I am a white female Atheist Democrat

[msallied]

I have friends who are black Democrats, Mexican Republicans, Libertarians of various ethnicities, and even a few evangelicals. With each of them, we diverge on many things, both personal and political. And yet we manage to meet on a common ground as friends because we see the good in one another. We see that although they might see another road of taking this country to a better place, we also see that we have the same goals in mind. My associating with a religious conservative does not mean that I take on or endorse her strict Christian pro-life views anymore than her stances are colored by my more liberal/secularist ones.

The fact that Barack Obama has to account for the controversy of his minister is just beyond the scope of my comprehension. Clearly, Mr. Wright is not an evil individual. He might be impassioned and angry, some would say justifiably, but he is not a terrorist and Obama's association with that church does not mean that the Senator is going to be in agreement with every word the man says. While I might value my loved ones for a myriad of reasons, it does not mean that I agree with all of their views.

THAT is the essence I got from Mr. Obama's very eloquent speech yesterday. It was, of course, the perception I had from be beginning of this whole needless debacle. This story is one that feeds on the ignorance of the masses who form their opinions with the aid of soundbytes and canned punditry, not off of general personal reflection, life experience, and the ability to separate the grain of truth and honesty from the chaff of bullshit. Yes, let Obama make clear that he does not stand beside every word of Reverent Wright if it makes it easier for you to sleep at night. I just find it a sad commentary that the people at large would even find that to be necessary. Unless all of you live amongst people who think, act, and speak exactly as you do, then you should know that embracing a person as a friend/family member does not mean you embrace every word that comes out of his/her mouth.

How wonderful of Barack Obama to declare the sentiments he did yesterday. How unfortunate for human beings that he had to.

[theredpen]

1. K&R: This is very well said

[ulysses]

2. yes, it is.

[roguevalley]

7. yes, especially after all the hate McCain's goons mascerading

as preachers, hagee et al, are saying. double standard. they 'hate' america too because they actually celebrate americans dying.

[Jensen]

3. K&R ! Just call me a American !

:kick:

[rzemanfl]

4. As a third generation male white atheist I am reminded of what

my first generation white male atheist grandfather said of Kennedy "I'll vote for him even though he is Catholic, but I know he'd never vote for me because I don't go to church." My grandfather was also a world class bigot who hated Jews (because he was apprenticed to one as a boy), Germans (because he was Bohemian) and black people (because everybody in town did) pretty much equally.

[FrenchieCat]

5. That's the real issue....

you point out.

First they came for Obama's pastor, then they came for Obama, then they will come for Hillary, then they will come for the gay community, then will come for our right to choose, then they will come to bust the unions, then they will come for our middle class, then they will come for our internet, then they will come for the activists......then we will scratch our collective asses and try to figure out what happened.

Those here at DU who repeat the same things that Rush Limbaugh and Lou Dobbs state publicly as their own views, will be the first ones with their fingernails on their ass.

[ocd liberal]

6. K & R!!! I am also White Female Atheist Democrat

Well written and nice to meet you!

[Window]

8. K/R.

:kick:

[Drachasor]

9. As a white male atheist, I completely agree.

This a big problem today in our society. It seems like there's almost a movement to have no compassion or empathy for others (particularly people that say or do the wrong thing).