... and I am just thinking aloud here, that if the nation's attention, particularly as it was held last week, were to focus on a "typical white" evangelical mega-church, one roughly the size of Barack Obama's Trinity United Church of Christ, where a particular white presidential candidate was a member (theoretically speaking), and Americans were to hear what were considered incendiary, divisive, reprehensible remarks coming from that church's pulpit, I should think it reasonable to assert that we would hear -- in all forms of media -- no matter how many good works emanated from that house of God, no end to the hue and cry that this "typical white" evangelical church was led by very typical evangelists who play to congregants' fears, fears like homophobia and xenophobia, for the sole purpose of MAKING THEMSELVES RICH!!
I am sorry. But is that not true? Would we not hear that the eight thousand pitiable parishioners waving their hands in worship were being seduced by a pastor's words for the single purpose of stealing their money? Is that not what the mega-church is all about?
And would we not hear cries of alarm going up -- should this "typical white" evangelical church manifest its enthusiasm for God by cheering loudly, war-whooping in approval of its pastor's proclamations and leaping in the aisles for sheer joy -- that such a congregation was a threat, was reminiscent of a fascist's rally, was a political force that should raise our concern?
Of course we'd hear this.
Alas, Barack Obama's mega-church church cannot be a threat; it can't be all about the money. Just look at the meek Obama. There's nothing alarming about him. There's nothing "typical."
Of course not. But I do notice that his "former" pastor and beloved mentor, Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, is moving into a $1.6 million home that Trinity United Church of Christ is building now that he's retired -- on a $1o million line of credit.
It can't be about the money. Money and the pulpit...that's a typical white thing, I presume, where white pastors EXPLOIT the less fortunate.
And so it goes.
Peace.
©Bill Gnade 2008/Contratimes. All Rights Reserved.
2 comments:
I seem to recall some months ago, a hue and cry being raised in the media because a number of prominent evangelists were being hauled before the Senate to answer questions about finances and the use of tax exemptions. All of these were of a more conservative bent.
As you might imagine, much glee was taken in this, and the web and MSM abounded with expressions of Schadenfreude at the thought of these miscreants being called to account for having misled the faithful dupes who hang on their words and write twenty dollar checks every month. Indeed, I myself find such displays unseemly for men and women of God.
As you point out, however, nary a peep in this regard concerning Trinity.
Apparently, those who have eyes, see not.
Cheers.
Stirring it up always pays. Ask the Reverends Al and Jessie. Why pass a hat around on Sunday when you can be on Meet The Press?
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