Billy Graham has stated that one of the biggest problems our nation faces is racism. Racism is defined as prejudice in regard to a certain race. It is without a doubt a problem in America today. But I am convinced the knife cuts both ways, and the problem of racism is not simply one sided. We are in the midst of a political firestorm that is born of racism.
As a pastor people attend my church because we have a similar core set of beliefs. The same could be said for those who attend a Methodist church, Church of Christ, Assembly of God or any other church. It is our belief in God and beliefs about the Lord that draw us together. Barack Obama has attended Trinity United Church of Christ for 20 years. He has raised his children under the tutelage of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Now it seems to me we are being asked to believe that Obama has been a member of a church where Louis Farrakhan is honored for his work and the church's Web site reads they are totally "unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian" but he has no similar beliefs.
What if we posted that on our church's Web site? Would we be branded as racists? I think we all know the answer to that.
I heard an interview with a deacon that spoke of black liberation theology and the argument they used was that Jesus came to heal the sick, feed the hungry and take care of the poor. Well, let me tell you that those are simply by-products of His coming. Luke 19:10 says Jesus came "to seek and save that which was lost." He didn't die on a cross so that hungry people might be fed but He died on a cross so that people without hope might have access to God. The end result of people knowing God is a compassionate response to people in need.
The media, by and large, have been afraid to call Obama on the carpet for his inconsistencies, while nailing the other candidates to the wall. I hope that this tide will soon turn and there will be a new found standard of fairness to be heard.
Anyone that knows me knows I grew up around African Americans and the majority of my close friends were African Americans. My problem is not with race but with racism. We have all been told before "choose your friends wisely, you become what they are." I think that applies here. The choice of his church and the philosophy of black liberation theology, which to me is simply a desensitized word for racism, are scary propositions for leadership. My fear is if Obama is elected that the underlying prejudice will become a divisive element that could fracture the foundation of our nation.
Inside Wise
