"No one likes to hear someone, especially a preacher, criticize our good country. But Donna Potis [...] and so many others who decry presidential candidate Barack Obama for having attended the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church while he preached prophetically have very selective memories.
"Is it OK that Jerry Falwell blamed 9/11 on gays, the ACLU and Hollywood? Is it OK that Pat Robertson blamed it on the Supreme Court and the lack of prayers in school? Is it OK that Mr. Robertson and John Hagee blame Katrina on God as punishment for America's 'wicked ways'? All of these men endorsed George W. Bush, and John McCain courts them.
"Apparently it is OK for white Christians to preach prophetically, but not for black Christians.
"I am an Episcopal priest and I preach weekly and more. I suggest that those who profess themselves outraged by Rev. Wright go and read Jeremiah, Amos and other Old Testament prophets who scalded the religious and political powers of Judah and Israel for their ungodly lives and policies. If they were here today I suspect they'd speak more harshly than the Rev. Wright did."
[...]
-- The Rev. Craig Sweeney,
letter to the editor, Scranton, PA Times-Tribune, published
2008-04-04 (
thanks to
marnanel --
the copy in
marnanel's
journal is a little easier to read and has additional commentary from
LJ users.)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Actually, I think Falwell et al are considerably worse, because at least Wright, as a black guy, has some legitimate grievances. Neckless white dudes who had it all handed to them on a plate by winning the trifecta of male privilege, white privilege, and Christian privilege...not so much.
And if you think that Wright stuff is bad, picture what would have happened if it had hypothetically been Hillary Clinton's particular member of the clergy, who hypothetically happened to be female. (Note: I know this is not true; I'm speaking in counterfactuals.) I'd be having to do regular film badge tests to monitor my exposure levels from the fallout, and I'm 1000km away.
(no subject)
& they also get flak.
& to say that Falwell only got flak from the liberals is to invite
the comparison that only the right is complaining about Wright.
It is not okay for anyone to say the crap that any of them do - I
don't care if they paint themselves purple - it's not the color,
it's the filth & hatred to which I object.
Wright is not just "scolding America for ungodly policies": he is
SUPPORTING TERRORISM, for crying out loud - & I mean when he posts
Hamas' charter in his "pastoral Newsletter" & says it deserves a
fresh look because Hamas has been getting a bum rap. And for Obama
top have gone to this church for 20 years, pick this man as his
personal mentor, and have him specifically baptize his children
says a LOT to me that Obama's supporters do not want to hear.