Posted on 03/18/2008 11:08:06 AM PDT by GaryWiram
Maybe Barack Obama just wanted to change the subject or maybe he genuinely missed the point. I dont know. Only he and God know whats in his heart. I do know that, in his speech today, he didnt address the main point concerning me in the firestorm of controversy that has arisen in recent days over comments made by the Pastor of the black church where Obama has placed his membership for nearly the past 20 years.
As this matter has intensified, it struck me that the definition of my related concern was embodied in the famous words of a former Pastor of what is, arguably, the most prominent black church in America. Im talking about Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church and its former Pastor Martin Luther King Junior when he said, I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. These words planted much needed seeds of change in me, when I was growing up in what was, practically, still a separate but equal part of the Midwest. So, what I was looking for from Obamas speech today had nothing to do with color of skin My interest was content of character Obamas character and why his judgment would lead him to associate himself so long-term and so intimately with a church that has advocated and even championed many comments that Obama now condemns. Obamas speech today addressed none of this.
No doubt, Obama is an excellent speaker and todays speech was a good speech about race. In fact, I agree with many of the points he made on this topic. His comment that, The most segregated hour in American life comes on Sunday morning, is sadly true. As a man of faith, this has troubled me for quite a long time. But, in context with the matter inciting todays speech, Ive wondered if what weve seen about Obamas church over the past few days is typical of a black church in America. Again, I dont know the answer to this question. My experience in this regard is limited. Ironically, I do have experience with a black church Obama mentioned in his speech. Its the one I mentioned earlier Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church. We attended there while visiting Atlanta about four years ago. At the time, we were long-term members of a conservative church in Orange County, California. The congregation there reflected the ethnicity of Orange County i.e. - As of 2005, the African American population was 1.9%. As you might expect, the ethnicity of the congregation at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, on the Sunday we attended, was pretty much opposite of what we were accustomed to. And, I did notice some political comments coming from the pulpit early in the service. I was quietly indignant about this until I thought about the fact that Id heard political comments come from the pulpit in our Orange County church too. I was only "letting my nose get out of joint because my political views are more in line with what I was used to hearing back home. Beyond that, though, I only knew that I was worshipping with Brothers and Sister, in Christ. The Pastor taught a wonderful lesson from Romans, Chapter 8. And the congregants couldnt have set a better example of keeping what the Lord said were the most important commandments Love God with everything youve got and show that by loving your fellow man as you love yourself (my paraphrase). I dont know how the congregation at Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church could have done more to make us feel welcome and loved.
So, which is the typical black church in America
Obamas or Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church? I dont know. Probably, neither. But, its clear that there are alternatives to the black church Obama chose, as his, for nearly 20 years. There are many indicators of a persons character. I think one of the most telling indicators is the others that a person chooses to associate themselves with long-term. Obama did not address this and I see this as showing his character to be very suspect.
This guy as well as other have all concluded it was a GOOD SPEECH even if they vehemently disagree with it.
Now this from his most rabid enemies. Imagine the effect it would have on Liberals and Democrats.
If it gets descent amount of play in media, Hildabeast would live to regret it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.