Like so many of my recent diaries, this one was born as a comment I posted in another person's diary. In the process of gathering my thoughts, I discovered a point or two which, for better or worse, I felt merited further discussion.
I'm starting to despise Mondays. It seems that almost every Monday for the past month, I have awakened to find that the center of political debate has experienced yet another Art Bell-style polar shift. And today was no exception.
I thought that Rev. Wright's masterful interview with Bill Moyers would help to diffuse the controversy which has so preoccupied us for the past two months. But, my hope simply proved the truth behind the old saw, "There's no fool like an old fool." The fact that Jeremiah Wright is a decent, honorable and GOOD man makes no difference to those forces at work in our society which are fundamentally elitist, racist and authoritarian.
After to listening to MSNBC's rabble rousing today, I have lost all sympathy for those lily white yuppie parents who rend their garments wondering WHY their children are completely rejecting Christianity...while the black churches remain packed each and every Sunday...
Well, it's no secret, folks. The black churches are packed because the congregants aren't threatened by the prophetic message they hear proclaimed in the pulpit. They remain open to be challenged by the message of faith and aren't merely looking for affirmation of their own bourgois values or some version of the "feel-good" gospel.
That story Morning Joke related about how his fellow vestry members of some Pensacola Episopalian congregation ran a sub-rosa telephone campaign to get their parish priest recalled for daring to say something "political" from the pulpit is a perfect study in contrast for this current controversy. Mainstream churches exist to preserve the status quo, while vital and vibrant faith communities like Trinity United Church Of Christ challenge people's complacency and call them to something better.
I recall that old George Jones tune, Would They Love Him Down In Shreveport Today?
If they saw Him riding in, long hair flying in the wind,
Would they love Him down in Shreveport today?
If they heard He was a Jew and a Palestinian too,
Would they love Him down in Nashville today?
If they saw Him talk with ease
To the junkies, whores, and thieves,
Would they love Him out in Wichita today?
Would the rich men think it funny
If He said give up your money?
Would they love Him up on Wall Street today?
If He made the wine from water,
Gave it to their sons and daughters,
What would the folks in Salt Lake City say?
If He talked of brotherhood
As He walked their neighborhoods,
Would they love Him up in Boston today?
Oh, If He said love those who use you,
And forgive those who abuse you,
If He turned the other cheek, what would you say?
Would you laugh and call Him crazy,
And just send Him on his way,
If He walked right into your town today?
Would you laugh and call Him crazy,
And just send Him on his way,
If He walkd right into your town today?
So, let's make no mistake here about the so-called Rev. Wright debate. It is fundamentally and essentially NOT about patriotism, or extremism, or even race. It is, instead, about how this self-styled "Christian" nation views Jesus.
That is the paradigm now. And you can thank MSNBC and FoxNews and John McCain and Hillary Clinton for bringing it to this.