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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