The fiery rhetoric of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has sent shockwaves throughout the political landscape at the magnitude that could possibly collapse the political aspirations of Senator Barak Obama. The preacher’s preaching is laced with messages of racial hatred, separation and accusation. America itself, in his eyes is the dangerous malevolent force in this world destined to be consumed in the eternal fires of hell—a day when the poor victimized peoples of the other nations will celebrate.
However, to lay all of the blame at the feet of this former Marine and pastor would be a great forfeiture of understanding, and a loss of the unique opportunity to really see the inner-workings of what influences much of today’s African American cultural personality. There is a dynamic here, a near mystical captivation that exerts a hold over a people that cannot be ignored. There is something at work here that even in light of cold, hard fact, the faithful adherent rejects truth in order to irrationally cling to the lie, the impractical and absurd. In short, the 16th chapter of Overcoming Racism Through the Gospel presents a painful theory that much of the black-think process is a result of race-cult influence, and Rev. Wright’s extra-gospel preaching serves well to prove it!
Cult- a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
Before the matter is discussed in further detail, let it be known that the credible resources who provide the means for such analysis were experts in the field of cults—Dr. Milton Rokeach author of The Open and Closed Mind, and Dr. Walter Martin, author of Kingdom of the Cults. Although both men are deceased, their research and work present factors and elements which succinctly and comprehensively shed light upon the world of mind and people control. Whether intentional or inadvertent, the devastating results are the same!
Dr. Rokeach explains that the mind of a person susceptible to cult influence will be affected in three regions. In light of such a tumultuous history that has been often craftily manipulated by those in trust, it is an easy leap towards understanding what is happening and how to effectively find solutions.
The first and central region is that which encompasses the individual’s basic primitive outlook on the world of which he lives, and asks such questions as “Is the world a threatening place or is it an accepting place? Although the plight of black America is a complicated matter with enough blame for many to share, it seems to be most convenient and beneficial for a majority of blacks to perceive that white America is the root cause of their plight. Pastor Wright’s message of anti-Americanism is rooted in this racial hatred as many are taught that this anti-blackism manifests in this entire system because the majority of whites control it. Honest dialogue will admit that there are whites who hate blacks with uncompromising irrationality, and this partial truth forms the foundation for the general disparagement of all whites being typical racists.
Though often false today in light of today’s progress in racial opportunity, there could be enough truth in it to make the entire message an easy sell. If one would multiply this ideology by tens of thousands of pulpits at least once per week, then it is no stretch to understand that Wright is not the only black preacher convincing congregants that they are victims.
The belief that whites created the AIDS virus as an instrument of genocide, drugs given to bolster a black prison population and other cultural maladies are readily placed upon the shoulders of whites in general in spite of overwhelming evidence indicting those very liberal policies they embrace!
The second or intermediate region of the mind lies within the matter of authority—whose authority is a person willing to accept in matters pertaining to the functions of life? In terms of the church, this is a sacred trust that cannot ever be violated. The preacher’s role is to work to build a trust between the people and God, not the people and himself. Without the focus truly being on the word of God, the people can easily become attached to the one who best exercises real authority over their lives. When this occurs, the preacher or charismatic leader can say practically anything, and the devout followers will believe because he is supposed to be the one overseeing the spiritual matters of the church as well as the general well-being of its members. He has the ability to shape their world view by painting a picture of constant danger and hostility being perpetrated against the congregants as black people, while offering conspiracy theories ranging from evidentially-circumstantial to the outright absurd!
The third region relates to the circumstances and details which add up to one’s structure of living. Who or what influences one’s way of life for the better or for the worse? It is obvious that Rev. Wright as well as others like Louis Farrakan, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and literally thousands of black pastors across America use the power of the pulpit to convince congregants that it is racist white America that is the cause of their troubles. History tells us of the black experience of progress and opportunity in spite of opposition, but selective history has created a culture of futility and animosity.
When a charismatic leader’s message is able to effectively control and manipulate these three regions of the individual’s mind, he will certainly influence their beliefs and patterns of thought. It becomes a greater threat in the faith-based culture because he can interject ideas and messages of hope and deliverance based upon things not seen, or to be realized in a futuristic day of judgment—off-shoots from established conventional record and tradition.
In addition to what has been presented through the work of Dr. Rokeach, Dr. Walter Martin’s research identifies four recognizable characteristics in those who live quite possibly under cult influence.
The first characteristic is a form of closed-mindedness in which the cult mentality is not interested in a rational cognitive evaluation of the facts. Critical decisions pertaining to the individual’s world view are derived through an emotional process instead of simple reasoning. Negative cultural indicators such as black-on-black crime, illegitimate births, below-standard academic achievement, and high incarceration rates are not linked to personal responsibility, but are based upon conspiracy theories, distrust and paranoia. The closed mind is the perfect vessel for the errant preacher to pour his own psychoses, bad judgments and personal agendas based upon wealth, influence and power.
The second issue is genuine antagonism at a personal level. This is because the cultist identifies the message with the messenger, and if the authoritative voice successfully convinces the believer that the message is detrimental, then anything and anyone outside of that cult’s environment is viewed as the enemy. White America is the embodiment of evil and in many African American church congregations, a skilled pastor readily preaches a gospel contaminated with the Lord’s vengeance upon the white oppressors. Words like conservative and Republican are now synonymous with the Ku Klux Klan, and those associated are generally viewed as the enemy. As illustrated in many of Rev. Wright’s sermons, the preacher stirs up the anger and clamor of the victim experience, and then feeds off of the dynamic energy released from the critical mass of the emotional explosion.
Thirdly, the system will reflect a type of institutional dogmatism that bears a pronounced intolerance for any position but its own. Apparently, the need to belong to the system outweighs the innate desire to express free-will thought and in many cases, actions. The traditions, rules and customs form a significant part of the doctrine, usually given credence through the authority’s interpretation of the group’s holy writ. Whatever is done collectively is viewed as the best for black people with chronic intolerance of different or opposing views intertwined throughout the culture. To be a true black person according to the race-cult thought process, one must accept what the ruling intelligentsia determines is the policy. Even one who dares to quietly oppose the conventional wisdom of the leadership class is ostracized, and anyone who openly does so is publicly flogged by the whip of the tongue through name-calling and personal denigration. Labels such as race traitor, sell out, Uncle Tom, Oreo, token and other derogatory tags are placed upon the dissenter, and the extent of the punishment normally includes ostracism and public humiliation. This is the race-cult enforcement portion of the mindset.
The fourth and final element characterized by the race-cult mentality, as with any cult system is isolation. If nothing else, the messages of this group of black preachers serve as the perfect instrument for keeping many blacks isolated from full participation in the American experience. The idea of having an eternal white enemy produces a paranoia that causes nearly the entire group to live in constant distrust, suspicion and fear of whites and other groups while firmly believing that only black unity will produce the best outcomes for blacks in America. Bill Cosby was castigated for “exposing the black community’s dirty laundry” because he began to challenge black parents and youth to become accountable for their actions and to live up to their responsibilities.
Because a significant part of the black church experience has dwelt in isolation, many people in America are shocked to hear of such messages like Rev. Wright’s. Even ministers who support him seek to pass his behavior off as something unique to the African American community that outsiders will not and cannot understand. The conclusion to this discussion strongly suggests that this system has done very little to uplift the people it is supposed to benefit. In fact, as one considers the plight of the African American people, much can be certainly placed at the feet of the preacher! It seems evident that he is more concerned with his control over the masses than their freedoms! The seven elements presented using the cult system models of Drs. Rokeach and Martin suggest that this religious system is ominous and detrimental instead of wholesome and beneficial. Some liken it to a modern-day plantation, where the beneficiaries are those who are politically connected to the party they support without question practically 90% of the time. Others see it as a marriage between the church and Marxist ideology. Whatever the case might be, the black church itself may be in need of a change!
However, to lay all of the blame at the feet of this former Marine and pastor would be a great forfeiture of understanding, and a loss of the unique opportunity to really see the inner-workings of what influences much of today’s African American cultural personality. There is a dynamic here, a near mystical captivation that exerts a hold over a people that cannot be ignored. There is something at work here that even in light of cold, hard fact, the faithful adherent rejects truth in order to irrationally cling to the lie, the impractical and absurd. In short, the 16th chapter of Overcoming Racism Through the Gospel presents a painful theory that much of the black-think process is a result of race-cult influence, and Rev. Wright’s extra-gospel preaching serves well to prove it!
Cult- a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
Before the matter is discussed in further detail, let it be known that the credible resources who provide the means for such analysis were experts in the field of cults—Dr. Milton Rokeach author of The Open and Closed Mind, and Dr. Walter Martin, author of Kingdom of the Cults. Although both men are deceased, their research and work present factors and elements which succinctly and comprehensively shed light upon the world of mind and people control. Whether intentional or inadvertent, the devastating results are the same!
Dr. Rokeach explains that the mind of a person susceptible to cult influence will be affected in three regions. In light of such a tumultuous history that has been often craftily manipulated by those in trust, it is an easy leap towards understanding what is happening and how to effectively find solutions.
The first and central region is that which encompasses the individual’s basic primitive outlook on the world of which he lives, and asks such questions as “Is the world a threatening place or is it an accepting place? Although the plight of black America is a complicated matter with enough blame for many to share, it seems to be most convenient and beneficial for a majority of blacks to perceive that white America is the root cause of their plight. Pastor Wright’s message of anti-Americanism is rooted in this racial hatred as many are taught that this anti-blackism manifests in this entire system because the majority of whites control it. Honest dialogue will admit that there are whites who hate blacks with uncompromising irrationality, and this partial truth forms the foundation for the general disparagement of all whites being typical racists.
Though often false today in light of today’s progress in racial opportunity, there could be enough truth in it to make the entire message an easy sell. If one would multiply this ideology by tens of thousands of pulpits at least once per week, then it is no stretch to understand that Wright is not the only black preacher convincing congregants that they are victims.
The belief that whites created the AIDS virus as an instrument of genocide, drugs given to bolster a black prison population and other cultural maladies are readily placed upon the shoulders of whites in general in spite of overwhelming evidence indicting those very liberal policies they embrace!
The second or intermediate region of the mind lies within the matter of authority—whose authority is a person willing to accept in matters pertaining to the functions of life? In terms of the church, this is a sacred trust that cannot ever be violated. The preacher’s role is to work to build a trust between the people and God, not the people and himself. Without the focus truly being on the word of God, the people can easily become attached to the one who best exercises real authority over their lives. When this occurs, the preacher or charismatic leader can say practically anything, and the devout followers will believe because he is supposed to be the one overseeing the spiritual matters of the church as well as the general well-being of its members. He has the ability to shape their world view by painting a picture of constant danger and hostility being perpetrated against the congregants as black people, while offering conspiracy theories ranging from evidentially-circumstantial to the outright absurd!
The third region relates to the circumstances and details which add up to one’s structure of living. Who or what influences one’s way of life for the better or for the worse? It is obvious that Rev. Wright as well as others like Louis Farrakan, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and literally thousands of black pastors across America use the power of the pulpit to convince congregants that it is racist white America that is the cause of their troubles. History tells us of the black experience of progress and opportunity in spite of opposition, but selective history has created a culture of futility and animosity.
When a charismatic leader’s message is able to effectively control and manipulate these three regions of the individual’s mind, he will certainly influence their beliefs and patterns of thought. It becomes a greater threat in the faith-based culture because he can interject ideas and messages of hope and deliverance based upon things not seen, or to be realized in a futuristic day of judgment—off-shoots from established conventional record and tradition.
In addition to what has been presented through the work of Dr. Rokeach, Dr. Walter Martin’s research identifies four recognizable characteristics in those who live quite possibly under cult influence.
The first characteristic is a form of closed-mindedness in which the cult mentality is not interested in a rational cognitive evaluation of the facts. Critical decisions pertaining to the individual’s world view are derived through an emotional process instead of simple reasoning. Negative cultural indicators such as black-on-black crime, illegitimate births, below-standard academic achievement, and high incarceration rates are not linked to personal responsibility, but are based upon conspiracy theories, distrust and paranoia. The closed mind is the perfect vessel for the errant preacher to pour his own psychoses, bad judgments and personal agendas based upon wealth, influence and power.
The second issue is genuine antagonism at a personal level. This is because the cultist identifies the message with the messenger, and if the authoritative voice successfully convinces the believer that the message is detrimental, then anything and anyone outside of that cult’s environment is viewed as the enemy. White America is the embodiment of evil and in many African American church congregations, a skilled pastor readily preaches a gospel contaminated with the Lord’s vengeance upon the white oppressors. Words like conservative and Republican are now synonymous with the Ku Klux Klan, and those associated are generally viewed as the enemy. As illustrated in many of Rev. Wright’s sermons, the preacher stirs up the anger and clamor of the victim experience, and then feeds off of the dynamic energy released from the critical mass of the emotional explosion.
Thirdly, the system will reflect a type of institutional dogmatism that bears a pronounced intolerance for any position but its own. Apparently, the need to belong to the system outweighs the innate desire to express free-will thought and in many cases, actions. The traditions, rules and customs form a significant part of the doctrine, usually given credence through the authority’s interpretation of the group’s holy writ. Whatever is done collectively is viewed as the best for black people with chronic intolerance of different or opposing views intertwined throughout the culture. To be a true black person according to the race-cult thought process, one must accept what the ruling intelligentsia determines is the policy. Even one who dares to quietly oppose the conventional wisdom of the leadership class is ostracized, and anyone who openly does so is publicly flogged by the whip of the tongue through name-calling and personal denigration. Labels such as race traitor, sell out, Uncle Tom, Oreo, token and other derogatory tags are placed upon the dissenter, and the extent of the punishment normally includes ostracism and public humiliation. This is the race-cult enforcement portion of the mindset.
The fourth and final element characterized by the race-cult mentality, as with any cult system is isolation. If nothing else, the messages of this group of black preachers serve as the perfect instrument for keeping many blacks isolated from full participation in the American experience. The idea of having an eternal white enemy produces a paranoia that causes nearly the entire group to live in constant distrust, suspicion and fear of whites and other groups while firmly believing that only black unity will produce the best outcomes for blacks in America. Bill Cosby was castigated for “exposing the black community’s dirty laundry” because he began to challenge black parents and youth to become accountable for their actions and to live up to their responsibilities.
Because a significant part of the black church experience has dwelt in isolation, many people in America are shocked to hear of such messages like Rev. Wright’s. Even ministers who support him seek to pass his behavior off as something unique to the African American community that outsiders will not and cannot understand. The conclusion to this discussion strongly suggests that this system has done very little to uplift the people it is supposed to benefit. In fact, as one considers the plight of the African American people, much can be certainly placed at the feet of the preacher! It seems evident that he is more concerned with his control over the masses than their freedoms! The seven elements presented using the cult system models of Drs. Rokeach and Martin suggest that this religious system is ominous and detrimental instead of wholesome and beneficial. Some liken it to a modern-day plantation, where the beneficiaries are those who are politically connected to the party they support without question practically 90% of the time. Others see it as a marriage between the church and Marxist ideology. Whatever the case might be, the black church itself may be in need of a change!
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