Search:
NewArticleDaily your source of new articles posted everyday
Submit Articles | Member Login | Top Authors | Most Popular Articles | Submission Guidelines | Ezine Notifications | Article RSS Feeds

Home | Religion And Spirituality

Is "Black Liberation Theology" Really Helping African Americans?

By: Ed Bagley

Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley

Few people who have been watching any presidential election coverage on television in recent weeks have been able to escape the so-called "out of context" messages Rev. Jeremiah Wright has delivered at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Rev. Wright, now officially retired as pastor of the church he built from apparently about 90 active members when he started in 1972 to 10,000+ members today, was passionate, righteous and full of conviction in his remarks. Many charismatic leaders deliver strong and controversial messages to their followers.

Rev. Wright, who earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary, has been a professor at theological seminaries, has been a member of the Board of Trustees at educational institutions, and is recognized as a biblical scholar in the religious community.

He apparently has spent much of his ministry staying focused on the bible, the word of God and his son Jesus Christ, and preaching "black liberation theology" to his congregation, and to all who would listen and accept his message.

Rev. Wright has sought, in his own beliefs and methods, to minister to the needs of his congregation, exhibiting a perfectly normal and natural sense about what a minister should be doing. His unexpected exposure on national television has caused umbrage with some viewers, who found his remarks to be unpatriotic, inflammatory and offensive.

One remark, in particular, may have been a lightening rod for the white community. Rev. Wright blamed "rich, white people" today for controlling and apparently suppressing the black community, and being responsible for any and all sins against the black community since they (the members of the rich, white community) have benefited most from the actions of their ancestors.

This and similar remarks have been linked by many to the "black liberation theology" Rev. Wright has studied, wrote about and preached.

It is apparent—from the televised sound bites—that the African American members of Trinity United Church of Christ are very enthusiastic in accepting Rev. Wright's message of hope for their goodwill, happiness and prosperity in America.

I take very little comfort in the fact that although I am white I am not rich. I am apparently guilty of heinous crimes and injustices committed by someone I do not even know, while there are numerous examples of extremely successful and rich black Americans who are getting on better in society than myself.

Oprah Winfrey, for example, makes more than 3,000 times the annual income that millions of African Americans do and I do. The sports and entertainment industries have thousands of examples of successful and rich blacks that have overcome whatever disadvantages and discrimination they might have encountered.

Anyone who thinks that life is fair is not paying attention. I personally have been discriminated against many times by white members of my community. I recognize that in Mexico there are Mexican factories with 100% Mexican workers who are routinely discriminated against by members of their Hispanic community.

History is full of examples of people and cultures that have been enslaved by other people and cultures. Records show us that slavery existed in Africa before the Europeans arrived. Records show us that powerful African leaders sold enslaved people for goods such as alcohol, beads and cloth.

Records show us that Britain became the world's leading slave-trading country, that approximately 12 million Africans were enslaved in the course of the transatlantic slave trade, and that between 1640 and 1807, British ships transported approximately 3.4 million Africans across the Atlantic.

None of these records or actions excuse the reprehensible events that occurred at this time in history. All of them are reminders of how far we have come since then. As with most things in life, I suspect that the media's characterization of Rev. Wright as a minister and man of God is hardly as unflattering as it has been portrayed. I suspect that many white Americans who treat minorities and their ethnic cultures with respect and dignity, and accept them as equals in our mutual society, are hardly as discriminatory and sinful as some would have us believe.

All of which causes me to wonder: Is "black liberation theology" really helping African Americans? Maybe it makes people feel good that they can blame others for their situation in life. I do not know or practice black liberation theology, and so I cannot speak to its effectiveness in promoting goodwill and prosperity among all peoples and cultures.

Are there other lessons to be learned in addition to "black liberation theology"?

Although I am white and not rich, I am successful, and there is one thing that I do know: when we blame others, we give up our ability to change. I also understand that if we lack the will for change, there is no one who can show us the way, not even Jesus Christ.

Article Source: http://www.newarticledaily.com

Read some of my outrageous Social Commentary on other hot topics, including: "Facts About the Second Most Controversial Topic in America - The First Is Abortion" "So Why Should I Subsidize Any Banks Because of Their Greed and Incompetence?" "A Disturbing Trend in Our Society - The Lack of Trust in Our Institutions" Find my Blog at: www.edbagleyblog.com www.edbagleyblog.com/LessonsinLife.html

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Religion and Spirituality Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Religion And Spirituality
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
New Stuff
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


© 2008 New Article Daily. All Rights Reserved.
Use of our service is protected by our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

Powered by Article Dashboard