Obama's Speech in Response to the Wright Controversy

this is a nice post but the speech isn't on christianity. obama isn't a preacher. I understand your point, but that wasn't his purpose.

 

Dude, that's over the line calling me a racist. I told you what I meant and you have to be a total ass about it.

 

I know. I think he did well and I like him.

I wanted to give my opinion though because I think he shares the basic motivation of righting the world that good politicians should stand for; but from a church perspective I wanted to state my opinion because it doesn't work well for me when it starts to become a what I call a crusade or politics.

I personally believe a politician who is a Christian would do well to avoid crusading and focus on the issues that really divide us- forgiveness, love, patience and the commands of Christ.

I would vote for Obama if he would give a speech that simply says " I have thought about what my pastor believes and for me personally I have decided to forgive those who oppress us and I am looking for ways to serve and bless the worst of my enemies."

That would have galvanized me to him through Christ.

That would have been a light to the world for me.

I would have programs for feeding the poor, educating all people and giving equal opportunity to every human; and never tell anyone I was doing it. It would be all action at the real grassroots- my neighbor.

I am only giving an opinion, it probably isn't right; it is my opinion and the way I try to serve in our church.

 

Getting that 50% of the black population to begin thinking in rational terms when it comes to racial issues should be on of Obamas goals, if he gets elected. Sitting in church nodding his head in agreement to the ignorance Wright was spewing isn't going to help Obama reach that goal.

 

rhester,

one thing I totally agree with is that I wish people wouldn't use the church for crusades. but the black church in this country is rooted in civil rights, even before rooted in abolition. its hard to change, especially for a guy like wright who was brought up in that movement. The guy is 67 years old, its hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

 

I doubt you find a Joel Osteen sermon that contained cursing and that villified any racial group. That's what we're talking about here. The great Uniter who doesn't have the balls to stand up to on a local level much less a national or even global one.

 

But he's frequently calls this country The United States of White America. That's racially divisive talk and Obama should have had better judgement than to hang around Wright. Wright even told Obama this himself.

 

Amen!

 

I've been to a hispanic and black church, so what?

 

I really want to know what you would rather Obama have said.

 

Read Dick Morris, former Clinton consultant and confidant -- either his book or any of his commentary on the current Presidential race.

 

once again josh speaks the truth --


I often find it quaint when Republicans go after anyone for hateful rhetoric or race prejudice when it's been a major pillar of GOP coalition going back more than forty years.

-- Josh Marshall

 

I have no problem with Rev. Wright's comments, I believe the pain and suffering under prejudice is deep and I feel compassion towards those who suffer.

I don't expect him to be anything else than who he is.

But, I wanted to clarify what I believe is a basic issue to Jesus Christ. That forgiveness is the response to oppression and enemies. You cannot fight against forgiveness and love it will overcome the worst of sins. I know many black pastors who I have listened to and they have shown me this path of forgiveness. There are many great black pastors who took this path and still brought great change to their world.

If this wasn't a church being examined I would have no comment.

I think Mr. Obama shares the motivation to crusade that Rev. Wright so openly defends in his messages.

I am not looking for a crusader in the White House, even for good causes.
Just someone who is truthful to a fault, honest and open, loving of all, totaly trustworthy, fair, just, courageous, morally upright, humble, kind, patient, compassionate and forgiving.

Not asking too much, eh? Seriously, I will have a list of issues that are significant to me and vote accordingly. (which may mean for the first time in 36 yrs I may not vote for a president. )

At my age it is more important to me to vote my conscience than my politics.

 

Great post, well said.

 

The problem is... that old dog was teaching pups the same old tired tricks.

 

Baseless.

 

I would have liked to have heard him apologize for having poor judgement for promoting himself as someone capable of uniting a country and meanwhile lending support to someone who was doing his best to promote racial division.

 

There weren't youngsters listening to his bitter sermons?? Even Obama now admits the guy is bitter over the past.

 

A lifetime of racism will be dwarfed by a 2 hour sermon!!!