Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11

abcnews ^ | 3/13/08 | BRIAN ROSS and REHAB EL-BURI

[MittFan08]

Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11

Obama's Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Has a History of What Even Obama's Campaign Aides Say Is 'Inflammatory Rhetoric'

By BRIAN ROSS and REHAB EL-BURI

March 13, 2008—

Sen. Barack Obama's pastor says blacks should not sing "God Bless America" but "God damn America."

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for the last 20 years at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's south side, has a long history of what even Obama's campaign aides concede is "inflammatory rhetoric," including the assertion that the United States brought on the 9/11 attacks with its own "terrorism."

In a campaign appearance earlier this month, Sen. Obama said, "I don't think my church is actually particularly controversial." He said Rev. Wright "is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that everyone has someone like that in their family.

Rev. Wright married Obama and his wife Michelle, baptized their two daughters and is credited by Obama for the title of his book, "The Audacity of Hope."

An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.

"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."

In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda's attacks because of its own terrorism.

"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.

"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," he told his congregation.

Sen. Obama told the New York Times he was not at the church on the day of Rev. Wright's 9/11 sermon. "The violence of 9/11 was inexcusable and without justification," Obama said in a recent interview. "It sounds like he was trying to be provocative," Obama told the paper.

Rev. Wright, who announced his retirement last month, has built a large and loyal following at his church with his mesmerizing sermons, mixing traditional spiritual content and his views on contemporary issues.

"I wouldn't call it radical. I call it being black in America," said one congregation member outside the church last Sunday.

"He has impacted the life of Barack Obama so much so that he wants to portray that feeling he got from Rev. Wright onto the country because we all need something positive," said another member of the congregation.

Rev. Wright, who declined to be interviewed by ABC News, is considered one of the country's 10 most influential black pastors, according to members of the Obama campaign.

Obama has praised at least one aspect of Rev. Wright's approach, referring to his "social gospel" and his focus on Africa, "and I agree with him on that."

Sen. Obama declined to comment on Rev. Wright's denunciations of the United States, but a campaign religious adviser, Shaun Casey, appearing on "Good Morning America" Thursday, said Obama "had repudiated" those comments.

In a statement to ABCNews.com, Obama's press spokesman Bill Burton said, "Sen. Obama has said repeatedly that personal attacks such as this have no place in this campaign or our politics, whether they're offered from a platform at a rally or the pulpit of a church. Sen. Obama does not think of the pastor of his church in political terms. Like a member of his family, there are things he says with which Sen. Obama deeply disagrees. But now that he is retired, that doesn't detract from Sen. Obama's affection for Rev. Wright or his appreciation for the good works he has done."

Click Here for the Investigative Homepage.

[GVnana]

We all have the choice to walk away from evil. Senator Obama has chosen not.

[dervish]

In 2006 Barack Hussein Obama gave $22,500 to Trinity United Church of Christ, the largest single donation they made (about 1/3).

[Das Outsider]

Obama is running the scam of the century -- reframing his history and beliefs on the fly to fit any situation-- and millions of airheads who can't even conceive the meaning of the term "reverse racism" are falling for the scam.

He is the Hope-rah candidate; slogans and warm and fuzzy platitudes will apparently suffice as a substitute for policy positions and curriculum vitæ.

Isn't the reverse of racism non-racism? I've never understood that whole "reverse racism" thing. The very term sounds heavily biased, as though racism is to be expected from white Americans. Obama's pastor, as far as I can see, is the black cognate to José Gutiérrez, of brown supremacist fame; they all believe their race, by virtue of birth, is overall superior to others. Were they white we'd call them Neo-Nazis!

[Das Outsider]

I will never vote for this preacher— ever!!!

He should have the title "Reverend" removed, at the very least. I've rarely heard such flagrant abuse of Scripture as a means to advance a political and genuinely racist agenda outside of non-Christian cults.

Simply put, Wright is just wrong. He makes Farrakhan look like a mild-mannered, pleasant type.

[humblegunner]

We should be ready to greet the King.

[JewishRighter]

The following is found on the church's website and listed as the system of Black Values that are guidelines for the congregation. I am astonished (not really) that Obama has not been questioned with reference to the incredible racist nature of this doctrine. Imagine if the word black was replaced with white and you will understand what I mean.

These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered.

They consist of the following concepts:

1. Commitment to God. “The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activists, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.

2. Commitment to the Black Community. The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of strength and continuity of the Black Community.

3. Commitment to the Black Family. The Black family circle must generate strength, stability and love, despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society.

Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate.

4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education. We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also, it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that produce high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.

Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds.

5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence. To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best; this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.

6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic. “It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago.” Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and a reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce.

7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect. To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources, instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self-discipline, coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress and a model for Black Youth.

8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness.” Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.

Those so identified are separated from the rest of the people by:

1. Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.

2. Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.

3. Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which, while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us.”

4. So, while it is permissible to chase “middleclassness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method – the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness.” If we avoid this snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright: the leadership, resourcefulness and example of their own talented persons.

9. Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills Available to the Black Community.

10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.

11. Pledge Allegiance to All Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace the Black Value System.

12. Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards freedom.

The last two really piss me off. Pledge "allegiance" to all black leadership that embrace the black value system? Obama must be asked if he is one of those leaders who embraces the "black" value system. The measure of worth is what you do for blacks? This is EXTREMELY DISTURBING. I can't believe the Clinton campaign is ignoring this.

[kenavi]

No way one of the two major parties gives the nomination to a candidate so closely associated with this nut job.

Hillary will get the nomination, and yes she will be harder to beat.

For the nation, your boy should be the VP nominee of McCain's. They will each cancel out the other's excesses.

[RDTF]

gives a whole new meaning to ordering a wine spritz-her

[luvie]

Christ teaches about love.

The church is the bride of Christ.

Therefore....this man of hate is not a Christian nor is his place
of “business” a church.

[Das Outsider]

Therefore....this man of hate is not a Christian nor is his place of “business” a church.

His business is the oldest profession in the world. That is, prostitution in the form of race pimping.

[luvie]

McInsane’s silence on this front is deafening!

[metmom]

So why is he still here?

There’s plenty of other countries he can choose to go to.

Say, rev, don’t let the door hit you on the way out....

[metmom]

God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme.”

And the good rev doesn't have the same ego problem?

[luvie]

...prostitution in the form of race pimping

Exactly!

Those of the "other side" are doing it in a big way this go-round!

....and our side?...is silent. Silent! What is wrong with this picture!

[metmom]

There’s already more tension than is needed between the blacks and latinos. The cities are just a powder keg waiting to go up, IMO. If the race war you foresee does happen, it will be pretty nasty in the cities.

[BraveMan]

"He has impacted the life of Barack Obama so much so that he wants to portray that feeling he got from Rev. Wright onto the country because we all need something positive," said another member of the congregation.

Well then. Here's hoping he doesn't go negative . . .

[No Surrender No Retreat]

He is a racist fool and needs to take his red-boned ass to Africa, where a hungry Lion will purchase him with some (jungle) foodstamps.

Obama believes his teachings, otherwise he would have joined another church.

Obama is nothing more than a one-eyed jack, who hopes his racist tendencies will remain hidden from public view.

Good Americans like you are what makes this country great. (WHyisaTexasgirlinPA)

Respectfully,
NSNR

[luvie]

Heaven knows the DIMS are doing their best to light that tinderbox of hatred and tension!

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

I think Obama is the best choice for President, ...

You opened a new account today to tell us you think Obama is the best choice for President. Why post here?

[Eric Blair 2084]

I think you can say douchebag on FR. If not, then I've run afoul of the rule 200 times.

If freedom and opportunity are not what you are looking for, than Michele Obama and this pastor are in the wrong country. They think America stinks. OK, go to Cuba, it's only 90 miles off the FL keys. Of course, if America is so bad, why are people risking their lives to come here and nobody wants to leave?

"By definition, Progressives hate America. Why would any clear thinking, sane person want to change the greatest country that ever existed on the face of the Planet Earth?"