Obama Finally Condemns Rev. Wright
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
By Pastor Ted Weis, Congregational Church, Little River, KSInjuring. Sad. Angry. Disrespect. Shocked. Not grounded in truth. Insult. Contradiction. Objectionable. Inexcusable. Betrayed. He didn't show much concern for me. Offensive. That's enough. Great damage. Won't be the same anymore.
At a press conference this afternoon (transcript here), Presidential democratic candidate Barack Obama used all the above words to condemn and disassociate himself from his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.
"He made a caricature out of himself," Obama said to summarize Rev. Wright's "performance" over the weekend and on Monday at the National Press Club (transcript here).
Obama was somber throughout and was clearly heart broken about his 20 year relationship with Wright publicly going up in flames, and maybe his campaign too.
"It's a fiasco," said Michael A. Genovese, chairman of the Institute for Leadership Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. "With friends like these, who needs enemies?"In parting ways with Wright, Obama's relationship to Chicago Trinity UCC is now strained and his rapport with the United Church of Christ suffers a severe blow, especially since the national office has nary said one critical word of Wright.
What's especially ridiculous about this whole controversy-- as it relates to the United Church of Christ-- is this has little to do with theology and everything to do with left-wing kook politics.
As pundits ask whether Wright deliberately sabotaged Obama's campaign, what will the national office say now? That'll be an interesting press release. "All this underscores the need for a sacred conversation?" "Sometimes we disagree among ourselves in the UCC?"
Wright isn't someone to disagree over. His arrogance and politics need to be firmly rebuked.
Obama finally gets it. Will Cleveland?
12 Comments:
commented by 
Anonymous, 3:19 PM
Anonymous, 3:19 PM
I watched the press conference. I stand by my comment that Rev. Wright needs to disciplined by the UCC. This whole affair is just terrible for the whole denomination - Wright has undermined the good works of many, many members - Wright is a disaster.
Obama was supposed to be nurtured and supported by his mentor. He didn't look like someone who is finding strength and joy through his belief in the love of Jesus via his ordained minister. He was shoved under the bus....
This is just awful.
Please, no more ads. Hold off on the conversations. Rev Wright needs to refocus on just what it is a minister is supposed to be doing - this isn't it. The UCC needs to get it's act together on this issue. All America has seen what the problem and it's pretty much Rev Wright.
It's not very often that a presidential candidate can point to a minister as the reason that a campaign imploded. I had also previously suggested that Rev Wright just go away. He didn't.
This is not good.
Obama was supposed to be nurtured and supported by his mentor. He didn't look like someone who is finding strength and joy through his belief in the love of Jesus via his ordained minister. He was shoved under the bus....
This is just awful.
Please, no more ads. Hold off on the conversations. Rev Wright needs to refocus on just what it is a minister is supposed to be doing - this isn't it. The UCC needs to get it's act together on this issue. All America has seen what the problem and it's pretty much Rev Wright.
It's not very often that a presidential candidate can point to a minister as the reason that a campaign imploded. I had also previously suggested that Rev Wright just go away. He didn't.
This is not good.
Two weeks ago this action would have worked. Now it only escalates the decline of faith in Obama's ability to make right choices.
It is now, after JW has proven himself beyond all doubt to be damaged goods, that Obama finally gets it?
What else must be done to identify other areas where Obama has skeletons and what must be done for him to shed them?
Nope, sorry, there's just no way I can consider voting for him anymore.
I never thought I could support Hillary but there I am.
AS for the UCC JW is the latest example of what I've come to call the product of "Outcome Based Religion" -- bring your own pet agenda to church and expect God to bless it.
This leaves me with not only a bad taste in my mouth but my foot in there as well.
It is now, after JW has proven himself beyond all doubt to be damaged goods, that Obama finally gets it?
What else must be done to identify other areas where Obama has skeletons and what must be done for him to shed them?
Nope, sorry, there's just no way I can consider voting for him anymore.
I never thought I could support Hillary but there I am.
AS for the UCC JW is the latest example of what I've come to call the product of "Outcome Based Religion" -- bring your own pet agenda to church and expect God to bless it.
This leaves me with not only a bad taste in my mouth but my foot in there as well.
If the UCC was thinking they would find favor in an Obama White House they just lost it.
......
Mr. President, a Rev. Jeremiah is here to see you.
Who?
Mr. President, a Rev. John Thomas is here to see you.
Who?
......
Mr. President, a Rev. Jeremiah is here to see you.
Who?
Mr. President, a Rev. John Thomas is here to see you.
Who?
The main thing that separates Rev. Wright from all the other players is simple honesty--he actually tells us what he's thinking.
The sad thing is so many of us are finding that the UCC is no longer a place we can call our church.
It is time, I believe that our family finds a church more suitable to our beliefs - who knew after being a member my whole life it would Obama and JW to show me I don't belong anymore.
I am too "Conservative" it seems for this open and afirming church. The multicultural church that has pushed me out to make room for the the JW's of the world.
Sad, very sad for alot of us right now.
It is time, I believe that our family finds a church more suitable to our beliefs - who knew after being a member my whole life it would Obama and JW to show me I don't belong anymore.
I am too "Conservative" it seems for this open and afirming church. The multicultural church that has pushed me out to make room for the the JW's of the world.
Sad, very sad for alot of us right now.
"...-- bring your own pet agenda to church and expect God to bless it."
It apparently works when accompanied by the words "prophetic," "incarnational," or "sacred."
"If the UCC was thinking they would find favor in an Obama White House they just lost it."
OK, I genuinely don't understand this one. What possible "favor" could a religious organization want from the White House? I'd expect mutual hands off, accompanied by mutual, wary respect. What more is needed?
Joe Sixpack
It apparently works when accompanied by the words "prophetic," "incarnational," or "sacred."
"If the UCC was thinking they would find favor in an Obama White House they just lost it."
OK, I genuinely don't understand this one. What possible "favor" could a religious organization want from the White House? I'd expect mutual hands off, accompanied by mutual, wary respect. What more is needed?
Joe Sixpack
Dear "Sad":
As Ronald Reagan observed of his Democratic Party, "I didn't leave them, they left me."
It is sad to say that the UCC under its leftist-leadership has abandoned many good and God-loving people. I pray you'll find a new and vital church home.
As Ronald Reagan observed of his Democratic Party, "I didn't leave them, they left me."
It is sad to say that the UCC under its leftist-leadership has abandoned many good and God-loving people. I pray you'll find a new and vital church home.
Our family left after we saw the hate and intolerance toward us, and anyone else who disagreed with what the church was becoming - left wing political agendas, hatred of Israel, SSM, etc. Don't you dare question these things. the Bible? We were told "you can believe anything you want (or don't want) in the Bible. Hmm... great things for the pastors to tell your children in confirmation class.
Now, with all of this happening, we are sure we made the right decision. We see Obama's campaign imploding, as is the UCC. This is not good for the UCC. However ... maybe the UCC will nominate a new president that will get the denomination back on track. I won't hold my breath, but hey, its a possibility.
Now, with all of this happening, we are sure we made the right decision. We see Obama's campaign imploding, as is the UCC. This is not good for the UCC. However ... maybe the UCC will nominate a new president that will get the denomination back on track. I won't hold my breath, but hey, its a possibility.
Obama is now a true politician...."Bloviate, bloviate, plattitude, plattitude!"
Joe Sixpack wrote;
"OK, I genuinely don't understand this one. What possible "favor" could a religious organization want from the White House? I'd expect mutual hands off, accompanied by mutual, wary respect. What more is needed?"
Hi Joe.
Rev. John Thomas has said in the past that he regularly speaks with the leadership on the Democratic side of the isle in the House and Senate. He also bemoaned the relationships that the "religious right" has with the current president.
I think Rev. Thomas would have loved to have Obama (UCC'er) in the W/H so he could have either direct contact with or second hand contact through the Rev. Wright to advance thier "justice" agenda through legislation. (rollback of the ban on partial birth abortion, etc.).
Neither is possible now.
Obama didn't throw the Rev. Wright under the bus, he threw him down the elevator shaft to sub-level 52.
"OK, I genuinely don't understand this one. What possible "favor" could a religious organization want from the White House? I'd expect mutual hands off, accompanied by mutual, wary respect. What more is needed?"
Hi Joe.
Rev. John Thomas has said in the past that he regularly speaks with the leadership on the Democratic side of the isle in the House and Senate. He also bemoaned the relationships that the "religious right" has with the current president.
I think Rev. Thomas would have loved to have Obama (UCC'er) in the W/H so he could have either direct contact with or second hand contact through the Rev. Wright to advance thier "justice" agenda through legislation. (rollback of the ban on partial birth abortion, etc.).
Neither is possible now.
Obama didn't throw the Rev. Wright under the bus, he threw him down the elevator shaft to sub-level 52.
I sadly have become just another UCC pew sitter after being told " if you don't like our views, there another church down the street" and " O well we always lose a few when we insist on Open and Affirming". EVERYONE IS A CHILD OF GOD, left, right or center. God speaks through all his children, however imperfect. Inclusiveness of all sorts, not just the left, will make healthy, happier church.
Obama was supposed to be nurtured and supported by his mentor. He didn't look like someone who is finding strength and joy through his belief in the love of Jesus via his ordained minister. He was shoved under the bus....
This is just awful.
Please, no more ads. Hold off on the conversations. Rev Wright needs to refocus on just what it is a minister is supposed to be doing - this isn't it. The UCC needs to get it's act together on this issue. All America has seen what the problem and it's pretty much Rev Wright.
It's not very often that a presidential candidate can point to a minister as the reason that a campaign imploded. I had also previously suggested that Rev Wright just go away. He didn't.
This is not good.