 884-member General Synod voted to approve the resolution yesterday, a day after a smaller committee had recommended it. The Rev. John H. Thomas, president of the United Church of Christ, said that with the vote, the rule-making body had ''acted courageously to declare freedom."

Traditionally strong in New England, the liberal denomination of 1.3 million members has been supportive of gays and lesbians...

In the early 1970s, the UCC became the first major Christian church to ordain an openly gay minister. The church declared itself to be ''open and affirming" of gays and lesbians 20 years ago. ''This is a significant moment," said the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel of Cleveland, coordinator of a church coalition addressing gay and lesbian issues. She said the decision emphasizes that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are ''spiritual people who love and are loved by God."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/07/05/united_church_of_christ_backs_gay_nuptials/

I am confused as to what traditions he speaks of if his chosen denomination does not agree.

as in your example.

reject church doctrine to embrace the rights of women, Obama's church endorsed gay marriage, and yet he uses his religion to explain why he's against gay marriage.

Do you see the difference?

Embracing your church despite your disagreement with it.

that comparison helps Obama, I really don't.