A noted black religious leader said news of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's adulterous relationship is "no surprise."

According to the Rev. Jesse Peterson, head of the Los Angeles-based civil rights group BOND, or Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny -- "it is not a big surprise that Jesse Jackson has committed adultery," and that his actions are unfortunately "all too typical" of "black ministers and politicians in the black community."

"The black community will accept and defend Jackson's sexual escapade as they did with Bill Clinton. This is the reason black Americans are suffering today -- not due to racism, but rather because of the lack of character," Peterson said in a blistering statement released by his organization yesterday.

Last week, the national press was filled with details of Jackson's long-term extramarital affair with a top aide working for his Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which resulted in the birth of a daughter in 1998.

Jackson, 59, has reportedly been paying the mother -- Karin Stanford, who headed Rainbow's Washington, D.C., office -- $10,000 a month after DNA tests determined he was the father of her child.

Initial reports also said Rainbow/PUSH paid Stanford about $40,000 in "moving expenses" to cover her Washington to Los Angeles relocation.

A pregnant Stanford appeared with Jackson and President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office -- a meeting documented in photos -- at the height of Jackson's role as Clinton's spiritual counselor during the former president's own sex-related scandal with Monica Lewinsky and his resultant House impeachment.

In his statement, Peterson -- often referred to as "the other Jesse" -- said blacks "should stop looking for leaders" and revisit "character and morals."

"We need to re-introduce shame back into the black community. The black community does not need leaders; they need good examples," he said.

"Until black Americans turn back to God and restore character and dignity in their homes and communities, they will never be free," Peterson added, urging Jackson to "repent" and to "apologize to the American people."

Other sources said Jackson, who has five children with his wife of 38 years, Jackie -- including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill. -- has a reputation inside the Washington beltway for extramarital affairs.

Those charges, however, have not been substantiated, and his political allies say they are fabrications created by Jackson's political enemies.

For his part, Jackson -- upon learning the story was set to break across the country in the National Enquirer -- issued a public statement of apology last Thursday, pledging to drop out of public life to "reconcile" with his family.

After spending the weekend in solitude and in private sessions with his wife and children, Jackson said Monday he would return to public life and take up political causes in the wake of the inauguration of President George W. Bush.

Bush, reports said, called Jackson personally after word of his affair broke, telling the lifelong civil rights leader, "You're in my prayers."

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Jesse Peterson's new book, "From Rage to Responsibility," is available in WorldNetDaily's online store.

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