Between the pulpit and pews, a gulf on Wright

For some, an episode of race-baiting
Pastors like Dr. Barber are teaching quizzical parishioners about Mr. Wright’s place in the prophetic tradition, a style of preaching that combines spiritual guidance with often harsh social criticism and has its roots in Old Testament prophets.

While the congregation is learning the background of Mr. Wright’s sermons, Dr. Barber said, church members have expressed anger over their belief that Mr. Wright’s words have been twisted and taken out of context in the campaign.

“Like this ad that has come out in our state that has taken a snippet of a sermon of Wright,” Dr. Barber said, referring to a television advertisement from the state Republican Party that ties the Democratic candidates for governor to Mr. Obama and, by extension, to Mr. Wright. “It’s a form of race baiting, and many of them have seen it before.”

But not everyone is so quick to leap to Mr. Wright’s defense. Some are offended by the notion, put forth by Mr. Wright, that an attack on him was an attack on the black church itself.

“He don’t speak for all black people, at least not for me,” said Loreen Morman, 47, of Evergreen, a supporter of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mr. Obama’s Democratic rival.

Truth and consequences
More common, at least judging from call-in shows on black radio stations and interviews in and around Lumberton, is the opinion that Mr. Wright made a serious error this week when he spoke at the National Press Club in Washington, days before Mr. Obama was to face a tight primary next Tuesday against Mrs. Clinton here and in Indiana.

“There’s some truth to the things Reverend Wright spoke about,” said Rodney Singletary, 40, an associate pastor of Walking by Faith ministries in Chadbourn. “And the Bible says the truth shall set you free. But the Bible also says there is a time to speak and a time to be silent.”

Message board   What do you think of Obama's candidacy?

Many black voters, including some of Mr. Wright’s detractors, fault the news media for pushing the story. But whether the coverage is viewed more as sensationalism or racism may depend on the generation of the voter.

Frances M. Cummings, 67, a former state legislator who was the first black teacher at Lumberton High School, said younger people did not understand the social forces that were working against them. “They don’t know anything about not being served at a restaurant or not going to college where you wanted to go,” Ms. Cummings said.

More from NYTimes.com Click links below: Obama, in Berlin, Calls for Renewal of Ties With Allies Memo: Hey, Obama: There’s Bratwurst in Ohio, Too (but No Cheering Masses) Candidates Spar Over Troop Surge and Iraq Chronology The Caucus: Clicking for Dollars External links

While she called Mr. Wright’s timing poor, Ms. Cummings said the news media “put him in the opposing corner, and he had to come out swinging.”

At Clawson’s barbershop, a small blue building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive with Obama signs taped to the windows, the older clientele recalled having to sit outside doctor’s offices and take Constitution tests to vote. But, to nods of agreement, Sandell F. Clawson Jr., 71, the owner, said Mr. Wright’s comments risked bringing old, contentious issues to a campaign that was trying to move past them.

“Where he’s coming from is good,” Mr. Clawson said. “He’s just late coming.”

This article, Between the Pulpit and Pews, a Gulf on Obama’s Ex-Pastor, originally appeared in The New York Times.

Picking the president: The candidates Click to visit that candidate's MSNBC page or click the XML symbol for an RSS feed. John McCain                Barack Obama

MORE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES

The New York Times Section Front

NYT: Obama wows Europe — vaguely NYT: McCain focuses on Arizona NYT: Obama's health care pledge unrealistic? NYT: McCain goes from heckler to deal maker NYT: Rivals McCain, Romney make up NYT: Cast of 300 advises Obama on foreign policy NYT: Obama, McCain widen courtship of Hispanics NYT: Obama isn't closing racial divide NYT: Rangel to quit apartment used as office NYT: McCain's model on right? Roosevelt (Teddy) The New York Times Section Front