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.
I think the Kennedy’s who endorsed Obama, must be very embarrassed, after the speech of Michelle Obama! Michelle basically said that even that J.F. Kennedy was president she still was ashamed during his time of presidency…
ok america its about to happin, GIVE OSAMA OBAMA THE COUNTRY THEY SAID IT WOULD BE DISTROYED FROM WITHIN DIDNT THEY!!!! IT WOULD BE LAUGHABLE IF IT WASNT SO SAD AND TRUE!!!!!!
(IMAGINE THAT)
HOPE YOU KNOW HOW TO PRAY TO ALA, BECAUSE ITS COMING THE HAND WRITING IS ON THE WALL PEOPLE, YOU BUNCH OF HATEING LIARS RUNNING FOR CONTROL, I ALMOST VOTED FOR OSMA OBAMA I DIDNT WANT BILLARY CLINTON IN THERE BUT WHAT CHOICE IS THERE NOW?
IF OBAMA GETS IN THE WHITEHOUSE I HOPE ALL WHO VOTES HIM IN IS UP ON BEING A MUSLIM/WHITES WELL GET READY TO BE SCREWED AGIN LOL A PLACE WHERE IF YOU ARE WHITE YOUR SCREWED/HOGWASH ALL OF IT THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM
FOR 20 YEARS LISTEN TO HATE MESSAGES ABOUT “WHITE PEOPLE” AS IF ALL ARE THE SAME, WHAT A BETTER WHY TO DO US OVER THAN SOMEONE WHO BLAMES AND HATES OR GIVES INTO IT, IAM A WHITE MAN I HAVE A GRANDAUGHTER OF COLOR AND A SON INLAW OF COLOR AND GOD BLESS HIM GAVE ME ANOTHER GRANDSON OF COLOR HE IS NOT THE SAME WHO GAVE ME MY GRANDAUGHTER IAM ALSO MARRIED TO A PHILLIPINA NOW I GEUSS SENCE IM WHITE IM RACIST WAKE UP AMERICA NOT ALL WHITE AMERICA IS RACIST BUT I WILL TELL YOU ALOT OF BLACKS AND MUSLIMS ARE, THATS NOT ME SAYING THAT ITS FROM THERE OWN ACTIONS AND WORDS LOL GO FIGURE
I believe that the idea of Wright’s statements are somewhat true but the way that it came off would be perceived as harsh and racist. As I read through these comments and think about the situation I see how some people say that Obama’s change is referring to the black community. Now if that was the case what is wrong with that? It’s funny how it is so wrong for someone to stand up for the black community while at the same time trying to make a change in the way that America is divided (not only racially but politically) bringing us together as one. The black community as a whole has suffered even till this day, in general it is harder for a black person to excel in life. So with the problems that they face (not the ones that they bring on themselves) in this world people should have a right to feel somewhat bitter. Also it is the way that you say things which has the greatest impact, be slow to speak and quick to listen. In this day we take everything personally without getting a general feel of what point someone is trying to make and I am talking about everyone. We all should be more understanding to each other. Also to end with this - being a member of a church does not mean that you show up every Sunday to hear every sermon. I can still be a firm believer in God, say that I am a member of a particular church for my whole life but probably has not made Sunday service for the past year or so. Everyone who comments should agree that there is not one person with whom you agree with what they say 100% of the time. Just because your parents give you advice all of your life you can agree with 70% of what they say and not 30%. Obama specifically said that he does not agree with SOME of the statements that Wright made so he in fact is not just saying that because it is the right thing to say at this time.
What a racist PIG.
my comment to that April, 2003 sermon Obama’s pastor preaching about God was damning America for things was very upsetting to me. I feel that they were racist comments on that Pastors part. Yes Obama should condemn what he said. It was inexcusable and compare Obama with Jesus made me sick. I will never vote for him I am a register Democrat and I don’t know how the Democratic party could not have a comment. I have changed my party, I will vote Republican. Its ashame that pastor who has since retire should apologize . I feel that was a racist action on his part.
When I was a boy, I recall that there was only one African-American student in my elementary school. One day while eating lunch on the grass, I was talking with my friends and playing with the cap from my drink, throwing it like a frisbee. One of the times I threw it, it accidentally hit this African-American boy. He immediately stood up and put up his fists to fight me. I tried to explain to him that it was an accident, that I was just playing with the cap and that I didn’t try to hit him and that I didn’t want to fight him and that I was sorry. He didn’t say a word, he just stared at me, silent and angry. Reluctantly, I put up my fists half-way just to protect myself. I had never been in a fight and I didn’t want to be in one then. He immediately punched me in the face and I ran away as fast as I could. It was the only thing I could think to do. Sure, I was scared, but I ran because it was all wrong, because there should have never been a fight in the first place. I’m still angry that the boy escalated the issue and wouldn’t talk or listen to me but since that day, I’ve never judged him. I understood how he must have felt being the only African-American student in the school, but he wouldn’t accept my explanation or my apology.
I know there are still bigoted and racist people in this country, I’ve heard things myself, but I think it’s safer to assume that 99% of people evaluate others based on their words, deeds and actions. I have to think that most of the people who escalate things like my schoolmate have been programmed to do so by the people that influence over them. My hope and prayer is that racism and bigotry will die a quick death. Perhaps we can help drive a stake through it by forgetting and forgiving what’s happened in the past and move on to bigger and better things.
I am a firm supporter of the right to free speech. But someone (Obama) who is trying to win the vote of the masses should not be keeping company with an extremist. Which is exactly what the Reverend (and I use that term loosely) is. The Reverend’s hate filled speak is no better than a leader of the KKK spewing his hate. You are the company that you keep.
I think if Obama was part of the church a few yrs ago and listened to hateful sermons and continued to be part of the church. He is just as gulity as his pastor, because he did not speak up about it or leave the church. It was only when he decided to run for president that he distanced himself from his pastor and the church. I question what he really thinks of this country.
52 Sundays per year
1872 Sundays in 36 years
46800 minutes preaching (at least)
2,808,000 seconds preaching
And you choose to focus your entire opinion of Wright (and, in some cases, Obama) on approximately 100 seconds found on youtube.
For greater balance and perspective try:
http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/wright_4309.htm
http://www.preachingtoday.com/sermons/sermons/audacityofhope.html
http://www.ltsp.edu/news/2002-2003/0303power_wright.html
http://www.amazon.com/What-Makes-You-So-Strong/dp/0817011986/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1
–read the excerpt from inside the book (click Look Inside!)
Have more time to read: http://www.amazon.com/Good-News-Sermons-Todays-Families/dp/0817012362/ref=cm_lmf_tit_5
Ask yourself a few simple questions:
How many videos were available and had to be viewed to pull these short clips?
Is it logical to think that whites would join this church or that a man with a white mother, who was raised by whites attend a church where the minister consistently spoke of hating whites (as many have determined)?
You don’t like what Wright said or how he said it, cool. But you can’t make sweeping generalizations based on very little information, especially when no other points of view are offered.