By Brian Ross and Rehab El-Buri
Sen. Barack Obama's pastor says blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America."
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for the last 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."
In a campaign appearance earlier this month, Sen. Obama said, "I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial." He said Rev. Wright "is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that everyone has someone like that in their family.
Rev. Wright married Obama and his wife Michelle, baptized their two daughters and is credited by Obama for the title of his book, "The Audacity of Hope."
An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme." Read more ...
Muslims Against Sharia call on Senator Obama to cut all ties with his racist supporters Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan.
Sen. Barack Obama's pastor says blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America."
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for the last 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."
In a campaign appearance earlier this month, Sen. Obama said, "I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial." He said Rev. Wright "is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that everyone has someone like that in their family.
An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme." Read more ...
Muslims Against Sharia call on Senator Obama to cut all ties with his racist supporters Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan.
Source: ABC
H/T: Atlas
Updates:
1 Obama's Money Talks, Rhetoric Walks: Financing Jeremiah Wright
2 Obama's minister: U.S. started AIDS. Candidate's spiritual mentor, role model called America 'No. 1 killer in the world'.
3 Obama's pastor attacks Clinton for being white
4 Obama Denounces Pastor Who Accused US Of Bringing On The 9/11 Attacks By Spreading Terrorism
5 Barack Obama's pastor quits campaign after explosive 9/11 remarks
6 Obama Lies Again - Attended Hate America Sermon
Without the prophetic, bold voices and organizing ability of leaders like Pastor Jeremiah Wright of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago there would be no U.S. Senator Barack Obama with a decent chance at becoming the first black president of the United States. ... While Sen. Obama may have to distance himself from his pastor to play the game of politics, it is unwise for any of us to burn the bridges that brought us across.
Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Reynolds
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10 comments:
I see that you left a comment on my blog, but it went into my "moderate" file. From there it disappeared for some unknown reason: but I managed to recreate it from my gmail account.
I strongly support your goal of reforming Islam. You might see this post from July 2005, for example.
In my view, Barack Obama has been sufficiently clear that he rejects the message of Louis Farrakhan. He has also denounced the statements made by his pastor in the video you embedded. Obama's own practice is to appeal to the noblest part of human nature (the desire to achieve justice, for example), not their base instincts (for revenge, etc.).
I don't think Obama presumes to speak directly to Muslims, but in general he calls on African Americans to work constructively with whites in support the highest human ideals. It wouldn't be fair to ascribe Jeremiah's Wright's sentiments to Obama.
Having said that, it's also important to quote Wright in context (as you do here). "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human." He has a valid point, if you read those words apart from Wright's very charged delivery.
The way Obama dissociated himself from Farrakhan and Wright makes him look like a whore. Nothing short of "I loath the day I met those racist f@#ks" will do.
Obama's denouncement wasn't a denouncement.
Let's see what his speech today brings.
Which part of the sermon, exactly, was racist? I think there is a differnece between talking about race in ways which make people uncomfortable is different from racism.
I don't think Obama has been one bit convincing.
Whilst I can understand the acrimony between blacks and whites Obama's slogans speak of unity and a new future, but his church and his pastor do NOT.
I think he will be divisive and not because he is half black.
I have no problem with this whatever. But I have a problem with the company he keeps, and for over 20 years now.
Maybe there are many like him in the US but he is the only one with this background standing for president.
The fact that he is standing for president actually speaks volumes of just how far this race issue has evolved.
Two of the world's most powerful women are black - Oprah and Condi Rice. Oprah used to attend this church but she left a while ago.
I think it is a bit weird that the pastor dresses like someone from Africa. He is whiter than a lot of whites, and I know atheists who are better Christians - in their dealings with people etc - than he is.
Rev. Wright did not blame US for 9/11 - the passage was taken completely out of context.
http://inspiredvoter.com/2008/03/22/video-transcript-jeremiah-wright-911-in-context/
Watch the video, read the transcript at the link above or go to inspiredvoter.com
So what do you do with McCain's "gook" and tar-baby" comments? Those weren't just made by McCain supporters but by McCain himself.
Abdul,
You must be a real moron to equate some dumb remarks with life-long racism. Get off our blog, you shithead!
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