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Jeremiah Wright's Comments Crossed A Line That No One Seems To Notice

Submitted by haroldm on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 4:45am.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Harold M.

We've heard enough fallout during the past week regarding the comments and sermon given by Jeremiah Wright, the former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. I, for one, know I have.

Part of me wants to count this incident as another example of a religious extremist going unchecked. Yet there's more to this particular story that makes it a more complicated and profound issue.

While Wright's sermon has been considered by some to be unpatriotic and un-American, what bothered me the most was the lack of love and unity from his message. During my religious experiences, I've always been taught that pastors, reverends, priests, etc., are supposed to lead their congregation. They're supposed to be shepherds, offering spiritual guidance and advice to help cope with the pitfalls and trials we face in our everyday lives. As a spiritual leader, they are looked upon to set an example of how one should conduct themselves and interact with the modern world. Demonstrating how to continue to love those that may have wronged you in the past. Showing how to turn the other cheek. Displaying all of the fruits of the spirit as it is written: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of a "dream" encompassing togetherness and social unification, while Jeremiah Wright's sermon painted a horrifying nightmare. One full of the same racial agitation that has plagued this country for centuries. I had to ask: where was Jeremiah leading his flock with a message such as this? What was he hoping to gain? We've heard enough about the "rich and the poor." Enough about "black and white." What I was looking for were more solutions to the problem instead of just poking and prodding at the same wounds that still exist.

As a churchgoer, I shivered in utter disbelief when I saw the video clips of Wright's message. Some say a sermon preaching or teaching about condemnation is not a bad thing, and is actually needed in present times when you consider the current state of the U.S. and the rest of the world. But what struck a nerve were the words and type of language Wright used to deliver his message. This is a really simple concept to understand. Please ... "No cursing in the pulpit."

Anyone proclaiming to be a man of God should know abusive language is not to be tolerated and has no place in a house of God, especially while addressing a congregation full of families and children. Yet I haven't heard an outcry regarding this particular aspect from the rest of the church community. Instead, we've seen many ministers come to Wright's aid and speak boldly of his character and downplay his brashness. Why has this gone unnoticed?

Have we as a nation devolved to such a low point morally that profanity is now accepted in church? Has sex, violence, nudity, and abusive language become as casual today as the old American concepts of "apple pie" and "baseball"? Amid all the indictments of corrupt politicians, embezzlement of taxpayer money, and this endless costly war, have we ourselves become so reticent that we now view such behavior from a minister/pastor as no big deal?

For me ... as a father, as a Christian, and as an African American, I'm bothered by Wright's comments but deeply ashamed with how it exposed our nation's continued devolvement of morals, family values, and the lack of good "old fashioned" manners.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS


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What has our world come to

Submitted by tiredofitall on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 2:40pm.
First, let me say that I am not taking any sides and only voicing my beliefs. I have read all the comments posted and I am finding it really hard to take. I can't see how all these people live in America and enjoy all the liberties, freedom, and rights they have as Americans that they would surely not have if they were other places in the world, can easily cast stones at it. It boggles my mind. You tell Harold he should listen to the whole sermon that the Rev. spoke. WHY? Why would anyone, including the people in his congregation have sat and listened to the rest of that? There should be no need to. If you can sit there and tell me he's justified for basically burning America at the stake then you have serious issues that go way beyond this topic. I have read the posts. There are comments about racial injustice in America. I would agree. But they are all over the world and not just African Americans face these here either. You are telling me that African Americans have it so bad here that that gives the Rev. the right to BASH America? I hardly think so. Racial inequality.... I wish it did not exist. I am not racist and cannot stand racist people. But the fact is, that it does exist in some ways yet in our world today. Do you think these are going away if he stands up and damns America on the podium? There are soldiers over in Iraq for no reason other than to protect freedom all of us enjoy and some take for granted. What do you think they they're opinion is of what the Rev said? Maybe he should go over there and give the same speech to our troops. Wonder how that would turn out. Oh, and by the way, there are several African American troops over there too if you did not realize that. Every time I turn around I see the race card being played whether black, white, brown or purple and it is really getting old. People need to realize that it doesn't matter what color they are if they choose to live life the right way. People have choices, whether or not you believe it up to you. Our world is getting worse and worse every day. Everywhere you turn, people are killing each other for little if no reason, burning their babies in the microwave, stealing, and doing basically every other unthinkable act that the BIBLE says not to do. What we all need to do is stop blaming our government and all other races, and focus on improving our world as we know it. No one is going to do it for us. So let's just try and get along without the bashing. Thanks
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Harold, grow up. Any time you hear a few second sound/vid clip

Submitted by sam dobermann on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 11:48pm.
your scam/slime warning system should go off. This was a very careful edited bit of a much longer speech. You need to immediately ask "what are they hiding from me.

If you listened to the Rev Dr. Wright you might have learned something about love and caring.

You should go online and listen to one of his sermon.

Man, you live a very constricted life to be so twisted out of shape over a man saying Damn in Church. What do you do when you hear about a child being killed? A war of aggression waged against a basically innocent people which has killed over 4,000 of our own young men and women? Do you just go Tsk, Tsk? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.” Abraham Lincoln
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God----deliver Us!!

Submitted by RedBaronSIU on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 9:38pm.

Harold-----

you wrote:

"Anyone proclaiming to be a man of God should know abusive language is not to be tolerated and has no place in a house of God, especially while addressing a congregation full of families and children. Yet I haven't heard an outcry regarding this particular aspect from the rest of the church community."

You know why?? Because most people KNOW he didn't say a word thats not ALREADY in scripture. I'll tell you what---how 'bout you giving me a dollar for every 'damn', or 'God damn', or 'God damned...', I find in the bible!! You'd be paying my house-note this month. Further, READ who God sometimes chose for his instruments, many of them were deeply flawed, (David, for example). Further, if you take some verses of scripture, and modernize the text---you'd almost have modern-day porn. (Song of Solomon, for example). You're making a tempest in a teapot here.

When, in my opinion, you should be reflecting on the ENTIRE content of the message---you're caught up with the particular words being used. Its like never wanting to eat another pizza from Papa Johns----because you smelled one with anchovies and onions----c'mon!

Whereas, I recognize we all have different sensitivities and tolerances; its these same 'nobler' aspects, in some, at church--that makes me sometimes think---its all so hypocritical! Many churches, (and the U.S.),--is suffering today because of the imposition of some,---righteously forcing THEIR self-values upon others (with no room for differences). One could ask, of you, what they've been denigrating Obama with, i.e., 'why didn't you just leave?'(or turn it off)......Right. Because, for whatever reason, you chose not too.....and thats your right.

You wrote:

"As a churchgoer, I SHIVERED IN UTTER DISBELIEF when I saw the video clips of Wright's message. Some say a sermon preaching or teaching about condemnation is not a bad thing, and is actually needed in present times when you consider the current state of the U.S. and the rest of the world."

Thats a bit strong, isn't it? But,I quess I fall into the group listed above. I can't necessarily (or honestly), tell you---I love America (as it is). I don't. It angers me too greatly, to see it wrap itself in self-righteous 'prose' and 'poetic documentation', and then, know as I do, the true history (and current events) of what America has done. There are aspects of its history I find truly appalling, (yet, I'm ex-military--go figure); and I don't care what somes opinion of me will be here (I have lived this life). As an African-American, I would think you'd understand this better than I.

There is SO MUCH political-correctness going on now--that ANY discourses that offend ANYONE else is nearly considered a crime. Take a moment, LISTEN to what he actually SAID. Is it MORE important for him to express HIS opinion, (even if you disagree),--or is it MORE important HOW he said it? After all, Old Testament books (Proverbs, for one), bespeak of the fact that KNOWLEDGE is what we should be seeking--and therefore, we gain....WISDOM. We're too caught up in BELIEFS today.

At any rate, don't fall into the trap of trying to appease some here, (or impress others), with commentary like the above; it directly criticizes someone else exercising THEIR 1st amendment rights, while you are using YOURS to help limit theirs. Think about it.

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My oh, my...

Submitted by haroldm on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 2:18pm.

I expected disagreement, even encouraged it, but I didn't expect the key concept of this nation's lowering and dismissal of common decency to be so profoundly reinforced.

It's a reverends/pastors job to use the word "damn" from time to time - I think not.

However those are my thoughts, and also why I'm very selective about the church I attend and what I expose my children to. In a time where Governors are being indicted for commericial sex scandals, 7 year olds being raped on school buses, and the numerous shootings on college campuses, the acceptance of Wright's choice of language can be looked at as "no big deal", but to me it just further demonstrates how far the morality bar has fallen.

The message Wright was trying to convey is not the issue for me. Only his choice of delivery and the overall acceptance of it.

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This does not compute

Submitted by ERW on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 3:49pm.
I keep looking for it. It isn't there. The equation, I mean. I feel like GWB must have felt when he couldn't find those pesky WMD's in the oval office. (You remember the ones he talked so much about in the run-up to the Iraq war?) So, please help me. Tell me how Governors being indicted for commercial sex scandals (and Mayor's, for affairs) and Senators for toe tapping bathroom antics, and Congressmembers for House Page sex solicitation, and 7 year olds being raped on school buses, and babies being microwaved, thrown in bays in ice coolers, abandoned in dumpsters, and beginning in Colombine years ago, the many school shootings on college campuses, and in the Amish community, and indeed all of man's inhumanity to man. You blame this on the one word "damn" spoken by Dr. Wright? Please pray tell how you arrive at this conclusion. How is Reverend Jeremiah Wright uttering the word "damn" from the pulpit --his choice of language, how is it responsible for any of that --- or how is he responsible for what you perceive as the "morality bar has fallen"? A church that has ministries for the homeless, substance abusers, HIV/Aids Hospice, day care for kids, assisted living for seniors, and many other social justice programs, has not in ANY way lowered the "morality bar." This church which not only preaches brotherly love, but practices it, has substantially raised that bar of common decency. You choose NOT to see that. How very sad, for you.
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On living in a theocracy

Submitted by bmessinachicago on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 11:01am.

Let me just take this moment to express my appreciation for living in this theocracy known as the USA.

I'm not into this Jeffersonian mumbo-jumbo about seperating church and state, yadda yadda yadda. We all know this country was founded on Christian beliefs. My liberal friend keeps repeating something about 'Deism' being the true faith of the founding fathers. I was gonna google it last week, but got distracted when my favorite fox news babe came out from behind her desk for the full body shot...Where's my tissues?

I know this Obama guy is, from every indication, the second coming of Abraham Lincoln...But too bad. As Hillary might agree, the Gettysburg Address was, after all, just a speech! Its not like there have been any watershed moments in our history that have hinged on something as trivial as a great speech. O.K., scratch that - one exception. Reagan brought down the Soviet Union by demanding "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Speaking of speeches, can you believe the nerve of this Wright guy? I mean, what could be more unAmerican than voicing one's criticisms of his country? You think any of these christo-fascists supporting McCain are uttering such controversial drivel? They stick with the brass tax of divine oratory. Ya' know, like bashing the Catholics and the gays - the basic evangelical comfort food. We all know this is acceptable 'cause the MSM never brings it up. And we all know how liberal they are...

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Soooooooo way off base with this one!

Submitted by GwenP on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 9:27am.
Wow! This commentary is sooooooooooo far off base with what the good preacher was trying to convey to his congregation. Rev. Wright was preaching about the inequalities that face the diadvantaged of this nation. Was he angry? Sure - as we ALL should be! We may like to believe that America is truely the equivilent of angels from God when it comes to governing our country and those other nations - that we do no wrong. Well, guess what? Our government DOES do wrong at times and America is NOT the angels from God that we wish it were! Rev. Wright was commenting on the fact that our government has AIDED the drug lords in other countries who then bring those drugs into America to be peddled to children and adults alike. He is angered by the fact that the African American citizens of this nation are STILL treated like second class citizens - from the fact that 1 in 9 are in jail (FAR above the average for whites). That racial profiling continues in police forces across this country and many don't seem to have a problem with that concept. Rev. Wright addressed issues in his sermons about the fact that America - this mighty and moralistic nation - isn't really so mightly and moralistic when it comes to addressing the issues of the poor and disadvantaged in its own country. Many may consider his sermons "unpatriotic" for having the nerve to call America anything but wonderful and great. Well, America IS those things in some regard, but it also has far to go in many serious issues and problems. He is calling our govenment and citizens to address these issues and come to terms with them. Obama gave a GREAT speech about race relations because of the uproar these sermons have created in the news. However, I was saddened that he didn't defend his minister and explain WHY Rev. Wright was saying what he was saying instead of stating that he didn't agree with him. Well, I guess that's politics, huh? As for myself, I agree with Rev. Wright and certainly call him patriotic!
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he did not use profanity or blaspheme!

Submitted by rajoro on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 9:14am.
You obviously didn't see the whole sermon and or don't know english grammar. The operative word after the sound bite was, "if". So the phrase becomes "God will damn" not the perjorative goddamn but "God damn." Too much has been spun for this to constantly pass as truth. Remember your commandments "though shall not bear false witness."
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"Cursing" in the pulpit

Submitted by LeeAnnG on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 8:19am.

Nearly every poster here has said what I thought when I read this shallow, baseless commentary. I'm not a Christian, but I did attend an evangelical church with my grandparents while I was growing up. I went to Sunday school, and have at least a minimal familiarity with the Bible.

It's my understanding that there is a Biblical injunction against using the lord's name "in vain." That means with no purpose or reason. It does not mean one cannot invoke god's name with reason. When Reverend Wright said that god damns America for racism, imperialism, and other immoral behavior, he was most definitely not using the lord's name "in vain."

"Damn" has many meanings beyond "condemning to hell." It also means to denounce. If god does not denounce America for racism, lynching, invading other nations without just cause, and for the abuse of a wide variety of ethnic groups, then what would be denounced?

After all, we are talking here about the Christian god who supposedly sends all kinds of people to hell forever and forever and forever because of what they believe (you have to accept Jesus, no matter how well you behave)! He placed a curse on all of humankind (original sin) because a talking snake convinced Eve to eat a piece of fruit! I've never completely understood if the "original sin" was disobedience or if it was the consumption of the fruit. Either way, any god who would condemn - damn! - all human beings to eternal suffering unless they are "born again" because one of them disobeyed and took a bite out of an apple would surely damn a society that committed genocide in its early years and continued to bully and abuse its power during the entire course of its existence.

Just as humans have very fine qualities and do good works (but are damned by the Christian god unless they surrender to Jesus and ask forgiveness), America has its redeeming virtues. However, if one believes in the Christian god, these virtues would not save America from the consequences of damnation without a confession, admission of guilt, and an attempt to do better. Obviously, as the invasion and occupation of Iraq, among other continuing atrocities indicate, America has a long, long way to go.

Yup. I do think any god is quite likely to - at the very least - denounce America's behavior. Maybe even curse or condemn some of its leaders to a long stretch in hell.

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I Agree, Lee Ann!

Submitted by jcarv on Thu, 03/27/2008 - 11:04am.
First of all, I'd like to tell this author, that many of Rev. Wright's sermons are on You Tube and/or the United Church of Christ Website, and I've listened to significant portions of several. Many of these sermons ARE full of love, respect, hope, and are, IMHO, wonderful. I suspect this author did not research Rev. Wright before writing this condemnation of him. Second, I'd like to ask the author whether he bothered to even listen to the sermons he is writing about, to listen to the quotes in context. Doing so really diffuses the harshness of what he is saying (and I admit, it is somewhat harsh--shocking even--when you don't hear the context). In one of the sermons, Wright is actually quoting someone he'd heard on FOX News. I agree with you, Lee Ann, that Rev. Wright is not saying "God-Damn". He isn't swearing. He was saying that God was punishing America (damning America for it's sinful ways). Many Americans heard a similar message in church after 9/11, although, perhaps not delivered in quite this way. It was totally unethical for the cable news channels to "snip" these videos in such a way as to change the meaning of what Rev. Wright was saying.
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I'll tell you what.

Submitted by bettysdad on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 8:28pm.
Harold, let's set up a time and place to meet. I will then punch you repeatedly in the face. Tell me you'll turn the other cheek. That's what I got out of Wright's comments. He, and his community, have been repeatedly beaten up in many ways, and he had some things to say about it. He didn't respond in kind, or suggest anyone else should. You got a problem with that? BTW - I'm a middle-aged, upper middle-class white guy.
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The Lord's name in vain

Submitted by VettaKing on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 8:12pm.
Where did Reverend Wright use the lord's name in vain? He didn't curse. How the hell did you get a post on the Afternoon Buzz? The only part that bothers me is the fact that so many African Americans are Christian. The slave morality of the Jew is the worst thing that ever happened to the African peoples in the entire history of the world. They were Emperors, Generals, and Senators in Pagan Rome. They were slaves in the "kingdom of god."
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Harold M....

Submitted by madams12 on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 6:57pm.
Oh, dear Harold M--since you neither mentioned the cause for Rev Wright's righteous anger nor explained the context I am going to believe that you offered neither because, like the rest of America, you had reason nor context! In that instance I can offer you some clarity, my brother. All anyone's heard was about 30 seconds worth of former US Marine Jeremiah Wright's powerful sermon....but let me add a bit more of CONTEXT...those and many more words were uttered in April 2003, just weeks after the illegal immoral pre-emptive war to "liberate" the Iraqi people was begun...2003!!! do you remember how you felt knowing that this country was bombing,killing and dismembering more innocent people for a nonexistent claim that was constructed to enable the US govt to steal their oil? On Sunday evening, CNN presented a mediocre attempt to discuss their theme, called "Black Liberation Theology: Helpful or Hurtful?"...and it was on that program that they played the entire statement, along with the DATE April 19 2003. It made a difference understanding the context. Furthermore, I doubt that you would expect Hillary to apologize for her pedophilic pastor in upstate New York according to the Utica newspaper today or for her extreme rightwing "Preying/Praying" group called The Family--that she's been a member of since 1993, or that you'd expect McCain to apologize for his racist vile Pastors Hagee or Parsley..but Obama answered courageously and fully the attack by those who think he has erred by keeping a relationship with former Marine preacher Wright. Now, are we all going to ask Mrs Clinton to apologize for being caught at least twice in HUGE LIES?? or are you more lenient on LIARS?... "As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains Seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all Must be most aware of change in the air - however slight -"
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Really?

Submitted by kaskae on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 6:22pm.
The first thing I did on hearing the sound bites that I know so well are only for effect, was to go to the transcripts of the sermon. Lo and behold, I understood everything the good pastor said and agreed with most of it. Do you even know specifically what he 'damned' America for? Do you even know that his sermon was a listing of inequalities and prejudices that he challenged his listeners to address and deal with? He was, once again, calling for change to the betterment of our society and not letting it, once again, hide the things that are still real and still hurting us as a nation. And, BTW, I am a white, Mayflower family citizen with ancestors that signed the Constitution.
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agree

Submitted by Truffulaut on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 5:09pm.
I agree with the comment abt profanity in the pulpit, but it also reminded me of what my old grandfather said. His pastor was going to preach abt adultery and fornication. It embarrassed my grandparents (19th century rural Texans). My grandfather said he didn't think it was right and he was tempted not to go but, he said, "I was afraid I might miss something." Showing it over and over on television does nothing at all to enlighten the populace and does not advance the cause of freedom of speech at all.
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Oh My Goodness - I'm shocked

Submitted by ERW on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 3:25pm.
Obviously the writer has not watched the entire sermon. It would appear that the criticism is based on the soundbites, currently being played, over and over again, in the echo chamber of the MSM. Leviticus 21:16. "No man who has any defect may come near [to offer sacrifices to God]; No man who is blind, or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand." Back in the days of Leviticus,no imperfect people could offer a sacrifice to God. No blind people. No deaf people. No one with a limp. No one with a crippled hand. No one disfigured. No one deformed. The circle of worship, must have been small indeed. Thank goodness we got past that. No telling how many centuries that took. We moved on to the New Testament and Matthew 7:1&2. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the meassure you use, it will be measured to you." Maybe there are not a lot of "damns" in the Holy Scripture. But the "curses" on nations, were many. Floods, Locusts, Plagues, War and Pestilence, and the list goes on and on. We can only hope, that it won't take as many years to get past the 5 second sound bite from Pastor Jeremiah Wright, that it took us to allow "imperfect" people to honor their God. I would suggest to this writer two things. (a)Jeremiah Wright has retired from his church. and (b) if what he says offends your sensibilities, do not go where he speaks. Think of it as you would think of turning to another channel on your tv. It really isn't that big a deal. Unless people continue to keep it in the spotlight, and in the echo chamber. It's been two weeks. Get over it!
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The relevant line crossed by

Submitted by Ken duerksen on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 3:09pm.
The relevant line crossed by Wright was the line that divides the reality of America from the pleasant fiction of beacons-of-light and level playing fields. What we need are some national media voices that raise such matters for national consideration and debate on a daily basis - we shouldn't shudder that one cleric says such things to the people who fit inside a single building once a week. - and I thought part of a preacher's job was to occasionally utter the word "damn" from the pulpit? I don't understand why "bad words" are the aspect of the issue that you focus on. Ken Duerksen Oxford, Ohio
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