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Obama Condemns His Pastor's Controversial Remarks, Right Wing Bloggers Unconvinced
In a characteristically eloquent post on HuffPo, Barack Obama blasts Rev. Jeremiah Wright:
I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. 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.
As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.
Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.Which makes some sense. Look, I know many of the readers of this blog have wandered from the religious paths we once followed. But having belonged to churches over the years, I can tell you that I didn't always agree with what my minister was saying; still don't, always. Nobody's said anything as outlandish as Wright's anti-Hillary sermon, but I've definitely heard people say things I disagree with, and say them from the pulpit. And criminy, I'm a Unitarian.
Obama seems to be saying that he found faith in his church, but not necessarily a political ideology. Unstated, but also true, Obama found a community in that church -- one of the major reasons people join churches is to find community, after all.
I think when Obama says, "All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country," that he means it. For me, that's sufficient.
But not for the conservatives. Oh, they're still mouth-foamy and stuff. John Cole has a good roundup of the lunacy, including this beauty from Dan Riehl:
Also, if that’s the case and Obama is a disciple of Wrights, exactly what type of change does Obama have in mind when it comes to race relations in America? The church also celebrates Kwanzaa. I wonder, is this something Obama intends to continue if he’s elected president? His holiday cards are pretty generic … for a committed Christian.
| Also by Jeff Fecke | |||
| Post-Pennsylvania Analysis All the candidates, even the ones who don't have a shot. April 23, 2008. |
Maddow Schools Scarborough on McCain [VIDEO] Give this woman her own show already, MSNBC. April 3, 2008. |
Bill Kristol Becomes the Latest White Bigot to Lecture Us on Race Bill Kristol, you see, thinks that racism isn't a problem at all. At least not one we should talk about. March 25, 2008. |
Fox News Demotes Heath Ledger Bashing Bigot John Gibson Ah, John. We'll sure miss you. March 14, 2008. |
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