New World Man?

Six degrees of separation likely led me to this one... watch 'Chuck' on NBC and they made some jokes about the band Rush and the old Atari game of Missile Command (rather odd twist on the plot, I'm sure it'll re-run or show up online). Sure enough, gets me listening to the Rush on the iPod and their song New World Man. Some lyrics:

He's got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's old enough to know whats right
But young enough not to choose it
He's noble enough to win the world
But weak enough to lose it ---
He's a new world man...

With the election coming what's not to laugh or cry about, right? Oh, either politician could make their share of mistakes, but perhaps I'm more inclined to pick on Senator Obama as he retains a lead in the polls. The thing I'm most concerned about is that the media supposedly sent a few dozen reporters to Alaska to investigate Bristol Palin's boyfriend (fiance?) and yet we no nothing more about Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

Twenty years Obama attended the church that Rev. Wright presided over. That's a fair amount of time to get to know someone -- many marriages don't last that long. Huntley Brown wrote a letter that put some information together on this. Read the whole letter here if you choose.

Brown is a Christian musician who's also Black and lives in the USA. He highlights some concerns that seem fair. He asks:

Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...

1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.

Obviously, Huntley is writing the opposite of the tenets of Obama's former church to draw a conclusion. What makes me nervous is the value system that would be connected to an organization with these goals for 20 years?

Certainly, the Reverend Wright stepped aside and no other questions have been asked about Senator Obama's 20 year relationship (Wright did marry the Obamas) with the value system of this church. When the church became a potential political liability, Obama was wise separate himself. But why did it take 20 years? Only now after some polls and surveys did the ideals of the church seemed out of touch with religion, main street America, or Christian faith?

I was also trying to consider some of these sermons that Rev Wright delivered. After 9/11 he suggested the attacks were America's fault -- almost as if we got what we deserved. After thousands of Americans died, perhaps something more comforting could be said by a clergyman? Obama remained on with the church -- no issues.

In 2003, Wright gave some of his opinions suggesting that God should not bless America, but the exact opposite. I truly don't think the government gives people the drugs, builds bigger prisons and is intentionally out to destroy the lives of anyone in the country. Certainly, systems have faults and poor individual decisions are made. I would imagine that a church of this size (8500 members) that people would talk. If the pastor of a church gave a message like that, wouldn't others in the church quickly hear about the message? How would you respond.

I know how I would. I'd quit the church. The first time.