The controversy concerning Barack Obama's Pastor has revealed more than the appalling sermons of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. It has once again uncovered the obvious double standard so prevalent this election season. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Bill O'Reilly have dedicated entire shows to using Rev. Wright's words to disqualify Obama for the Presidency.
Before I proceed further, let me make it clear that I believe Rev. Wright's words to be bigoted and detestable. Below is a clip of these statements:
Now I don't claim to understand the plight of being black in America, but there is no justification for these horrible statements. They are despicable and I agree with the "Righteous Right" that they should be denounced by Obama. He has been a member of Rev. Wright's church for many years and owes the American people an explanation.
Yesterday (March 14, 2008) Barack Obama wrote a very clear denouncement of Rev. Wright's statements. It was published by The Huffington Post, and was a stronger rejection than the one he gave Minister Louis Farrakhan. Below are some excerpts:
The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He's drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.
Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.
Let me repeat what I've said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.
I'm satisfied and think we should take Obama at his word. Similar accusations were made against John F. Kennedy due to his affiliation with the Catholic Church. Kennedy made his denouncement-as he should have-and it was satisfactory for most Americans. Here's his clip:
So where is the double standard I alluded to you might ask?
I ask you, did Limbaugh and Hannity dedicate entire shows repudiating Mitt Romney due to the Mormon Church's racist views against our darker skin brothers and sisters? No. In fact, it was proclaimed to be a violation of Romney's first amendment rights. It was bigotry to even question his association. However, until 1978 black people could not become priests in the Mormon Church. The church taught that dark skin was the "mark" given to Cain for killing his brother Abel. Mormon's were also taught that God allowed black people to survive Noah's flood so there could be a balance between good and evil. Black people were Satan's representatives on Earth. This bigotry and racism was much worse than that of Rev. Wright, for it heaped condemnation beyond the grave. It had "eternal" consequences! Watch this clip:
I ask you, did Limbaugh and Hannity dedicate entire shows repudiating Mitt Romney due to the Mormon Church's racist views against our darker skin brothers and sisters? No. In fact, it was proclaimed to be a violation of Romney's first amendment rights. It was bigotry to even question his association. However, until 1978 black people could not become priests in the Mormon Church. The church taught that dark skin was the "mark" given to Cain for killing his brother Abel. Mormon's were also taught that God allowed black people to survive Noah's flood so there could be a balance between good and evil. Black people were Satan's representatives on Earth. This bigotry and racism was much worse than that of Rev. Wright, for it heaped condemnation beyond the grave. It had "eternal" consequences! Watch this clip:
When it was revealed that Billy Graham made anti-Semitic statements in a private conversation with Richard Nixon, did anyone demand Graham no longer associate with Presidents? Of course not, he is still called "America's Pastor," and has counseled every President since. Again, watch the clip for the double standard:
Many conservatives have credited Jerry Falwell and his "moral majority" for the election of Ronald Reagan. When he and Pat Robertson made their despicable remarks concerning September 11th, the media brought attention to their lunacy, but did anyone use it to disavow Reagan's legacy? Did anyone demand that the "conservative movement" reject these buffoons? Of course not, they forgave Falwell because he said that he was tired when he made his Biblically sound and disgusting statements. Here's the video:
When Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy Giuliani, did the "talking heads" scream and demand that Giuliani deny and denounce all the idiotic and evil sermons of Rev. Robertson? No, Giuliani and Robertson held this press conference:
Recently, theist wacko John Hagee gave his endorsement to John McCain. There was very little condemnation in the press, and the "Righteous Right" was satisfied with McCain's statement that the endorsement didn't mean that he (McCain) supported every thing Hagee believed. This apparently was enough for Limbaugh and Hannity, so they didn't need to dedicate much time to this fiasco.
John Hagee has preached for years that the Catholic Church is the "Great Whore" in the book of Revelation. His demand that America support Israel's refusal to surrender any land, has given support to radical Jewish extremists and has contributed to the hatred in the Middle East. Hagee even clearly blamed the Katrina hurricane on the New Orleans homosexuals and their planned "Gay Parade." If you watch no others, watch this clip:
John Hagee has preached for years that the Catholic Church is the "Great Whore" in the book of Revelation. His demand that America support Israel's refusal to surrender any land, has given support to radical Jewish extremists and has contributed to the hatred in the Middle East. Hagee even clearly blamed the Katrina hurricane on the New Orleans homosexuals and their planned "Gay Parade." If you watch no others, watch this clip:
I think the double standard is very clear. ALL of these delusional theists should be condemned and denounced. And while we're at it, let's condemn the original terroristic threat-damnation and Hellfire. Since the beginning of time, theists, whether they are Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, have terrorized the world with threats of God's wrath. It is not enough that they disagree with other's policies or views. They claim to know the mind of God. They declare that those who disagree with them are not only wrong, but will be tormented for all eternity. There is no chance for parole from this torture. People will not be judged for say 1,000 years for each sin. No they will be roasted forever. This makes being water boarded in Quantanamo Bay seem like a trip to Disney Land.
What has snapped in the delusional mind that finds the atrocity of Hell acceptable? How could anyone ever enjoy paradise fully aware that members of their family and friends are being agonized with "weeping and gnashing of teeth." It doesn't matter if they are murderers, rapists or simply liars. All who don't accept God's "love" get the same sentence. Still, otherwise loving theists gleefully pray, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."
What has snapped in the delusional mind that finds the atrocity of Hell acceptable? How could anyone ever enjoy paradise fully aware that members of their family and friends are being agonized with "weeping and gnashing of teeth." It doesn't matter if they are murderers, rapists or simply liars. All who don't accept God's "love" get the same sentence. Still, otherwise loving theists gleefully pray, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."
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