Obama’s Pastor’s Sermon: ‘God Damn America’
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., senior pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, March 2005. (Trinity United Church of Christ/Religion News Service)
In a fiery sermon taped and available on DVD, Barack Obama’s longtime pastor and spiritual adviser can be seen and heard saying three times: “God damn America.”
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., in his taped sermons, also questioned America’s role in the spread of the AIDS virus and suggested that the United States bore some responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Confronting the content of some of Wright’s sermons, parts of which have been aired this week on FOX News, Obama on Friday moved to condemn the remarks in his firmest statement on the matter to date, after initially stopping short of a full repudiation.
“Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy,” he said in the statement. “I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.”
Obama said he never personally heard Wright preach the statements at the center of the controversy, but that he first learned of them when he launched his presidential campaign.
Click here to read the full Obama statement.
Wright’s supporters say his Afro-centric sermons accurately portray black America, and they contend his sermons are widely studied by theologians. But critics are now calling attention to his more incendiary words from the pulpit.
The pastor delivered his final sermon last month and retired as leader of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Obama has attended the church for 20 years and calls Wright his spiritual adviser.
Click here to visit the Trinity United Church of Christ’s Web site.
In a fiery sermon in April 2003, Wright said: “The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes three-strike laws and wants them to sing God Bless America.
“No! No No!
“God damn America … for killing innocent people.
“God damn America for threatening citizens as less than humans.
“God damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and supreme.”
In DVD copies of his sermons available for purchase, Wright can also be seen questioning America’s role in the spreading of the HIV virus that leads to AIDS. In another speech, made in the days after 9/11, he suggested that American foreign policy invited the terror attacks.
“We bombed Hiroshima. We bombed Nagasaki. And we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon and we never batted an eye,” Wright said.
“We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because of stuff we have done overseas is now brought back into our own backyard. America is chickens coming home to roost.”
The pastor also said: “The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied.”
Amid calls to fully repudiate Wright, the Obama campaign said late Thursday it has distanced itself from certain Wright comments.
“Senator Obama has said before that he profoundly disagrees with some of the statements and positions of Reverend Wright, who has preached his last sermon as pastor at the church,” Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said. “Senator Obama deplores divisive statements whether they come from his supporters, the supporters of his opponent, talk radio, or anywhere else.”
That preceded the lengthy campaign statement issued Friday.
Last year, Obama rescinded an invitation to Wright to deliver the invocation at his announcement that he was running for president. He also issued a statement saying personal attacks have no place in politics after Wright delivered an attack on Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton.
But Obama’s longtime relationship with Wright is continuing to spark controversy.
“This is not just someone that Barack Obama has a casual relationship with,” said Tom Bevan, executive editor of RealClearPolitics.com. He noted that Wright married Barack and Michelle Obama, and Wright’s words were the inspiration for the title of Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope.”
“Barack Obama has not out and out distanced himself from all of these comments … ,” Patricia Murphy, editor of CitizenJanePolitics.com, said before the campaign responded Friday. “It’s unclear if he rejects all of these statements. I would assume that he does, but I think he is going to be pushed where he needs to come out and fully explain his relationship with his pastor.”
Some of Wright’s statements have raised eyebrows at a time the Internal Revenue Service is scrutinizing tax-exempt religious organizations for alleged violations of rules barring them from participating in political campaigns.
Prior to his retirement last month, Wright delivered commentary from the pulpit in which he praised Obama, as well as remarks focusing on the racial divide between Obama and Clinton.
“There is a man here who can take this country in a new direction,” Wright said during his Jan. 13 sermon.
During a Christmas sermon, Wright tried to compare Obama’s upbringing to Jesus at the hands of the Romans.
“Barack knows what it means living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people,” Wright said. “Hillary would never know that.
“Hillary ain’t never been called a nigger. Hillary has never had a people defined as a non-person.”
In a Jan. 13 sermon, Wright said:
“Hillary is married to Bill, and Bill has been good to us. No he ain’t! Bill did us, just like he did Monica Lewinsky. He was riding dirty.”
So far the Clinton campaign has been quiet over Wright’s comments.
Wright has declined interview requests from FOX News.
FOX News’ Jeff Goldblatt contributed to this report.
Looking at the picture of the two of them, Senator Obama coming from a mixed family, looks darker in color than Rev. Wright. Interesting!
It does not matter what the pastor says or anyone else, this is really simple.
We are talking about our next president, How can we even risk someone as questionable as this? Are we really going to vote someone into office just because we want to make a statement about free speech and racism?
I would hope not! When it comes to electing a leader then there is no room for feeling sorry for someone or wanting to put them in position because they have been treated wrongly by some.
IF THERE IS ANY REASON TO DOUBT A PERSONS TRUE FEELINGS AND INTENT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR RELIGIONS THEN THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE PUT IN OFFICE!!
WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE NOT JUST SOME!
THIS IS TO IMPORTANT TO LET SENTIMENT AND PERSONAL FEELINGS BLIND US.
I AM NOT SAYING OBAMA IS BAD ,JUST TO RISKY, SO IS CLINTON.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO REALIZE THAT WE HAVE MORE TO CHOOSE FROM THAN THE ONES WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO BE PUT ON THE FRONT PAGE, WHY DO WE BELIEVE THAT THESE NOMINEES ARE OUR ONLY CHOICES? LOOK PAST THE GLAM AND THE MONEY AND STAND UP AND SAY WE WANT BETTER!!
IF NONE OF THE NOMINEES ARE ANY GOOD THEN DON,T VOTE FOR THEM PETITION TO VOTE FOR NEW NOMINEES.
IF WE CONTINUE TO BE LAZY AND JUST TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET THEN WE ARE NOT THE AMERICA THAT WE NEED TO BE!!!
Perspective is the key word in this issue. It is a matter of taking enough time and compassion, to walk in the shoes of others, and take into consideration where their perspective spawn from. Black people or African Americans on average, could possibly openly or secretly share the views of the pastor. If that is true, the question is, are we able to except the differences that may exist between the typical thinking of black, white, and various races of America? Differences will always exist. Some may be understood with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Some may never be understood. Is it possible for us to respect each other in disagreement? Why must we always expect someone to bow out to the popular thinking of the ruling majority? Barack H. Obama is black, make no mistake about it. He is not a Collin Powell. He is not just one who is just trying to fit in to get to the top. I respect that. The media knows that this is all a game. They are using the nature of the game to take away the unique characteristics that make this presidential candidate authentic. I guess now it will look good for Obama to get a white pastor. I guess he has to prove his allegiance to white America before he is fit to become President of The United States. It is time for us to all look at how foolish we are thinking and acting. It is time for us to mature enough to embrace differences. It is time for us to GROW UP!
I can not imagine that so many people in the United States can not see what is happening here during the Presidencial Primiaries. People!!! Wake up and open you eyes! Do you see Obama pressing his hand and arm across his heart when the anthem is played. Do you see that the so-called Christian Church he belongs to is dedicated to the country of Africa and not to the United States of America even though it is in the state of Illinois in the United States and money made here to support its strong holdings in Africa. I can’t believe that a person can go a church for 20 years and not know the strong dedication to Africa and the strong hate of the United States. It is obvious that O Bama’s wife and children feel the same way as that was what was taught to them most of their lives. I belong to a Christian Church and my Church does not condemn anyone but sinners, but are there to help them back to the Lord’s grace. Our Country was built on religious freedom. We do respect our Country and the people in it. I am White and I’m not too proud to sit with any person of a different color. I enjoy learning from everyone. The Black Race wasn’t the only pursecuted race in History. The Jews were killed by the thousands, Indians, too. The Oriental people that came during the building of the railroad, and many more. I do feel bad for the past history of the Black People, but that was before my time and I’m 58 years old. Let’s not continue to feel sorry for a Race that has become very educated thru work on their own and free college given by the Black College Funds, and determination to better themselves. The Idea behind putting a Black man or woman in the Presidential race is great as long as that person is proud to be an American and wants whats best for everyone. I would like that person to be proud to salute the Flag representing a love of their country, not attending a so-called Christian Church that God Damns it. Only proud, if it fits the opportunity. O’Bama’s wife’s statement saying she was proud for the first time in her adult life of the United States because her husband was running for President. How convenient!!!!! And he doesn’t become the President, will she hate the United States again? And what about the Muslin background? People!!!!! Have we forgotten 9-11 so soon? Should we put a person in White House that won’t pledge alliegence to our Country? Where, than!!!! I am very concerned with what will conspire if O Bama takes the Office of the President. We have no idea of what his contacts are with other foreign countries. Be prepared for a lot of changes. I don’t even think that the Black Communites will like what will happen. Freedom may become a forbidden word. That is my opinion and I hope others will speak up and decide on a truly devoted American for President.
Mr. Obama should sue fox news and any other news media for trying to defame his character through the opinions of others. Hillary is associated with Spitzer does that make her a prostitute?
I think deep in the heart of many a white folk is; If this man if he becomes President going to make whitey pay. And when he has listened to these… make the white man pay sermons for twenty years it makes one feel kind of uneasy.
Anyone who still thinks Bomba is still in the dark about what his church leader feels…here is proof…see for yourself. He was AT ONE of the services where the pastor’ was ranting.
http://newsmax.com/kessler/Obama_hat%20e_America_sermon/2008/03/16/80870.html?s=al&promo_code=9991-1
LOOK OUT!
HE ONLY HEARD THE GOOD SERMONS? NEVER AN ANTI-AMERICA COMENT IN 20 YRS.? RITE.
IF HE WALKS LIKE DUCK…
GOD BLESS AND SAVE AMERICA FROM THESE GUYS.
I feel that anyone who attends a Church on a regular basis should know a Preachers beliefs and disagree with hate speech.
Sen . Obama should have known what his pastors beliefs from listening to
his sermons in a twenty month span, not twenty years.
This looks to me like the reason he distanced himself now was because he
was running for president and knew that this type of hate would hurt his chances to be president.
It also makes one wonder if this is his core beliefs,is he hiding them and will they affect him in the oval office.
This is something every Democrat should think long and hard about before
they vote in the general election if Obama is the candidate.
We have enough problems with what has been placed in office that are to represent the citizens of the United States without putting a man like Obama in to represent our Country. He is a disgrace and is definitely not for the American People.
The first problem is by taking out what this country was founded on. We have taken God out of our schools and our Country. GOD help us all. Others can come here from outside our country and they have more freedom that we do. It is time to turn this country back around!