Irish
I agree these sorts of reports about “God’s judgment” with the whole Israel thing is not cool, and I highly disagree with it and think its loony. But, lets’ also be realistic here: this is a different situation from BO’s church:
- This was a GUEST speaker. One time guest (or perhaps rare guest) who may not have cleared their sermon details with the regular pastoral staff.
This is NOT the regular pastor of 20+ years who has openly and publicly admitted to having a racist as a major influence (James Cone), and has given regular sermons for over 2 decades.
Troubling, yes. But not in the same league as Wright.
Additionally, when I was a child and growing up going to church, I can remember a (very small) number of guest speakers who said some weird stuff that I thought was crazy.
However, I knew my pastors did not agree with them and it did not reflect on the style or content of their sermons whatsoever.
- Palin’s address the the Wasilla Assembly of God. I admit to having not read the direct quote/stories, etc. However, that being said,
a) In a small town where you know most of the citizens personally, addressing a church assembly would not be out of the ordinary, even if you weren’t a christian.
b) Because she is a Christian it makes it even more natural for her to address them. Obama may have addressed his church, or others, hundreds of times over the 20+ years he attended.
In fact, I would lay money on it. That is not something I worry about–that’s not the genesis of any sort of criticism over his attendance there. I expect that to happen from time to time, especially over important issues to the local/state whatever.
In addition, there have been many other political leaders who also professed to be Christians (both lib and con) who have addressed their churches.
c) Given that one is addressing a church congregation, it is completely in line to ask for prayer for whatever issue you’re talking about. As above, I would lay odds and money that Obama has done that as well, more than once, and I don’t have a problem with him doing that either.
d) Asking the congregation to pray for “God’s will” over any situation strikes me as fairly normal for a small or non-political church. I’m a bit rusty, but if I recall correctly, christians are exhorted to pray for leaders, those in authority, and others in their charge.
It’s a natural extension of any congregation’s habit of prayer as far as I understand things.
e) praying for “God’s will” is not the same as praying for the destruction of the infidel–it would be more of a “whatever you want to do, whichever way it goes, i hope it’s successful”.
Bottom line, the bit about “Judgment” is loony and I’m a bit disturbed about that. But it will take a lot more regular pattern of crazy things being said at that church for it to worry me to the same degree as Wright’s church.
Additionally, given the small town and the fact that pipeline issues are most likely locally impacting, and how I remember church congregation working when I was young, I don’t see any major red flags… yet.
