Thursday, March 13, 2008

Not the kind of preacher I know....

I was shocked dismayed and down right angry to learn about the antics of pastor, Jerimiah Wright who is also the recently retired pastor from Chicago's Trinity Church of Christ, Obama's home church. While I witnessed excerpts of his rants at the pulpit on the news yesterday, I had to do some further research. Since I did not view this tirade on a major network, I wonder if other people may have missed it. For some reason the mainstream chooses not to report these things, and I think that is scary. I am outraged by the hateful remarks which he made on the alter of his church. He is hateful, and he has been the spiritual advisor to Obama for 20 years.

In my church, my reverend preaches love and respect for all mankind. He surely does not distinguish by race, or ethnicity. He also does not discriminate against other creeds. Everyone is welcome. We are a mixed congregation. In fact, while my church is protestant and the denomination is congregational, some members of my family, are catholic. Here they are all included and not judged. Additionally, our church, shares it's space with an all black church. You may ask why they don't they form one church? The answer is simple. The black church was looking for space for its members and we had space to offer them. Our church has existed for 175 years. We are housed in a historical building, and we were happy to share our space. They still wanted to retain their own church and they do just that. All the while, we invite them to special services that we have and they do the same for us. They are all very nice people. Sure we all worship somewhat differently, but fundamentally we are the same - we believe in Jesus, and follow his teachings. We do not HATE anyone!

I think Jerimah Wright is an evil person. He promotes hate, not unity. If you haven't already witnessed his hatred ways, you can see them
here and here. In addition, he had something to say about Natalee Holloway. Nevertheless, his message speaks HATRED for the white race.

39 comments:

Mary said...

I was listening to someone on the radio on my ride home tonight and they were talking about this guy and playing some of the clips. It is scary. Very scary!

kim-d said...

Oh, thank you, Amy JEAN Kelly. A week or two ago, the morning show I listen to on the radio was talking about this very thing. I wrote down the name of the church so that I could research it, and then promptly lost the note and got busy with other things. You've not only reminded me, but provided links. Thank you! I can just about imagine what I'm going to hear...and I DO NOT UNDERSTAND how that can be alright with ANYONE. How is it one thing when it's done by one group of people, but something different when done by others. THAT is what bothers me. I agree with you 100%--our church also shares space, harmoniously and happily, with other congregations. Sometimes we go back and forth. To me, denomination just is not a big thing. By that, I mean that although I attend a Lutheran church, you will never hear me knock any other denomination. To me, I am a Christian and Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, any and all...fine with me. I will never understand hate, in whichever form it takes. So now I'm off to listen to the links, even though just the thought of it makes me a little queasy. But I think it's important to KNOW. And I also am getting to the point where I would really like some answers about WHY. I may be back...you little pot-stirrer, you!!! HAHAHAHA!

Are You Serious! said...

♥ I've never cared for Obama to begin with but any man who would willingly follow that man has some major issues!

I'm with you about church being uplifting and GOOD! Not trashing on others... I know our church doesn't even get involved in politics they leave that to us as individuals!

WOW, thanks for the links!

Happy Days said...

WOW!! THanks Amy! I have my head up my butt lately and have not been staying up with current events. Holy SH*&! This is Scary Stuff! HOw could somebody that listens to somebody with this much hatred be ellected to lead our beloved country!!!????

Trixie Twatwaffle said...

I can't click on the links or read any more stories.

THis disturbs me on so many levels.

Maybe I will have somthing profound and thoughtful to write about on this topic later.

Or not.

There aren't manythings that truly bother me, deep, deep down. This does.
but great writing by you!

Angela said...

I will check it out.
Hope your week is going well

Alice said...

Amen, Sister! I am from a somewhat "fundamentalist" religious background - but the "fundmentalist" never stuck. I am a follower of Christ and I believe that he taught us tolerance, compassion and love. For. EVERYONE.

Thanks for sharing. I'll be sure to check out.

PS- I think it's wonderful what your church does!

OHmommy said...

Wow.... telling me it isn't true. I am so out of the loop.


Thanks. I have a lot of reading up to do!

Amber said...

I'm still here, just trying to get my rich white husband to put in his new shoe laces. We are running behind on our "to do" because we had to stop and reread the bible so we could see if Nazareth is in Africa. This whole time we thought Jesus was middle eastern but it turns out, he was black. Who knew?!

Really, I am trying to get caught up on many projects. We are making progress, the stairs are clean and I can see the floor in man-town.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

Yup. The man and his church scare me. Personally, I just DO NOT GET how anyone can call themselves a Christian and have the views he has on lots of things - marriage, pro-life/pro-choice, etc. I've never been to a Christian church that taught from the Bible that bashed any one race or gender as long as that gender and race was worshipping the same Jesus Christ in the way the Bible speaks of. Seems like Obama is a good dynamic speaker who has popular political views to get the vote without any moral conviction of his own shining through. That is what I see anyway...

KEEP BELIEVING

Kellan said...

I was appauled as well - I couldn't believe he was in fact a preacher - he was so mean!

Have a good Friday AMy - see you later. Kellan

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for posting this!
Over the past couple of days I have been researching this and am so angered that there is not more about this on the mainstream media!

This is awful! This JW guy is horrible! He is full of hatred and it scares me beyond belief that a man who could potentially become the leader of the USA has gone to him for spiritual guidance!
(and also made a donation in the $22,000 range to this parish)

I hope more people become aware of this.

Anna

Family Adventure said...

Frightening, Amy. It's shocking that people still think like that...

Heidi

Maria said...

Thanks for bringing this out! I hadn't seen it!

Amy said...

I heard some of his clips yesterday. UNBELIEVABLE!

Lizzy in the Burbs said...

It's a really sad commentary on politics and religion in America today, isn't it? In some ways I feel like our country is more divided than ever before. I found it very interesting that he thinks Hillary Clinton has never faced prejudice in her life or career. The first woman running for President,.. really???

What he's doing is polarizing people, not bringing them together. What difference does it make if Jesus was white, black or purple? It was his message, not his skin color that mattered.

The comments on Natalie Hollaway are just plain stupid! Yes, there are attrocities going on in Darfur and countless other countries, women are mistreated and tortured, no doubt. It's horrible. However, they aren't American women who traveled there and never returned home. There is a difference! Whether or not she got drunk or had sex is completely irrelevant. What is he saying? Because she's a teen and made a bad decision we shouldn't look for her? Ugh!

Very thought provoking post, Amy! Sorry I vented so much, but you got me going! :o)

Lizzy

Mrs Pop said...

Even though you completely disagree with me over on Sticky Feathers, I could not agree with you MORE on this topic.

Any group or organization that actively preaches HATE, and they are all around on all sides...

I grew up in a Southern Baptist household, but my family and church were fairly liberal in their thinking, I guess. I grew up on words of LOVE. Love your enemy, love your neighbor, Love God, Love Jesus. That's why I hate for all the good, church-going, God-fearing people out there to be bundled in with those who think that "Christian Conservatives" are all "Right wing nut jobs."

We're not.

This guy is evil and truly, not that bright.

Mrs Pop said...

Sorry. I meant to say that:

Any group or organization that actively preaches HATE, and they are all around on all sides, is evil at heart.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

OH MY GAWD! This man is a MINISTER???!!!!???

Tari said...

Wow thanks for giving me something to think about. I had no idea.

heather said...

Scary, that's for sure.
I don't really know what to think about a possible Presidential candidate being okay with some of his preaching. If you can call it that.
Here's an interesting article I found about Obama and his relationship/mentorship or lack thereof with this guy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?pagewanted=all

Melissa said...

Churches don't need to bring down, but lift up. Our church is big on loving and not judging. It is nice too because our church doesn't even touch political issues. completly up to you and they don't take a stand

Amy said...

Heather,

Thanks for the info. Upon reading this article, my thoughts with this respect to this issue are simply reaffirmed.

Jeremiah Wright speaks to hate, while he oppresses those who worship him. The Christ that I know and love did not preach hate but rather love and respect for all people.

Obama's close relationship with him is, in fact, troubling to me.

Thanks again for the article.

Abbie said...

HOLY COW. I have no words. I'm just sad. Sad that a supposed 'man of God' would have so many hateful words. Thanks for sharing Miss Amy.

Zoe said...

I missed all of this. I will have to take a peak at those links.

Mrs Pop said...

I just don't understand how Obama can listen to and trust and maintain association with this man and his views of white people. Isn't Obama's mother white???

jessica said...

wow, i watched the first one. not sure i want to see more!

Misty said...

In reply to your last comment on my page:

My birthday is Easter Sunday this year - weird, huh?

That is totally how I felt..... like it's getting to be just about that time for me.

And... the laundry. How sad is this? I am STILL making it through my pile - the same one - talk about a break down this week!

And NOW, in response to your new post:

This scares me. It really, really does. It scares me to find leadership, which I consider to be a wolf, hiding behind sheep's clothing. I'm afraid we might be in for a bumpy ride.....

Mari said...

Oh my - that is truly frightening. The thought that we could have a president who is following him is very scary.
I'm so glad you stopped by my blog, because now I found your blog!

Anonymous said...
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Janice {Run Far} said...

I so don't ever get into politics, but this is crazy.

I feel like when you go to church you should feel uplifted when you leave, not confused and down.

Kellan said...

Hi Amy - Thanks for coming by. Hope you are having a good weekend and I'll see you soon. Kellan

Amy said...

I have been following this and agree...the hatred this man seems to harbor is very frightening...

Alice said...

I heard Obama has now ditched him....sad that it took it going public before he'd do anything about it.

kim-d said...

Good Monday morning, Amy JEAN Kelly! I have missed you so much so I had to stop by and say hi! Hope you had a great weekend...

girlymom said...

Wow, I am totally out of the loop...I need to catch up on the news! Thanks for bringing this up!

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

I just saw this for the first time while watching TV with my husband. It truly made my stomach turn. Just horrible to watch. I tried to give Mr. Obama the benefit of the doubt but when I heard that this has been his pastor for TWENTY YEARS, WOW, that really made me sour.

Mr. Obama really never had a chance for my vote to begin with, but he did have a chance for my respect...that seems to be gone now too.

Thanks for the great post.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info! it was an eye opener!

Jaime Cox said...

I know I'm a week late commenting on this post, but I have to.
I almost put a YouTube link on my blog a few days ago but I haven't been blogging. Plus, I really couldn't get it to link like I wanted it to.

I hope people really have seen the red flags with this man, Obama.
Honestly, he's Muslim. There is no way he can call himself Catholic and not put his hand on his heart for the pledge, or bible for being sworn in.

I'm very glad to see how many people commented on your post. Thank you for writing it. I just don't know how many people out there are truly out of the loop and THEY NEED TO KNOW. Some people will just go in to vote and mark their appropriate box because that's what they think they are, not knowing even who they vote for.

Yeah, Obama can disown the preacher now because all this came out in the open. But, how can we believe that he doesn't feel this way after standing by the man for the last 20 years. Let me tell you that if I go to church this Sunday and my pastor tells me that the white man invented HIV so we could blame black for it..... I'd be walking out the second he said it. And if I agreed, I'd stay for another 20 years.
Not to mention the cleansing God is providing for the completely immoral way HIV came about..... I know, it's awful but PULEASE! I'm so tired of the white/black crap...

Thank you again, for doing your duty on educating women. I didn't read the articles you linked to, so, if I'm completely off base with those articles, sorry. But I wanted to leave you a note and say thanks!