Obama Hosts Easter Prayer Breakfast At White House

In Speech, Obama Reflects On Jesus' Sacrifice, Christian Embrace Of Poor. In his remarks, President Obama noted the “extraordinary sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Savior” and quoted Pope Francis' plea for people to “see the Lord” in the “imprisoned, sick, unemployed, persecuted; to see the Lord in the leper -- whether in body or soul -- who encounters discrimination.” [WhiteHouse.gov, 4/7/15]

Obama Expressed Concern Over “Less-Than-Loving” Statements By Some Christians. In his speech, the president also referred to “less-than-loving expressions” made by Christians:

On Easter, I do reflect on the fact that as a Christian, I am supposed to love.  And I have to say that sometimes when I listen to less than loving expressions by Christians, I get concerned.  But that's a topic for another day.  (Laughter and applause.) 

Where there is injustice -- I was about to veer off.  (Laughter.)  I'm pulling it back. [WhiteHouse.gov, 4/7/15]

Right-Wing Media Claim President's Speech Smeared Christians 

Daily Caller: Obama Uses White House Easter Prayer Breakfast To Malign Christians. The Daily Caller blasted Obama for his off-the-cuff remark about some “less-than-loving” Christians, accusing him of maligning Christians, adding, “The important thing is that he's better than you, Christians, and he doesn't mind saying so.” [Daily Caller, 4/7/15]

Fox's Hayes: Obama Focuses On The “Alleged Misdeeds” Of Christians. On the April 7 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom, Fox contributor and Weekly Standard writer Steve Hayes argued that Obama's speech had focused on “non-loving” things Christians say while he “dismiss[ed] or downplay[ed]” the “death to America” chants by Iranian leaders. [Fox News, America's Newsroom, 4/7/15]

Wash. Times References Killing Of Christians By Terrorists In Kenya To Attack Obama's Remarks. The Washington Times brought up the horrific terrorist attack in Kenya by Islamist terrorists that targeted Christians and left 147 dead to criticize Obama for purportedly “zinging” Christians days after the attack. [The Washington Times, 4/7/15]

Fox's Starnes: Obama “Smear[ed] Christians” In Speech.  In a column for Fox Nation titled, “Obama Smears Christians During Easter Speech,” Fox radio host Todd Starnes wrote that Obama was “talking smack” about Christians, and criticized the president for failing to mention radical Islam. Starnes claimed, “He never bashes Muslims on Muslim holidays, but he seems to take great pleasure in dumping on Christians during our holidays.” [Fox Nation, 4/8/15]

WND: “Obama Takes Swipe At Christians -- Again!” The conservative website WND.com blasted Obama's remarks in a headline reading, “Obama Takes Swipe At Christians -- Again!”  [WND.com, 4/7/15]

Fox's Kelly Brings Up Terror Attacks Against Christians Abroad To Criticize Obama For Remarks. On the April 7 edition of Fox News' The Kelly File, host Megyn Kelly attacked Obama for his remarks, referencing terror attacks on Christians around the world. Tony Perkins, president of the anti-gay group Family Research Council, joined Kelly on the show, saying that Obama “once again failed to bring attention to the persecution of Christians around the world” and claiming “in part, his policies are responsible.” Kelly also accused Obama of hypocrisy, interpreting his remarks as criticism of Indiana's recently-passed RFRA law and pointing out that in 2008 Obama said marriage is “between a man and a woman.” [Fox News, The Kelly File, 4/7/15 vis Mediaite]

HotAir: Obama “Scolds” Christians. In a post on HotAir.com, Ed Morrissey wrote that Obama “chose not to pray for all of those victims of genocidal Islamist terror, but to scold Christians in the US for what Obama calls 'less-than-loving expressions.'” [HotAir.com,  4/8/15]