I strongly suspect Obama has heard other angry sermons by Rev. Wright, and I can understand Obama's search for insight into Black American culture. For the latter, it's because I believe Obama truly wanted Wright to be a surrogate father figure long before he had higher political aspirations. What transpired afterwards at the NPC is a pretty sad story between a man and his pastor. Anyways, for the former, do you think it's possible the temptation to vilify is grounded in personal or cultural history? Don't take this as my presumption of knowing what trials you have been through, but the trials African Americans have been through are well known and pronounced, and the injustices against them go beyond several lifetimes. I checked out the entire sermons that are notoriously posted on Youtube, and you're right, there is a strong current of anger in Wright's sermons, but afterwards, he also brings in God's love and forgiveness. Wright's entire message goes beyond getting back at whitey. He's telling his followers that they're better than that by forgiving and looking into the Bible. Taken as a whole, that can sound quasi-racist to a non-black, but at its core is a message that has been preached by many Christians since the beginning, and an atheist could possibly have the same indignant reaction to accuse arrogance at any church. The issue to vilify is very controversial, yet in those speeches Wright used it to empathize with his Black congregants and their undercurrent of frustration and anger, and his overall goal looked to be a cathartic one. Without understanding his followers, would his latter message have been listened? Very hard to tell... Although there is some rationale behind Wright's tactics, I deeply hope that it's a remnant of an era of Tuskegee and the assassination of strong Black and civil rights leaders. Obama's message is clearly different, less of anger and just dues, and more of self empowerment and an outreach of understanding. In a sense, I think he's fumbled on the matter with him and his church, but I don't know how he could've deftly handled it. His Philly speech fell flat on deaf or dumb ears, so nuance isn't an option. If words have failed, then his recourse is to act in a way to regain the trust of these race-shocked voters. Was cutting off his ties to a church of 20 years the right action? I really don't know. The idealist in me doesn't like the political calculation in this move, but the realist knows that his former church will be a nagging issue whether they or Obama like it or not.
Exactly. That is why I applaud how Obama has handled this. He showed resolve in the face of contraversy and didn't cave into the presure.
I'd like to know what was the controversial issue to the mainstream public also what indoctrination were they called out on?
Again, I commend that he didn't bail on Wright and the church at the first sign of trouble. It was only after the political attacks became silly and was serving nobody in a positive way except Republicans. Obama's mere presence was a distraction for the church and not serving anybody's best interest. It's perfectly understandable.
Sure, if you think of it as merely a political matter. But, if you believe Jesus is savior and that fellow Christians are your brothers and sisters in Christ and that you are a corporate member of a church that is the body of Christ, then it kinda sucks to break that communion for political expediency. I don't believe those things, but when someone tells me they are a Christian, I expect them to believe it to some certain extent. And, if they don't then maybe they don't take their religion as seriously as they'd like me to believe. So, they're either breaking faith, are being deceptive about their faith, or not thinking very hard about their faith. None are appealing in a candidate for me. Of course, I'll still be voting for him.
It is not a political nor religious matter quitting the Trinity church; it is a matter of necessity and practicality, because he'll be needing a new church in the DC area next year anyway. GObama!
Actually, no. I'm not thinking AT ALL of it as a political matter. The church has been used as a tool to attack Obama and has brought a lot of negative publicity on the church. If he is really concerned about the church, quitting the church will get the national media out of their business. Him quitting is a win-win, however. It doesn't hurt his campaign either.
