Posted by
Bob Siegel on Monday, March 24, 2008 11:12:06 PM
Rev. Otis Moss, the new pastor at Trinity United Church of
Christ, has been defending the former Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright against the
onslaught of criticism brought on due to Obama’s candidacy. Indeed, he has
compared the treatment of Rev. Wright to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Look, I know we just had Easter and something about that
holiday makes us want to compare everything to Christ, but this one stretches
in ways the Silly Putty makers couldn’t
even dream about. It’s like comparing a slick Broadway presentation of Le
Miserables to Mrs. McGreggor’s kindergarten class play.
Crucifixion is one of the most torturous forms of execution
the world has ever seen. Wright has experienced nothing even close to that. I
doubt that his life has ever been in danger. I doubt if he has even been in any
real trouble asside from a parking ticket or two. If we really feel compelled
to compare him with Jesus, the comparison is twofold: Wright likes to justify
his behavior in the name of Jesus and Wright, like Jesus, has been publicly
criticized. But these comparisons are
somewhat lacking in credibility. Jim Jones claimed to be following Jesus too.
He also claimed to be God and led 900 people into the wilderness to commit
suicide. The Ku Klux Klan also claims to be following Jesus. After all, those
fires they set on people’s front lawns are shaped like crosses. So the mere
fact that one claims to be a follower of Jesus means nothing to me. As for both
men being criticized, yes that happens. It happens to any public figure.
Abraham Lincoln was criticized. So was Al Capone. Does anyone ever confuse the
two men because they were each criticized?
What was the nature of the criticism?
Was it warranted? These are the
only relevant questions.
When the honorable Rev. Wright apologizes for his racist,
inflammatory remarks, when he takes back his stupid statements about white
people inventing Aids, or America deserving 9/11, when he offers the real hope
and forgiveness of Jesus and gets criticized for that, when he suffers or even
dies for taking a stand on issues that matter, then, and only then we can maybe
compare him with Jesus. Until that time,
I think I’ve heard about all I care to from Trinity United. They are about as
united as a game of Risk, 6 hours into the match.
This is Bob Siegel, making the obvious, obvious.
Also
by Bob Siegel:
Obama
Didn't Know His Pastor's Views? Sure, Now I'll Tell One
Would
Obama's Christianity Be Recognized by Jesus?