Dwight Watt - Watt Thoughts #156f 3/30/2008
#156f - Followup on article 156 (Watt Thoughts)
Looking back at article #156 on Wright and Obama I realized I was not fully
clear on a few items. The intent of article was that candidates should not be
expected to have only advisors that are 100% in agreement, but actually should
have advisors that disagree. Think Biblically, Nathan was an advisor to David
but did not bring words he wanted to hear, Daniel brought words King did not
want to hear, Joseph and Moses told the Pharaohs items they did not want to
hear. And they are just a few.
I did not word the part on agreeing with pastor far enough. This was in
response to many who I have heard on radio and other places stating that he
should have left the church if he disagreed with the pastor on anything. I
disagree on leaving on just any disagreement, but on large items it is either
get the pastor changed or leave the church.
This is in my belief that it is the pastor working for the church and not the
pastor is the church. This also means that the pastor should not make a fortune
off the church. The pastor should make a decent living. However the money given
to the church is to support its ministries not make people rich. I do not want
to see poverty ministers. Remember Christ said we are to give. I give of my
time, talents and presence (what a person promises when joining the Methodist
church) to the church. Ministers I expect to do same, but as their occupation
they need to receive to leave a comfortable existence.
I have watched people leave churches because they thought preacher was not
loud enough, spoke good enough English or disagreed on whether church should get
new organ or work with youth in ecumenical center or have others speak in pulpit
or should band instruments be allowed in church. Should followers follow Old
Testament rules and which? Should there be contemporary services? What are
womens places in a church? Should wine or grape juice be used? Where does
church stand on war (Iraq, Vietnam and others)? Should church be taking a stand
on this? In this case he should have gone to another church with beliefs similar
to his as soon as he heard Wright making these ant-American and racist comments.
This is not teaching the people or the young people to move us to where race is
not considered, but to going back to a racist country openly. For the basic
beliefs the church and pastor should be in agreement.
I clearly think Wright hates America and white people. For a country that
prevents him from succeeding he is not doing bad getting a 10000 square foot
house given to him for retiring with value estimated at over a million dollars.
I don't think I will get one. I don't know other pastors who get such a
retirement benefit (white or black). America has clearly let Wright and others
succeed where they would not have as a minority or suppressed race in other
countries. Obama and his wife are also clearly examples in that church (and I
am sure there are others) of success by different groups in America and not just
white people as Wright charges. Remember also that the First Amendment protects
Wright in saying his comments, but the First Amendment does not say anyone has
to listen to it, we can each ignore it.
The object of the article was to emphasize that just because people disagreed
with a person, that is not a reason to not have them as an advisor. Although I
do not think the advise Wright would give Obama would be any good, i do think
whoever is president (or any leader) should listen not joust to those who agree
with them, but also those with different opinions. Otherwise leaders end in
ivory towers and surrounded by yes men/women. Obama should not have Wright as
an advisor not because he disagrees with him, but because Wright's thoughts are
clearly anti-American and opposed to an entire group (race) of Americans.
Dumping him for too extreme is one thing (should in this case) but not just for
disagreement.
What Obama has campaigned on (getting races and parties to work together) is
fundamentally different than what the basic beliefs with this particular church
and minister are. This individual church and minister also clearly do not
believe what the denomination they say they are a part of does. There should be
a separation by the denomination from this minister and church also no matter
how good it has done in social work.
In conclusion, I clearly disagree with Wright (no race needs condemning, the GDA
comments are ridiculous they should be pray for God to guide America instead
PFGTGA, Wright should have looked around while in Africa and seen how the
suppressed populations are truly completely suppressed), America is not perfect
but has come a long way and treats all its people in the best ways overall of of
other nations, if you have fundamental disagreements with your church find
another one, the church is the people with God not the pastor, don't complain
there are no "no" people around a leader and then say that a person should not
be considered for office because you do not agree with opinions of all advisors,
and leaders should have advisors who agree and disagree with them and just
because disagree should not dispose them, but for clearly different views on the
country and mankind they should get new advisors and leave old behind.
Pray and work to get all Americans to live and work together and that this
hatred that we are witnessing here ends soon, in our life time so the dream of a
peaceful country where all live, work and play together where the race (or other
external features) of the others is never even noticed.
I hope this is clearer than I was originally.
Dwight
TO SUBSCRIBE
This is a little article I am doing across the Internet. I try to write
several times a month on a variety of subjects. It may be religious at
times, political at times, and at other times just my reactions on
something happening out there. It will often be like an op-ed article. If I
do what I intend, you will at times want to shout I agree, other times you
will want to say Dwight has really lost it now, but most importantly I want
to challenge you to think. Feel free to forward this to others. If you
don't want to get this e-mail let me know. Feel free to use what you read
from me, but I request you give me credit and send a tear sheet. Thanks.
If you would like to receive it and you are not on my mailing list, you can
subscribe at www.yahoogroups.com or send me an e-mail requesting a
subscription. You can find past issues on my home page at
http://www.dwightwatt.com/articles/articles.html
(c) 2008 by Dwight Watt