Obama Pastor Jeremiah Wright - Inflammatory or Provocative?

holds a close place in presidential candidate's heart. Wright is the newly retired pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ on the south side of Chicago. He officiated at Barack and's wedding, baptized their two daughters and influenced the title of the politician's latest book, The Audacity of Hope.

Jeremiah Wright is not without controversy. The outspoken cleric has raised many an eyebrow from the pulpit with some strong assertions regarding the treatment of black Americans and 9/11. He told his congregation on the Sunday following the terrorist attacks that the U.S. had brought on the al Qaeda attacks because of it's own acts of terrorism, reminding his congregation of the horrific bombings on Japan by the U.S. during WWII.

Wright further asserted that we should not be signing God Bless America but rather God Damn America for the continued poor treatment of black American's by the U.S. government.

Asked about the remarks made by his pastor and close friend, Sen. Obama told the New York Times he was not at the church on the day of Rev. Wright's 9/11 sermon. "The violence of 9/11 was inexcusable and without justification," Obama said in a recent interview. "It sounds like he was trying to be provocative," Obama told the paper.

Rev. Wright, who announced his retirement last month, is considered one of the country's 10 most influential black pastors, according to members of Obama's campaign. Wright has built a large and loyal following at his church with his spirited sermons, intertwined with his own views on contemporary issues.

Apparently Obama cherry picks from his friend's sermons and has praised Rev. Wright's focus on Africa. Senator Obama declined to comment on Rev. Wright's denunciations of the United States. Campaign aide Bill Burton said:



"Sen. Obama has said repeatedly that personal attacks such as this have no place in this campaign or our politics, whether they're offered from a platform at a rally or the pulpit of a church. Sen. Obama does not think of the pastor of his church in political terms. Like a member of his family, there are things he says with which Sen. Obama deeply disagrees. But now that he is retired, that doesn't detract from Sen. Obama's affection for Rev. Wright or his appreciation for the good works he has done."

During a campaign stop recently, Obama told a Jewish group that Rev. Wright is like an old uncle who says things that are sometimes controversial. He doesn't always agree with his minister put he continues to hold him in high regard.