Brady Resource Group :: Glenn's Blog - Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

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Posted by: A. Glenn Brady	3/14/2008
Well, it wasn’t Sen. Clinton’s campaign tricks… it wasn’t Sen. McCain and the Republican National Committee…. it wasn’t even the inflammatory remarks by Minister Louis Farrakhan…. But it will be Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the spiritual leader of The Trinity United Church of Christ, Senator Barak Obama’s pastor that de-rails his candidacy to the White House. Listening to Sen. Obama tonight as he answered questions from Anderson Cooper on CNN Anderson Cooper 360° program regarding the statements given by Reverend Wright, he had to walk a delicate balance denouncing the comments made by his pastor and yet appear to remain loyal to a spiritual leader that he has been associated with for over 20 years. The messages from Reverend Wright, being viewed on the internet through “YouTube,” have ignited a fire storm across America. Being described as his spiritual mentor, Obama will be viewed ‘Guilty By Association.’ When I looked at the website of the Trinity United Church of Christ, the following was listed under “About Us”…. We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community. It is unfortunate that the racial snippets of messages from Rev. Wright will be highlighted by the media and seized upon by Obama’s opponents (both Democrats and Republicans). Will white Americans, many who have announced their support to Obama, be able to ignore these comments by Rev. Wright (his spiritual leader) and right them off, with no association to Sen. Obama? I don’t think so. Sen. Obama, who denounced the comments made by Rev. Wright, indicated in the nationally televised interview that he was not aware of Rev. Wright’s comments prior to the beginning of his candidacy. If what we’ve heard and scene is the ‘flavor’ of Rev. Wright’s beliefs and values, it seems difficult to believe that Sen. Obama has sat 20 years under his leadership and not heard any inkling of this type of message. Well the test will definitely be Pennsylvania. I think we will see a great division in the democratic vote along racial lines --- black and white voters. And Obama cannot win with just black support. What are your thoughts --- Is Obama’s bid for the presidency over as a result (of all people) his pastor?

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Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Michelle on 3/15/2008

I have no doubt that it did some damages. It's cancer for his campaign, like one of the commentators said. How could Sen Obama not know how his pastor and mentor, J Wrights is like after spending over 20 yrs under his leadership? How could he not know what went on in his own church that could bring political division? ...And the 911 inflammatory message that Sen Obama knew about for a long time, preached by his pastor, will need to be explain why he still remain under his pastor's teaching and preaching? Forget about his retirement,,,Why didn't he disassociated himself then? People are going to judge him based on his campaign theme message to bring hope and change and to bridge the racial divide....yeah right!...people may say.... Not after he associated himself with a pastor who is viewed racist. ...And Sen Obama claims he has good jdgment....Huh..good judgment? ,,,again people may ask.You got to be kidding...he has just demostrated how impaired his judgement is when he took too long responding to the negative accusation made against his pastor J Wrights by keeping him involved with his campaign,and not respectfully cutting tide with him before it took root......People will say he not ready to lead our country after all. My personal concern with him is whether Sen Obama was honest in addressing the question that he doesn't know his pastor speaks racial rhetorics often in his messages, and he's NOT AWARE? I don't quite buy it. To me,,,,he would do better by saying he doesn't attend church on a regular bases...then I could understand why he said he didn't know his pastor preaches racially often in his message....but he didn't say that,,,,instead he seem to beat around the bush to hint that he doesn't attend like he should,,,,to say he doesn't want us to know that he doesn't go to church faithfully like a good christian is suppose to do. So unfortunately he will really need to explaine himself in order to keep his campaign alive. It's an uphill battle. I am very sad and hurt by this scandal.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Dwight Ladd, Jr on 3/15/2008

It is extremely ardent to surmise that Mr. Obama had no prior knowledge of his pastor's sentiments concerning pro-blackness and white supremacy. It leads me to believe the following: maybe he does attend service often, maybe he suffers from attention deficit disorder, or maybe he simply is being dishonest. Could he be the subject of some freelance writer's next novel titled The Audacity of Honesty? Please understand that I fully suppport Mr. Obama and I applaud his efforts that have inspired millions of citizens; however, I must admit that I am overly dismayed by his pastor's comments. Mr. Obama did not actually voice such incredulous atrocities, but being under that type of leadership will certainly belie his candidacy. This situation really makes me wonder if Rev. Wright is using the overwhelming popularity Mr. Obama has garnered among various races to promote his own platform. What do you think? Is Rev. Wright using Mr. Obama's national prominence to promote is own ill-advised political views?He was certainly derelict in his actions and has damaged THE greatest campaign in not only black history, but america's existence.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Bishop Keith G. Allen on 3/15/2008

The question for me is not whether Senator Obama knew of Pastor Wright's seemingly divisive rhetoric or not because I am sure that many of us do not believe everything that our pastor teaches however we are still under those pastors. Take tithing for example, how many of us do not tithe even thought our pastor teaches tithe? overall I do not believe Rev. Wrights comments will derail Obama's candidacy. The media and his oponents will continue to exploit the situation. It is better to get it out the way now than have it come up in the general election. Not that it will not come up then but by then it will be stale news and will not have the impact that it is having now. what seems curious to me is the emergence of these allegations that are surfacing in the 4th quarter before the "must win states." I believe senator Obama will survive this latest weapon and possibly win the so called "big must win state of Pennsylvania." As with all candidates of every party dirt will be dug up especially in the general election. One thing we must keep in mind though, no matter who is elected president of the USA there are prophetic implications that lie ahead that the world is plunging into. The president that will really make the change that's needed to be made is a president that believes in one God (the Lord Jesus Christ) having been baptised in Jesus's Name, filled with the holy Ghost and have an understanding of God's prophetic word and one who is able to steer the country away from the spirit of the anti-christ. Having said that I believe Senator Obama will survive and capture the nomination and go on to win the presidency. Tell me who knows what any president will do? Who knew that Bush would have us paying 12billion dollars each month for the Iraq un-winable war. At least let us make history and put a black man at the helm.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By mcs on 3/15/2008

I think Obama's comments reflect just how little effect a pastor's beliefs have on congregants. I think we put too power in the hands of pastors. George Barna, in his book The Revolution said, "the most significant influence on the choices of churched believers is neither teachings from the pulpit nor advice gleaned from fellow congregants; it is messages absorbed from the media, the law and family members." If we want to truly know what Obama believes we need to know what he watches on TV, his legal background and what his parents taught him. Quite frankly the fact that Obama had a white mother and a black father has more to do with what he believes than what Jeremiah Wright says. Obama, like so many of us, sit politely through sermons that we don't believe because folks have told us those stained-glass buildings are the only place we can find Christ. Once we understand that God is available to us at the kitchen table even more so than in an uncomfortable pew, we will be free to express our true spirituality without the burden of having to explain away all the garbage that comes from the mouths of so-called spiritual leaders.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Brandon T. on 3/15/2008

I definitely think that these comments have hurt the campaign. If there is one thing that I know is that the media often dictates the direction of those who choose not to view the world through a screne if you will. This is my opinion , though I know that I am not alone, it's that almost any black person in America could have heard the comments made by Pastor Wright and understood to a degree some of the things he was saying (hinting at). Now I am in no way endorsing every view and everything that he says but I do think that there are some things that other races cannot really understand about the Black experince in America. Sen. Obama will have a difficult time trying to defend his position with the church. His answers have obviously not been satisfying for America and it will take prayer and wise campaign advisers to really curb the affects of this blow.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By A. Glenn Brady on 3/16/2008

Brandon, I agree and believe you are on point. Firstly, we are only seeing snippets of the message so we don't have the full context. Ministry in light of the Black experience in America is not always understood by White America and what might be perceived as "un-American," is just the venting of the yet remaining discrimination that is still experienced today. Again, we cannot endorse every view -- as you pointed out. However, the real issue remains that the medai will exploit the messages of Rev. Wright and Sen. Obama will be considered "guilty by association." The Clinton campaign will use this to ask why Rev. Wright was not removed earlier, as well as ever being included as an advisor on his campaign. It will be challenging for Sen. Obama to support his position that he "never" heard Rev. Wright in any of the messages over a 20 year period include these types of comments. As Michelle pointed out above, he should claim that he did not "regularly" attend the services. Regardless, if he still by chance become the Democratic nominee (and I doubt it know), he will face this as a constant attack from his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Michelle on 3/16/2008

S Bishop Brady,you brought up an interesting conclusion regarding the medias and some Americans....meaning all race....who may had misunderstood the tone of former pastor, Jeremiah Wright's messages. So to counter-act the offense given by his rhetoric, shouldn't the response be from Senator Obama or his supporters that...."We have just come out of black history month.....a month to reflect on all African-Americans and their accomplishments made since slavery and during the civil right movements and are still in the process. We need you media to understand what that means and our question is to you if what former pastor, Jeremiah Wright words have some (TRUTH) in what the average blacks must had gone through in order to succeed. I can understand the way Wright puts it was offensive and appeared racist, but at the same time, there are some truth to what he is saying....We ask that you understand the struggles of our past, and to really examine the integrity and character of U.S. Sen Obama and how he interacts with people of all race and background."..... Then Sen Obama should ask presidential contender U.S. Sen McCain does he understand black history and the many struggles for civil right?... before he makes his attck on Sen Obama if nominated to be debated in the presidential contest....He can't really point his finger at Sen obama regarding his minister, because I herad bad things about the ministers who are backing him, but McCain at the same time doesn't attends their services.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By Michelle on 3/16/2008
...And I would also like to add if during a presidential debate and any of the candidate or commentator start asking racial questions....then the respones sholud be...."what is your point to this question?..."ARE YOU HERE TO COMBIND OR TO DIVIDE AMERICA?"

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Michelle on 3/16/2008

I found another challenging problem that might be greater than the racist remarks already discussed here found on Senator Obama' website...."I am sick of having the debate with people that say. “It’s obvious that Obama is a liar, because he went there for 20 years"..." how can you be there for 20 years and not hear the preacher when that is his message?” I read many comments from various websites who are now upset with Sen Obama because he appears lying.....And an undecided voter,known as Gracie, who posted on Obama's website was deciding between Sens Clinton and Obama, is now choosing Sen Clinton because Sen Obama must be so stupid to think he can fool people with his lies she said?... I wish I can post her full comment but I can't find it. So is Sen Obama an honest person, and will this become the main question that could determine the health of his campaign? Dear Bishop Brady, thank you so much for allowing us to freely post and express are views on here.This is my final question for now.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Bishop Keith G. Allen on 3/16/2008

Bishop Brady, Michelle, Brandon I think we have a prescedent in President Clinton who was virtually condemned but was elected twice to the presidency. Neverless he is white and Obama is black. What about the white pastors that have used inflamatory, in societies perspective,words in their preaching. Hagee, Parsley who has endorsed McCain and you do not hear as much from the media condeming McCain or saying at length Mc cain should distance himself from them. Let's face it Hagee and Parsely and other white preachers have preached for years from saocietie's perspective inflamatory political preaching. I still believe Obama will survive.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Michelle on 3/16/2008

Hi Bishop Allen,and Praise The Lord, I agree that Sen Obama may possibly survive the remarks made by his former pastor....but that is no longer my biggest concern. My concern is whether Sen Obama is perceived as being honest is what causing all the uproar,which is upsetting many voters. I stated earlier in my blog that Sen Obama should had been straight forward with his answer by saying he hasn't as of lately attended services, especially since he started his presidency last year. ....And Maybe it's true that former pastor Wright hasn't used racial rhetoric in all his 20 yrs of preaching until now after Sen Obama started running for president.....Sen Obama should note that since his bid for the White House started, he's been missing a lot of services, due to his tight schedules and for the fact that he's been campaigning,therefore, was unaware of pastor Wright's racial comments.That way....it is at least seem credible.... Maybe pastor Wright only use racial rhetoric to promote Sen Obama's candidacy at the time and felt a need to speak on it.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Nikki on 3/17/2008

It makes me sad to think that the thing that we go to church for is no longer prioritized as #1. I want to hear about Jesus when I attend church. I want to hear about his plan to unite all people. We already know our own history why was that even stated that way... maybe Obama can find a way to build something positive on this statement. Maybe he can talk about how he has managed to overcome regardless of the past and reach out in love to those who are different. I think he is sincere in his message to bring change.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Janet Youngblood on 3/17/2008

I am sure if we could listen to every sermon ever preached we could tear it down to what we wanted to hear and interrupt it to what we wanted it to say. Not comparing Senator Obama to Jesus Christ, but if he is a Godly man he will be subject to ridicule and injustices and standing his ground is the only way for him to survive. We as a people of color have been subjected to criticisms since the beginning of time, and as long as we have mankind we will continue with the "Who is superior idolatry". For instant we all admire and think Abe Lincoln was a great President because he freed the salves when in actuality he used the salves to help fight the war between the North and the South. Part of his plan was to annihilate the prosperity of the South. His speech was a subjection that we all ridiculed. Despite the speech's prominent place in the history and popular culture of the United States, the exact wording of the speech is disputed. The five known manuscripts of the Gettysburg Address differ in a number of details and also differ from contemporary newspaper reprints of the speech. In other words no matter what the intent or how great it is at that time some one is going to interrupt what you are saying to mean something else whether it is to fit their purpose or someone else’s. I am saying all of that to say, if Senator Obama has to go through his life’s history to check every conversation and thought that he had we would never have the election. Let ask Hilary to justify her conversations and acquaintance and see what happens? Remember the, Whitewater controversy! There are many of people who has live and been brought up under the influence of other people, but we can make a choice not to go down that same path. So his statement to judge him, Obama, as a person and not the paths of others is an honorable choice of integrity. I believe he will survive. Just like I believe every Pastors will teach his thoughts because that is what a sermon accomplishes. Whatever Pastor Wright's intent was, the hope is that the Word of God prevails.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By A. Glenn Brady on 3/17/2008
You go Janet Youngblood!! You have almost persuaded me that he will overcome this obstacle --- but it's not me that needs to be convinced. Will the needed white vote, especially the cruical white "male" vote still support Obama? No doubt, the media will keep this issue every before the public and specifically in Pennsylvania before their primary.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By ecj on 3/18/2008

There are several ways you can view this situation with his pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. 1. How could you being under a pastor for 20 years and not understand these are his views? This question Barack's judgement. 2. Are they really that close? Maybe he wanted to clear the air about his religious preference (i.e. Muslim, Christian) and gave the impression of being really close to Pastor Wright and spending a great amount of time together when in actuality that is not the case. Don't get me wrong, I believe he is a Christian. 3. When he decided to run for the president did he think that his life would not be investigated to the "T?" He needs to come clean with anything that could be used to overshadow his honesty, openness and high degree of integrity (i.e. Reznko). 4. His campaign staff needs to do a better job of proactively confronting situations. They should have a list of possible things that could question his bid for the White House. You can take anything (i.e. words, pictures, facial expressions) and find a way to use it for good or bad depending on your purpose. 5. The campaign comes across "reactive not proactive" it waits for a situtation to hit cable news and get so big then they come out fighting. That approach will not work for this campaign. They must tell all. Otherwise, it will get aired and depending on what is it; it will not be to Barack's advantage. I pray that Barack Obama's campaign is not derailed by this incident. He certainly has to be more forthcoming. He cannot just say I have not heard these comments before now and certainly would have denounced them. This is a stuff one, I pray that he does not lose his momentum and continue to bring all people together regardless of race, religion, color and gender. I believe and pray he can put this situation behind him providing he takes the right angle at addressing it during his speech today. If not, it will continue to be an issue and possibly cause him the white house. He has exemplified a high degree of integrity. Anytime the opposing team or the media can get their hands on anything to show the opposite they will take it and run with it. I will say everything your pastor says, one does not necessarily agree with. This is more than just a few statements. Pastor Wright sentiments comes across as being core to his heart. Pastor Wright did not have to preach to accommodate Barack's campaign but he knew he was under the watchful eye of America since being identified as his spiritual leader. He should have been more tactful in expressing himself especially from the pulpit. We are forgetting that God is the great spiritual leader and he uses "man" to send the good news. I don't hear anybody saying that. Maybe the statement that Pastor Wright is his spiritual guide should have never been made.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By A. Glenn Brady on 3/18/2008
ECJ, the Obama Campaign should have hired you as an advisor!

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Keith G. on 3/18/2008

I listened to Senator Obama's speach in its entirety. Profound. Any reasonable person will have to admit that he faced the issues head-on. I do know however that the issue of Rev. Wright will not go away because there are those who will not allow it to go away. do the inflamatory remarks of Rev Wright negate the stupendous communiity work that the church accomplished in Chicago? Did Obama judge the great help that people in need were receiving to be more important than the incindiary remarks by Wright. Put yourself in Obama's shoes. If your church is, in the natural, providing jobs, education ect. to the community and many people are being helped that would otherwise be in dispair and your pastor occasionaly make some incindiary remarks over the pulpit woul you leave the church? On the spiritual level Jesus said the harlots would go into the kingdom before the Preachers. Shouild not Obama strive to unite the country by leading people of all categories for the common good of the country? What Obama is doing and I do hope he can at least make a dent is trying to unite America to become a stronger nation. This is what I believe we as preachers should be doing uniting the church under the word of God for the greater good of the Kingdom of God. Forgiveness, reconsiliation, restoration.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By T. Combs on 3/18/2008

“Well, Senator Obama's speech should put your minds at rest. Whether he wins the nomination or not, of course I think he will, it will be a speech that will go down in history. He explained not only why African-Americans are angry, but why Whites are angry as well. He culminated with let's work together for a 'more perfect union'. I think what African-American churches, pastors, and ministers should be more concerned about is the strategy to shut down the right of Black pastors to speak openly and frankly with the parishioners of their congregations. The shepherd/pastor has the responsibility to not only preach Jesus to the parishioners, but also to bring to their attention the state of the culture, which impacts ministry. This is bigger than Rev. Jeremiah Wright and even Barak Obama; yes – they’re scared that a Black man might get to the Whitehouse; but bigger than that - this also serves as a strategy to shut the mouths of Black preachers and dictate to them what they can and cannot say from their pulpits to their parishioners. Whether you agree with Rev. Wright's comments or not, as a leader, he has the right to give messages to the parishioners of his congregation that he believes is needed. Just think if this were the case, Rev. Martin Luther King could not have made his speech of hope (I Have A Dream) first in the Baptist church in Savannah. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. Let's step back and take a clearer view of what is really happening. Black pastors be sober, be vigilant, for the adversary, the devil is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour or (whose mouths he can shut permanently). What will happen to the Black church, the foundation of the Black community, if Black pastors are censored as to what they can preach to their congregations? Next they will be telling Black pastors they can't preach Jesus. What happened to freedom of speech? Perhaps you may think I'm taking this too far - I just say to you - put these thoughts on the back burner and watch - but don't just watch - PRAY! TC”

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By A. Glenn Brady on 3/18/2008
I encourage you, as I did, to print out the speech in its entirety. No doubt, it will be one for the history books. The jury is still out though, whether white America will understand and accept what has been done [Rev. Wright's messages]. Depending on the spin of the national media, it will still be an uphill battle for the damage that has done by the perception that has been given & received.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Michelle on 3/19/2008

ALL I CAN SAY.....SEN OBAMA DID THE RIGHT THING......WHAT A BRILLIANT SPEECH?....I STRONGLY BELIEVE GOD WAS WITH HIM.....HE CAN"T GO NOW.... BUT UP. The trouble surrounding his church and pastor is blessing in disquise?.... to show America, who Sen Obama, as a person really is? His speech TRULY DEFINED him and all what he stand for, and for people to see that his goal is to Unite America and Not to divide. Sen Obama DID ONE MORE AMAZING THING that most political figures don't have the courage to do...that is he DID NOT dis-owned his pastor,therefore, keeping his race and church united.That tells me he is not afraid of loosing his campaign or his supporters to what he knows is right and unconventional to what most people want him to do and say, showing authenticity in his character. I Believe God will bless him for that....Now I know that everybody is not going to agree with his speech...like(GOD) Jesus...He didn't please everybody when he gave his sermons.... In other words, Sen Obama's speech may not had pleased eveyone....but instead it has reached far more people for the good... and it has out weighed the otherwise trouble that could bring further division among race and in his campaign if he hadn't made any attempt. I believe he will gain from his speech if anything. So if he doesn't win the nomination, it will less likely be from the race isssue, but more from his lack of specifics on how he's going to change or solve America's problems........OH GOD... I HOPE I'M RIGHT!

from the NEW YORK TIMES

By Michelle on 3/19/2008

THE NEW YORK TIMES There are moments — increasingly rare in risk-abhorrent modern campaigns — when politicians are called upon to bare their fundamental beliefs. In the best of these moments, the speaker does not just salve the current political wound, but also illuminates larger, troubling issues that the nation is wrestling with. Inaugural addresses by Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt come to mind, as does John F. Kennedy’s 1960 speech on religion, with its enduring vision of the separation between church and state. Senator Barack Obama, who has not faced such tests of character this year, faced one on Tuesday. It is hard to imagine how he could have handled it better. Mr. Obama had to address race and religion, the two most toxic subjects in politics. He was as powerful and frank as Mitt Romney was weak and calculating earlier this year in his attempt to persuade the religious right that his Mormonism is Christian enough for them. It was not a moment to which Mr. Obama came easily. He hesitated uncomfortably long in dealing with the controversial remarks of his spiritual mentor and former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who denounced the United States as endemically racist, murderous and corrupt. On Tuesday, Mr. Obama drew a bright line between his religious connection with Mr. Wright, which should be none of the voters’ business, and having a political connection, which would be very much their business. The distinction seems especially urgent after seven years of a president who has worked to blur the line between church and state. Mr. Obama acknowledged his strong ties to Mr. Wright. He embraced him as the man “who helped introduce me to my Christian faith,” and said that “as imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me.” Wisely, he did not claim to be unaware of Mr. Wright’s radicalism or bitterness, disarming the speculation about whether he personally heard the longtime pastor of his church speak the words being played and replayed on YouTube. Mr. Obama said Mr. Wright’s comments were not just potentially offensive, as politicians are apt to do, but “rightly offend white and black alike” and are wrong in their analysis of America. But, he said, many Americans “have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagree.” Mr. Obama’s eloquent speech should end the debate over his ties to Mr. Wright since there is nothing to suggest that he would carry religion into government. But he did not stop there. He put Mr. Wright, his beliefs and the reaction to them into the larger context of race relations with an honesty seldom heard in public life. Mr. Obama spoke of the nation’s ugly racial history, which started with slavery and Jim Crow, and continues today in racial segregation, the school achievement gap and discrimination in everything from banking services to law enforcement. He did not hide from the often-unspoken reality that people on both sides of the color line are angry. “For the men and women of Reverend Wright’s generation,” he said, “the memories of humiliation and fear have not gone away, nor the anger and the bitterness of those years.” At the same time, many white Americans, Mr. Obama noted, do not feel privileged by their race. “In an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero-sum game,” he said, adding that both sides must acknowledge that the other’s grievances are not imaginary. He made the powerful point that while these feelings are not always voiced publicly, they are used in politics. “Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan coalition,” he said. Against this backdrop, he said, he could not repudiate his pastor. “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community,” he said. “I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother.” That woman whom he loves deeply, he said, “once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street” and more than once “uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.” There have been times when we wondered what Mr. Obama meant when he talked about rising above traditional divides. This was not such a moment. We can’t know how effective Mr. Obama’s words will be with those who will not draw the distinctions between faith and politics that he drew, or who will reject his frank talk about race. What is evident, though, is that he not only cleared the air over a particular controversy — he raised the discussion to a higher plane.

To read and listen to his speech go to...	By Michelle on 3/19/2008
http://www.barackobama.com

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Dr. Earl Parchia Jr. on 3/19/2008

Well, we are at a great crossroad in develping the kind of discussion in race relations in the US at the most critical juncture before the rapture. What truly has been highlighted is more than Dr Jeremiah Wright's message; it is that we are at the most divisive and segregated hour on a Sunday morning and that we keep the heart our cultures hidden until that time. I do believe that in the progression of Barack Obama's bid for president, many millions will face what is in their hearts and would vote accordingly. I guess now many in white America can put away the notion that Obama is Muslim. They can't feed into that line anymore as the right wing and Rush Limbaugh wanted America to believe and proport. What they see and what we see is what we want to see. If we see integrity, honesty, and brilliance in leadership, those of us who will vote for Barack will vote because of our sight. There are those who will be shaken by whatever is thrown and seemingly sticks to a political wall or agenda. We were all disturbed and somewhat embarrased as the loop of Wright's soundbite's was played over and over. The Clinton's threw everything they could find but stuff kept sliding off the walls, only to have Barack's pastor feed the media the kind of rhetoric that has polarized a vibrant and magnificent campaign thus far. I do believe with the strength of his character, the genius of his abilities and the will of God thru prayer and intercession; Barack will overcome this fisaco. I believe he will rise above it and America will see a leader whose time has come to inspire a new generation to rise above hateful words, whether they come from AFRO-CENTRISM or RIGHT WING EXTREMISM. I do believe that he will overcome this and even tho the Political pundits have counted him out, the true church of God will challenge in intercession. Barack's speech brought tears to my eyes and Godly pride to my heart as he stepped up to this great challenge. He is one whose time has come to change this country's dynamics and thinking from the status quo to a positive approach in gripping racism and to getting things done for the betterment of us all.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Franklin Rutledge on 3/19/2008

I received Mr Obama’s speech in its entirety from a friend. It is a good speech and very compelling. However, it is from a politician that is seeking the seat in the Oval Office. This speech doesn’t reflect his true feelings, because of the simple fact he never tried to correct his pastor. Let’s be biblical about the so call race relation issue. Jesus told his disciples to love him, love each other and love the world. In the book of Acts, God broke the religious and ethnic barrowers, and sent the Apostles through the world healing and mending the ethnic lines. The Apostles were beating and killed, but they never cursed the people that tormented them. The true saints understand that there are no divides within the church, but there are many in the world. The true preacher can not heal if they are killing that which is already dead. Addressing an issue that relates to the dead is not the same as killing the dead. Mr. Wright is trying to kill the dead, and by doing so he doesn’t exemplify the verse in Romans that states, “As many as are lead by Spirit of God they are the sons of God.” God will not lead us to continue with our divisive attitude. Also in Romans the scriptures teach us to mortify the deeds of the flesh. How can we that are truly saved publicly or privately speak evil from a pure heart? We can pretend as many of us do, but it doesn’t take 20 years to have our eyes opened by the Holy Ghost. Does this hurt Obama? Yes it does. Can he be forgiving? Only by sympathizers that understand what Blacks went through during slavery. They will be willing to ignore his true feelings just to see a Black man in the White House. Has he disassociated himself with Mr. Wright? It may appeal that way for the sake of the White House. There can be a mutual agreement between them to allow Mr Obama to say whatever he needs in order to continue his pursuit of the White House. Mr Obama’s hurts and feelings about American’s past are expressed through his wife. She said that this is the first time she has felt good about America! Why now, because her husband, a black man, was leading in votes and delegates? Why not feel good because America is paying her almost $300,000.00 a year and has giving her an education that supersedes any thing that the “mother land could have given her. By the way, the land of our creation was in Asia. America is forgiving, but God chooses king. We can vote for whomever we wish, but God has the last say. If Hillary is to be the president, Obama could be leading up to the very last minute and she will pull it off. If Obama is to be the president, there is no defamatory information that can stop his election.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Franklin Rutledge on 3/19/2008

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Keith on 3/20/2008

I would suggest that we look at words that are said in the context by wich tey are said. Michelle Obama clarified her statement about the first time. (president) Obama says that patriotism is defined on how we treat each other rather than waving a flag. Waving a flag is my word in the context by which he said it. (CNN Anderson Cooper 360 3/19/08) Bishop Brady would you consider posting the question "what is the impact of talk show hosts on the election?" Limbaugh says Obama is being blooded by his attacks and he is promoting operation chaos to derail obama using the Wright debacle to foster the hype.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By A. Glenn Brady on 3/22/2008
That is something we may consider as a topic. It has been reported that Limbaugh and others talk show hosts of the conservative right are pushing their constituents to vote for Hillary because 1) they would rather face her in the fall election and 2) to continue the close race and division within the democratic ranks.

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By Matt on 3/22/2008
Interesting!!!

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?	By Shree on 3/27/2008
Well you know what they say, people are like their pastors! Something to think about he's been under his leadership for 20 yrs. My brother, I do believe we have a problem.<br>

Re: Is Obama's Bid De-Railed By His Pastor?

By Daryl on 3/29/2008

The media is self serving...; Pau said that prayer,supplication,intercessions and giving of thanks, should be made for all men. ie kings in authority.... All these people need our prayers.. and WE must pray for GOdly leadership with backbone. Pray for Barack and others.. Thought " As representatives ofthe kingdom of God, we need to preach, teach, and operate in the power of Jesus name..... for the advancement of the kingdom..... the Kingdom of God, has no racial, social, economic, cultural issues... So pastors we are in the world but our message must come from Jesus who is from above."- Afrocentric churches, Anglocentric churches, Asiatic Churches, - none of that is in heaven - We must be JESUS Focused and centered. Check out my comments about "Trouble"

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