I have watched with interest this weekend the stories coming out about some statements made by Obama’s pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. With interest because I am a pastor and wondered what kind of spotlight I would be put under if a member of my church ran for office. And also with interest because Obama is a member of the UCC – the most liberal denominational branch of American Protestantism.
Believe it or not, I once talked with the secretary to Rev. Jeremiah Wright inviting him to speak at the Northeast Association Missions conference at Lakeland College. He declined since he took the whole month of August off in the summer. Our conference was in August. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise at the time. All I knew is that Rev. Wright was the pastor of the largest UCC church in our area. He must have something going for him. Yes, he did – recorded sermons on video tape. Remember, he is now retired from the church and Obama has a new pastor at Trinity UCC. Obama did have him on the campaign trail as a “spiritual advisor.” However, under the heat of media coverage and the uncovering of Rev. Wright preaching that God should “damn America,” he was tossed under the campaign bus.
Racism cuts both ways and Obama is trying to be a “unit-er.” Being a “white guy,” I really have no clue about the river of anger that runs through the hearts of black people like Rev. Wright who has experienced deep racism during his lifetime. In his rhetoric as a black preacher he vented some of that blasting away at the power and privilege of the white class. Obama should have known better. He has more in common with Hillary than with Rev. Wright since he was raised by a single white mother.
I am sorry to see that race, class, and ethnic roots have entered into the fray of this political race among the democrats. If we could just turn off the TV and have each candidate print out their IDEAS so we could think and rationally determine who has a better brain and vision of reality – then politics would be cleaner. At least I would hope so.
I’m glad you addressed this frenzy of Obama and his pastor. First of all, it was interesting to consider it from your vantage point, that of a pastor whose parishioner is a presidential candidate. Extending that further, how would it affect fellow parishioners and Sunday mornings at Zion. I expect that it would be hard to keep the focus on worship as the media circus focused on the fellow in the next pew.
What has disturbed me most about this news story is that a minister as anti-white speaking as Jeremiah Wright held the attention of a (now) presidential candidate for twenty years. Wouldn’t you think any Christian would, upon hearing such inflammatory hateful remarks from the pulpit, walk out and never return?
Finally, this business of candidate-bashing during the election process diverts us, as you said, from hearing how each stands on the issues that concern us. Beyond that, when one of these candidates becomes the leader of our country, we are left with the campaign rhetoric that preceded his election. We are asked to respect this leader who, only months before had been labeled by his peers as incompetent to serve.
Pastor Steve,
Thank you for sharing your wise and informative comments. I wish we could put your last paragraph in large neon lights for ALL to read…
B.J.