Divinity school to present award to minister despite controversial remarks
Landon Dinnin
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Read more coverage of Wright's scheduled visit.
Sen. Barack Obama's former pastor will be honored at a Brite Divinity School banquet March 29, despite recent concerns from the public in response to media reports of the pastor's harsh past sermons.
A statement released Monday from Brite stated that the school would continue to honor and recognize the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at the fourth annual State of the Black Church Awards Banquet for his 40-year ministry linking divine justice and social justice.
The release also stated that Brite does not endorse all of the statements or views of any of the church leaders recognized by the school.
Newell Williams, president of Brite, said the decision to continue to honor Wright came after careful review of his ministry and conversations with church leaders who worked with Wright in the past.
Williams also said the context of a sermon in print could be viewed differently than if it were heard in person.
Watch the Rev. Jeremiah Wright on YouTube
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Obama denounced the controversial sermons from Wright in which the just-retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago called on blacks to condemn the U.S. and accused U.S. leaders of state-sponsored terrorism that invited the September 11 attacks.
"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Wright said in a videotaped sermon he gave on the Sunday following Sept. 11, 2001 that was posted on the Internet.
Wright also said in a taped 2003 sermon available online, "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible, for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."
Obama said he didn't attend the controversial Wright sermons that are now circulating on the Internet.
This report contains material from McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 21
Don Williams
posted 3/18/08 @ 10:25 AM CST
A school that calls itself Christian and accepts millions from the United States government should not give this man any honor but should denounce his type of non-Christ-like hate speech. (Continued…)
Brandon Hunt
posted 3/18/08 @ 10:36 AM CST
I was so glad to hear that the Brite Divinity School is honoring Rev Wright for his forty years of wonderful service.
Freedom of speech is a beautiful thing. (Continued…)
Thomas Geer
posted 3/18/08 @ 11:05 AM CST
I am not sure if TCU understands patriotism or self protection. It's for sure Obama and his preacher does not. If TCU is going to side with the liberial give away this country faction then it's time for me to abandon TCU. (Continued…)
Cari
posted 3/18/08 @ 12:03 PM CST
His words are not free speech. They are hate-filled and exactly what they have accused whites of spouting for the last 40 years. I am disappointed that TCU has chosen to honor this man. (Continued…)
Brian
posted 3/18/08 @ 1:30 PM CST
Brite doesn't accept government money. We're a private institution. Get your facts straight.
And yes, his words are free speech, and such is the beauty of this nation. (Continued…)
Natalie White
posted 3/18/08 @ 1:33 PM CST
[I sent this email to Dr. Williams this morning and copied Chancellor Boschini. I'm proud to be a horned frog alum, and after these developments, I lament the close association TCU has with Brite. (Continued…)
James Russell
posted 3/18/08 @ 7:51 PM CST
Natalie --
When did V Bo denounce Brite's decision?
Me
posted 3/18/08 @ 8:03 PM CST
Why is every body making such a big deal about the way African American talks. It's called Ebonics, you idiot. They just think differently, talk differently. (Continued…)
128
posted 3/18/08 @ 8:10 PM CST
behaviors from years ago are now dredged up with the intent to influence current behaviors.
i would hope wright's behavior would stimulate discussion rather than tilt the political process. (Continued…)
Scott Noles
posted 3/18/08 @ 9:09 PM CST
Brite or Berkeley?
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