SPIRITUAL LEADERS - DO WE HAVE THE WHOLE TRUTH? (Huffington blog)

Different Standards for Black and White Preachers?

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.

Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university's commencement.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil's army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee's endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.

John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama's?

You guessed it. They're white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it's not racism that's causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?

I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It's one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it's another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.

I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It's easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.

If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of "respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church."

But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.

If the disparity in coverage isn't racist, then what is it?

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carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Fri, 04/25/2008 - 1:28pm.

My definition of a Christian: someone who emulates the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazereth.

None of these "spiritual leaders" fall under that category.


Submitted by Davids mom on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 3:33pm.

The silence here speaks volumes. (Also the reluctance to speak to Wrights speech when the horrible words are heard in context.) I must say that the majority of people that I speak to in person regarding the 'fairness' of the media regarding the Wright affair, etc. can discuss it civilly. The citizens in Fayette County are 'thinkers' - and basically fair. They usually allow for disagreement without resorting to anger. . .or silence.

carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 4:01pm.

The silence is indeed deafening on such a debated aspect of the campaign.


Submitted by thebeaver on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 6:40pm.

The silence is due to the fact that we have explained the reasons for the difference between the 20-year relationship between B-Ho and Wright and an endorsement by a Texas preacher.

She just doesn't have the intelligence to comprehend the difference, and we are tired of explaining it to her.

----------------

Barack Obama is the personification of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The Perverse Worship of a man

Submitted by Davids mom on Sat, 04/26/2008 - 7:33pm.

Thank you for your input. As always, intellectually stimulating.

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