Good Side To Rev. Wright?

[CatherineM]

On the news tonight, they were describing him as Obama's "former pastor." When did he quit this church? Was it when he started to campaign, or was it after his comments began to be made more public.

[kujo]

[quote name='kamiller42' post='1514809' date='Apr 30 2008, 02:10 AM']Limited to 10 or 12 blocks? You should get a better understanding of his sphere of influence.

Mr. Wrong is going to stick to Obama as long as Obama continues to fail to admit what he can't, a failure in judgment. "Oops. I should have left his church sooner." If he shows a lapse in judgment about the pastor of the church in his own neighborhood, a church he has been attending for 20+ years, how is going to be able to make the right decisions about international policy? Or other decisions where the variables are not so obvious as a ranting lunatic "pastor" whose antics can be seen at his convenience on DVD over and over?[/quote]

First off, if I need a "better understanding" of this idiot's influence, why not provide it instead of throwing a condescending remark out there like a 12 year old.

Secondly, you will find no disagreement here--Obama should've left this guy's congregation long ago. I think he has strong ties to this guy, whose work brought him to Jesus, though without providing him with the proper guidance to instill in him proper moral views. I would venture to say that his loyalty to him is similar to my loyalty to my former Youth Minister, a man who has been incredibly instrumental in my faith life. There were times when he was the only male figure in my life man enough to tell me the truth and love me through my errors. He was like a father to me. And, if for some reason, he bonked his head and started saying crazy things about black people, I would be offended, but I would have a hard time "denouncing" or "rebuking" him. It wouldn't make my decision [i]right[/i], but it would put it in context. That's what I think we all need to do--place Obama's relationship with this guy in context.

[kujo]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1514813' date='Apr 30 2008, 02:16 AM']On the news tonight, they were describing him as Obama's "former pastor." When did he quit this church? Was it when he started to campaign, or was it after his comments began to be made more public.[/quote]

To the best of my knowledge, Obama still attends the church; however, Wright has since retired from his "ministry." That's probably what they were alluding to.

[ardillacid]

[quote name='kujo' post='1513994' date='Apr 29 2008, 12:48 PM']I don't know. But nothing a crazy preacher says would qualify.
Word. This guy has as much power and influence as we allow him to have. People listen and WANT to be offended so they can march down the streets, nose in the sky, fully-clothed in their moral indignation. Ignore this guy. Who cares what he has to say? He's some idiot who is spouting off at the mouth. In my neighborhood growing up, someone like him wouldn't even warrant a beating...we would've just called him "crazy" and ignored the dude.[/quote]
Do you believe that who your friends are defines who you are?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='notardillacid' post='1514857' date='Apr 30 2008, 01:09 AM']Do you believe that who your friends are defines who you are?[/quote]
No.

[kujo]

[quote name='notardillacid' post='1514857' date='Apr 30 2008, 04:09 AM']Do you believe that who your friends are defines who you are?[/quote]

No.

[kamiller42]

[quote name='kujo' post='1514820' date='Apr 30 2008, 01:29 AM']First off, if I need a "better understanding" of this idiot's influence, why not provide it instead of throwing a condescending remark out there like a 12 year old.[/quote]
Condescention not intended. I thought what I was said was better than the alternative, and it was too late in the night for me to go do the leg work for you. Here are a couple of pieces of influence...

He was just in Dallas to honor the 25th anniversary of Rev. Frederick Haynes III at Friendship-West Baptist Church. Wright spoke; the audience gave a lengthy standing ovation. Dr Haynes calls Wright a "prophet of the highest order." [url="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-wright_28met.ART0.State.Edition1.4667e21html"]Source[/url].

His preaching has attracted the attention of heavy hitters like Oprah and Farrakhan. Why not? He is helping sustaining the black liberation theology of the 60s/70s. Of course, Oprah had the sense to step out. Maybe she should run for president. ;o)

His influence is not limited to protestants. Father Pfleger, pastor at Saint Sabina Catholic Church, called Wright [url="http://www.saintsabina.org/"]"a friend, mentor and hero of mine and because he is someone for whom I have great respect" and "one of the great biblical scholars of our country and the best of preachers in the prophetic tradition."[/url] I feel sorry for you Father.

[praying4carmel]

I still do not understand why the UCC has remained silent on this issue, when they are such a peace and justice church ready to defend anyone..gays, blacks, etc.

[CatherineM]

The UCC has tried to stay in business as a denomination by trying to be everything to everyone. They originally broke away from the Disciples of Christ (or visa versa) a hundred years ago over using organs in church. The UCC didn't want them, and the DoC's did. A lot has changed since then in their being willing to stand up against any issue or ism or group.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='kujo' post='1515027' date='Apr 30 2008, 11:21 AM']No.[/quote]
So you don't think the people you chose to surround yourself with, have any influence on you and your decisions?

[kujo]

[quote name='MissScripture' post='1515355' date='Apr 30 2008, 06:48 PM']So you don't think the people you chose to surround yourself with, have any influence on you and your decisions?[/quote]

Hmmm....is that what I said?

Anyway, I think that you can be friends with people who have TOTALLY opposite views than you and it does not necessarily adversely-affect you. I have friends from all walks of life--atheists, Buddhists, Jews, lesbians, Democrats, Republicans, Catholics, Baptists, pastafarians, Matrixists-- and I value all of their friendships. I disagree with much of their worldviews, but I don't think their friendship makes me any less moral or any less Catholic. In fact, conversations with them have made me stronger in my faith because they've challenged me to think about what I believe, articulate my views, and answer questions that I didn't know.

I'm not saying this is the case with Obama. But I'm telling you that being friends with people doesn't harm you.

[CatherineM]

I'm betting the people from other faiths you hang with, may not share your faith, but I'd bet they share a lot of your values, or you'd tire of hanging with them. The first thing that came to my mind is professional athletes who go back and hang with their friends, and get into trouble.

[kujo]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1515378' date='Apr 30 2008, 07:18 PM']I'm betting the people from other faiths you hang with, may not share your faith, but I'd bet they share a lot of your values, or you'd tire of hanging with them. The first thing that came to my mind is professional athletes who go back and hang with their friends, and get into trouble.[/quote]

The "values" we share are a desire to be happy, to be successful, and to feel fulfilled. Beyond that, we have a very different perspectives on how to get to those things. Those are basic human desires.

[Justin86]

I don't think being friends with someone automatically makes you like them, however Rev Wright was more than just a friend to Barrack Obama. He was his pastor. For 20 years Obama and his family sat in the pews and heard him spew his hate (don't hate, appreciate)-filled ideology that he calls a sermon. You can't tell me that didn't have some impact on what he thinks about America. Why would a Protestant stay with such a church? It's not like they have any real sense of church loyalty like us Catholics.

[kujo]

[quote name='Justin86' post='1515705' date='May 1 2008, 04:12 AM']I don't think being friends with someone automatically makes you like them, however Rev Wright was more than just a friend to Barrack Obama. He was his pastor. For 20 years Obama and his family sat in the pews and heard him spew his hate (don't hate, appreciate) (don't hate (don't hate, appreciate), appreciate)-filled ideology that he calls a sermon. You can't tell me that didn't have some impact on what he thinks about America. Why would a Protestant stay with such a church? It's not like they have any real sense of church loyalty like us Catholics.[/quote]

Okay, I think you put your foot in your mouth with that last part. Protestants don't real loyal to their congregation because they're not Catholic? Really? Can you substantiate this, or is this yet another example of Protestant-smacking on Phatmass?

Anyway, I have listened to my mom tell me that beer tastes like elderberries since I was little. It all started when I was 6, when I went into the garage, got a cold Budweiser from our fridge and snuck it up to my room. My mom bursted in, as if she had spidey-sense, catching me in the act. Since then, I have been told 1000 times that beer is gross, beer is nasty, beer is bad; however, I don't believe her and I disagree with her completely, as will a lot of people on this thread.

The point is this--you can disagree with someone you love, respect and look up to. Perhaps this guy has a great theological mind, one that touched Obama deeply. His social and political views are bat-crud crazy, but maybe those didn't come out as much as has been assumed. I don't know. And, to be frank, I don't care. I think this whole "controversy" is a load and I would say that if it were ANY of the candidates.