Obama Muslim connections is a red herring

by Fran Eaton

Come on, folks.  Obama's childhood Muslim connections is a red herring.   There's something much more sinister and dangerous about Obama's current religious affiliations.  Obama pictured with Wright (right)

This morning, the Chicago Tribune acts as a public relations firm for Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.  Nowhere in the puff piece is a mention of Wright's black supremacy teachings, his pro-Palestinian rhetoric, nor his vile hatred of George W. Bush.

Link: Pastor inspires `audacity to hope' | Chicago Tribune.

Obama says that rather than advising him on strategy, Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated.

"What I value most about Pastor Wright is not his day-to-day political advice," Obama said. "He's much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe as possible and that I'm not losing myself in some of the hype and hoopla and stress that's involved in national politics."

Despite Trinity Church of Christ members accusing me of being a bigot for calling into question their church's Black Value System and Wright's bizarre preaching in my recent Star columns, I contend Obama's Muslim connections are irrelevant, and that by far, Obama's longtime affiliation with Wright should be much more disturbing.

It appears the only way the truth about Barack Obama's pastor and church to take hold is for the blog world to take it on.

Cross-posted at Obama Watch 2007 

Comments

[NW burbs]

Fran,

If Dr. Wright is a "black supremacist" because he believes in his African heritage and celebrates it through his Christianity... that would make you a "white supremacist" given that you celebrate your own heritage through your own Christianity.

You're not, though, are you?

[Fran]

NW,

How pathetic.

No one ever has ever asked me about my Cherokee great-grandmother nor my Norwegian in-laws when I go to worship.

It is irrelevant and it will be irrelevant in heaven. Again, skin color should be irrelevant in worship.

Some of those who sit under Wright's teaching have written me to tell me I bear the mark of Satan because I have "colorless" skin.

Who's really promoting bigotry?

[NW burbs]

Their histrionics aren't any different than some of the material posted to this blog, Fran.

That's what you're ignoring for some reason.

[NW burbs]

PS: Is the Jesus in your church's paintings white (or brown as he likely would've actually been)? You may not realize the role race plays in your worship, but I'll guarantee you it's there if you open your eyes to it.

I always wondered while growing up why He was painted to look like a European if he was actually from the Middle East... As I learned more about the history of my faith I came to understand why.

[Fran]

I picture Jesus as looking Jewish, NW.
Please . . .

[NW burbs]

You may, but what about your church?

Can't you ever drop your pretenses and consider someone else's point of view for even just a few moments Fran?

Or is your mind so partisan that such compassion is impossible?

[cermak_rd]

I don't think attacking Obama's church is helpful for religious people in general. If his Church is fair game, then so is everyone else's. Are we going to LDS-bash on Romney? Attack Brownback's Catholicism? John McCain's Episcopalianism? Hilary's Methodism? I guess we could lump them all together and simply bash Christianity. If this is the route to take, then fine, but I think it will only help to further remove religion and religious people from politics.

[NW burbs]

The conservatives already are bashing Mitt Romney's faith, Cermak_Rd.

And seeing as how Sen. Obama also attended a Catholic school while growing up it may not be long before that is also attacked.

By their standards, only one type of person is permissible -- the problem is they change their goalposts depending on their mood.

[Bruno]

NW & Cermak,

If giving a speech at Bob Jones Univeristy is an issue, so is the type of stuff preached at Obama's church.

The fact is that everything is now fair game, and why not? We can unseal court records detailing divorce allegations. We can attack people for talking to Pat Robertson or Falwell. Why not point out the sermons at Obama's church?

Why the double standard? Interesting how the "politics of personal destruction" is only supposed to run one way.

If Obama's church preaches the type of sermons that manifest themselves in the type of hate and vitriol in that one woman's letter to Fran, I see nothing wrong with making that an issue.

Too bad neither Hillary nor a future Republican opponent would have the guts to bring it up. There is absoluteley NOTHING wrong with asking Obama to repudiate it.

And NW, equating that screed with anything posted by contributors or the comments on this site is beneath you. It's a lie, and you know it.

[lauren]

Bruno's absolutely right.

I don't understand why Fran allows NW to insult her like she does.

It's Obama who brings religion into the conversation. It makes sense to know more about his religion. Why's NW so afraid for people to know?

NW is irritating and his remarks are crass. I'd suggest IR hold a tight leash. He's been given too much leeway on here.

[NW burbs]

Bruno, let's go line by line down your list of fallacies and half-truths, shall we?

> If giving a speech at Bob Jones Univeristy is an issue, so is the type of stuff preached at Obama's church.

...The fact of the matter is Bob Jones University prohibits interracial dating, etc. Those speaking behind closed doors to the University are de facto endorsing this practice (just as conservatives are now claiming Sen. Obama is de facto endorsing his pastor's actions).

Bruno, please cite examples of Sen. Obama's church prohibiting interracial relationships.

> The fact is that everything is now fair game, and why not? We can unseal court records detailing divorce allegations. We can attack people for talking to Pat Robertson or Falwell. Why not point out the sermons at Obama's church?

Point them out all you want. But all I've heard so far is that some partisan conservatives don't like what they hear and are spinning it, perhaps because they don't understand what they hear.

I've yet to see actual statements from Rev. Wright wherein he promotes "black supremacy" anywhere near along the lines of those promoting "white supremacy" in this country.

(And Jack Ryan's divorce papers were public up until the point in time he decided to run for office some day. He then went back to his ex-wife and a judge and requested the normally public divorce papers be placed under seal. As I recall, Gen. Borling's campaign manager had a copy of the divorce papers from before the time they were sealed. Gen. Borling was, at the time, neither a Democratic operative nor a member of the media. What's your complaint about Mr. Ryan's divorce papers, Bruno?)

> Why the double standard? Interesting how the "politics of personal destruction" is only supposed to run one way.

What double-standard?

> If Obama's church preaches the type of sermons that manifest themselves in the type of hate and vitriol in that one woman's letter to Fran, I see nothing wrong with making that an issue.

The woman's letter was very much like several of the posts from "conservatives" on this very blog -- it was just aimed at someone who actually has front-page posting privileges rather than the other way around.

And it was in response to Fran's newspaper column, not something she wrote on this blog.

> Too bad neither Hillary nor a future Republican opponent would have the guts to bring it up. There is absoluteley NOTHING wrong with asking Obama to repudiate it.

Bring what up?

Again, no evidence of anything along the lines of any "white supremacist" actions or statements has been cited.

> And NW, equating that screed with anything posted by contributors or the comments on this site is beneath you. It's a lie, and you know it.

Pots and kettles are both black.

Define what you consider to be a "lie" here, Bruno.

--

Lauren, How did I insult Fran? By pointing out a truth she has not seen?

Telling the truth may be irritating to you, but most people prefer it.

I am not afraid of the truth. If Rev. Wright has indeed called for a ban on interracial relations or is a member of some "black supremacy" group akin to the KKK or World Church of the Creator that is indeed a bad thing.

But not a single person has provided any evidence of this. Not Fran. Not Bruno. Not you.

Why are conservatives so afraid of Sen. Obama, Lauren, that they are compelled to routinely tell distorted lies in order to pump out so much misinformation about the man and those with whom he is associated?

[Ralph W. Conner]

Our religious tolerance is an American credo which cannot be jettisoned due to the phobias related to Osama's islamic imperial pursuits as witnessed via 911 and the aftermath. We are Americans because we tolerate, unlike Saddam who could not tolerate Shia due to his secular grasp on the levers of power in Iraq.
We revel in our tolerance heritage in spite of the sabre-rattling of Islamophobes and unenlightened conservatives mired in Christ-only acceptance OR Israel supporters who relish in condemnation of Muslim excesses in war and violence.
There is a constitutional protection which guarantees all religions freedom in America, even in the heat of bigotry whether justifiable by military rationale or not.
Having said this, Senator O should not be accosted or prejudged because of his cultural exposure to Islam. The entire Democratic pantheon is marching in lockstep with osama in their opposition to "Bush's War". Democrats lend comfort to every dictator from Castro to Iran (see Chavez), so it is policies AND NOT religion which will be Bill/Hillary's and Senator O's undoing, not race and not religion: believe it or Not!

Ralph W. Conner

[Jerry]

"And NW, equating that screed with anything posted by contributors or the comments on this site is beneath you."

I think maybe there isn't so much beneath her.

[M. Simon]

Check out Pastor Wright's connection with Louis Farrakahn and Al Sharpton. Obama is close to Sharpton as well.

[Howard]

Howard Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Why does Obama keep getting a free pass? Why is any inquiry, or challenge to his record, or unsavory associations, met with accusations of racism? Jeramiah Wright, an obvious racist and anti-Semite, not only endorses, supports and praises Farakan … Obama is a lot more connected to Wright than a mere case of guilt by association. Obama himself has described Wright as his spiritual advisor and mentor of 20 years. Obama was going to have Wright speak at his announcement to run ceremony, until he realized it would be a bad political decision. Any fool can weigh 20 years of involvement against a momentary half hearted denouncement, motivated by personal political ambition. The left and the media has fashioned Obama into a sacred cow, who is above reproach. Obama’s record, and associations have become like the Emperor’s new clothes, even when the future of the world is at stake!

[JMM]

Amen Howard. If anyone speaks anything negative about Hussein Obama we are called racist. Face it, he hangs with racists. Also, Hussein is his middle name, so don't be offended if I use it. Down with this racist human being, down with Barack Hussein Obama. Burn in hades for your hate.