This is why people fear African Americans

[margotb822]

They know that African Americans are angry at their treatment over the past...forever. America has not treated all people equally. That is why Wright's speech is so poignant. It's true.

I am so sick of all these people claiming that Obama is part of some militant radical church (which is also untrue), when Wright said nothing more inflammatory than any of those white evangelicals after 9/11. But instead of claiming that the sins were abortion and homosexuality, Wright calls out the sins of hate, greed, etc. The double standard is not in Obama denouncing Imus and not disowning Wright, it's the fact that he has to defend himself for involvement in his religion of choice. Why hasn't McCain been forced to give a speech separating himself from Hagee? Why do we not pick apart the white evangelicals? Better yet, why don't we just leave religion alone because it's Constitutionally protected and not any of our business.

Look at Wright's history, look at what he has done with his life, look at the discrimination he has faced and fought. If you're not angry about that aspect of America, you're ignoring reality. And, to think that any one of us has not ever stereotyped or prejudged is ridiculous. We're all guilty of some sort of discrimination at some point in our lives. Whether or not we choose to act on it, regardless of what others do, is what's important. Obama is not Wright, Wright is not Obama. I work in a very conservative environment, but that has only strengthened my liberal views. I bet the same is true for Obama. Hearing something doesn't make one more or less prone to believing it or acting on it if a person is secure in their beliefs.

I didn't think I cared so much about this issue, but the more I think about it, the more sickened I am. Anyone that's ever faced discrimination in their lives knows the way it makes you feel. I'm angered and saddened by people that continue to disparrage Obama and his retired pastor while ignoring the real issues facing us today. And, the speech today has proven that Obama is a sincere candidate who is willing to go the extra mile for the American people.

edit: typo

[blues90]

1. There are plenty of whites picking apart white evangelicals

They are one sick twisted group of freaks . People may not like this but religion belongs in a church not in politics . everyone in this country should be represented whether race , sex , sexual preference , class , disability and so on .

These jesus camps are a real freak show so are the mega churches .

Everyone should have a right to their own religion or the right to have none at all . But to push this out into the drivers seat has no place .

What we don't need is a spiritual advisor in the whitehouse , let who ever the president is go to his or her chosen church but leave the advice at the door of the whitehouse .

Does the US deserve retaliation for it's decades of actions , absolutely but there are many here who do not since they have fought against these actions .

Personally if I were a church goer and felt what i heard was not my belief I would be gone that day . It does not take years to figure this out . Yes , damn america as a country for murder and crime but not all the people in america .

[JuniperLea]

2. Hear hear!!!

How many people here have you seen bash other DUers for saying they have faith in God, then turn around and support a candidate's faith in God? They can't have it both ways.

[margotb822]

3. I guess that's why I don't go to church

Someone always says something I don't agree with. Maybe I should start my own??

I think that this Wright thing has been blown way up. Would you not expect him to say something after the Rodney King beatings or OJ Simpson or 9/11? I would. He's saying what his community feels. Let's not forget about free speech.

And, Wright didn't say anything about damn all the people in America: "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

[blues90]

4. Free speech ?

Well then i suppose this applies to everything , no hold bared right ? Can't apply common sense can we that would require far too much effort and brain drain .

[margotb822]

5. Yup, everything

Anyone can say any hatful, ignorant thing they choose. But, why do we let some people get away with it and not others? Free speech, free religion, why has this turned into pastor-gate? Oh yea, Wright told the truth about African Americans in American and made all the crazy RW-ers scared, so he must be denounced. Please, I'm more scared of the RW evangelicals trying to take away my freedoms...

[blues90]

6. I am more concerned about our own government

taking away my freedom as they have been doing for quite some time .

Wright is far from the first one to speak out on these issues but it was bound to become a big deal because of his relation to Obama .

The same thing would happen if any candidate this time around were found to be associated with specific statements .

Look . people are crazy , many found nothing wrong with what the repub hopeful who wanted to turn the constitution into the bible said and were voting for him . I can't even remember his name right now , oh yeah Huck .

Everything has become volatile and ready to explode after 7 years of this freak bush . People have become desperate and for good reason and many don't trust a thing , also for good reason .

All of these feelings are understandable to me on some level .

I feel playing it safe at this stage is the proper thing to do , we can't afford another mistake or 4 more years of this no matter who wins .

If my best friend pulled out a gun and began waving it around you bet I will put distance between us .

[atufal1c]

7. I've been making the same argument, Margotb822

and I'm not even religious.

First, let me make clear that I don't agree with some of what Wright says, and disagree with much of HOW he says it. Further, I don't think that despicable statements can be balanced by honorable ones. You can't say, "God damn, black people!" and then say "God bless, Asian people", and call it a wash. So it seems to me that your statements have to stand on their own as being reasonable.

I also believe that it *is* reasonable to want to know someone's religious affiliation and beliefs. Rev. John Hagee, for example, wants a pre-emptive strike on Iran, which he believes will fulfill biblical prophecy, eventually leading to the second coming of Christ. Don't you want to know if your candidate believes that?

But both Wright and the right-wing evangelists have been saying the same thing--America helped bring 9/11 on itself.

Except the right-wingers say it was punishment by God for America's sexual iniquity--homosexuality, adultery, pornography, abortion, etc.

Wright says it was punishment for America's social injustice--homelessness, hunger, gay-bashing,...invading other countries, killing people there, oppressing some poor people around the world, while abandoning others, etc.

So say what you want about Wright, at least he doesn't think God flooded New Orleans, killing men, women, and children, because there was going to be a Gay Pride Parade there. Several of the right-wing muckety-mucks do.

Not sure why they would worship a god that would do something like that, but there you go.

[margotb822]

8. RW evangelicals are much more focused on

Individual sin than group sin, which I would call injustice. Abortion=really bad, war on false pretenses=not so bad. Give me a break!