Do black Christians who voted for Gov. Patrick last November now believe that they committed an unholy act?

In theory, it's hard to figure out why African-Americans of faith would strongly support a man who was arguably the most "secular" of all the gubernatorial candidates in last fall's election. In reality, black religious support for Patrick makes perfect sense: since most black Christians are on the political left, Patrick's views on many social issues perfectly aligned with their own.

However, black Christians surely can't look upon Patrick's recent actions with approval. His recent behavior betrays an unusually fervent embrace of materialistic values, something that's simply incompatible with traditional Christianity. Black Christians presumably voted for Patrick out of a belief that he would care for society's less fortunate; it's hard to see his recent actions squaring with Christian charity.

African-Americans of faith must be appalled by Patrick's behavior. What happened to the humble man who asked for their support and prayers last fall? What became of the candidate who vowed to care for society's less well-off? The Deval Patrick they supported on the campaign trail is not the same guy who's in the State House now.

Black Christians with "No Ordinary Leader" bumper stickers on their cars and "Together We Can" signs on their front lawns are probably feeling used right about now. Patrick has essentially insulted these voters by embracing the principles of materialism instead of the liberal Christian values they expected him to uphold. Black Christians had faith in Patrick, but all indications are that for these voters, his administration will represent an unanswered prayer.

UPDATE: More from the AP. Plus, liberal former New York Daily News columnist E. R. Shipp condemns Patrick, and more from Michael Graham.