Thoughts on Dr. Jeremiah Wright
The steam is still rising at the National Press Club after the speech by Dr. Jeremiah Wright, the much controversial pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, and, for some 20 years the minister of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.
First of all, please understand that Dr. Wright says many, many truthful things. He talks about the love of Jesus for all mankind, he talked about how your theology determines how you view people, society, what’s right, or wrong. This is sound theological points that deserve an “Amen.”
“Your belief about God is the beginning of your wisdom,” according to Dr. Tim Keller author of The Reason for God. “All your reseasoning, proceeds from there.”
So I have no objections to Dr. Wright’s points about how society is ordered as to do how we understand God. And, if God is a white male then it follows that you would believe all power belongs to white males. If God is revengeful, and wrath-filled, then it would follow that you would believe there should be sharp and harsh punishment for certain kinds of people.
Generally speaking, after hearing Dr. Wright this morning, it is not surprising that what he says would make sense to anyone sitting in his pews Sunday after Sunday. For people who need bolstering spiritually, economically and personally, Dr. Wright’s statements are empowering. For those unsure what their place in society can or should be, Dr. Wright’s theology is a bold shot in the arm.
The black experience in America is quite complex. You grow up in a world that does not value you, in a world that does not favor your darker skin, coarse hair and other physcial attributes. The blow on your self esteem seeps into your social DNA and the result is a whole community mired in sense of dysfunctional, self-hatred that manifests itself in many different and sometimes unique ways. I could write a book (and many have) about this phenomenon. And Dr. Wright’s sermons are characteristic of the backlash from that African American experience that’s rooted in the most heinous part of American history, the chattel, raced based slavery, and the brand of Christianity that approved it. It took a civil war and the loss of hundreds of thousands of American lives, but slavery ended. However the wounds are still very much with us.
But what Dr. Wright fails to say in his fiery speeches is that although “good” white Christians were slave owners and fought to retain slavery, he fails to also emphasize that it was also White Christians that spearheaded the movements to abolished it, first in England and then in America. The irony of course is that slave owners justified slavery using the Bible, and white Christians fought to abolish slavery using the same Bible. It goes to show how powerful your cultural reference point is at determining what the Bible is for or against.
Dr. Wright also fails to point out that a former slave trader John Newton, faced with the awesome power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace”, a song that touches hearts in the deepest way possible, a hymn that both white, black and christians of all races sing, and are brought to tears by.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see…. Tis grace that brought me save thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
It would also serve Dr. Wright well to bring up Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his letter from an Alabama prison. He was put there because of the white Christians who didn’t like his brand of civil disobedience. Dr. King, also a Christian minister, didn’t ask the white Ku Klux Klan members to abandoned their faith. He told them to go deeper into their faith. Dr. King’s mission was not to conquer the white racists, but to help bring about their redemption through the only force that has the power to do so.. their shared belief in the salvation through Jesus Christ.
Dr. Wright calls the media’s blasting of him an attack on the Black Church in America. I would say how dare he sully the power of the Black Church by hiding his incendiary comments about government based aids conspiracy, the propping up of Louis Farrakhan, and the “God d_____ America” sermon. The black church provided the foundations and spirit of the Civil Rights movements, of Dr. King’s famous speech “I Have a Dream”, and of empowering all races with the belief that we could live together in a community of peace. What Dr. Wright does is stoke the flames of hatred that would only serve to weaken the American spirit. It’s an American spirit born of a belief that “all men are created equal and endowed by their creator to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
What Dr. Wright did was use the trump card all liberal minded folk use when they want to end the confrontation, they use the race card. No media outlet wants to be accused of attacking the black church or of being racist. So it usually ends the argument with the victor never having to explain himself any further. That is what Dr. Wright has done. This time though, it won’t work. Our society is too changed from fifty years ago. We understand now that affirmation is so much more powerful than criticism, and that love more persuasive than law.
And since we are in the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to America, it seems fitting to quote his prayer at ground zero when he said, “Turn to your way of love… those whose hearts minds are consumed with hatred.” Perhaps you might think this seems a bit strong a sentiment towards Dr. Wright. Afterall the Holy Father was referring to the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Center, not a man who sits in a pulpit on Sunday. But also remember that God’s commandments are directed primarily at what’s in our hearts, not in their outer manifestations. It’s directed at the seeds of hatred and unforgiveness, planted by what we hear and do. These seeds only need proper nourishment for them to grow and become a bountiful harvest. Just like the terrorists whose hatred toward America began with an Imam’s speech, so to is all actions against or for another. So I ask Dr. Wright, what seeds is he planting? What kind of harvest does he expect?
I leave it to those who read this blog to give me your opinions on Dr. Wright. I’m extremely curious to know.
I listened to his speech at the NAACP event and was both suprised and delighted listening to a speech both erudite and interspersed with great humor. I may not agree with some of his arguements but encourage him and every other American to opine without restraint. The presentation of differing viewpoints and our ability to really hear what others say helps keep us from being closed, biased and bigoted. Please continue Rev. Wright!
Lauren,
Your article is so wonderfully written. Thank you for the wise words. I so agree.
We also miss you on TV. You were the best on Fox and Freinds.
Thank you
Schar McLaughlin
Lauren, excellent synopsis.
I can’t believe how many people think that we should just forget about this man and his teachings, when he’s mentored a potential President for over 20 years! How could Obama not share at least some of the same feelings, both good and bad, toward our country and its citizens after hearing such rhetoric for so long?
The concept of “black liberation theology” is new to many of us; most of us just thought that the Gospel alone was preached in churches. So it is imperative that the electorate know as much as possible about Obama, his mentor and their beliefs before casting our votes this year.
Well from my perspective, they are seed of reconciliation and a Christ centered life style for America. Truth could be stated as that which ones’ perspectives or practices equal fact, or could be stated where research and proof equal facts. If people of Christian faith believe in the Bible and the teachings of Christ “listened with ears that can hear” then they heard the message of Christ and the Bible. If people listing to the message want to believe in self-gratifying, and personal superiority then you have an offensive, divisive, and arrogant message. Either way I believe he answered the question of Obama and his relationship with Wright. Which is Wright is not indicative to his ability and commitment to America and her people, or does he have influence over the Rev. Wrights methods of fulfilling his on personal prophesy, nor does Rex. Wright have influence over Obama and the decisions he makes for his own life.
On the subject of Rev. Wright, it is hard to disregard the message, because it was full of biblical facts, and basic anthropological reasoning. I think these attacks on Rev. Wright are not only an attack on the Black Church, but it is an attack on Black people specifically, and the American people in general. His message was misconstrued in a manner to destroy any chances for Obama to become president simply because he is black.
Well from my perspective, they are seed of reconciliation and a Christ centered life style for America. Truth could be stated as that which ones’ perspectives or practices equate fact, or could be stated as proved facts. If people of Christian faith believe in the Bible and the teachings of Christ “listened with ears that can hear” then they heard the message of Christ and the Bible. If people listing to the message want to believe in self-gratifying, and personal superiority then you have an in offensive, divisive, and arrogant message. Either way I believe he answered the question of Obama and his relationship with Wright. Which is Wright is not indicative to his ability and commitment to America and her people, or does he have influence over the Rev. Wrights methods of fulfilling his on personal prophesy, nor does Rex. Wright have influence over Obama and the decisions he makes for his own life.
On the subject of Rev. Wright, it is hard to disregard the message, because it was full of biblical facts, and basic anthropological reasoning. The ability of the media to contrive such an ad campaign is very pernicious to me. I pray that white people and black people look at this argument and ask them selves; what does this have to do with the price of gas or the national debt? If there are people out there basing there vote simply on the color of a man skin then we are bigger trouble than we admit. We have been discussing this for 40 years, and we will continue to discuss it for the next forty years. While we focus on Rev. Wright, we lose focus on the fact that we are dealing with a BROKEN GOVERNMENT. I hope we wake up before it is to late.
It is unfortunate that such an individual gets such press. Civil disobedience is one thing; outright misinformation and lies in the name of religion are destructive to a society no matter the intent. Dr. Wright blaming the government with targeting blacks by giving blacks AIDS is outrageous. Most of his comments are outrageous and irresponsible. Radical views rather from such Dr. Wright or the KKK need to be confronted and the individuals held accountable for their inflammatory comments.
Such comments must be addressed and the individual held accountable. I do not believe Dr. Wright speaks for the black church. And, I hope he does not speak for anyone else. I hold him accountable for his remarks, not his church, not a black church or any church. But it is a testimony to the strength of our country that such remarks can be made; freedom of speech is his right, no matter how outrageous. So therefore I must conclude he is a NUT.
dennis
Using Rev. Wright’s own logic regarding the 9/11 bombings, implying that the United States is responsible in some way, because “you reap what you sow” then it is logical to imply that African Americans also reap what they sow–as in slavery, racism, crack cocaine crisis, generation after generation of poverty, and other wraths from GOD because of their behavior…..
Maybe their “differences” with our European heritage are causing these terrible things to happen.
This sounds hard, but so does implying that our government created AIDS to kill Afro-AM people, and that 9/11 was our government’s fault.
In my opinion, his speech today illustrated his self serving arrogance, and HIS disdain for white people. One more thought–since when is the Christian Church “black or white?”
It baffles me that Reveren Wrightis playing the race card. As far as we’ve come in this society, he is preaching that white people are still the enemy, which in my opinion somehow means that the black community is inferior. Not so. We as individuals should be striving forward, not backward. No one is owed any special treatment. The civil war and slavery were 200 years ago. Do we still have more work to do, yes. Do we need people preaching intolerance of any race no.
Dear Lauren we enjoyed the article very well put.
I was going to answer with an answer well formed and appropriate but I decided against it.
I do want to make just one comment.
With friends like Rev. Wright Obama is all set on the enemy level.
I feel bad for him.
Well put Lauren we love and miss you.
Obama was shoved under a bus by his former pastor,this much is true,Rev. Wright is for himself not others
Sarah
Lauren,I read your thoughts on Dr.Wright & it just blow me away & I agree with you 100%
Thanks for your thoughts & Your the best on FOX News Channel.
God’s Blessings From Yours Truly,
Larry A.Hall Jr.
Thanks so much for this Lauren….Beautifully said..
I too feel he has valid points to make and that should be heard…
With that his talk of reconciliation I cant help but think that with that healing needs to happen and his words I dont think encourage healing…Its like he his picking at wounds…very real, deep and hurtful wounds and thus prevents the healing process from moving forward….
I think back to the classic moving “Guess Who is Coming to Dinner” when John Prentense confronts his father at the end and speaks of the generational difference…
I have no doubt that even today’s young African Americans still have to face such racial bigotry but I do hope that we are moving forward ….Maybe not at the “fast-food” mentality that so many Americans have gotten used too…But I do believe it is moving forward….
Great points, Lauren.
My main concerns about Wright are his outright lies, such as AIDS being invented to kill blacks and his assertion that the U.S. Government knew about Pearl Harbor beforehand.
He has also made multiple dubious assertions, referring to the Supreme Court as a “closeted Klan court”, alleging as fact that Clarence Thomas is a sexual harasser and that abortion is a civil right.
And that’s just from the God D*** America sermon!
I always love to hear Lauren Green explaining things. This is the first time, however, that I’ve seen her lean just a little bit in favor of someone like Rev. Wright. The Rev. Wright spews much hatred and then tries to temper it with a message of love. He is very disrespectful to anyone asking him questions and its obvious that he doesn’t think that anything he says should be questioned.
When the people that are listening to him that are well-educated and have had many opportunities and an easy life and haven’t been subjected to drugs, absent fathers, and poverty, then the things
Rev. Wright says that are pure stupidity can be cast aside and the good things he says can be taken to heart. But a lot of the people attending his church are not always recipients of good fortune and they only hear the “hate parts” and they begin to suspicion every white person of authority that they encounter.
Rev. Wright, himself, showed a disrespect of authority when he chose the Nation of Islam to be his bodyguard. To crazy, disadvantaged white people, this makes their hate come out and nothing good can happen.
I think everyone should attend their own churches and simply just erase Rev. Wright from their memory banks. If it’s true that his congregation is giving him a multi-million dollar retirement, then he really cannot speak to the plight of the poor black man being mistreated by the whites.
I believe that Reverend Wright threw Barack Obama under the bus because he does not want him to be president… If Barack Obama were to become President of the United States then it would undermine Reverend Wright’s message of the continued oppression of white people.
Thanks, Lauren, for a very clear and even-handed explanation of Reverend Wright’s viewpoint and for clarifying that not all African-American church-goers share his views.
I actually believe there is a lot of good that can come of the Reverend Wright controversy. Many of us white Americans do not understand the African-American experience, including the still-present anger and resentment of America and white Americans over the issues of race and slavery. We simply have no clue. Reverend Wright’s views give us some insight into this perspective. For the first time, I think I am actually listening and empathizing with that anger because Wright expresses it so eloquently. Yes, I said eloquently. He may have gone too far, he may have said outrageous things, but he said them in a way that grabbed my attention and made me think about why he and other blacks feel as they do.
Based on his speech this morning, where Obama fits into the picture is in finding that middle road between the races and bringing reconciliation. He is clearly a peacemaker by nature, someone who, by his own words, is a uniter, not a divider. Even though he denounces Wright’s comments as too extreme, I know he understands where Wright is coming from, and he understands the white experience too.
Obama’s unique appeal to our nation at this point in our history is that he is quite literally a child of many worlds, half black, half white, with an Arabic name, raised by his white family in an asian community, and married to a black woman. He understands from his own experience the many perspectives that make up our complex nation. I believe that Obama, while not making his campaign about race, can nevertheless serve a very positive purpose in promoting greater understanding and national unity among the races as a part of his quest for the White House. In him I see not only a politician whose policies I can support but also a very genuine man who may have the capacity to bring America together in new ways that take us beyond the old paradigms.
America is making a fool out of themselves once again: cbs, nbc, abc, fox, McCain, Hillary, Obama, Bill, etc…. What’s all the pickering about? What’s all the fuss about? Why are American fighting with each others? Why do we keep talking about dumb stuff( Obama, Hillary, Bill, Wright etc…
What have we become? The world is watching us, and America needs to get her act together. Wake up America…..life is passing us by, while we fuss and fight over things that will not last. Lets save some babies for abusive parents, let’s find those who are abusing children, let’s improve our educational system, let’s work and work and work for a better tomorrow. GOD IS WATCHING US!!!
Hi Lauren, I feel a bit more enlightened after reading your writing, on a few levels. I can’t stop wondering about how I define theology, spirituality, and how the 2 are related and separate. Does spirituality require ecclesiastical adherence ? With me it does not, but I find that within the halls of religious orgaisations one usually finds the best of & the worst of us there. Then upon further digestion of my reading, I feel encouraged about my belief for goodness and love in all people,and paradoxically demoralised over the ignorance and arrogance of most americans over racial issues and differences. For example, I was raised in n.y. and found the constant lamentation of the” holocaust” without consideration or reverence for the exponencially more savage history of african and or native americans to be egocentric at best. So when I told an old friend and sponsor (skiing) of mine that I liked Obama, and moreover that the pain of losing my life w/my adolescent boys(divorce) I have found myself really understanding why RFK (post JFK assas.) championed what he did politically. My friends response, considering his level of education & success and that he married an asian , he being caucasion was saddening…But as I will always be a fisherman, despite my remunerative pursuits, hope springs eternally for me. Thanks, faithful fan John V.