Another Perspective
Jeremiah Wright Foreign Policy
How quickly we forget about those who helped expose our future president to the world.
Anyone familiar with the views of Barack Obama’s pastor of twenty years might wonder if Reverend Jeremiah Wright is the chief inspiration behind the president’s foreign policy. The president’s overseas forays – dubbed the “American Apology Tour” – have featured Obama issuing one apology after another on behalf of a U.S. he has pronounced guilty of countless transgressions.
Obama has apologized for Guantanamo Bay; for alleged mistakes committed by the CIA; for U.S. policy in the Americas; for America’s history of slavery; for “sacrificing [American] values;” for “hasty decisions” in the war on terror; for “America’s standing in the world;” for American errors in foreign policy; for U.S. relations with the Muslim world; and for American “arrogance,” being “dismissive, [and] even derisive” toward U.S. allies. One gets the sense Obama is far from finished.
Wright, too, found unlimited fault with America. For example, he opposed the great American melting pot. He denounced racial impurity particularly when white men and black women have offspring. “Black women were raped by the millions,” Wright claimed in his 1996 book, When Black Men Sand Up for God. “Look around your church or neighborhood at the colors of African people today. America is the land of our trouble,” he warned in his 1995 book Africans Who Shaped Our Faith.
Wright lectured his parishioners “When you forget who you are, you start letting your behavior be determined by the enemy’s [white people’s] expectations. How you act is based upon what they think. And that sickness is perpetuated, because through assimilation and acculturation, you now think just like they think.” Wright admonished his congregants “If you are not European, stop pretending you are.”
Wright’s black separatist sermons have been notorious for racist comments about “white arrogance,” “the United States of White America,” and “the U.S. of KKK.” Wright also accused the U.S. government of conspiring against black people. “The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied,” he claimed in one sermon. Rather than asking for divine blessings for the U.S., instead Wright urged “G** D*** America!”
In August 2007, Wright delivered a eulogy at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He referred to the nation’s Founding Fathers as the “fondling fathers.” He called Texas “the cradle of dehumanization,” he made an ethnic slur about Italians and “their garlic noses,” and he repeatedly mentioned “white enemies.” Wright warned mourners of “White supremacist brainwashing, passing itself off as education.”
Wright’s anti-Semitic leanings seemingly play themselves out in U.S. relations with Israel. Just recently, Wright derided “them Jews” for blocking his access to President Obama.
In contrast to his deference to anti-American leaders such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hugo Chavez, and Daniel Ortega, Obama has strong-armed Benjamin Netanyahu on key Israeli matters. He snubbed the Israeli Prime Minister in his first request to meet with the president. While pronouncing Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology acceptable and announcing the U.S would not meddle in Iran’s election, Obama has warned Netanyahu against targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, has demanded an end to Israeli settlements and has insisted on the creation of a two-state Palestine solution. Obama’s attitude is not new.
Years ago, Wright and Obama helped organize participation in the 1995 march on Washington led by the deeply anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan. In his remarks, the Nation of Islam leader accused former President George H. W. Bush of “buck-dancing in a yarmulke for the Jews.”
Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic activities spanned years. Months before the march, he was embroiled in an ugly, anti-Semitic episode. Khalid Abdul Muhammad, a senior Nation of Islam official, delivered three hours of remarks at New Jersey’s Keane College that attacked whites, Jews, Catholics, homosexuals and white South Africans.
Muhammad said, “[Jews] are a European strain of people who crawled around on all fours in the caves and hills of Europe, eatin’ Juniper roots and eatin’ each other. … They’re the blood suckers of the black nation and the black community.”
Muhammad warned the audience of “Columbia Jew-niversity over in Jew York City.” He called the U.N., the “Jew-nited Nations.” He said Jews were named Rubenstein, Goldstein and Silverstein because they “[have] been stealing rubies and gold and silver all over the earth. That’s why we can’t even wear a ring or a bracelet or a necklace without calling it Jewelry … but it’s not jewelry, it’s Jew-elry.”
Muhammad argued Jews who perished in the Holocaust had it coming to them. He asked, “[D]on’t nobody ever ask what did they do to Hitler?” Then he answered his own question with, “They had undermined the very fabric of the society.”
Prior to his Kean College address, Muhammad dismissed the “so-called Jew holocaust” at appearances in Dallas, Texas and Washington, DC. He argued the film “Schindler’s List” should be named “Swindler’s List.”
Countless public figures implored Farrakhan to repudiate Muhammad. Instead, Farrakhan stood by his friend. At a “Black Men Only” rally of 10,000, Farrakhan said, “We know that Jews are the most organized, rich and powerful people, not only in America, but in the world. They are plotting against us even as we speak.” Then Farrakhan clasped Muhammad in an embrace on stage.
Even with Farrakhan’s long history of racism, bigotry and anti-Semitism, Wright remained a fervent supporter. In 2007, Wright praised Farrakhan as one who “will be remembered as one of the 20th and 21st century giants of the African-American religious experience.” Trumpet, a magazine operated by Wright and Trinity Church, honored Farrakhan in November 2007 with the “Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Trumpeteer” Award for his years of service.
It is understandable that after sitting through 20 years of sermons delivered by the pastor Barack Obama considered his spiritual mentor that Jeremiah Wright’s politics would heavily influence Obama’s worldview of the U.S. and Israel. It is unfortunate that they do.
About the Author
Mark Hyman hosts “Behind the Headlines,” a commentary program for Sinclair Broadcast Group. You can follow him on Twitter at @markhyman.
Robert Rosencrans| 6.26.09 @ 7:34AM
Even earlier then Wright was Frank Marshall Davis, an avowed communist who was one of Obama's mentors during his teen years, and is referred to as "Uncle Frank" in Obama's book.
Both of these ideological purists had an effect on Obama yet the American press only alludes to right wing purists.
Look at the economic carnage being manufactured inside the beltway. If either the health care plan or the energy destruction plan passes the economy is doomed.
Start shorting DOW futures if either is passed and you will become wealthy.
jack| 6.26.09 @ 7:35AM
Republicans,most notably McCain,failed American by not running ads and commercials 24/7 with Wright spewing his venom. Obama has called this hate mongering anti American racist a great influence on his life. Now the entire country is in the hands of of someone who believes what Wright spews because the opposition party and their candidate did not play to win. its time for another revolution in the rep party. The US can not afford to let the party powers force another Dole,Bush,or McCain on us.
Melvin| 6.26.09 @ 8:04AM
Jack you are absolutely correct, but the stickler here is that the Party Powers have not sown the seeds of leadership, Conservatism, smaller and less intrusive government to those younger who will follow in their footsteps.
I know many don't want to hear this but the Republican Party is run by old angry white dudes who want to hang on to power and they will do anything to make sure that the status quo remains, and if that means destruction of the Republican Party, "c'est la vie, that is the cost of doing business."
The baton of Republican principles was not passed to the succeeding generation of young Republican lions, somewhere along the line it was dropped and lost, and now we are stuck with this geriatric crowd with no new ideas or the energy to produce them.
Ryan| 6.26.09 @ 8:49AM
We need to remember where Wright's theology comes from. It's Black Liberation Theology, and extremely Marxist bent on scripture (if and when scripture is even used). It doesn't give scripture any reliability.
One of its core tenents is essentially telling me that I am a VICTIM of sin rather than a PERPETRATOR of sin. It's completely rife with the ideas that I'm a victim of OTHER people's sins (in this case, it's targeted telling black people they are always victims of whites).
It's what bothers me MUCH about both Wright and Obama - that their core theology is so removed from scripture that it can barely be called Christian. NO, I don't believe that Obama is Muslim, I think that he adheres to some sort of Black Liberation theology that puts on the trappings of Christianity.
Tony in Central PA| 6.26.09 @ 9:19AM
Every morning I get up and first hear the news, I get the repeated sensation that I somehow entered some kind of parallel universe recently. That Americans would have elected a man who believes the bile spewed forth by Wright will remain incomprehensible to me. I'll go to my grave in bewilderment over the loss of all common sense in our once great nation.
Liberal Reader| 6.26.09 @ 9:31AM
A few thoughts on Wright:
1. When Fox News decided last spring to recycle a few clips of Wright's sermons repeatedly for a few weeks, there was a conspicuous group of conservatives missing from those who expressed their mouth-frothing outrage: the religious right.
It was very telling that people like Rush Limbaugh -- hardly a "conservative" when it comes to personal sexual morality or marriage or many other issues sacred to the religious right -- led the charge against Wright (along with Clinton).
"Why didn't Obama leave the church?" "Why did he stay for twenty years?" critics asked.
Well, these are actually very secular questions.
A Christian does NOT attend a given church as an expression of personal support for the priest or pastor. You are not choosing a therapist or piano teacher for your kid. A Christian attends a church because he believes it is God's sanctuary, a place for communion with Christ. If the minister is prone to lunatic outbursts, no Christian teaching exists that says parishioners should abandon the church. Obama may have been -- and we really don't and we really shouldn't know because it just isn't our business -- acting out his faith by staying despite some of the weirder things his preacher said. (And by the way, Rev. Wright said MANY things over 20 years that were not recycled endlessly on your Fox News channel.)
2. Point two is very different from point one, but it seems at least pointing out that 80% of churchgoers go to church because it's just what you do on Sunday, or because they like to socialize with their fellow parishioners, or -- yes -- because it is and always has been a good place -- particularly for black folk -- to enter social networks that help one in business or politics. And basically they don't listen or even really care what the sermon says. They like the songs, they like seeing their friends, they mouth some tenets of their faith that sound pretty good to them, and then it's off to coffee hour.
None of what I've said above means that Obama was necessarily "influenced" by Wright's thinking, even though Wright clearly was held in high esteem by Obama. A person can like and even love a man and not accept all or even any of his political or religious beliefs.
In the end, I think all this stuff about Wright is on the one hand weak, and on the other -- I'm afraid -- dog whistle stuff of a pretty ugly nature. White people ganging up on black churches has a really awful history in this country.
And one final thing: although many of you have heard about "Black Liberation Theology" on Sean Hannity, you really just don't know what the hell you're talking about.
Try to study up some before you make an ass of yourself blathering on based upon information you get from a radio dj.
Anthony| 6.26.09 @ 9:37AM
Ah yes, how can we forget Obama's Misister of Culture! Black Liberation Theology and radical Islam go hand in glove. It's no wonder our bowing president couldn't wait to kiss the a** of the Saudi king, while kicking the Queen of England in the same area.
But don't worry, Cap and Trade will pass today as the MSM and the drones concentrate on the death of Michael Jackson, a true icon of this generation of Americans; self absorbed, weak, cowardly, as well as morally and intellectually corrupt.
Wake up folks, it's the 8th inning, and we're losing.
Ryan| 6.26.09 @ 9:54AM
No, I know more about Black Lib theology than what Hannity oversimplified on his radio program. It IS a marxist bent on the Gospel, over-emphasizing Christ's actions over His words, inserting radical Biblical untruths, and pushing the idea of victims of sin and limiting personal responsibility for sin and dealing with it. Adherents of the standard liberation theology (slightly different, but not by much) in Mexico were almost exclusively communist.
I've debated once with a liberation theologist, who essentially rejected every Protestant and Catholic position on scripture, leading to some bizarre interpretations when he paid attention to scripture at all. It simply holds no authority for liberation theology, which is disconcerting for a religion that calls itself "Christian" in any manner.
I DO agree with you - to a certain point - about point #2. Unfortunately for Obama, it only leaves two options - true believer or total hypocrite when it comes to Wright. There are/were plenty of other church options that he could have attended that didn't spew that sort of non-Biblical vitriol from the pulpit, and he chose to stay - particularly in a city like Chicago.
Tony in Central PA| 6.26.09 @ 10:00AM
I think the rationalization posted by Liberal Reader pretty much sums up how some people got their minds around the Wright issue and I thank him for at least enlightening me. What level of orthodoxy meets the criteria of " Christian " should be considered when talking about Wright's church. From what I have discovered, the politically charged invective from Wright was the meat and potatoes of the Sunday service, instead of any emphasis on sacraments. I expect many of Wright's sermons are probably more antiAmerican than what one would have heard in a mosque on Friday in Karachi or Teheran during the same period.
The question of how political Christianity can be and remain authenitc is one that continually must be asked. Its worth remembering that Jesus bypassed an earthly, political kingdom for the sake of our admission to an everlasting, heavenly kingdom.
Liberal Reader| 6.26.09 @ 10:39AM
Ryan --
Well, your right: Liberation Theology began in Central and South America among extremely devout Catholics who saw their people being abused and exploited and began to insist that the Gospels offered some measure of instructions about how we should live in this world.
You have to remember that there was a time when people in this country -- Democrat and Republican -- would consider anyone in El Salvador a communist who simply protested the ruthless American backed fascist government there. If that's communism, well then I'm a communist too.
Liberation theology has many adherents whose actual theology differ from one another greatly. Some are rigorous followers of Church teaching and the Bible, others are less orthodox.
Simply painting them all with the same brush (with a mindless shout of "communism!") isn't very smart and frankly isn't very Christian.
As to other points about Wright:
I think it would behoove us for at least one moment to reflect on the black church and the role it has played in American history.
The black church has been for hundreds of years the one place where blacks were permitted to organize and form the kinds of social networks that whites largely took (and take) for granted.
Thus it is traditional that black anger finds a special voice in that church. Many of things Wright said were intemperate and foolish; some of the things he said were absolutely wrong. However, Wright -- by all accounts -- was NOT a particularly political preacher. He strayed into politics occasionally, and it sometimes led him to say things he probably shouldn't have.
Now, whether Obama was a casual church goer (I'll leave charges of "hypocrite" to you people, who are obviously morally superior to me and to every one else), or whether he was particularly devout is simply unknown to me and I do not care.
My point was more about the Christian Right. Religious conservatives didn't seem as worked up about Wright as more secular "conservatives" -- which I think is telling and interesting.
Liberal Reader| 6.26.09 @ 10:42AM
Tony --
I'm NOT providing a "rationalization." How you can read what I wrote and think that is beyond me.
I suppose you'll only be happy if I chime in to agree: Wright is evil, Obama is evil, Liberals are evil, Pelosi is the spawn of Satan, and all Unions should be banned.
Limbaugh Uber Alles!
Michael Tomlinson| 6.26.09 @ 10:58AM
I would suggest with the election of Barack Obama Wright got his wish and America has been damned.
As an Anglo who attends an African-American church I find Liberal Readers patronizing point #2 to be typical of Democrats who use and abuse people of color for their own political gain -- insufferably arrogant and ignorant.
Most people of faith attend church, synagogue, temple, stake, etc. because it is where they worship God and the message is an important part of the worship experience. If Obama was, as he claims ignorant of Wrights hate filled messages, then it tells us more about Obama's inability to think clearly and rationally than anything else.
Ryan| 6.26.09 @ 11:00AM
Is it safe for me to say, however, that liberation theology - of whatever Biblical persuasion - typically has an leftward bent? Also, its Marxist roots are well-known - it's not quite an oversimplification to state something like that. It actually looks like it's a theology that started with Marxism and attempts to make the Bible "fit" that mold, even with adherents who take the Bible more seriously.
Also, unless I'm missing something, I DON'T think that it's unfair to state that ANYONE is a hypocrite if they attend a church with some sort of regularity for 20 years and don't adhere to the church's core teachings. If Obama doesn't embrace Black Liberation theology - particularly as espoused by Wright - then how is that NOT hypocrisy? How can a middle ground even fit?
You're correct about the religous right here - there wasn't much of a discussion involving Wright's theology and the church that Obama attended, and I don't know if it was something particularly avoided, or if there were other issues that were considered more important at hand. Even guys like me - who take such things seriously - considered other issues far more important.
Old Texican| 6.26.09 @ 11:12AM
Liberal Reader
Mr. Wright is not evil...he and his ilk are simply stunted.
They literally cannot see the lies they build their lives upon.
AIDs invented to kill blacks? stunted.
Jews are evil? stunted.
You guys that buy into their garbage.....stunted.
Personally, I appreciate you writing above. It is about the clearest rendition I have seen demonstrating your foolishness.
Thank you.
Liberal Reader| 6.26.09 @ 11:27AM
Ryan --
First of all, Marxism itself grew out of Christianity, so let's keep things right way around. Marxism and other leftisms are profoundly influenced by Christianity. This is, I freely admit, a complicated and vexed topic -- but there it is.
If YOU lived in El Salvador, and YOU were a farmer in a country where 2% of the population owned 90% of the land, and where death squads carried off anyone who questioned the status quo, YOU might be tempted to listen to so-called leftists who appealed to the Church for comfort, protection, and -- yes -- advocacy, and you wouldn't give a good goddamn what gringos in America (who after all were supplying the guns that were executing the disappeared) called it.
If it's communism to wonder why a small junta of thugs preside over a deeply unjust system of forced labor and oppression -- then let there be communism.
As I read my Gospel, I'm always impressed by the actual things Jesus did on this earth.
Jesus was NOT Saint Paul, nor was he the portrait of him we read in Saint Paul. Jesus walked upon the earth; Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick; Jesus obviously sympathized with the poor and inspired action on their behalf. It is misguided quietism to think otherwise.
Eric Damon| 6.26.09 @ 11:30AM
Liberal Reader,
Black liberation theology has never been a good thing for the black community, as it strives to create a culture of perpetual victimization among blacks. It portrays blacks as victims of whites, religion, and scoiety in general. Further, the "theology" is not particularly interested in spiritual salvation, but is focused on using the political process to achieve "political liberation". Finally, it is a theology that doesn't honor Christ as he is, but attempts to morph Him into some black Marxist hero to fit the notions of the 'theology' that captialism somehow constitutes sin. And black liberation theology is patently not based on any biblical standards, since James Cone (the founder of the theology) has stated that "Being Christians does not mean 'following in his [Christ's] footsteps.'
As for the black church, it has been a place for blacks to find their voices, and many great leaders were developed by the church. And it is true that blacks use the church to establish and maintain social contacts/networks; yet at its base, it has always been a place for blacks to gather to seek and worship God. That is the purpose of every church, black, white, or other; trying to spin it in any other way to protect a favored politician isn't really going to fly.
As for Obama and his relationship to Rev. Wright and Trinity UCC, I doubt that he was ignorant of the teachings of the reverend or the basis of the theology of the church. Trinity UCC was founded based on the ideas of Black Liberation Theology (BLiT), therefore it is a safe assumption that those ideas and ideals are deeply interwoven in the very fabric of the church. And it is also a safe assumption that Rev. Wright was overtly political in his sermons on more than a few occassions, since he is a leading proponent of BLiT.
And while you are right about our not knowing whether or not Obama was an occasional or casual churchgoer, the very fact that he referred to Wright as his 'spiritual mentor' and appropriated the title of one of his sermons as the title of one of his books about himself speaks to a more than casual relationship to Rev. Wright and Trinity UCC. And while Obama may not be a hypocrite (which requires no sense of moral superiority to point out about a person, btw) when it comes to Trinity and Wright, that does not excuse him from being either a cynic for embracing the Rev. Wright and Trinity to advance his political career, or an opportunist for throwing them under the proverbial bus in order to preserve his presidential aspirations.
S.L. Toddard| 6.26.09 @ 11:46AM
"As an Anglo who attends an African-American church..."
You are so full of crap, Tomlinson. It's obvious you're at most a middle-school student so please stop shoveling the BS.
Tony in Central PA| 6.26.09 @ 11:54AM
Reader, how isn't it a rationalization ? On the one hand, you seemed to say that if Obama is a real believer, he went to Wright's church for spiritual things other than the sermons. On the other hand, you apparently said if he doesn't believe, he's really just going for the social engagement, so he didn't really care much about what went on during a worship service. Its seems to me like a rationalization to minimize the importance of what was being preached. Feel free to point out where I misinterpreted your original post.
We continue to have religious liberty in this country, and Obama is and has been free to attend any place of worship he desires. People change churches and denominations all the time. Being a " church hopper " may be viewed disdainfully by some Christians, but it doesn't make somebody a heretic. For many people, religious faith is a long and often winding road until they find " home ". The fact that Obama attended this church for twenty years, used some of Wright's sermons as speech inspiration material and had his kids baptized by Wright suggests he had found his " home ".
Obama's associations, not just with Wright, would have ended his Presidential aspirations twenty or even ten years ago. People now will say we are so much more open - minded to have elected somebody like Obama. I would argue that we've lost common sense.
Louis Jenkins| 6.26.09 @ 11:56AM
Correct: “Attending church is an act of worship, and not personal support for the minister,” but it is a blessing to the attendee when the minister bases his sermon on Scripture. I’m not sure where in the Scripture the Rev. Wright found his sermon material. If the minister goes off the deep end, ie lunatic outbursts, or that its “No, No, No, its G—damned America”, then be assured I and my family would be headed for the door before the service was half over. Never have I heard any minister refer to Bubba and Monica as ‘gittin down and dirty’ during a sermon. That is until the video of Rev. Wright emerged. Jesus said there would be many false teachers and prophets in this world, and even said that his disciples would be as sheep among wolves. But he didn’t tell them to sit and listen to their drivel. He also said it is what comes out of the man that defiles him and, judging from what came out, Wright needs to return to the seminary for a Christianity 101 class. Martin Luther sacrificed a promising career in the Catholic Church because he believed that man does not need an intermediary between him and Salvation. Too bad our Prez didn’t follow Luther’s advice. Maybe he had other motives to remain in his seat.
Anthony| 6.26.09 @ 12:03PM
Discussions on the origions and theology of Black Liberation Theology are quant and nice, perhaps more befitting for a Friday afternoon college theology class, of which I attended many.
Liberal Reader, like most Leftists, attempts to put lip stick on a pig and tells us it's God handiwork. Rev.Wright is a phony, manipulative huckster, pure and simple. He is just one of many, who comes from a long tradition of "pastors" in the black community, who has found a way to fleece his flock, (in order to find relief from stress in his "gated white community" ) while engaging in political hatred. New York's famous Father Devine and Adam Clayton Powell, (who discovered that being a religious fraud as well as a politician, was the greater twofer in the history of the world), were mild compared to the juiced Rev. Wright. Times have indeed changed.
To suggest that Black Liberation Theology has legtimate roots in the gospels has as much merit, I suppose, as saying that Andre Seranno's "Pis Christ" was art. Who's to say otherwise?
Oh well, here we are discussing Rev. Wright while Cap and Trade is being discussed. I think we're rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic folks.
JJ| 6.26.09 @ 12:31PM
right on brotha! the apple does not fall far from the tree. americans are a bunch of lemmings. nobody stands for anthying anymore and we vote in a radical into the presidency. i wonder how far obama can go in stripping us bare of everything.
William| 6.26.09 @ 12:40PM
@ Tony in Central PA - I feel the same sense of unreality over these neo-savages in positions of responsibility and power.
The elephant in the room is this: the economic and social coercion and suppression espoused by this administration cannot be enforced in the long run without a terror or police state. What then?
You make me laugh| 6.26.09 @ 12:49PM
Liberal Reader: Pelosi IS the spawn of satan.
Old Texican| 6.26.09 @ 12:51PM
In 1965, I read "Black Like Me". (author: Griffin?)
Changed my whole racial outlook. I commend it to everyone.
Since those days, I have learned to detest what I call "barstool liberals".
I came to understand the problems that American black people uniquely dealt with.
On my knees, I vowed to thereafter treat black people with simply human dignity, worthy of respect until proven otherwise, on a person by person basis.
I have kept that vow.
Martin Luther King..........NEVER WHINED!
God bless him and his.
Oldefarte| 6.26.09 @ 1:11PM
The truly amazing thing is that a majority of Jews supported Obama with their votes on 11/4/08!!!!
jack| 6.26.09 @ 1:33PM
what are we do to when a lunatic like Obama is supported by all major news media and many major corps(ge),who will gladly sell our freedom for profit? revolution will be the only solution.
Old Texican| 6.26.09 @ 2:25PM
Jack
Sadly he is not a lunatic.
He has made a "calculation".
You and I will pay the costs of that calculation being wrong. Yep! get over it.
John II| 6.26.09 @ 2:26PM
"First of all, Marxism itself grew out of Christianity, so let's keep things right way around. Marxism and other leftisms are profoundly influenced by Christianity. This is, I freely admit, a complicated and vexed topic -- but there it is."
Well--yes, Marxism could be described as a Christian heresy. But the particular heresy it most resembles is gnosticism, which makes it first and foremost an intellectual swindle--before all the rest of the unpleasantness follows. It's a complicated topic, but not particularly vexed. I've actually read Marx, which perhaps explains why I've never met a self-described Marxist whom I could take seriously.
Tim| 6.26.09 @ 3:07PM
My opinion is that President Obama attended that church solely as a means of accessing power locally. Simply a means to an end.
I think if 51% of the voters supported cannabilism in any given political unit there would be politicians dancing around the pots every Friday night.
President Obama seems lukewarm on religion-any religion at best now that he no longer needs the Rev. Wrights to build a career.
Everly Waverly| 6.26.09 @ 3:43PM
I read some of the posts and come to an opinion of personal consensus: S.L. "Slippery Liberal" Toddard, Sphincter-X, and now Liberal "Leftist Loon" Reader are born of the same hot rock.
Ryan| 6.26.09 @ 3:51PM
"Jesus was NOT Saint Paul, nor was he the portrait of him we read in Saint Paul. Jesus walked upon the earth; Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick; Jesus obviously sympathized with the poor and inspired action on their behalf. It is misguided quietism to think otherwise. "
The common mistake in leftist, aka "mainstream" Christianity - separating Jesus' actions from His words. Without everything that He said, He was simply a really nice guy; combined with what He said, He challenges EVERYTHING the left believes about Him.
Marxisms and other leftism are profoundly influenced by a forced reading of the Bible, placing a VERY unsound theology before the text.
Marc Jeric| 6.26.09 @ 4:09PM
Our situation is much worse than anybody suspects. In my youth I saw the Hitler's regime; at the age of 12-24 I lived under communists. There was little difference - one had his brownshirts, the other his soviets (that's community organizations). It will take us 3 generations to get out of the communist rule - and that will happen only through a violent revolution, sometime toward the end of this century. We have now already 3 generations of illiterate nincompoops, thanks to the marxist teacher unions.
Joeq| 6.26.09 @ 4:16PM
Liberal Reader, Marxism is very anti-Christian from the beginning. So you are WRONG!! So why don't talk to your liberal friends who will believe your errors.
K| 6.26.09 @ 5:36PM
One problem with your article is that it confuses "race-baiting" with "racism." There is no doubt that Wright engaged in race-baiting, but that is different from racism. Making false accusations about others' racial motivations is race-baiting, not racism, just as making false accusations about others' Marxist motivations is red-baiting, not communism.
If you define "racism" as a belief that people should be treated differently according to race, then virtually all of our parents, if not ourselves, fall within that definition.
Another problem is guilt-by-association. If Wright is a "racist" because he associated with racist Farrakhan, or even if he is
"anti-Semitic" because he associated with Farrakhan, then virtually everyone is "racist" because they have associated with other racists.
Fortunately, attitudes are not pathogens, able to infect new hosts that get too close. Although some attitudes spread through constant reinforcement, none spread through osmosis.
Robert Rosencrans' comment regarding Frank Marshall Davis is even more flawed, and reflects a disinformation campaign against the Obama-Davis relationship propagated throughout the blogosphere.:
- FMD was not an "avowed communist"; he was a closet communist.
- Although Obama's book indicates "Frank" offered him advice on racial issues, Obama wrote that Davis "fell short" and his views were "incurable." Obama did not even visit Davis for three years before going to college. Obama's book, itself, proves that Obama did not consider Davis to be a "wise and trusted counselor," which is the definition of "mentor." But what creative definition can Davis be considered his "mentor"?
- FMD was never referred to as "Uncle Frank" in his book.
- FMD was not an "ideological purist." He joined the CPUSA because membership had its privileges, not because he internalized collectivist values.
The Man Most want to Ignore| 6.26.09 @ 8:17PM
Rev Wright is the firs person in the history of America who spoke up against Genocide. American racism. The first man who knew that the American government is a criminal government who has no interesr in Black or White Americans. Politics in America is about promoting the elite in America like the rich Bankers.
It's time America woke up, Rev Wright is not opposed to white America or Black America, this guy is for justice, freedom and liberty for all Americans.
I think Rev Wright was the first person who spoke out about RACISM in America.
Rev Wright should be given pride in American society, having the ability to speak on a subject most would rather forget. He is the first person in America who was not afraid to speak on an issue, most would rather forget.
I respect Mr Wright, for his honesty. Obama is playing politics, to fool the Blacks. Wright knows that, and so does most white Americans, who are honest.
William| 6.26.09 @ 8:27PM
Wright is a primitive tribalist.
He is a neo-savage.
The only genocide perpetrated by the United States was a wilingness to resort to it in the various wars agains the American Indians, and many objected to it at the time.
Wright is a fraud, as are you.
William| 6.26.09 @ 8:30PM
By 'only' in 'only genmocide I mean solely, unique. I do not make light of it and some of my own ancestors felt the hand of it.
Blacks were not and never have been targets of genocide in the Americas. Exploitation, yes. But get in line and take a number for that. My first European ancestors arrived here as indentured servants.
angrytom| 6.27.09 @ 12:59PM
The msm or STATE CONTROLLED UUBER MEDIA is complicit in this administration! When it all crumbles the American people should demand these people be jailed as traitors !! Boycott all media but talk radio!
Liberal Reader| 6.27.09 @ 6:18PM
Ryan --
I agree that it is easy to slide into a view of Jesus that emphasizes some of his actions (healing, etc.) at the expense of what he said about his ministry or mission on earth.
Of course, theologians of high learning and great wisdom have pondered the meaning of Jesus for centuries, and I'm no match for them.
However, I cannot read the Gospels and come away thinking that Jesus asks us to ignore the poor and oppressed in this world and let the righteous get their rewards elsewhere. (Remember, Jesus is not too loquacious about an after life or final reward.)
In Central America, where Liberation Theology (as I understand it) began, there was room to question the status quo from a Christian and specifically Catholic point of view.
I don't think that liberal (or liberation) theology need be as heretical as sometimes it's portrayed.
Consider the life of the Archbishop Romero in El Salvador.
Remember too that the Abolitionist movement in this country was essentially a form of liberation theology -- pretty literally speaking. The pro-life movement doesn't shrug at abortion and conclude the innocent will be rewarded elsewhere: rather, it seeks to intervene in this world.
sabashimon| 6.27.09 @ 6:32PM
Liberal Reader, please, oh please enlighten us on your understanding of just what is Black Liberation Theology.
Oughta be good.
Pete| 6.27.09 @ 10:34PM
Yet, Jews by the millions helped get this bum elected. Jews will vote themselves right back into concentration camps given a chance to do it.
Big J| 6.28.09 @ 9:39AM
Whew! I feel so much more enlightened on the true meaning of Rev. Jeremiah "G - D America" Wright. Glad someone cleared that up.
I was under the impression that he just hates America, Whitey and all Jews.
By association (as with Ayers and others), being his spiritual mentor and all, I naturally assumed the Obama does too. Glad to see the error of my ways.
I was way too busy being dismissive, derisive and arrogant to acknowledge the truth.
Thanks liberal reader. I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
I think I'll go back now and watch another 24 hours of news coverage on the Great Micheal Jackson who was such a positive role model for the youth around the world.
Fiddling while Rome burns, I think they call it. Cap and Trade doesn't matter that much, anyway.
Big J| 6.28.09 @ 9:40AM
For all those that didn't get it:
/MAJOR SARC
James A. Glasscock | 6.28.09 @ 12:04PM
I marvel that the church in Chicago is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Even for that denomination to tolerate Wright and his reckless theology says a lot about what the UCC does not believe, which I gather is not too much.
As a retired pastor, I am unable to fathom how a "church" permits hate and derision to ride Sunday after Sunday without Christian folks marching with their feet . . marching out the door.
What is uplifting if one learns hate and anger. Sure, one, black or white, can complain of abuse. But I think of Christians such as Corrie Ten Boom who learned to forgive. Wright never read any New Testament passage, or even Old Testament passage, about forgiveness, the hardest act in the world. In many ways, Wright is a con man who does not know the Gospel according to the Bible.
For the shepherd to lead the flock into a desert is not to practice the High Calling of God through ministry.
ds80| 6.28.09 @ 4:38PM
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI): "theologies of liberation" ... accept a series of positions which are incompatible with the Christian vision of humanity
"theologies of liberation" ... go on to a disastrous confusion between the 'poor' of the Scripture and the 'proletariat' of Marx. In this way they pervert the Christian meaning of the poor
At best, Wright is uninformed and misguided. At worst, heretical.
Flit Andersen | 6.29.09 @ 6:16AM
Re: Liberal Reader.
Either you are an idiot, or you think I am. Marxism grew out of Christianity? I suppose that's why the very first thing Marxist dictators do (after they kill all their political opponents) is to round up and imprison all the priests and board up all the churches. Of course!
I haver to say, you run a smooth line of BS, kid.
Flit Andersen| 6.29.09 @ 6:26AM
LR: "...where (Ortega's) death squads carried off anyone who questioned the status quo...you wouldn't give a good goddamn" which Soviets in Cuba/Roosia (who after all were supplying the guns that were executing the disappeared) called it..."
So, clearly you were rooting Reagan & his boys on in Nicaragua? Si?
Si??
Flit Andersen | 6.29.09 @ 6:28AM
I will never understand why the poor embrace qa system which will guarantee their poverty forever.
Omegaman| 6.29.09 @ 10:26PM
Cone's suggestion as to what must occur if there is not reconciliation among the white community. He states, "Whether the American system is beyond redemption we will have to wait and see. But we can be certain that black patience has run out, and unless white America responds positively to the theory and activity of Black Power, then a bloody, protracted civil war is inevitable." [Black Theology and Black Power, Page 143] [10]
The above is all that is needed to be understood about Black Liberation Theology. While I too appreciate an intelligent and thought provoking discussion, on most any topic, the whole issue of obama and his usurpation of America, is too important a topic to leave the discussion of it to theories and definitions.
Wright and Obama are not looking for some kind of freedom that they lack, blacks today have more freedom than most others, they, and their beliefs, expect revenge. They are after destruction of America so they can then rebuild it in the way they think it should have been all along. They are dangerous, onerous, hell bent on dissolution of all freedom for whites. They are racist. They are hypocrites. They are enemies of liberty so therefore enemies of America.
Sometimes, just stating the facts simply is the best course.
The_Omegaman
Omegaman| 6.29.09 @ 10:27PM
Cone's suggestion as to what must occur if there is not reconciliation among the white community. He states, "Whether the American system is beyond redemption we will have to wait and see. But we can be certain that black patience has run out, and unless white America responds positively to the theory and activity of Black Power, then a bloody, protracted civil war is inevitable." [Black Theology and Black Power, Page 143] [10]
The above is all that is needed to be understood about Black Liberation Theology. While I too appreciate an intelligent and thought provoking discussion, on most any topic, the whole issue of Obama and his usurpation of America, is too important a topic to leave the discussion of it to theories and definitions.
Wright and Obama are not looking for some kind of freedom that they lack, blacks today have more freedom than most others, they, and their beliefs, expect revenge. They are after destruction of America so they can then rebuild it in the way they think it should have been all along. They are dangerous, onerous, hell bent on dissolution of all freedom for whites. They are racist. They are hypocrites. They are enemies of liberty so therefore enemies of America.
Sometimes, just stating the facts simply is the best course.
The_Omegaman
Speaks for it's self| 6.30.09 @ 8:10AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhl-endvco&feature=related
Pingback| 7.1.09 @ 7:15PM
Jeremiah Wright Foreign Policy « N. Virginia, Richmond, VA and DC Metro Chapter links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Mr. Lee X Slave | 7.9.09 @ 2:56PM
You captured Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad (May Allah Pleased With His Servant) perfectly. What He said, maybe hurtful, however 90% was true. It is a matter fact what Adolf Hitler did to his fellow countrymen, while the good christians of the world actively watched.
Your ex slaves would not be attracted to the Hon. Rev. Jeremiah Wright, if the good christian white people would have given their former proper the means to "Do For Themselves" when We were offered the joke called EMANCIPATION.
ausa | 12.20.09 @ 11:56AM
The msm or STATE CONTROLLED UUBER MEDIA is complicit in this administration! When it all crumbles the American people should demand these people be jailed as traitors !! Boycott all media but talk radio! http://www.led-lamp-manufacturer.com/
Pingback| 2.5.10 @ 9:21PM
Eunomia » Ludicrous links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Lelani J | 6.5.11 @ 9:31AM
Racism is and always will be a problem! We should address it now.UTI Treatment