Archive for May 5th, 2008
Rev. Jeramiah Wright and Barack Obama vs. Rev. John Hagee and John McCain: Hypocrisy at Its Finest
This story is finally breaking, but it’s been a long time in coming.
Barack Obama was famously put through the wringer recently over controversial comments made by his former paster, the Reverend Jeramiah Wright, regarding race and politics in America. Obama has famously denounced these statements and even got a little hot under the collar when Rev. Wright returned to the spotlight to speak again in public. Previously, Wright had stayed out of the public eye, presumably to help Obama’s chances with voters.
Wright’s statements are a good example of black liberation theology, a movement in in some protestant churches that cater to the African American community. This brand of theology became popular during the late sixties and in the midst of the civil rights movement. The idea behind black liberation theology is that the writings and ideas of Christianity can also apply to issues like civil rights.
John Hagee, on the other hand, is another one of those hot-aired evangelical mouthpieces, much like Pat Robertson or the late Jerry Falwell. Hagee has famously endorsed John McCain in the current presidential race. The only problem is that John Hagee has said some very controversial things, too. While Obama has denounced the statements of Rev. Wright, McCain has been much slower in denouncing the comments of Rev. Hagee. He has also not refused the endorsement of Hagee.
Recently, The New York Times did a piece about these controversial views and how the media are treating Hagee differently from Rev. Wright.
Here are some of Hagee’s famous ideas. Many of his bombastic sermons are available on YouTube if you want to see more.
- Hagee supports the invasion of Iran, a pre-emptive “holy war.”
- He believes that Hurricane Katrina was a result of sinfulness in the city of New Orleans, more specifically a gay parade that was to take place within the city.
- He called the Roman Catholic Church a “great whore” and claimed that the Catholic Church “drinks the blood of Jewish people.”
- He has, on several occasions, made televised and public statements that could be construed as anti-woman, bigoted, anti-semitic, and prejudiced against Catholics.
Currently McCain has denounced some of Hagee’s statements but continues to be proud of the pastor’s endorsement.
