TheMorningFive 04/28/08
Jeremiah Wright, Praying for Gas Prices, a Christian Hollywood and More ...
Thanks to everyone who checked out the blog this weekend … as promised, here is the Monday edition of the Morning Five:
1. Jeremiah Wright’s Latest
The former pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama, Rev. Jeremiah Wright—now infamous for his post-9/11 comments that condemned America’s support of Israel, the bombing of Japan in WWII and what he called “supported state terrorism” of South Africans and others—told an audience of 10,000 this week that he was not divisive, and the “corporate-owned media” made him out to be more controversial than he really is. Wright told the audience at an NAACP dinner that when he speaks about racial issues and American culture, he only seeks to “describe the conditions in this country.”
According to CNN, he said, “I'm not here for political reasons. I'm not a politician. I know that fact will surprise many of you because many in the corporate-owned media made it seem like I am running for the Oval Office. I am not running for the Oval Office. I've been running for Jesus a long, long time, and I'm not tired yet."
Wright, who has risen as one of the most polarizing figures in what is already an increasingly vitriolic political race, has even gained a following since rising to notoriety. What started off as a more sensational side note to the election has become one of the most buzz-garnering stories in the political season combining three areas Americans love to “talk” about, the hot-button trifecta of politics, race and religion.
2. The Church’s Immigration Support
Since we’re on the subject of politically-active churches, hundreds of United Methodists in Texas are joining to oppose an immigration enforcement bill. The open borders rally happened at massive denomination gathering of more than 3,000, and saw hundreds of church activists call congressional representatives to express their opposition of the controversial SAVE Act (that seeks to tighten border security and take other measures to enforce immigration policy).
I recognize that immigration is a complicated issue, but to me it’s interesting that it has become so divisive with-in the Church. It seems like politically active Christians are passionate about the issue on both sides. I think it’s great for Christians to support political issues they are passionate about, but what happens when believers are divided over grey area issues like immigration?
I just hope that as we get closer to the general election, that the division within the Church on immigration doesn’t further polarize politically opinionated denominations.
3. Pray for Gas
Here an interesting story from San Francisco about a community activist who is staging “pray-ins” with volunteers to ask God to lower gas prices. Rocky Twyman told reporters, “God is the only one we can turn to at this point. Our leaders don't seem to be able to do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring."
Twyman, who is from Washington D.C., is known for taking up interesting causes—everything from trying to get Oprah nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize to trying to get more minorities to become bone marrow donors—but his latest seems to be a mix of sincerity and humor. The story from The San Francisco Gate interjects its own political bent on the story, ascribing the problem of high gas price to government neglect. They quote one Consumer Watchdog spokesperson who said, “Given the complete inertia and silence of this White House on a crisis that has people feeling just hopeless, prayer is probably as good as anything … This is government's job - it shouldn't be God's job - but government is in gridlock or ignoring it."
Even though the subject of the article seems to emphasize prayer more than politics, the story takes jabs at Bush administration for the gas crunch.
Despite all the press though, Twyman doesn’t seem to be over-politicizing his prayer meetings. "I've seen him work miracles in my life," he said. "He told us that all we need to do is ask and believe. He can do it, and he will do it, but we have to ask him to do it." It's hard
4. Christian Movies-Makers
A paper in Alabama has published this story about two brothers who have begun a successful Christian filmmaking business. The guys have an interesting perspective about their success and Christian filmmaking in general.
It’s no secret that post-Passion Hollywood has been courting religious audiences with everything from C.S. Lewis remakes to biblical comedies like the “Almighty” series, but these Middle America entrepreneurs seem to see the trend as more than just a business opportunity, though they don’t deny the demand is there.
"The new buzzword in Hollywood is 'faith-based,'" one of the brothers said. "Hollywood wants to market films to the Christian community, but doesn't understand it. We feel that we can bridge that gap."
But unlike some traditional “faith-based” filmmakers, their projects aren’t explicitly evangelical.
"People go the theater to be entertained," he said. "With our films, we're attracted to the story first, whether it's faith-based or not. We don't take a story and cram a message in."
The view highlights the differing opinions of “Christian” art (including music, film and literature). These days, as Christian pop-culture gains more and more expectance, many artists see their work as an entrance point into the conversation about faith, not a one-stop avenue to salvation.
5. Franklin Graham Goes to China
Evangelists Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) has accepted an invitation by China to preach at a Chinese Protestant Church. Graham will also meet with Church leaders in the countries in an effort to further the dialogue with western leaders and Chinese Christians.
1. Jeremiah Wright’s Latest
The former pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama, Rev. Jeremiah Wright—now infamous for his post-9/11 comments that condemned America’s support of Israel, the bombing of Japan in WWII and what he called “supported state terrorism” of South Africans and others—told an audience of 10,000 this week that he was not divisive, and the “corporate-owned media” made him out to be more controversial than he really is. Wright told the audience at an NAACP dinner that when he speaks about racial issues and American culture, he only seeks to “describe the conditions in this country.”
According to CNN, he said, “I'm not here for political reasons. I'm not a politician. I know that fact will surprise many of you because many in the corporate-owned media made it seem like I am running for the Oval Office. I am not running for the Oval Office. I've been running for Jesus a long, long time, and I'm not tired yet."
Wright, who has risen as one of the most polarizing figures in what is already an increasingly vitriolic political race, has even gained a following since rising to notoriety. What started off as a more sensational side note to the election has become one of the most buzz-garnering stories in the political season combining three areas Americans love to “talk” about, the hot-button trifecta of politics, race and religion.
2. The Church’s Immigration Support
Since we’re on the subject of politically-active churches, hundreds of United Methodists in Texas are joining to oppose an immigration enforcement bill. The open borders rally happened at massive denomination gathering of more than 3,000, and saw hundreds of church activists call congressional representatives to express their opposition of the controversial SAVE Act (that seeks to tighten border security and take other measures to enforce immigration policy).
I recognize that immigration is a complicated issue, but to me it’s interesting that it has become so divisive with-in the Church. It seems like politically active Christians are passionate about the issue on both sides. I think it’s great for Christians to support political issues they are passionate about, but what happens when believers are divided over grey area issues like immigration?
I just hope that as we get closer to the general election, that the division within the Church on immigration doesn’t further polarize politically opinionated denominations.
3. Pray for Gas
Here an interesting story from San Francisco about a community activist who is staging “pray-ins” with volunteers to ask God to lower gas prices. Rocky Twyman told reporters, “God is the only one we can turn to at this point. Our leaders don't seem to be able to do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring."
Twyman, who is from Washington D.C., is known for taking up interesting causes—everything from trying to get Oprah nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize to trying to get more minorities to become bone marrow donors—but his latest seems to be a mix of sincerity and humor. The story from The San Francisco Gate interjects its own political bent on the story, ascribing the problem of high gas price to government neglect. They quote one Consumer Watchdog spokesperson who said, “Given the complete inertia and silence of this White House on a crisis that has people feeling just hopeless, prayer is probably as good as anything … This is government's job - it shouldn't be God's job - but government is in gridlock or ignoring it."
Even though the subject of the article seems to emphasize prayer more than politics, the story takes jabs at Bush administration for the gas crunch.
Despite all the press though, Twyman doesn’t seem to be over-politicizing his prayer meetings. "I've seen him work miracles in my life," he said. "He told us that all we need to do is ask and believe. He can do it, and he will do it, but we have to ask him to do it." It's hard
4. Christian Movies-Makers
A paper in Alabama has published this story about two brothers who have begun a successful Christian filmmaking business. The guys have an interesting perspective about their success and Christian filmmaking in general.
It’s no secret that post-Passion Hollywood has been courting religious audiences with everything from C.S. Lewis remakes to biblical comedies like the “Almighty” series, but these Middle America entrepreneurs seem to see the trend as more than just a business opportunity, though they don’t deny the demand is there.
"The new buzzword in Hollywood is 'faith-based,'" one of the brothers said. "Hollywood wants to market films to the Christian community, but doesn't understand it. We feel that we can bridge that gap."
But unlike some traditional “faith-based” filmmakers, their projects aren’t explicitly evangelical.
"People go the theater to be entertained," he said. "With our films, we're attracted to the story first, whether it's faith-based or not. We don't take a story and cram a message in."
The view highlights the differing opinions of “Christian” art (including music, film and literature). These days, as Christian pop-culture gains more and more expectance, many artists see their work as an entrance point into the conversation about faith, not a one-stop avenue to salvation.
5. Franklin Graham Goes to China
Evangelists Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) has accepted an invitation by China to preach at a Chinese Protestant Church. Graham will also meet with Church leaders in the countries in an effort to further the dialogue with western leaders and Chinese Christians.