Jamie Foxx has sparked controversy in calling President Barack Obama ‘Lord and Savior’ at the 2012 Soul Train Awards, which aired last night on BET.
While the awards were broadcast last night, they were actually taped right after the presidential election, which possibly inspired Foxx’s comment.
“It’s like church over here. It’s like church in here. First of all, give an honor to God and our Lord and Savior Barack Obama. Barack Obama,” Foxx said to the audience.
When the audience then responded with cheers, Foxx urged them to “stand up.”
While the comment may have merely been enthusiasm over the election results, Foxx is drawing criticism from several religious leaders, including Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights President William Anthony Donohue. Donohue commented:
“Foxx’s epiphany is startling. It just goes to show that even though Obama did not succeed in stopping the oceans from rising [as he promised to do in 2008], he did succeed in convincing Jamie Foxx, and no doubt legions of others, that God exists. Whether God can survive an ACLU lawsuit accusing him of violating church and state grounds remains to be seen.”
The ‘Lord and Savior’ remark especially seemed to offend religious Americans who believe Obama as done little to honor Christianity.
John Hayward writes on the Human Events blog, “Practicing Christians are not amused by the portrayal of modern secular politicians as replacements for Jesus. But presumably their feelings don’t count, because they won’t burn anything down in outrage.”
Representatives for Foxx have yet to comment.
Here is a list of 2012 Soul Train winners:
Best New Artist– Elle Varner
Centric Award — Leah Labelle
Best Gospel/ Inspirational Performance — Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks’ “Celebrate”
Best Hip Hop Song of the Year – Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz “Mercy”
Best R&B/ Soul Female Artist – Beyoncé
Best R&B/ Soul Male Artist — Miguel
Album of the Year —
Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange
Song of the Year —
Tyrese’s “Stay”
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award –“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”: John Legend feat. Ludacris
Best Dance Performance: Beyonce – “Love On Top”
