Focusing on "guilt by association" is said to be a smokescreen when discussing the real problem with Sen. Barack Obama and his former pastor.

There are those who believe the real problem is that he stayed and listened to the vitriol coming out of the pulpit. No one can explain that for the senator, but I can respond to it based on my own experiences.

My husband and I spent 17 years working within and tithing to a church where we knew the rhetoric coming from the pulpit was wrong. Why did we stay? One, because we were able to discern the truth. Two, because we were working in ministries that were feeding and clothing people. Three, because we were teaching truth to others. And four, because we recognized that even those called to lead are not infallible.

Did we "repudiate" and publicly humiliate the pastor? No, we discussed our concerns with him, and we made a decision to stay and pray. Had Obama been the "typical" politician, his ambition and handlers would have told him early on to run from that church. But my guess is he stayed for the reasons we all attend places of worship -- to strengthen his relationship with God and serve His people.

Angela C. Townsend, Raleigh