My point is that anyone using that type of speech is off base.
I hear just as much ranting and raving from Michael Savage et. al as I do listening to Wright. I hear just as many "mega dittos Rush" as I hear "amens" from Wright's audience.
I don't think Wright actually hates America, nor do I think his congregation hate America.
I think it is a cheap manipulative trick that works on black and white thinkers, this trick works to appeal to the emotions of the listeners who are feeling disenfranchised or unhappy with some political condition, and unfortunately there is a pervasive amount of black and white thinking when it comes to the issue of racism...on both sides of the aisle.
It is scapegoat thinking, and it is both wrong and dangerous.
I am of the belief that any preacher, in any church, of any domination who uses their religious leader position to influence the political process by trying to influence their followers should have their status as a non profit organization yanked immediately.
In earlier times, perhaps the churches were the only place for blacks or white, Jews or Gentiles to meet safely and discuss political issues.
That isn't the case any more. If Wright or others want to meet and discuss politics (racism is 100% about politics because it goes to wanting to impact the life of others because of the condition of others and their inherent physical condition) that's fine by me. Let them meet. Let the people remove any personal religious aspect from their personal political discussions. Hell, it is bad enough when people argue over race, but to get them arguing over both religion and race at the same time? Madness.
However, my vote is that we attempt to stop the mixing of religion and politics all together...or tax them.
If more preachers made their entire focus on their parishioners about being better human beings, how to cope with life's struggles in a spiritual manner, how to look their own sins, and how to be having greater faith in God we would all be better off.
Wright is making an angry appeal to increase the anger of Americans who are feeling that they are not able to participate in the American dream. It is ridiculous to think Wright is hating America, when what he is trying to promote is the ability of his followers to have the American dream.
His method is not helping in any manner, unless he then guides them to use that anger and frustration they feel in a manner that works through the system to overcome their own personal situation.
Quote from Gord:
I've never read anything by you that comes across as America-hate, so please do not extrapolate my comments to you. If others have called you an America-hater, then deal with them.
In fact I don't even see odi as an America-hater - although he could very well be. He is just a common, garden variety bigot who has no problem tarring large groups of people based on his own small world, as he did in this thread:
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122909
But when a preacher like Wright screams God-damn America and thousands of his cultists cheer this on, I would call this America-hate - and indefensible.
