Hello BPR - about your post....

Yes, I mentioned Deism in another post (thanks for the link, btw). An interesting characteristic of Deism, that I've found, is that a person doesn't "become" a Deist, you just realize that you are. I hope that makes sense.

I questioned today whether I even wanted to engage in a dialogue on here with you again, after the recent Lilly charade, however, I've moved past that. So here I am, engaging in one more conversation with you with the hope that we may have an interesting discussion. So here goes…

From what I have seen, and read, about Obama is that he is a Christian and he attends a Christian church that is dedicated to the "Black religious experience and tradition." I've read their "10-Point Vision" and their Mission Statement (even before they took out references to "Black") and I see these as positive messages for their congregation. If this church can build a strong cohesive community that works towards the betterment of THEIR OWN (and in the name of Christ), why is that such a terrifying thing to you (and people like beaver)? Recently on this blog and in the media, when a black person has committed a crime, like the recent coed murders, we all shake our heads and ask, why? But there are groups and churches, like Obama's church, that are actually trying to make a difference in black society, for the better, and I just don't understand why this is so threatening to some. If his church can turn a black teenager away from crime, through Christ, and empower him/her to become a productive member of society, instead of a thug, isn't that what we ALL want? And if his church, or any black church or group, blends the message of being a productive member of society with the "black religious experience and tradition" then more power to them.

You and I were born white and we were born with social privileges just because we were born white. I don't believe that is fair, but it is true. We'll never know what it is like to be black, or to hear the stories from our parents and grandparents who lived with racism, saw lynchings, drank from separate water fountains, attended segregated schools, were shuffled to the back of the bus or just spit upon because of the color of our skin.

I was sent an email recently, from a friend, with a link to an interview by Bill Moyers where he discusses the black experience with James Cone, author of "The Cross and the Lynching Tree." It's a long video, however, worth the watch if you get some time. It provides a glimpse into the black experience, something that we as white people, will never understand.

THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE