Obama Denounces Wright's Comments
The Reverend's Controversial Comments Signal a Troubling Issue
Barack Obama denouncing Jeremiah Wright's comments is no surprise. There is a great danger, however, in continually allowing these comments into the political arena.
On Friday, Barack Obama denounced comments made by the pastor of his church, Jeremiah Wright. In a widely circulated video, Wright is seen railing against the United States, saying, among other things, that the leaders of this country brought about the attacks of 9/11 by spreading terrorism.
“We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost,” Wright said.
He also once encouraged African Americans to condemn the United States.
To help clear the air and end any speculation that he stands behind the comments that his pastor made, Obama released this article on Friday, saying that he “vehemently disagree[s] and strongly condemn[s] the statements that have been the subject of this controversy.”
Obama also stated that he was not in attendance when Wright made the comments. That, however, will not end the speculation of many who want to dig deeper and find out exactly what the relationship is between Obama and his pastor. Conservatives and Republicans will undoubtedly ask the question of how it is that Obama happened to not be in attendance each time the inflammatory remarks were made. Whatever the case, Obama stated that his ties to the church were because of his long history there, not necessarily because of Jeremiah Wright.
As disturbing as the comments are that Wright made, there is a bigger issue here that is not given enough attention: there is a disturbing trend in this country of political rhetoric being infused into religious ceremonies.
Without delving too much into the astounding prudence of our forefathers who sought to keep religion and government separate, it is that foresight that has allowed both religion and government to fully thrive in this country. Neither has been allowed to interfere with the other.
So when a church leader makes comments such as these, the proper reaction is not agreement or anger over the substance of the comments, but rather to question why the comments are being made in the first place. Just as it is improper for an elected official to stand behind a podium and give a sermon, it is also improper for a religious leader to stand behind a pulpit and give political opinions.
What is unfortunate is that such behavior has become commonplace in America. Whether it is in a church, a mosque, or a temple, certain religious leaders can be found giving political opinions or endorsing candidates.
The late Jerry Falwell, whose controversial comments make Jeremiah Wright’s look like a blip on a radar screen, was not shy in his sermons about his endorsements of Republican presidents, from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush. Pat Robertson, the same pastor who said what Nazi Germany did to the Jews is the same thing that liberals and homosexuals are doing to America, regularly endorses Republican candidates. And after last week, Barack Obama is not the only candidate receiving an endorsement from a controversial religious leader.
John Hagee, the ardent pro-Israel leader of the 19,000-member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, endorsed John McCain in late February. Outside his own church, Hagee is best known for calling the Catholic Church “The Great Whore” and for blaming New Orleans residents and their sins for Hurricane Katrina.
Despite these and other divisive comments, however, McCain has accepted Hagee’s endorsement. Whether McCain actually stands behind the comments or whether he is simply pandering to the religious right is up for speculation. For America’s sake, it needs to be the latter.
This overriding issue of continually linking religion with government in America has set the country on a dangerous course. That will pale in comparison, however, when these religious leaders’ ideas make their way from behind the pulpit and into the halls of congress or the White House, and begin to shape American policy at home and abroad. Unfortunately, that time might not be too far away.
