Obama’s Church Fires Back
File; Barack Obama with Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. (AP Photo)
The Chicago church attended by Barack Obama is fighting back against media coverage of its controversial pastor, issuing a statement on Sunday, saying reports on the inflammatory remarks by Rev. Jeremiah Wright are an attempt to attack “the history of the African American church.”
“Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr.’s character is being assassinated in the public sphere because he has preached a social gospel on behalf of oppressed women, children and men in America and around the globe,” the leaders of Trinity United Church of Christ wrote Sunday in a statement distributed to the media.
Claiming that Wright’s 36 years as pastor of the church — the largest United Church of Christ congregation, with 8,000 members — is being demeaned, Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, said, “It saddens me to see news stories reporting such a caricature of a congregation that has been such a blessing to the UCC’s Wider Church mission … It’s time for us to say ‘No’ to these attacks and declare that we will not allow anyone to undermine or destroy the ministries of any of our congregations in order to serve their own narrow political or ideological ends.”
Neither Wright nor Obama was present at the church on Sunday, but all of talk news has been on the subject of the pastor, whose many sermons have been captured on video and replayed across television and the Internet over the past few weeks.
Some of the more flamboyant sermons have included statements saying that the U.S. created the AIDS virus to kill African Americans and that the United States was asking for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks because it had supported “state-sponsored terrorism” against black South Africans and Palestinian
Obama’s campaign has tried to distance the candidate from his Wright, the man who coined the phrase “the audacity of hope” that became the title of Obama’s bestselling book.
Speaking in a conference call on Sunday, Obama’s advisers acknowledged that the pastor was supposed to appear at the announcement of Obama’s presidential campaign last year, but was cut from the program in part because they knew he was controversial and didn’t want him to become a target or distraction, both of which he nows appears to be.
But even as attention is focused on Obama, Hillary Clinton’s supporters have refrained from pouncing on the opportunity to link Obama to his 20-year-long spiritual adviser.
“I mean, as you know, I prefer Senator Clinton for a whole lot of reasons, but I don’t cast aspersions on Senator Obama for what somebody else said,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told “FOX News Sunday.”
Calling Trinity’s social justice and outreach programs “inclusive and global” Moss added that not much has changed since the era of Martin Luther King’s sermons for equality. He claimed that African American churches, “born out of the crucible of slavery and the legacy of prophetic African American preachers since slavery” continue to treat marginalized victims of social and economic injustices in the face of prejudice.
“This is an attack on the legacy of the African American Church which led and continues to lead the fight for human rights in America and around the world,” he said, adding “The African American Church community continues to face bomb threats, death threats, and their ministers’ characters are assassinated because they teach and preach prophetic social concerns for social justice. Sunday is still the most segregated hour in America.”
Click here to read the Trinity United Church of Christ statement.
FOX News’ Caroline Shively contributed to this report.
Hey Charles…would you be insulted if I said “god damn you”?
I have a racist parrot that agrees with the racist preacher too so you are in good company.
Some of you people are so quick to forget Barack’s mother, beloved grandparents were white. He does stand for change.
The other nigth Fow News’ aired its interview with Wright from last year. Wright represents his ministry as being based on the “liberation theology” introduced in Nicaragua about 26 years ago.
Liberation theology is universally recognized - by both its proponents and opponents - as being an adaptation of Marxism.
Ergo, a fundamental part of Obama for the past 23 years has been MARXISM.
This preacher’s actions are reminiscent of what white preachers were doing a few years ago (supporting Bush, telling their flock how to vote, kill all Muslims, etc). I don’t recall a big uproar over those people, so why the fuss now? I guess it’s only OK to preach hate if you’re a Republican.
America, isn’t it strange to you that this man Senator Obama’s records have to be checked. Does it make you wonder a little bit that Senator Obama’s kindergarden papers were checked. Does it make you wonder why he has been called a muslim, insinuated to be a terrorist and a racsist in disguise. He has been called an empty suit, inexperienced, unqualified, not black enough, not bright enough…Why is this in America. Lets get real America, do we really know where all the
other Presidents or Presidents to be have went to church for the past 20 years. Do we know the
schools they attended, or if they even completed their education. Do we know their Grandmothers, mothers, fathers, etc…Do I really need to know how much he paid for his house. Why is this man under so much scruntiny, has he commited a crime as a Senator in the Senate. From the beginning of his campaign he has been under fire about who he really is, as if he is a fake. Why? Just ask yourself, think about it, Why? Why is Mrs. Obama’s words picked apart. Its as if the press is just waiting to hear something they consider to be negative (any little thing will do) so they can put it out in order to undermine this mans campaign. Why? Look…Senator Obama’s wife is not running for president neither is his former pastor Jeremiah Wright.
I have worked with people for many years. Some people don’t think like me or act like me. Some go to church with me and don’t think like me, but none of them change whom I am as a person. I have to be true to who I am as a person, no matter who I am around. I am a christian and I know other people who are christians as well, that attend and have attended the same church along with me, but we have different views on things. We read the same Bible
but have different opinoins. My husband and me have not had an arguement or fight in our home. But I know church people that not only have had arguements but have got divorced.
They say I am a christian too and we have served in the same church. You work with people, you go to church with people, and most likely you have known them for 20,10,15, or 5 years, but they do not have the same views you have, even some of your pastors. Will you stop working with those people, will stop going to that particular church, or will you be who you are as a positive example and will you be a light in Christ for them? Some people are called and chosen to be in a place where they have to be an example for the people for great change. I as a young lady had to go to a church that I really did not want to attend, but this was my assignment for that time. As a result of me being there many people, young & old, were changed because of Christ in my life. I prayed fervently for my pastor, and my fellow brothers and sisters and God blessed the people. Some people would have told me you should not be
there, find another church. But I could not do that, I had to obey God and walk in his preplanned footsteps for my life. I have been in Black, White, and Hispanic churches. I have interacted with all cultures of people. Even my brother-in -law who is from another country, and of another race, he stood by my bedside..and while he meditated I prayed. He said to my husband and me that his life was touched because of our prayer life in Christ.
Listen..all I am saying is that one person in the right place at the right time can make a positve difference in so many others life. I don’t agree with the people who say that because Senator Obama has been a memeber of this church for 20 years that he has the same spirit of his pastor. You can know people for 20 years, laugh with them, cry with them, take care of them, and in some cases live with them, but you do not have to have their same spirit or believes and yet you love them. Lets be honest now, I know that there are people that you have known for many years and you do not hold there views on life but you love them and would do anything right for them.
This is a individual journey, each of us will stand before judgement one day soon(smile).
Now think about this, are you here to make a difference in someone else’s life in a positive way.
Or are you here to bring down a mans life that has integrity,character, inspiration, and compassion, for all peoples even you. Ask yourself why would I judge a man because of another mans words. What is it in me that would want me to tear down another man who has never done anything to hurt me or this country, but on the contrary he has helped people like me in this country. What does it matter what he paid for his house etc.., is there some jeoulsy,envy and hatred out there of this successful Black man, who many people of different races love. Is it that he does not deserve what he & his wife have worked hard for? I thought this was America, land of the free, home of the brave. America, I was taught and told based on the constitution and the Bible that I had certain inalienable rights and to treat my fellowman equal irregardless of the color of his skin. I was taught to love my neighbor as myself’ and to uphold the law of the land. (Thats why I asked the questions in the beginning of my comment, why is this man on trial.) I was also taught as a young lady by my Dad & Mom that I could be and do anything as a Woman of Color in this country. This is the America I know. Run Senator Mc Cain, run Senator Clinton, run Senator Obama. Run your race with the dignity,intergrity, intellegence, honesty, inspiration, and pride. One of you will be President of the United States of America. One of you will take that solem oath to, among other things uphold the constitution, which we all believe in. I have always told my children make the right step and you won’t have to step back. America, lets be focused and united (not devisive) for the task ahead, YES WE CAN / YES WE WILL. Change will come…and thats the Bible. Finally my fellow brothers & sisters in the faith, we will see the scriptures unfold even more than they have already. Remember our heavenly Father is watching.
2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and the release of the Kerner Commission Report. Today, the atmosphere is being created to justify another political asssassination - this time it is Senator Obama. When you question a man’s patriotism, whether he is an undercover Muslim, and now a hater of whites during a time of war against elements in the Muslim and Third world, you set him up for justifiable homicide in the mind of some wackos!
What is interesting is that this assault is being led by the post “I marched with King…make love not war…Loving Spoonful” Baby Boomer (Hannity, O Reilly, Russert, Sawyer, Dobbs, etc.) generation. Hypocrites! The Kerner Commission Report is as true today as it was 40 years ago. We are still two nations black and white - rich and poor (although Bush’s economc policy is about to render us ALL poor).
I pray for Sen. Obama and his family’s safety more than his political success. God help this country if something happens to that man. Our national guard units are overseas fighting Bush’s war, leaving the homeland vunerable to civil unrest. Blacks can stand to lose an election. However, Blacks and today’s youth are not willing to see another inspiring leader’s life splattered on the blood soaked pages of history. Policy and character issues are legitimate in political debate. What is going on is far out of bounds. Let us pull back from the brink before it is too late. Let’s civilize this political discourse now!
America, the world is watching…and so is God!
It is now time to create exclusively white and black countries. Let the blacks run their country anyway they want, and let the whites run theirs. Build a huge wall between the two and have no contact or exchange with each other whatsoever. PROBLEM SOLVED. NEITHER RACE WILL THEN BE ABLE TO BLAME ANYONE OTHER THAN THEMSELVES FOR THEIR PROBLEMS! MAYBE THERE WAS A REASON WHY GOD PUT US ON SEPARATE CONTINENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
If I, a white male, were to sit and listen to sernons in the Cosmostheist Church, formed by William Pierce, would I be a good choice for a presidential candidate? Is there any way that would not be influenced by what I heard? This may be an extreme example, but I think you can see my point. Also, I have heard no attacks on their church. I have heard questions directed toward the senator.
First of all why should an African American be president, how about just “American” whether your white, black or red … How many Blacks here were actually born in Africa ? Don`t tell me reverse discrimination is not alive and well.
When is enough - enough. Reperations !!! you gotta be kidding me !!! Why should BLACKS receive anything for something that happened 500 years ago. Give it to the Indians we took their Country !! Hey, I`m Italian 3rd generation here in America, along with other nationalities. I lost tract of family members because they had to drop the vowel off their last names to get jobs here in America. I still served honorably in Vietnam and did not blame the USA for the draft or everthing that happened to myself and others.
Question for People of color/Blacks why don`t other nationalities have color exclusive beauty pagents, colleges, organizations, etc. Oh God don`t mention “K…” we wouldn`t want to offend anyone. Well they are the only organization that appear to stand for …people.
People please vote intelligently and not because it is politically correct, not because we feel sorry for what happened to people in the PAST.
You attack The Reverend Jeremiah Wright for his viewpoint on America and attempt to perform a witch hunt on Barrack Obama for being associated with him, this is totally hypocritical and typical of the onesided attack orientates viewpoints that Fox News and most republicans represent. What makes it hypocritical is that you had a Racist such as the Reverend Billy Graham who has openly made racist remarks about Jewish people who was an official spiritual advisor to US presidents.