Faith and Barack Obama, It's been a big issue. The initial argument was whether or not Obama was a practising Muslim, however that has since simmered down and his relationship with his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright has come under scrutiny. You can't watch the news right now and not hear a little about Obama's mentor of faith, Jeremiah Wright. So who is he? and whys it matter?
Jeremiah Wright, is the former pastor of an African-American mega church, Trinity United Church of Christ, in Chicago. Since then he's been extremely controversial. He married, Obama and his wife, and it is from one of his sermons that Obama named his book, The Audacity of Hope. The question that arises is, though, at what point do you draw the line between the two men?
Jeremiah Wright, is often accused as a black separatist, a title he vehemently denies. However, while on Fox News in a personal Interview with Sean Hannity, the Reverend refers to the U.S. as "the United States of white America." Sound odd? He has even gone on in one of his sermons comparing a self deemed black Jesus and the rich white Romans to the problems of blacks and racism in the United States today. One of his most outlandish statements was, "blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America." If that isn't enough he insists that 9/11 was single handily brought on by American terrorism, that AIDS/HIV are genocidal attempts by the government to rid the country of African-Americans, and calls for the divestiture of Israel. Not to mention his great praise for Louis Farrakhan, the extremely antisemitic and anti-American head of the Nation of Islam.
Does any of this really matter in relationship to Barack? Yes. Why? The reverend has been a spiritual leader and a self proclaimed role model to Obama. In fact, Wright was one of the key influences, according to Barack, that encouraged him to run for the presidency and now it's coming back to haunt him. If that's the kind of man that Barack Obama idolizes then the American people should wise up and throw his political rhetoric out the window. Good speeches don't make good presidents, and the same with Senator Obama.
