Posted on 02/05/2008 7:10:31 AM PST by Grig
PITTSBURGH, PA. -- Sun Media hits the highways of the U.S. to take the pulse of Americans as they select the world's most powerful leader.
"Faith in God pours in a river down Rev. Adam Kinsel Jr.'s broad face.
"I don't think you hear me," he shouts to the flock. "I don't think you understand me yet."
This morning, Rev. Kinsel, repeatedly towelling sweat from his head, is just getting warmed up. Faith in God is why he lifts his large palms to heaven, stomps his feet on the worn church floor and holds his small Hill District congregation in rapture for hours.
CHARISMATIC PASTOR
But no matter how he tries, no matter how hard he prays, the charismatic pastor simply cannot muster the same faith in the American people.
The Zion Hill Baptist Church preacher not only doesn't think the country is ready for a black man to become president. Kinsel -- and his worshippers -- fear Democratic contender Sen. Barack Obama will be assassinated if he is ever elected to the post.
So they pray for his life. And their country.
Today, during Super Tuesday -- the most dramatic multi-state nominating contests in U.S. history, there's more at stake than a step toward the presidency. This election is a cauldron filled with some of the demons the U.S., like all western countries, fear the most. Sexism. Trading convictions for power. Even cowardice in the face of war. But racism and religious intolerance are certainly bubbling near the surface -- whether real or just an aberration.
There's a well-run slur campaign which says Obama, a Christian, is really a Muslim. Many say GOP contender and faithful Mormon, Mitt Romney, won't win because America is suspicious of the faith.
It's a defining time in America for race, gender and religion.
Fittingly, the large, inner-city church Kinsel preaches in is a marker of social change. Built in 1920 in an old section of Pittsburgh, it was once a synagogue. But it was left empty following the national uproar which followed the 1968 murder of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.
GOD AND COUNTRY
A few years ago, Kinsel and his followers moved in.
Today, the all-black congregation, which numbers around 50, share a love of God and country. The lines between church and state criss-cross inside Zion Hill.
To the left of Kinsel's pulpit is the Christian flag. To the right is the stars and stripes. During the Sunday school service, the children rhyme of oaths to both.
There are four more pledges: One to have God's power in their life, one to the bible, the Christian pledge -- and finally an African Pledge, which pays homage to a past before America. It ends with the line: "We will win."
But some aren't sure that time is now.
"In my heart, I want Obama -- but America is not ready," says 72-year-old Marianne Jackson, her great-grandchild playing in the pew behind her.
Simply called "Mother," she worked on a campaign for Bill Clinton, dubbed America's first black president. But it will be some time before U.S. voters pick a true black man, she reasons.
Rev. Kinsel hoped for more when he returned from the Vietnam war. He says he's still faithfully waiting.
"(Prejudice) is alive in 2008," he loudly preaches. "I fear for (Obama's) life."
Women in the congregation nod their heads in agreement.
The pastor continues: "We put 'In God We Trust' on our money, but citizens here in the U.S. don't really trust in God.
"When it comes to being qualified, they look at skin color."
One day, he promises his flock, skin tone won't matter.
"We have not had a (black) vice-president or president in my 60 years," the pastor says. "I'm asking God to change that."
He believes Obama is "qualified, bona fide and glorified."
"But I fear for him -- so I ask you to pray with me, that people look past his colour," he says, hands shooting upward. "Call your cousins, call your enemies, and get everyone to vote."
Faith in God pours in a river down Rev. Adam Kinsel Jr.'s broad face. He's just not so sure of God's children.
Well running against bill and hill could get you offed.
Only person Barak has to fear is the Clintonoids. Fort Marcy Park and an accidental shooting to the back of the head with a shotgun.
Now THAT’S something to be concerned about....
>>A prayer for Obama - Black Americans fear for the Illinois senator’s life<<
That is not an unreasonable fear. And it would horrific for this country. I hope we are doing everything humanly possible to keep him safe.
I doubt they were thinking of Arkancide...
This video is on Obama’s website. Halfway through the video, it was pointed out to me that there is a black power sign used.
You be the judge.
It comes up at 2:00, into the video.
http://culturekitchen.com/liza/blog/video_will_i_ams_remix_of_barack_obamas_speech_yes
Obama will NEVER be the nominee: too risky overall. Now that he and Hillary have “made nice”, it looks like he HAS to be the chosen running mate. That is EXACTLY where he belongs-—his crossover appeal will make it a stronger Dem ticket/ So who then needs the same crossover appeal of McCain on the R side? That may be why Romney becomes the R nominee
Exactly, Hussein had better stay out of DC parks or he may get a chance to ask Vince Foster what happened?
I can appreciate the thought that the Congregation has, but to rely on Government for your deliverance is not wise, Govt is interested in creating Clients, not success stories.
Just being a president is enough of a risk for assassination attempt as Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy, Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, Nixon, Ford, Bush41 and others found out.
Is the Hollywood writers strike over?
Obama is an empty suit. He has absolutely no qualifications to be POTUS.
I would have said exactly the same things two years ago, before having a biracial couple in my family. The small and large insults that happen routinely to black Americans was something I was so shocked and saddened to learn about. We are not as far down the road as I had comfortably and conveniently believed.
Laughable! You can't have any Democratic campaign without the candidates making the rounds of black churches' pulpits.
Talk about borrowing trouble.
Rating: R for brief violent images
Genre: Drama/Documentary
Format: Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 97 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Winner of the International Critics' Prize at the Toronto Film Festival, Death of a President is conceived as a fictional TV documentary broadcast in 2008, reflecting on a monstrous and cataclysmic event: the assassination of President George W. Bush on October 19th, 2007. The "documentary" artfully combines archival footage and carefully composed interviews presented in a respectful and dignified manner.
“And who do they think is going to going to try to take him out?
Don’t answer....”
Sorry, but I must.
My guess would be a conservative, southern, white Christian male.
And who keeps this lie simmering?
Self-hating, white, non-Christian, “progressive” liberals, who use class and race divisiveness routinely as a lever toward increased political power.
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