It was really quite sad to see Barack Obama's former pastor say the things he did at the National Press Club. One wonders why he would do this. Then I think, pastors like him, black or white, are prone to get very big egos. Rev. Wright had so many honors given him, a big congregation who no doubt revered him, etc. Think of Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts, Ted Haggard. Big egos. All living high and falling in one way or other.
Billy Graham's wife, it is said, kept him humble. However, he was sucked into being used by president after president. Only after the Nixon tapes came out did he realize he had been taken.
As for the comment Wright made on the Sunday after Sept. 11, on God condemning America for the bad things done to Indians, slaves, and so on, compare with the comments made by Falwell on the 700 Club, with Pat Robertson: "Liberal civil liberty groups, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for the 9-11 terror attack because they have turned God's anger against America. God continues to lift the curtains and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve." Pat Robertson agreed.
So, these right-wing conservatives agree with Wright about God being mad, but they see different reasons. As for the question I recently heard asked on a call-in radio program -- Why didn't Obama leave this church since such sermons are preached? -- may I ask the pastors of Willmar if they preach the same sermon every week? This sermon was preached the Sunday after Sept. 11. Obama said he wasn't there.
I suggest the condemners of Wright study the other sermons he made. Thirty-some years of sermons. They could make a life career of it. Barack Obama really sees a vision of society where racism is a thing of the past. He has given thousands of young people a challenge, a hope for positive change. He gives me hope too and I am old. It can be hard to be hopeful sometimes. I mean really hard.
