It must be a nice world Obama worshipers supporters live in, one where everything has an easy explanation and when that’s challenged invoking the Johnny Cochrane defense (when there is no defense for the accused, attack the accuser) is perfectly legitimate. Jew-hating racist pastor for twenty years? He missed all those services, thus proving it’s possible to be a devoted member of a church without ever actually attending. Best buds with domestic and international terrorists? He’s never seen them kill anyone. Repeated comments about redistributing wealth? Why, that’s not socialism; he’s talking up a middle-class tax cut! R-i-g-h-t. No wonder Ralph Barbieri, one of the sports blab bozos at KNBR in San Francisco which carries among other teams the Giants, is such a fervent Obama supporter. To be one requires the same level of disconnect from reality as that which permeates his favorite baseball team’s fan base, the one which for years insisted the only juice connected with Barry Bonds was maybe orange — team color, y’know — and besides we’ve got Tim Lincecum who’s not only going to win the Cy Young award every year for the next twenty or so seasons it’ll be renamed after him. World Series for sure!
Although presenting reality to such people has the approximate effectiveness level of splashing water on the Rock of Gibraltar in the expectation it will immediately dissolve, if for no other reason than the sheer joy of being able to officially say “I told you so” when their world comes crashing down let’s take a look at one of Jeremiah Wright’s recent missives. Yeah, yeah, I know; just because someone attended someone’s church for two decades and has called him a mentor and friend doesn’t mean his thinking or whatever it’s called has any influence. But of course. However, indulge me for a moment. As a sidenote, you might want to take a moment to peruse the words of the guy whose church I attend. Back to Wright; this comes straight from a church bulletin dated July 23, 2006. And he didn’t even wish me a happy birthday. Harrumph!
There is a two-ton gorilla sitting in the living room and nobody wants to acknowledge its presence!
God have mercy on me if I ever used the word ‘gorilla’ in any sense whatsoever when speaking of the black church or any member thereof. But since I’m a McCain supporter, obviously I’m a racist bitterly clinging to my guns and religion.
We not only will not talk about it. We pretend we don’t see it!
But enough about the mainstream media and Obama.
Jews and Muslims are killing each other in Lebanon, Beirut and Israel.
At the time this was written, Israel had invaded Lebanon in retaliation for Hezbollah terrorists having used bases in southern Lebanon to launch rocket attacks at Israel along with staging raids to kidnap Israeli citizens. Obviously the whole thing was the fault of those Jews, right?
Sunnis and Shiites are killing each other in Baghdad and Afghanistan.
As they have been for centuries. Your point? And just for fun try preaching tolerance to those zany kids. Let me know how that works for you. But before you give it a whirl, try looking up the history of the two sects. Then get back to me on how you’re going to put an end to this. I’ll be waiting… just like I’m still waiting for an Obama supporter to provide justification for why someone should vote for him based on his qualifications and experience.
Muslims and Christians are killing each other in Sudan and northern Nigeria.
It’s mostly Muslims killing Christians. And in case you haven’t noticed, it’s about the oil, stupid.
Faith (what people believe) is causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS, the world’s fastest growing pandemic!
Number of AIDS-related deaths in 2007: two million. 2.2 million in 2006. Estimated deaths from war per year in recent history: 36,000. Good thing to know Wright’s math skills equal his theological acumen. Oh, and thanks for telling us what the word ‘faith’ means. Never would have known if you wouldn’t have told us. And if your congregation is so stupid to need the definition, you’ve done a really suck job of teaching them. Now haven’t you.
Faith (what people believe) turns family members into lifelong enemies.
Okay, kiddies, read along with Uncle Jerry. From the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter ten, verses thirty-four through thirty-six: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’” Don’t like it? Go argue with Jesus. Be prepared for it being rather one-sided. And not in your favor.
Faith (what people believe) leads some people to hatred of others, murder and demonization of God’s other children — those not like “us” or those who don’t believe what we believe.
Quite true… about some religions. Jesus? He was into this “love your enemies — do good to those who hate you — bless those who curse you” thing.
Where has the tolerance of those who are not like “us” gone?
You tell me, Mr. US of KKK-A G-D America.
Is it possible to live on the same planet with people whose faith is different from ours?
Is it possible to pose a stupider rhetorical question?
Is it possible to live in the same country?
Yes, despite the efforts of racists such as yourself.
Is it possible to live in the same state?
If San Francisco and Los Angeles can do it…
Is it possible to live on the same block?
You’d let me move next door to you? I mean, what with my bitterly clinging to guns and religion and all.
Is it possible to live in the same family or the same house?
I do believe Jesus addressed this already.
Can faith (what we believe) and tolerance (allowing others to believe what they believe — without denigration, condemnation, demonization or subjugation) co-exist?
Every time I hear the word ‘tolerance’ Ezekiel 13:9-11a comes to mind: “My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. Because they lead my people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall.”
This world does not define tolerance when put into action as St. Paul defined it for the believer in Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” To be holy means living in the truth as well as speaking the truth. So what is truth?
Inconvenient though it may be, there is absolute truth. There is right and wrong. This world defines tolerance as every everything being equal and equally valid, including all religions. This is not how Jesus defined it. Not only did He declare Himself to be the Son of God, He also said, “I am the way and the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn. 14:6).” Sorry, everything is legitimate crowd, but that doesn’t leave much wiggle room. As in none.
Dr. Martin Luther King said we need to learn to live together as brothers and sisters in this world, on this planet and in this country (and I would add in this city and in our families!)
He also extolled the virtues of integration. I’ll keep that in mind as I see you segregate and isolate yourselves then cry discrimination.
We need to learn tolerance.
Just as long as it doesn’t include suffering fools lightly, which is the only way you’ll get off the hook.
We need to learn to live together as God’s family or we will all die together as God-forsaken fools!
Being a fool doesn’t always lead to death. You’re still breathing, aren’t you?
Think about that this week.
That’s the problem. We do think. You?
Pray about it and then do something about it!
I just did via illustrating through Scripture and facts you are a babbling bigoted moron.
Which says what about someone who attended your church for two decades?
To the author:
I am educated enough to know where you’re coming from. The above sarcastic article/(advert for mc cain)is so ignorant. As a writer you should state facts about whatever you are against. Side comments are for the counrty club. Be a man and tell everyone what facts you know about all the issues the pastor addressed or anyone that offends you. Be smart about what comes out your mouth not childish or petty remarks that are going to be dismissed. Facts will always be remembered.
I did state the facts. You chose to ignore them.
Oh and the “Obama worshipers/suppoters ” remark wasa uncalled for. What a terrible way to start off writing. But if you want to quote a non christian public speaker, quote Willie Lynch. You are behaving just like him. IGNORANT
Jesus called the Pharisees (among other things) hypocrites, those who strain out gnats but swallow camels, whitewashed tombs appearing beautiful on the outside but inside full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean, full of wickedness, snakes, and broods of vipers. Now that’s namecalling. Care to call Him out on it?
I can’t believe I just read an article on yahoo that was pro McCain! who did you have to pay? I also can’t believe the brainless people who can’t see through the smoke and mirrors of the Obama camp. They have blinded people with myths and fairy tales…after all he is the one. The Rev Wright said so. thanks for the article
Someone at Yahoo’s probably cleaning out their desk over this one even as I type…
Seriously, beats me. Some things get picked up, others don’t.
Oh I love Rev. Wright and the black church! A lot of other raes don’t understand the black church and what it stands for. And it is not racism. They just speak the truth. You need to visit other black churches in this country.
I have. I do understand the black church. I also know what constitutes bigotry and racism. But thanks for the suggestion.
WOW…I kind of wondered the same thing. 20 years is a long time…to be a member of anything “by choice”. I heard that Oprah (sorry for name dropping) joined the same church, was there for 3 weeks, then left because it was too much for her. Obama stayed because he must have agreed with what Rev Wright’s “oratories” were about. He can’t say that he didn’t hear them! And…why didn’t anyone ever say anything about Obama’s little “slip” with George Stephanopolis??? He said…plain and clear “I’m glad that Sen McCain hasn’t taken shots at my MUSLIM faith”…George corrected him and said “Christian Faith”…and Obama said…”yes…my Christian Faith”. That “slip” rolled off of his tongue rather easily….didn’t anyone notice that??? Back to the church, you JOIN a church…and you can LEAVE a church if it isn’t talking to you or your heart. So…that would mean that if you STAY in a church especially for 20 years…it IS talking to you and your heart??? He must have believed and agreed with what was being said by Rev. Wright. What exactly does that say about this man who MIGHT be President of a BASICALLY (not entirely) Christian society?
Just a thought…
Rob
You spoke the truth.But people for Obama don’t recognize the truth. The blacks are voting because of skin color & the whites are either voting their party or ignorance. They believe his lies & the the way he turns around and accuses the accusors. I pray that the Lord will intervene and not let us all suffer the fate of Obama.
You’re being overly simplistic. There are people who regardless of race or gender are genuine in their belief Obama’s proposed policies are the best.
I could not havesaid this any better. Wake up America!
I appreciate the scripture and the facts as you see them but I don’t see any sign of forgiveness. Who’s the moron? One that would expouse scripture and then name call?
In case you missed it the first time: Jesus called the Pharisees (among other things) hypocrites, those who strain out gnats but swallow camels, whitewashed tombs appearing beautiful on the outside but inside full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean, full of wickedness, snakes, and broods of vipers. Now that’s namecalling. Care to call Him out on it?
Can I hear an ‘Amen’?
This is great. On point, on target. That’s why it will never make CNN. But keep up the good work.
It is about time!! FINALLY!! Someone said it!!
Good for you JW, and you sir, have my vote!!
20 years is a long time and I denounce Mr. Wrong (Wright). He is NOT a man of Christian Faith by any stretch of the imagination.
The main stream media has done a horrible and disasterous injustice, on behalf of B.H. Obama, to the american people by giving him a pass on every aspect of his life, career, associations and his campaign.
If you listen carefully to previous recordings of Obama, he is basically saying our constitution is flawed and he will change what has made our country so prosperous, Obama wants to create a national security force to restore order in our society. What the hell does this mean? Are we Nazi Germany?
Oh, and in a 2001 interview, he does in fact compare the US national policies to that of Nazi Germany.
I am pleading to the readers of this posting to do there research, dig beyond MSNBC, CBS, NBC and ABC. It does not hurt to check other sources, a requirement in many college classes is to reveal the 2 or 3 sides of the story.
This is more than just a google or yahoo search of keywords. You must find reports that “are biased” and check the references cited. This of course is time consuming and also why the media is able to influence the election.
May God help us.
The mainstream media? Biased? The devil you say!
As the previous person wrote I am not sure of the point of your article? I was a member of that same church for about 7 years. Was Jeremiah Wright outspoken? Of course he was. Most pastors of so called mega-churches are. But before you go down that despicable path that it seems you want to go also keep in mind that the ministries of that church were in the top four in Chicago for helping homeless people and those down and out of all faiths, color and creeds. Who started that ministry? Yes the man you write about. In any case bringing Jeremiah Wright up as an attack on Obama’s impending presidency is an ineffable attempt at nothing. Write about something that makes it appear you have something current and relevant to write about.
The hand of charity attached to an idiot is still attached regardless of the charity. And in case it didn’t get covered at your last MENSA meeting, for some odd reason the close associates of an individual tend to influence that individual. Relevant enough for you?
Also before you and others on the same ignorant mis-informed bandwagon continue to attempt to keep the “socialism” sound bite alive look up the definition of the word and honestly answer the question,”Is this really the same policies Obama is espousing?”. I’ll look for your objective answer back here.
so·cial·ism
–noun
– Barack Obama, interview at Chicago Public Radio station in 2001
Any questions?
Wow what an eloquent presentation of truth, belief, and scripture. I agree wholeheartedly. I am sick to death of Obama and his supporters with their avoidance tactics and out right lies that many of the American public are too naive or stupid to discern. His call for change and redistribution of wealth is a farce. Why didn’t he distribute the funds that he used on the infomercial to those in need ie homeless in Chicago, New York, LA, Houston, or thousands of cities across this nation??? He didn’t because those people aren’t important – they can’t vote because they have no permanent residence or feel the weight of civic responsibility to engage in the election process. Obama is an elitist and a segregationist – he doesn’t want to pull people together – he wants to divide and conquer. Beware of his message, look beyond the veiled promises, and pray for discernment in your choice for the leader of the US.
I hope Pastor J. Wright and his followers will read and heed;but, unfortunately, I am of the opinion that these preachers and teachers of hatred philosophy are actually using this arsenal in order to enrich themselves-they see how these teachings bring them great prosperity-i.e. Wright’s huge, over-the-top home and Bill Ayer’s success as a professor and author. But note, how they enrich themselves at the American taxpayers’ expense but they don’t share from their own resources. Acorn doesn’t count as a charitable tax deduction-that is just a scam.
Has anyone else ever wondered if Pastor J.Wright appear to be possibly part white/Caucasian? Why is it that mixed races like Malcolm X, Obama and others reject the lighter part of themselves. Didn’t Shakespeare say that first, you had to be true to your own self before you could be true to others? Isn’t racism rejecting one color and preferring another? Bigotry is bigotry regardless of the color of your skin.
Please note that I am a mixed race who actually suffered and fully understands the painful effects of segregation, but, because of Jesus have learned to love others regardless of skin color-we are all made from dirt.
I totaly agree with erock. 2 years ago I had every intention of voting for john McCain if the GOP gave him the nod. Then he lost his mind! Palin is a nightmare and the straight talking, honest, respectable and honorable man that I have always admired became a typical politician. Watching McCain backslide into the muck has broken my heart. I no longer consider him fit for office. I will be voting for Obama. Not because I am brainwashed by the media, but because I want a person in office who takes the high road and is willing to sit down with our so called enemies and try to work out a plan for peace. And before you start calling me a terrorist sympathiser or some such crap, you should start looking into our history with the middle east from the 1880′s until the 1970′s. Then maybe you will be more careful about who you call terrorist.
I wasn’t planning on calling you a terrorist sympathizer. Naïve? Now that’s a different story…
Listen Up dudes;
Obama Has no nothing for Illinois as a whole,only got
earmarks for the south side of chicago groups. Get real
and do your homework,once again nothing for Illinois as
a State,part of the United States.
On 11-5-08 the Suntimes in chicago,will become the Obama
times. Here comes higher tax’s on April 16th,2009,
get ready we will get hosed.
You are a Christian but you write with so much foul and inappropriate language. Ask yourself, will Christ write like this? You harbour hatred in your heart and you should let the Spirit of God calm your spirit and fill you with grace so you can better project him.
I know you dislike the liberals (and yes Wright has done you no wrong) but you need to project Christ in a way the world will see. Right now, you sound vile and much like the liberals you detest
Let’s see if the third time’s the charm: Jesus called the Pharisees (among other things) hypocrites, those who strain out gnats but swallow camels, whitewashed tombs appearing beautiful on the outside but inside full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean, full of wickedness, snakes, and broods of vipers. Now that’s namecalling. Care to call Him out on it?
If you take all the things that Senator Barack Hussein Obama has not heard, did not know, was not aware of for the last twenty years even though he lived worked and prayed along side of all these radicals, He must have been in a bubble.Maybe it was a bubble encompassing his ego that does not allow anything or anyone in that is not in agreement with him. He campaigns in Ohio, in a private neighborhood, and a private citizen asks him a question, That his answer to makes the news (hard to believe they would cover it) because he answered from his thoughts and not his usual prepared answers. (Redistribute the wealth) Guess what they ridcule the citizen, pry into his personal finances,his personal life and NOW the director of family services, Helen Jones-Kelley an Obama Supporter has launched an investigation to check whether Wurzelbacher owes child support, unemployment back taxes or was getting public assistance. Simply because the private citizen had the nerve to question Barack Hussein Obama and he could not answer with a canned response. So he instead of standing behind his response he has his henchmen do a media lynching of Joe. All Obama’s supporters are selling their freedom for what?? maybe a 1000.00 tax rebate check. I would rather go broke, homeless and hungry, than submit my country to this unthinkable”change”to socialism president.
I believe in one God and believe God gave Moses the complete law (the 5 books)at Mt.Sinai. I vote in every major election and primary. Less than a week to go, and I still haven’t made up my mind as to which candidate is the lesser of two evils.
You went back over two years to find this bulletin article. In reading Rev. Wright’s words without your comments, I see him citing the existence of wars in many areas of the globe. He neglected to mention South and Central America, however that is beside the point. If you feel he erred in his numbers, I must say I need to know how far back you went to find an average of deaths from war in “recent history” at 36,000. MILLIONS of people are being killed every year, mostly, but not totally by Muslims who have historically been unable to live peacefully with their neighbors, including with other Muslims. Therefore, I must assume that your number is much more likely to be false than Rev. Wright’s statement.
What I read in this article is a man acknowledging the fact that there are people of different religions everywhere and sometimes in the same household. He is asking people to live in tolerance with others. What is your problem with that?
Sarcasm will not turn Rev. Wrights words in this article into racism. Your being a fervent Christian and true believer in Christ does not make you any less a hypocrite by saying that your way is the only way. Do you know that Muslims believe Jesus to have been a prophet? Do you know anything about Islam? Or Judaism? Or Buddhism? Or any other religion than your own? Sorry but you sound like as much a religious fanatic as any Muslim out there. Try a little less name-calling and a little more tolerance yourself.
And if you are going to claim someone is a racist, you will have to dig a little deeper and get some real proof. That’s not to say Rev. Wright is not biased, I just want to see you do a better job justifying your claims.
I provided the links from where the numbers were taken.
And yes, I do have a working knowledge of other religions. And yes, I know what they say about Jesus if they address Him at all. And yes, I do believe Him when He says, “I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Which would be one vainglorious statement for a prophet to be making about himself, don’t you think?
Great article and website! I know for sure that if I was going to a church that had a pastor I did not agree with, I would leave. Anyone who stays in a church sitting under a pastor who disagrees time and time again with their biblically based convictions, they would and should leave! The fact that Obama did not leave means he agrees with Rev. Wright’s philosphy, even though he said he did not.
One thing that I have not seen mentioned is Obama’s stance on abortion and homsexuality. He voted for partial birth abortion before it was banned by the Supreme Court and he has voted against laws that would restrict abortion and for every law that would give gays the same rights as any married couple. He and Joe Biden say they are Christians but do not want to impose their beliefs on others. They need to read Romans 1: 27-32 to see what the Bible says about homosexulaity and those who approve of it (by keeping silent or offering excuses for not speaking out). I have been continuously criticized by other Christians who say I need to look at the broader pitcher, read Obama’s biography to see what a great man he is, etc. These two fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith as defined by the Bible and not man, are enought to keep me from voting for or supporting him, regardless of what else he does or promises to do.
I can think of several reasons to not vote for Obama. His stance on gay marriage, which he has gone on record as opposing, isn’t one of them.
As to my thoughts on the matter, those have already been stated.
I dont think this should have been posted.
The sun will come up tomorrow anyway.
This is an excellent piece. You are so right. There is a world of difference between black churches that promote unity and those that promote black liberation theology. Those in the black community that speak out against it are threatened and called unmentionable names even by those that call themselves Christians. The rest are called racists.
Huntley Brown wrote an excellent letter to friends titled “Why I Can’t Vote For Obama.” It’s posted on faithandfacts.com.
People please educate yourselves! Read non-partisan info and you will be shocked. Senator Obama has NO experience and what he does have it riddled in controversy. He is a “say anything to be elected” candidate. Why do you think Farrakhan calls him the “Messiah?”
It’s funny that no one seems to mind that in the place where “God’s not dead” a pastor gets taken to task but John McCain’s divorce or the fact that his record as a “war hero” pretty much amounts to killing other people gets a pass. I wonder what Christ would think about THAT?
This link between Obama and Wright is so tenuous that it would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic. If you’re so keen on that why don’t you spend some time talking about McCain’s connection to Hagee? Why? Because it would be just as dumb but it wouldn’t serve your own political agenda.
And by the way, F Israel’s conservatives up their stupid ass and F the Hezzbolah up its stupid ass too. None of these animals deserves our sympathy nor support. Read today’s news in which Rabin’s assassin indicted the right wing in that country to get a clue. And also keep this in mind – that vegetable Ariel Sharon has been declared a war criminal in a number of western democracies.
Oh, and get used to at least four years of Obama, ’cause that’s what you’re getting come Wednesday morning.
> This link between Obama and Wright is so tenuous that it would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.
– Barack Obama at the press conference he held concerning Jeremiah Wright
You were saying?
…and Palin’s withhunting church? And the speaker at her church from “Jews for Jesus”,and the secessionist leader who said “his hatred for America is hotter that the flames from hell”? You know the group to which Palin spoke and said, “keep up the good work” THIS YEAR.
You are lucky that Obama is a class act that has chosen tremain positive and not call out McCain/Palin on thier ridiculous hypocrisy. The people are smarter this time. Oh, except you. Let me guess, you voted for Bush twice, right?
I stand firmly against hunting withs. My position on this is clear: With and wet with.
I also believe in not getting my talking points from Huffington Post or Daily Kos. Try it sometime.
What a coward you are to use the bible as an excuse to act like an asshole.
So what’s yours?
Oh — fixed that link you were trying to leave.
You go to church to be taught “”the Word”" not to agree with everything your Pastor say, that’s why you are to study to show yourself approval not to take everybody word for what they think is right. That person has no heaven or hell to put you in. Rev Wright can’t save no one thats up to God, and God alone. Be careful what you say about the man of God.
I’ll keep an eye out for lightning bolts.
Nevermind the Obama campaign funded trolls who are trying to flame your post. This is the truth about Obama’s shady relationships that needs to be exposed before his extremist agenda is thrust upon America.
Thank you for this article. It is irritating that we have to listen to “TeflonObama slide out of every issue about him. Nothing sticks to Obama creating an illusion that nothing is wrong with him. It is nice to not feel so alone and that other people do see his shortcomings and that not all of us are blinded by his tlk.
First let me say that I am a lifelong conservative and am McCain supporter although I frankly think he is too liberal about many things. However I also believe in intellectual honesty which includes NOT taking other people’s words out of context and distorting their meaning with inserted commentary. I don’t know what Rev. Wright actually preached that day but choose to accept that Mr. Wilson was accurately quoting him in each of those inset remarks with the grey bars beside them.
That said, when I look at Rev. Wright’s remarks without Wilson’s intervening comments I simply don’t see what the fuss is about. And remember, I AM a McCain supporter, not an Obama supporter.
Here – without Mr. Wilson’s intervening commentary – are the alleged quotes from Rev. Wright EXACTLY as Mr. Wilson reported them:
“There is a two-ton gorilla sitting in the living room and nobody wants to acknowledge its presence!
We not only will not talk about it. We pretend we don’t see it!
Jews and Muslims are killing each other in Lebanon, Beirut and Israel.
Sunnis and Shiites are killing each other in Baghdad and Afghanistan.
Muslims and Christians are killing each other in Sudan and northern Nigeria.
Faith (what people believe) is causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS, the world’s fastest growing pandemic!
Faith (what people believe) turns family members into lifelong enemies.
Faith (what people believe) leads some people to hatred of others, murder and demonization of God’s other children — those not like “us” or those who don’t believe what we believe.
Where has the tolerance of those who are not like “us” gone?
Is it possible to live on the same planet with people whose faith is different from ours?
Is it possible to live in the same country?
Is it possible to live in the same state?
Is it possible to live on the same block?
Is it possible to live in the same family or the same house?
Can faith (what we believe) and tolerance (allowing others to believe what they believe — without denigration, condemnation, demonization or subjugation) co-exist?
Dr. Martin Luther King said we need to learn to live together as brothers and sisters in this world, on this planet and in this country (and I would add in this city and in our families!)
We need to learn tolerance.
We need to learn to live together as God’s family or we will all die together as God-forsaken fools!
Think about that this week.
Pray about it and then do something about it!”
When I read thru this, I find nothing (except possibly the hyperbola about “faith” causing more deaths than HIV/AIDS) that I haven’t heard a hundred times from my own preachers for the past 50 years. And they were mostly quite conservative preachers in mostly southern white churches! An intellectually honest reading of Wright’s sermon is that it is a call to END the hatred that masquerades as faith. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that message. And, it is definitely not a racist message.
Historically, people of all religions and all skin colors have killed other people because they held to a different religion and/or had a different shade of skin color. When such killing is done in the name of “faith”, it is hatred masquerading as faith and it is WRONG and we all need to learn to stop doing it.
Now, I’m not saying that Rev. Wright might not have preached intolerance, bigotry and hatred at some other time. The media keeps saying he did…. and well, we all know the media would never lie to us! LOL. However, since this is the sermon Mr. Wilson chose to use to illustrate his point that Mr. Wright is a “Jew-hating racist pastor” I have to figure it is the best (worst?) example he could locate to prove his point.
If this is an example of what the media and Mr. Wilson call a racist sermon, I just don’t see it. If anything, it supports exactly the opposite conclusion.
I simply cannot, with any degree of intellectual honesty, fault Mr. Obama for sitting thru 20 years of THIS kind of sermon.
Come on people, whichever side of the political spectrum you are on, we need HONEST communication. This particular blog isn’t.
My opinion of Wright is not based solely on one church bulletin. To insinuate this is so is disingenuous in the extreme and a very weak effort at an ad hominem attack. “Look, he didn’t do his homework — he doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” No, that would be you.
A casual — casual — examination of Wright’s work, multiple examples of which are available online, reveals the depths of his commitment to division. Your unwillingness or inability (I strongly suspect the former) to do so reveals the depths of your inability to hide your address in Troll Land.
If you’re going to be one, at least be halfway good about it.
If a man eats meat…you have sinned to judge him…just because you don’t.
Rev Wright looks as though he’s gonna get a pass….The saving of one soul covers a multitude of sins.
He was very good at obeying Jesus’ command…..The great command.
Be very careful with those that are called and/or chosen.
Woe is not good for you.
GOD BLESS
Um… okay… I guess this also goes under the “I’ll keep an eye out for the lightning bolt” department….
It saddens me to see you argue like this. Don’t you all realize that there is no Two-Party system? They all have the same interests, right and left, and I assure you it is not the topics that everyone seems to have so much fun arguing over! The reason for the two party disguise you ask; so citizens will spend more time fighting with one another than they do opening their eyes to what is “Wright” (sorry I had to) in front of us! It’s fairly simple folks… neither party has the answer. Neither party will bring change (at least not the kind we need) and neither party is legit! The real question is: Do you want to just hand our country over to either one in particular? My answer to that is NO! That’s why I am voting for McCain. Not because I’m silly enough to think he is the best candidate for the job, but because I realize how detrimental it will be to America if we allow this country to be run by one party! I urge each and every one of you to dig deeper than what’s on the surface because there and only there will you find the “Change” that really needs to take place here. The only “Change” that Obama is bringing is the change that will be left in your pocket after he gets elected.
Oh and by the way, Racism essentially boils down to three things: 1) Being Stereotypical
2) Being Judgmental
3) Hatred
All of which every single person on the planet is guilty of being at least once in their life. And if you say you haven’t then not only have you been but you can add liar to that list! As long as there are human beings there will be racism. Our government has divided us long enough don’t you think?
Hi Jerry:
I checked your 36000 figure and that was based on 13 countries. They then extrapolated out to over 100 000 globally from that. Your AIDS total still “wins” though.
I do think you can score more political points by backing off on the sarcasm. If there are worse sermons available, why not use those? It gets sickening hearing the rhetoric of the Republicans lately. And this post sounded a little like that. I usually like your take as its often humourous and thoughtful. This was more spiteful.
Jerry,
Nowhere in my previous comment did I did attack you. Therefore your response that my comment was a “weak effort at an ad hominem attack” simply does not hold water.
However, for a fine example of an ad hominem attack – i.e., attacking the person or the character of your opponent rather than addressing their argument – I would point your readers to your response to my comment. Therein you attacked me for my alleged “unwillingness and inability” to make a “casual examination of Wright’s works”. You then said that this “reveals the depths of [my] inability to hide [my] address in Troll land.” And you followed that line up with “If you’re going to be one, at least be halfway good about it.”
Now, I don’t want to put words in your mouth but I think you just called me a “Troll” and I’m pretty sure that “Troll” is a pejorative term. You then went even further by saying that I’m not even good at being a troll. LOL! Now, I was always taught that name-calling and attacks on the character of one’s opponent – the “unwillingness and inability” comments – are the essence of an ad hominem attack. If I misread you and the word “one” in your last sentence refers to something other than being a troll, please tell me and I will apologize.
Now, let’s look again at my first comment: I argued that the Wright sermon you quoted, IF read without your intervening commentary, actually said exactly the opposite of what you claimed it said. I then illustrated my point by copying EXACTLY what you reported that Wright had preached that day but without your intervening commentary. In other words, I addressed your ARGUMENT head on and showed how it failed. There was nothing ad hominem whatsoever in my comments.
Note that I did not say your opinion was based on one church bulletin. I did not even say that your opinion was wrong. I simply pointed out that the example you chose did not support your opinion.
Instead of getting angry with me – and calling me a “troll” – why not pull out one or more of those multiple examples of Rev. Wright’s “commitment to division” that WOULD support your point and try making your argument again?
If you can do so, you would be providing a real service to your readers. If you cannot locate a better example than the one you chose originally, admit that honestly as that too would be a service to your readers.
Alternatively, you can now simply chose to ignore me, or you can launch another attack against me and my character, or you can respond with some version of “there are multiple examples out there of Wright’s racism that are readily accessible and I’m not going to do your work for you”. IMHO none of these response would qualify as an intellectually honest response as NONE of them would go towards proving that your opinion about Rev. Wright being a racist is supported by real evidence.
So if I say the house next door is on fire you won’t believe it even after I show you some burning household items because it’s not the entire house? Okay, fine. Read this, which came from the pen of Wright in May of 2006:
Your turn.
Problem with you original posting was that while you said the “house was on fire”, the only items you showed me were matches you pulled out of your pocket! Nothing from the “house” (Rev.Wright’s sermon) was so much as smoking or even charred.
With this second sermon you are at least pointing to SOME smoke although even with it I don’t think you’ve quite proved the “house is on fire.” Many, including Mr. Obama, would probably argue that this sermon is nothing more than a little smoke from the cookstove. It is certainly open to other interpretations than that Rev. Wright is a racist and that Mr. Obama should have recognized him as one and SHOULD have long since disassociated himself if he did not also espouse reverse racist views.
With it however, your have at least made a reasoned start at proving your contention and I applaud you.
I would certainly agree with you that black-only schools, especially ones where the intent appears to be to inculcate children with the belief that America is a white supremacist society filled with sharks and other predators who are out to get them, is a step backward at best and a radically dangerous idea at worst.
On the other hand, I would have to agree with Rev. Wright that desegregation and integration are two quite different things. One can legislate desegregation. True integration does take place only in the heart and cannot be coerced. Desegregation merely allowed and encouraged white and black children to be around one another with the hopes that they would come to know one another as fellow human beings so that true integration could happen.
It didn’t work out as well as the courts had hoped – obviously. I have my own theories as to the reasons for that failure – including liberal guilt among white teachers that kept them from insisting poor black children meet the educational standards as the white children in their classes…. but that is a whole other topic and I’m not at all sure of what the solution might be at this time.
But I would definitely agree with you that any course of action that encourages an “us versus them” mentality among various factions of the American people will only exacerbate the problems and further divide us.
I truly believe that honesty, including intellectual honesty, and good-will are among the best tools – and perhaps are the only tools – we have for finding solutions these vexing issues that face us. My only complaint with your original post was that it failed the intellectural honesty test. I hope you have come to understand what I meant.