Obama's spiritual mentor to preach in Norfolk church

OK,Troll Hunter--we get the point about definitions. If you guys can't play nice in the sandbox, you need a five minute 'time out'. (calm down; I'm joking). But your point is well-taken: bigotry exists in many forms, but a rascist--someone who discriminates solely because of someone elses racial makeup--is an individual to be abhored.I feel as though this pastor harbors deep resentments based solely on racial grounds, and that's a particularly odd viewpoint for a man of his education and stature. It serves no one well for him to continue to hammer the point that whites are solely to blame for the ills and disadvantages of the blacks. It IS time for the blacks to recognize their OWN responsibilities and opportunities, and get on with life! I suspect that, behind all his blather, is a demand for reparations--a particularly noxious and rascist notion.

"Racists are narrow-minded people who judge others through pure ignorance and hate."

No CH, Racists are people who believe that their race is superior to other races, based ONLY on race. It has nothing to do with hate, it MAY have something to do with ignorance.

Please, learn the definitions of the words you are throwing around.

I'd like to see what all the Hoopla is about..Wonder if they have cigarette breaks during the sermon..especially if its a long, rambling, "not supported by Obama" type monologue...

I would love to be able to hear this man preach. I think taking some of his comments out of context is unfair. Furthermore, who can dispute some of what he said? I am a 60 yr. old white woman who is honest enough to recognize the race problem in our country needs attention. I hope he comes to Norfolk, I will be in attendance.

Realistically, there's not a one of us who doesn't harbor SOME measure of rascism or bigotry. In some form or fashion, we have ALL succumbed at one time or another to stereotyped viewpoints or evaluations of other races or ethnicities. OK; so, we own up to it, and we (unilaterally) decide that, for the benefit of ALL, we rise above it and move on. Cultivating & harboring hate, racial bigotries, intolerance--prejudices based solely on some obscure characteristic which the unfortunate victim cannot change--they serve no common good to anyone, and only serve to divide us. Ultimately, it will destroy us. The good Rev. Wright, despite his awards, accomplishments, and accolades, has never quite seen fit to rise above the fray--rather, he has allowed himself to be consumed within it, and it has (probably)irreparably damaged his credibility as a preacher. We need solid-thinking 'men of the cloth', men of vision who can hold us to higher standards, and who can encourage us to strive and to achieve. Sadly, the good Rev. has failed this benchmark from the pulpit.

Another traveling Rent a Preacher $tumping for the Lord and collecting from the offering basket... Reminds of the movie Leap of Faith when I see the rent a preachers come around or get on TV. Isn’t Capitalism great or what?

Racists are narrow-minded people who judge others through pure ignorance and hate. I urge everyone to attend his speech, that way when you judge him, it at least won't be through ignorance. Otherwise, you're no different from him, so stop complaining.

Report might be a little strong of a word, considering that it is presented as a "blog" by a CNN "contributor". As to what the blog is worth, one has to make their own judgement..This is a blog & some of you probably wont like this "blog entry", & may doubt its veracity as well...But you can always confirm it's content by reviewing the "blog" in question..

Using religion as a platform to spew hate is a well used tactic. Perhaps Obama's preacher got the idea from Osama's cleric?

I am glad that he will be talking, for Mr. Right has a lot to explain. Hate has no place on the pulpit. No "Man of God" spreads division and hate! It will be interesting to see his "spirituality" this time, since he is the spiritual mentor of Sen. Obama. I wish I could be there to listen, but I will be away from the U.S. I need to know how muchn "God" is in this man! But, even if I went to listen, I probably would be needing an army of body guards in a "church" where hate is being spewed! The assembly would probably try to silence my "white" voice, "so that the reverend can speak." This is what is wrong with America! We allow unspeakable bigots to have a voice on issues of race, whereas the voice of reason is suppressed and threatened!

I will be interested to see/hear the complete service/sermon/show, that will be presented by this retired pastor. I've heard enough sound bites to draw a very unfavorable opinion of this "Man of God"?, however I would give my attention to his message until his preaching turns to insane statements that everything wrong in the black community was caused by me and every other member of my race. I'm a 60 yr old man that grew up in NY, went to racially mixed schools in the 60's, served as a US Marine till 69 and now live in a racially mixed middle class neighborhood with many neighbors of color that I consider good friends, I believe we have far more things in common then not. We all have what we have because we worked for it. The opportunities are there. Preach and teach to the younger generations how to get things for themselves. It's 2008 stop living and preaching as if it's the 1900's. I never owned a slave, nor did my father, grandfather or greatgrandfather. All of them are dead now so don't blame your problems on me.

BCAT GRAHAM has it right--politics is nothing, if not entertaining. And, this preacher will certainly manage to 'fire up' and polarize the entire black AND white communities of Tidewater. But, who really cares? Look, people of his ilk and type feed off of controversy--they bask in the attention. So let him rant--his is only one opinion among many, and you are just as entitled to YOUR opinions as he is of his. But, as another commenter wrote--be informed, do your research, read up on your history, and form the basis for your opinions accordingly. Try to think rationally, not emotionally. It serves no one if your opinions are simply an expression of your heightened (or prejudiced) emotions. And BTW, here's hoping that the local police and/or the FBI is aware of this guy coming, and that (regardless of opinion) they provide a strong police presence around that church while he's here. Last thing we need is for this guy to be made a martyr to his cause by some idiot extremist. Let him speak his piece, and go home. He is, after all, good entertainment.

This typical white person will be staying clear of this church next month.

Jeremiah Wright....David Duke....Louis Farrakhan....Matt Hale. No matter the color, no matter how you dress it up, no matter how you rationalize and justify it...it's still hate. One needs to be man enough to walk out of their sermons and say I don't need your hate. Not make excuses.

I find it amusing that so many people get Fired Up on one side or the other on this topic. Politics if nothing else, is Extremely Entertaining, brings out the Best and Worst in people no matter which side they're on, and helps in revealing the True Colors of those involved. Can't wait for Paul, "Please Pass the Ham", Riddick to chime in on this one.

You go Gunny Go!

I'm with you and believe he'll draw a big crowd during his visit. Many will be the angry looking for his affirmation to be angry, and the others will be there, as I will, hoping to find some good in his preaching.

It is 2008...not 1800 and something. We all need to blend and mesh together and let go of past hurts. This man seems to be living with some old resentments and can't let it go. I'm so sorry for him. The problem is that he's spreading it around amongst those with the seed of hurt and anger planted within them.

I will go to his service hoping to see some back stepping in his sermon/speach.

We are ALL americans, we are all black and white and we all live in the same world. Don't let his hurts and anger change your visions.

I will not let him taint my opinions when it comes to voting for our President because I don't believe he has the power and control he preaches and believes he has.

Thank you, Gunny Go.

In the 1860 Census, there were over 1000 Black SLAVEOWNERS!!! Yes, Black people who were free people who owned slaves and treated them in many cases worse than other slaves were treated. How do we know that This Rev is not the descendant of a slaveowner? Unless you know your entire lineage, you don't know. there may actually have been no slaves in your geneology, but slaveowners! Of course, this is a fact convieniently overlooked by many.

Learn history, Be empowered.

So some of my fellow citizens of Norfolk desire to be lectured by a black racist hate mongerer.How touching.Senator Barack Obama's 20 year pastor believes America created the Aids virus to keep the black population in check,the US is run by the KKK, that Jesus Christ is comparable to Barack Obama, that Blacks should sing God da** America instead of God Bless America, that we bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki without batting an eye,and(What about the Potsdam Declaration?)(I wonder how he feels about the 13-15 million the Japanese killed during WWII) that Hillary Clinton "aint" never been called a Nig***, etc.
VISIT: www.youtube.com (search parameters: God dam* America, Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama Pastor, etc.) You will need to watch several videos to draw upon his multiple sermons.
I'm sure this upstanding citizen, Pastor Jeremiah Wright, will lecture us even more concerning his vitriolic hate America views and in turn enlighten his pathetically ignorant followers even more.
Senator Obama's presidential aspirations are over. He does not stand a chance in the general election. Obama cannot escape his past with this hatemonger. Wright was his pastor for 20+ years; his influence over

When will Geraldine Ferarro speak in Norfolk? i'd rather see that.

This controversy isn't solely about racism. This man isn't telling blacks to establish a new nation. He's simply telling the American race-that includes you, me, and everyone else in this country, to look in the mirror and see what we've become. Yes, we were the victims of terrorism, but we were also the terrorists in other countries. We have murdered thousands of innnocent people. Some of you are just ranting but you haven't provided any specific reasons for your objections to any of his words (taken in context). How do you justify Americans imposing our form of government on other countries who don't want it, Americans bombing entire countries, killing many innocent victims? Yes, we want to maintain our superiority, we want to win wars, but that doesn't justify our actions. BTW, there have been about 4000 American deaths. In this war we're currently fighting, we're not only taking other people's lives, we're killing ourselves.

CH
I read the CNN report…and I in affect agree with several of the pastor's points and disagree with others. However, what I’d like to know is why Obama is apologizing for his pastor? I do, however, believe that a government shouldn’t be for any specific group of people. The government should have policies that cater to all its citizens regardless of their backgrounds. The government should be here to protect and defend the citizens.

I believe that, in general, the majority of the country lives too much in the past. We MUST move on or we’ll be stuck in the quagmire of racism, race politics and race envy. Being a product of two races (my father was an Apache Indian and my mother, African American). The funny thing about my parents my father’s people were hunted down and kill on site, run into Mexico and given clothing that other Indians wore when they died of smallpox. My father had no animosity towards anyone (even though the Indians lost ALL of their good hunting land); whereas, my mother vehemently hates white people because of the thought of slavery. Regardless of their beliefs the past can’t be changed. So we need to stop looking back, move forward and chang

I do not care who you are but this guy is the worst enemy of the black community and people like him, Jesse, Al etc etc will continue to keep the black community where they are today! Perhaps listening to Bill Cosby and some of Farrkhan's words (some) might help but this racist moron will do nothing for anyone.
I bet there will be peace on the streets when he is here with no protests led by instigating idiots and then riots destroying ones own neighborhood.

He has shown me the light. I feel empowered! Energized! Vindicated! A power I have never felt before is surging through my body!

Listen up my brothers and sisters...

All your problems and sins will be washed away. You just have to blame everyone else for your shortcomings and problems. This free education is really a trick! Mathematics is the work of the white-devil! All non-blacks are the enemy!

Seriously though...
When are we going to get tired of this one-sided racist jibbah-jabber? Get lost Reverend. Go sell your hate somewhere else. Perhaps to the country you are truly dedicated to...

Rock on Mr. Fabulous! I agree with you!

Make Obama squirm! GO HILLARY!!!

So maybe the guy's language was a bit inflammatory (how better to get people's attention?), but did he really say anything that isn't true? American has indeed done some damnable things. He did mention putting George W. Bush in the White House, right?

How dare this preacher say that the attack against the WTC was blowback! Just because we trained and funded the people involved and did everything we could to incite them by supporting the Ibn Saud mafia . . .

Well, maybe the preacher has a point. Anyway, Rev. Wright isn't Senator Obama anymore than controversial Pastor John Hagee is John McCain though at least the former as made clear is differences while the latter sought an endorsment.

CNN has a great story about how Wright's comments were completely taken out of context, which affected the overall message. Read it if you want further insight. Bullies don't know how to react when they are the ones being picked on, especially by forces they believe they're superior to. I agree with the Rev.-"we may need to declare war on racism, injustice, and greed, instead of war on other countries."

Oh, and God BLESS America, but you have to help yourself before you can expect God to do all of the work.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/the-full-story-behind-rev-jeremiah-wrights-911-sermon/

Has he not said enough. We now know what kind of person this nut is. Hope he leaves the Black Panters at home. We dont need him in Norfolk stirring up trouble.

I believe that the Church is God's church, not man's. Church is not about race. It appears to me that this church is about black socialism and separatism, not about the corporate worship of the people of God, in Christ. Why would a black pastor want to separate himself and his church like this? Why would a man choose to attend a church like this if he didn't believe what it said? Why does the Black Value System supersede Christ's teachings in this church?

This is on the church's own website:
THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System, written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee, chaired by the late Vallmer Jordan in 1981.

Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence, despite systematic denials, has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. Prayerfully, we have called upon the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.

Beginning in 1982, an