In recent months, Trinity United Church of Christ, located on Chicago's Southside, has come under attack. Some of these attacks have been quite vicious and are international in scope. And, for good reason---the nation's only Black presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama is a member of Trinity. Further, Senator Obama has claimed the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Trinity's Pastor Emeritus, as his mentor and friend.
It is a well known fact that Senator Obama and Pastor Wright share a close relationship. But should that relationship affect our feelings for a presidential candidate who promises to bring about necessary changes to our nation? And should we allow these feelings to influence our selection of the next person to hold the highest office in the land?
Of course we are all aware of the "mud-slinging" tactics used by all politicians to take the public's eyes off their own flaws, and focus on the flaws of their opponents by marring their opponents' reputations. And, as many Black pastors have stated, “its not about Pastor Wright.” Rather it is about “taking our eyes off the prize.” The prize being, an alleviation of society's ills brought about through the election of a Black president.
In both 1984 and 1988, the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a prominent religious leader, was the first Black man to run for president of the United States. While Rev. Jackson was unsuccessful both times, he forever changed the face of Black politics. Black people discovered what we can accomplish when we present a united front.
For several years, Pastor Wright has been preaching controversial sermons, many centered around political issues. For example, Pastor Wright has stated that the government lied about “weapons of mass destruction.” He also stated that in regards to the terrorist attacks of 911, “America bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, during World War II, killing thousands of innocent women, children and babies, and never even batted an eye! So, how can America plead not guilty and play the victim regarding the 911 attacks?” And these are just a few snippets of Pastor Wright's sermons.
Additionally, Pastor Wright maintains that in Biblical times, Roman soldiers captured and tortured Paul of Tarsus, one of Jesus' principle disciples. Further, two of Jesus' other disciples, Peter and John, were persecuted and imprisoned. And finally, Jesus, Himself, suffered persecution, ridicule, harassment, torture and eventually crucifixion, at the hands of corrupt judges. In light of these Biblical truths, we can see that politics indeed played a large role in religious matters.
Some opposers of Pastor Wright argue that politics have no place in the church. They prefer to close their eyes to reality and deny the inevitable role politics play in religion. Sadly, many of Wright's opposers can't see the connection. They argue, "what does one have to do with the other?" Most feel that politics should not be a church concern, and should be left out of the church. In short, they want Pastor Wright and the church to ignore politics altogether, and completely shun its ramifications on society.
However, as the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., his future successor, Pastor Otis Moss III, Rev. Meeks (Salem Baptist Church), Rev. Arthur M. Brazier (Apostolic Church of God), and so many other Black pastors know, politics and religion are inevitably tied to each other. Politics are necessary to deal with the issues and problems we are facing as a congregation.
This is especially true regarding the Black congregations. Black people as a whole, are an oppressed, humiliated, population who have suffered the injustices of inequality and unfair treatment for centuries. To us, the Black church, which stresses the importance of black pride through its sermons, promotes self-esteem and uplifts our spirits through its gospel songs, is a beacon of hope. In short, it provides a panacea, absent from the lives of a people long denied.
Opposers argue that no politician can solve the world's problems; only God and His Precious Son Jesus can do that in the afterlife or the New World. While this is true, a well-meaning politician can help to alleviate some of the issues. In many instances, he can and will make decisions that will positively affect our educational system, increase healthcare benefits for all, decrease criminal activities, improve the economy, provide fair housing, feed the hungry, and eliminate some of the poverty.
We all know that God's New World, with Jesus as His Reigning Ruler, is the ultimate answer to the aforementioned ills, however, both God and Jesus knew that man would have to learn how to govern himself. God knew we would have to find a way to live in this present world.
Yes, we need to live for God, but we also need a temporary fix. We know that politics is not a permanent solution, but is sorely needed in this world, in order for man to survive to make it into the New World. We will never make it into the New World, if we don't find a way to survive in the present world. And, that is a fact opposers of politics in the Black church, will have to acknowledge.
