The Brian Lehrer Show

People like Reverend Wright, like 'Rev.' Jesse Jackson and 'Rev.' Al Sharpton are in the business of fanning the flames of black rage, because it keeps people and the press interested in what they have to say and coming back for more. It gives the hatemongers a pulpit, and a paycheck.

Historically paid ministers, priests, pharisees, rabbi's have all changed their message to suit those who were paying them. This is the largest reason religion is just as corrupt if not more, than the rest of the world.

It was a Mass that was in Spanish so I really could make much out, nice singing though!

I heard Obama's speach, can anyone clarify...Was his White grandmother a Minister or preacher?

I was confused why he brought her into it?

They preached that God is love and we need to embrace all humanity and have hope and stop the wars in the Middle East. They are against violence and taking advantage of the poor. They told us we need to do our part to be active in society.

Just a note that this is the second time I've heard a WNYC host use terms for Christian services and their leaders that exclude certain Protestant sects -- terms like "mass", "priest" and "pastor". In the various churches I've attended for 30 years we say "service", and we call the speaker the "minister" or "reverend."

Barack's grandmother wasn't a preacher or minister. He was saying that he can't disown her and he can't disown his pastor either.

I did not preach on EAster Sunday but two weeks ago preached at Washington CAthedral and took pains to talk about the experience of black slaves (congregation was 98% white) to try to help the 98% white congregation understand how the Bible helped them to think about freedom.

And the magnitude of the bucks coming in. Christ chased the money lenders from the temple. Should the money grabbers be allowed?

what about Obama's speech on: It's Only Words - so, do words count or not?

When do we know when one's words count?

Pastor Phil of Trinity LES Lutheran Parish spoke of Immanuel Kant.

Another quote from Neocon Kristol? Eeeeeeks!!!!

I am wondering about the hysteria in the NY Jewish community about this black revolution theology. Isn't Zionism revolution theology too? It doesn't the same impulse in a persecuted minority and shouldn't we expect it or at least not be surprised by it?

Yea he blows a few holes in Obama's logic.

Still it looks like Obama will power on to victory.!

There is more to belonging to a church than one preacher. Perhaps Obama found the fellowship of the other members and other aspects of belonging to this church were more important in his overall life. It seems to me that Rev Wright is being singled out for one or two speeches out of weekly preaching over many years. Anyone can look bad if their words are taken out of context or separated from everything else they've ever done. This whole thing smacks of rank hypocrisy.

#3

barry,

Odd question. Who said anything about her being a preacher?

I think you need to hear the whole speech again. It was extremely clear why he mentioned her and the point he was making using her as a very personal example.

I'm a musician born and bred in Chicago, currently Brooklyn based. Its been really painful to watch this whole thing swirl around about Obama and Wright from people who have no real understanding of the struggles of the Black community in Chicago of which Wright preaches too. But i think its of interest to point out that Obama joined that congregation (i believe) as part of a particular political move. Being a biracial politician in that town wasnt doing great things for him,(despite being an understudy in some ways of the great Harold Washington) in terms of being taken seriously by the Black community. Chicago is still one of the most segregated cities in our nation and Black folks there have learned through the generations to be suspect of some of these politicians that come through. Obama joining that congregation -- i believe-- allowed him to be looked at in a kinder light by many black chicagoans, in that he was showing his allegiance to the struggles that that community faces.

Just a thought. I write a blog about a large scale sound project I am doing on my family history in Chicago by way of Mississippi,Tennessee and Louisiana. I often end up writing some long diatribes about Obama and this very interesting political race. Its at www.shadowsofapeople.blogspot.com

More of my thoughts on the Obama and Wright situation are there.

Thanks. love the show. listen all the time.

MR

The Easter sermon I heard was the standard apolitical, religious sermon. What concerns me more is the rote response to Obama's speech last Tuesday by many clergymen and laypeople, and by the left-of-center media:

Wright's defenders have managed to change the subject from black racism to liberation theology. The two are not the same and I disagree sharply with the apologist stance by people who do not want to face the ugly truth of back racism and who do not have a clue about genuine liberation theology. Among the things liberation theology is not, is that it is not a glib, catch-all, vacuous, radical chic rhetorical stance of the black and white upper-middle-class.

Please get some authentic liberation gospel people on to salvage this point.

Living in a society that always subjugates your humanity to theirs, the long history of racist laws and policies, the many injustices that have been documented, the current use of proxy terms and new language to further racist agendas are all sufficient to fan the rage of the black masses. I don't think Rev Sharpton or Jackson can be quite as effective at fanning the flames as the larger society. Why? Maybe because they have had so much EXPERIENCE.

Larger segments of Rev Wright's speech is available on the net. It must be difficult for anyone to speak honestly about the speeches of Rev. Wright without doing some researching. We expect that of amateurs but not of respected journalists. Instead of speaking about the excesses of Rev Wrights words we should be speaking about the excesses of journalists who would wish to inform their audience but yet does not see the importance of setting the record straight. Inform the public that the soundbytes being shown and talked about are not the only things he said. Maybe if people understood that they would stop asking why Barack Obama did not leave his church.

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Jeremiah Wright is a staunch critic of the American government and it's policies period. Despite the soundbites posted all over the place, I do not believe he is preaching some form of "black racism".Perhaps he is misguided? As a black American of a much later generation than his, I don't feel completely qualified to judge. It's important that those that lead, lead in a way that is honest to their own personal truths. It's a practice in fostering critical thought, which goes beyond race, gender or class in my opinion. Every citizen should speak up to injustice and from what I have seen most of the people trying to crucify Wright ( and Obama by default) have never truly taken a stance for social justice-- speaking up for those that may not be able to speak up for themselves.

I ask about the grandmother because Obama compared his GM's use of a racial epitaphs to some (some) sermons made by Wright.

So a sense of proportion is required.

Chatting among family is different than preaching before hundreds, wouldn't you agree?

besides didn't he joint the church for political reasons?

Dont get me wrong, I'm gonna vote for the guy.

But again a sense of proportion is always nice.

B

Unlike his grandmother, Obama absolutely should've disowned his pastor.

Poor judgment on Obama's part - not leaving the church he joined because he was advised by political operatives that it would consolidate his support in the black community.

Obama spoke of his grandmother to try and show the non african american identified public a glimpse of the complexities of trying to come to terms with being perceived, just based on skin tone alone, a black man in America. He was putting a very personal pain on public display to try and foster understanding. The man that married him and baptized his children as well as brought him to Christianity is a man that he considers family.

Everyone throwing stones here has someone in their family who's thoughts they disagree with. But you still love them any way,debate with them, and try to the best of your knowledge to understand them.

I think it says much more about Obama's true and good character that he is choosing not to turn his back Wright just based on what is really a true 21st century media induced lynching.

seek out the web videos of some of Wrights full sermons. You might be quite surprised at what you hear, and quite dissapointed in a very flawed sensational american media operation.