I have been watching Barack Obama and his meteoric rise into the national eye ever since he was elected senator from Illinois. His message and his charisma is certainly refreshing. He seems genuine to me. It is no surprise that he has become such a popular figure not only for the democratic party, but also the thousands of young people who are flocking to his rallies.
I often tell my children how important it is to choose your friends wisely. Who you hang out with will clearly influence your behavior and your decision-making. When you hang out with good kids, you will tend to make smart choices. When you hang out with the wrong crowd, you are far more easily prone to be influenced into making bad decisions. Most of the time, you can judge a person’s behavior and decision-making by the company they keep.
Barack Obama certainly sounds good in his speeches, but he is still a relative unknown. He is an easy man to root for, to think good of — that he would be the right man to lead our country. However, I am more than unsettled regarding his association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Rev. Wright has been largely quoted and has been well documented on You Tube for some very unfortunate remarks. He regularly preaches anti-American verbiage and rebukes the rich white people who run the country. Most everybody who is reading this is probably already very familiar with his remarks.
Maybe I don’t understand the black church being a white person. Maybe I don’t understand his comments in the context of his entire message. Maybe I don’t understand or appreciate black liberation theology. What I do understand and appreciate is the power of the spoken word—as Senator Obama has repeatedly suggested in his speeches. This is especially true for a person of influence – especially as it pertains to Rev. Wrights’ position. The bottom line is that Rev. Wright repeated uses words of bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism and hatred that has no place in the pulpit, nor in the public arena.
I would agree that a person should not be held responsible for the words that their pastor speaks. However, from what I understand with Barack Obama’s relationship with Rev. Wright, it was not only a strong father-son type of relationship, but one of spiritual mentoring. When we think back to people who have had significant influence in our lives (coach, teacher, family member, pastor), it is far-reaching well into our adult lives.
When I listen now to Senator Obama, I don’t listen for what he says but I am listening to what he is not saying. He is not clearly repudiating Rev. Wright’s comments. If he is not clearly denouncing Rev. Wright’s words, then I can only assume that he is influenced by his remarks. Deep down, does he agree with Rev. Wright? Is this a strong motivation for him in seeking political office? Once again, since Senator Obama is still a relative unknown, I can only come to the conclusion that he is still influence by his spiritual mentor. This makes me uncomfortable and I have a feeling that millions of others may be just as uncomfortable as I am.
I hope Obama doesn’t cover this up with his immense political skills, but tackles this head on – not just for himself, but for the good of our country.
I understand what you are saying, about the need for Barack Obama to denounce what Re. Wright has said.
I know Barack and his wife Michelle have given lots of money to the Church of Rev. Wright. I think I remember last year he gave over 27,000 dollars in donations.
I feel Barack Obama does not feel the way Rev. Wright feels, I think because of Baracks success, Rev. Wright is tring to cash in on Baracks popularity and has shocked Mr. Obama, now that being said, Barack doesn’t want to anger Rev.Wright and he finds himself between a rock and a hard place..
I think Barack will step away from Rev. Wright, smartly and with class and remain a strong figure and move beyond this stumbling block..
Dave
By: David Romberg on March 28, 2008
at 5:29 pm
Thank you, David for your comments.
I certainly hope that Barack will address Rev. Wrights comments and not sweep them under the rug. I think he is too intelligent to not properly deal with the issue. I believe there are many more non-traditional voters, not affiliated with any party, ready to jump on his bandwagon. So, not only does Barack need to confront this issue, but Rev. Wright needs to also come forth and proclaim what he truly beleives in a sound-bite form that will allow people like myself to understand — if he is being misunderstood. We have to remember that Barach has been mainly rhetorical — with only a little trail of what he truly believes. For him, it is the utmost of importance in how he handles this situation.
By: merganzerman on March 28, 2008
at 8:47 pm
Campbell professor speaks on real meaning of Christian unity
BUIES CREEK – When Barack Obama refused to denounce controversial pastor and mentor Jeremiah Wright recently, he was doing something that reflected the Bible’s teachings about the nature of Christian unity, according to Steven Harmon, associate professor of Christian theology at Campbell University.
As Campbell’s Staley lecturer for 2008, Harmon used the analogy in the third lecture in the series, “One Life With Each Other: The Theology of Ecumenism,” to illustrate the spiritual meaning of Christian unity as explained by scripture.
A specialist in patristics, or the study of church fathers, and ecumenical theology, Harmon is the author of several books, “Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision,” and “Every Knee Should Bow: Biblical Rationales for Universal Salvation in Early Christian Thought.” His research interests focus on ways in which Baptists and other evangelical Christians may find resources in post-biblical early Christian tradition for contemporary faith and practice.
“Christian unity is no easy unity,” Harmon said. “We are members of one another, but we can be angry and disagree with each other without turning it into a sin.”
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians illustrates the theology involved in ecumenism, which is the quest for greater visible unity among the currently divided Christian denominations. Though drawn from different backgrounds and nationalities, the members of the “body of Christ” have been called by God, redeemed and forgiven through his spirit. They are not just members of a church or a denomination, but of a “fellowship” that is directed by God.
Harmon added that the cross of Christ unifies all believers into one body. Baptists and Catholics may differ in their worship practices, but they should tolerate each other in “love” or they will forge divisiveness.
“When Senator Obama said Wright was like family to him, that he couldn’t disown Wright because he was a part of him, he was precisely right. Baptism creates a new family that takes precedence over the relationships we have with the families that include parents, siblings, spouses and children,” Harmon said.
A graduate of Howard Payne University, Harmon received both master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Harmon has pursued additional graduate studies at The Catholic University of America, the University of Dallas and Westfˆilischen-Wilhelms UniversitŠt in Munster, Germany, as well as sabbatical study at Duke Divinity School. He is vice chair of the Doctrine and Interchurch Cooperation Commission of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), a member of the BWA delegation to conversations with the Roman Catholic church, a member of the Order Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and a book review editor for the journal, “Perspectives in Religious Studies.”
Harmon has served as an adjunct professor at Southwestern and Howard Payne and as a visiting professor at Duke. He has also served as pastor and interim pastor of Baptist congregations in Texas and North Carolina. In the fall, Harmon will join the faculty of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
By: Long Tall Texan on March 29, 2008
at 4:45 am
IF the Obamanation was any type of man and worthy of running a country he would have embraced and ran on what he has believed for 20 years. Though Obama…….. has chosen to embrace the black power ideology presented by the Rev. Wright. The very denial of this makes him unsuitable for the highest office in the land. I find it worthy of civil war when I see how many whites support a racist who will actively work against the only thing that matters to me and should matter to them. Learn the 14 words and live by them. They are the only chance your children have in a future that is rushing them to destruction.
“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White children.”
A simple view that is followed by every race except whites. Don’t believe that then look at the Jewish Federation of Seattle near where I live.
Our mission, here at the Jewish Federation is to ensure Jewish survival and enhance the quality of Jewish life locally, in Israel and worldwide.
The internet has all the information you need.
Spend a few minutes as I did so long ago and see the truth for yourself. It is there if your mind is open.
By: caucasiannation on June 8, 2008
at 9:53 am
caucasian nation:
I edited a few in appropriate remarks, but decided to approve your comment for this reason — I am uncomfortable with the likes of Louis Farakkan and others within the black movement who very easily say the same things that you did and be acceptable.
I don’t agree with nor support your comments, however. The idealogy of the preservation of race always leads to conflicts — something that you may be hinting at when using terms like “civil war”. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is not only God-pleasing, but also keeps a society strong.
By: merganzerman on June 9, 2008
at 11:00 pm