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.
What date is his birthday?
Because nothing is more important than the color of one's skin. /s
I really wish these people would get over themselves.
Well, now they know how many Americans feel when stuck drving through some sections of our inner cities........
Googled it. Aug 4. That’s works.
I guess these black Americans know just what Hillary is capable of.
Has Bill Clinton been there preaching?
RIGHT!
White Presidents have never been assassinated nor have their been any attempts on White Presidents lives.....OK
And the thing that could really throw off some people is the Constitutional clause which holds that if the President-elect dies or becomes incapacitated before the inauguration, the Presidency goes not to the President-elect's VP, but to the Presidential runner-up.
Even though this is clearly in the U.S. Constitution, you just know there'd be a media-generated "crisis" over it.
Fitting that they couldn’t give any accomplishment by him.
This is crap ginned up by the Clinton people.
Running against Hillary Clinton must be a bitch.
Prejudice is only alive because people like him won't let it go. I never see the kind of racism from white leaders that I see from people like him and Sharpton, and Jackson.
This is so inflammatory. They fear for his life why? Because he's black? Or because he might be president? Clearly the meaning is connected to the first part of his statement. They fear for his life because of prejudice. And who do they think is going to going to try to take him out?
Don't answer....
Well, he is running against Hillary.
MLK would be so disappointed in people like this preacher.
God those people have no clue.. True liberals- Going with feelings over facts. IDIOTS all of em. We deserve to get what ever happens in Nov. America is gone. WE’re doomed.
I fear for America if Obambi is elected. He is a hard-core marxist, and that does not bode well for America. He is wholly unqualified for the office (hell, he was well known for voting “Present” on tough issues while in the Illinois Assembly) and has zero experience in running anything. His is the cult of personality. That’s it and nothing more. The man is an empty suit.
And yet, he has a better chance of being elected president than any other candidate running from either party. He;d be as inept as Jimmy Carter, but without the family baggage.
Yep. Vote for Hillary, they will kill Obama. How low of tactics can they stoop too. The Clinton's know how to play the race card.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.