John Adams: God Damn America

As I alternate between reruns of Jeremiah Wrights "God Damn America" tirade and first-runs of the HBO's John Adams series, I see a surprising connection. Like many of the Revolutionary era, Adams believed that if we weren't careful, God would damn us or at least withdraw his support.

At some points during the war, Adams feared that the cause would fail because he saw too much greed and commercialism in the colonies. "I have seen all my life such selfishness and littleness even in New England, that I sometimes tremble to think that, although we are engaged in the best cause that ever employed the human heart, yet the prospect of success is doubtful not for want of power or wisdom but of virtue." During the revolution, Adams -- evoking the manner of his Puritan ancestors -- told his friend Benjamin Rush that the colonials would only have a chance of winning, "if we fear God and repent our sins." He even speculated that God might intend for America to be defeated so that its "vicious and luxurious and effeminate appetites, passion and habits" would be cleansed, laying the foundation for a more-deserved victory in the future.

Adams wasn't alone in seeing the events on the ground as a reflection -- positive and negative -- of God's assessment. One minister ascribed the Continental Army's difficulties to the presence of slavery. Noting the brutal winter, the poor crops, the loss of cattle, and the seemingly imminent collapse of the army, a Quaker farmer speculated that it was part of a divinely-ordained set of plagues. When on July 20, 1775 the Continental Congress called for a day of prayer, it was accompanied by a call for fasting, self-reflection and a unified effort to "unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins."

I don't mean this as a defense of Jeremiah Wright (or John Adams). It's just a reminder that there's a long tradition among preachers and politicians of asserting that if God is to bless us when we're good, He may damn us when we're bad.

Comments

[cognate]

Exactly which of Wrights statements is factually wrong?

[mae692]

Someone mentioned Isiah and Jeremiah? My first thought on hearing this was 'this sounds like old-testament prophets to me." Nobody liked them much either. What's the big deal? I know, it's distraction time.

[MajorKong]

I watched John Adams and enjoyed seeing the plucky occupied country fight off the invading superpower led by a despotic unitary executive.

[robXdion]

The point of this whole Rev. Wright controversy, Steven, is that many whites feel attacked and threatened because a black man said it. Their emotions can't rest until Obama condemns Rev. Wright as a Christian Farrakhan. Which ironically validates much of the angry sentiments in the first place.

[WoodyCPM]

Exactly. White preachers say the same things, use the same rhetoric and not a single word is ever said about it. Hagee and Falwell have said some of the most outrageous things condemning America for our supposed sins. Hagee calling Catholicism a "cult religion"....saying that Katrina was God's punishment on gay-loving New Orleans....Falwell saying 9/11 was God's punishment for abortion and gay-rights. Hundreds of white preachers all over the country, every Sunday, get up in the pulpit and make wild-eyed, ranting, outrageous claims about God's damnation of America for this sin or that one and no one ever raises a single question about it. McCain actually seeks out Hagee's and Falwell's embrace and endorsement and not a word is said. But let a black man, a very well educated, smart black man, get up and rant and rave against the ugliness of American behavior at home and abroad and everyone is ready to lynch him. And they're eager to use his words as a justification for their deep-seated racial biases to give themselves "intellectual cover" not to vote for Obama. The double standards and the underlying racial biases are in keeping with the great American racist traditions.

[VSamuels]

HuffPost's Pick

Excellent points.

Racism holds in place these 'double standards' which has Obama jumping through loops explaining his associations, while allowing no one to ask similar questions of the two other white candidates. Yesterday, on Hardball, a guest asked why Hillary Clinton or John McCain weren't being asked to weigh in on the issue of race, and why are we discussing this issue only through the candidacy of Obama? Matthews did not take up his guest's question---seeming to be caught off guard in the honesty of its context in an issue which should be evenly placed at the feet of all , not just Obama.

Much of the overall problem, is how in general whites have come to express or not express race, pushing the subject as something that is a black issue---being too uncomfortable for some of them to openly discuss outside of the context of having blacks on infrequently and strategically when racial issues blow up in society. And, if we as a society are to progress, some here must agree that too often whites shy away from discussing race open and honesty among themselves in public, shifting instead into tactics that make it seem that its not their problem, but blacks who are objecting to their perceived inequality in society.

[barackstar]

Thank you for bringing this up. People seem to misunderstand the greater picture that Wright is referring to: America has sinned. Blind patriotism ignores the genocide of Native Americans and the theft of their land; the injustice of slavery and and its racist legacy; the existence of bigotry of all kinds; and the support of illegal and immoral wars. Criticizing the country's government is the best kind of love: love that leads to improving the country. Why are people so upset about Reverend Wright? I listen to rap music all the time. It doesn't mean I participate in or condone a culture of violence. Obama is very different from Reverend Wright in style and substance. I don't understand why people are harping on this. Anyway, thanks for the post.

[Mollye]

We will never be able to live together if you cannot leave behind the things that people did hundreds of years ago. It is history. None of us, from any country, are responsible for what our forefather's did hundreds of years ago. This culture of hate, spoken by ministers like Wright needs to stop. He is hurting our country, not helping. Words, like bamboozle and hoodwink and okey doke lifted from ministers of hate, spoken so as to go over the heads of people not in the know needs to stop. It sounds like code, it makes us suspicious that a Presidential candidate who would use that code talk does not have the best interest of the whole country...it makes us suspicioous of his motives in his desire to be President.

[GaryLawson]

Open letter to Senator Obama:

I am a 60-year-old, white businessman in Texas. I have traditionally been “socially liberal and economically conservative”. I “marched” for Martin Luther King in college and have spent much of my life supporting and trying to help “poorer” people, many of whom, as you know, were black. I have spent thousands of dollars helping a New Orleans family after Katrina. I feel lucky to be “me” and I have always tried to help others. I consider myself an “independent”... and I typically vote for “democrats” locally and for “republicans” nationally (mostly because of national defense issues). I disagree with your “as soon as possible withdrawal” from Iraq... but I agree with your health care plan. I believe, if you are elected President, you will end-up doing the right thing in Iraq... i.e., staying as long as we need to beat the “enemy”... after you really have all the facts and the responsibility... at least I hope so. I like your “attitude” and your “bring together” philosophy. I HAD decided to vote for you in November if you were the nominee.

The purpose of this note to you is to tell you I may have to change my mind and vote for John McCain. Why? Your association with Reverend Wright. His words are so divisive and inaccurate, in my opinion, and I can’t believe you could accept his hateful words over such a long period. Perhaps you did tell him you thought he was wrong -- AIDS promoted by the government, 911 being our fault, etc. -- and the media just isn’t reporting that.

You KNOW there are ignorant souls who believe Reverend Wright. YOU must LEAD the black community by telling them the TRUTH in no uncertain terms. Want I want to HEAR from you... to be able to feel comfortable voting for you... is to hear you say, publicly, for all the world to hear, SPECIFICALLY: “I am speaking to all black Americans: I do not believe that the government had anything to do with the spreading of AIDS, I do not think we brought 911 on ourselves, and I believe that anyone, minister or other leader, who tells you those things is dangerous and completely wrong. The ‘white’ community must change, but so MUST the ‘black’ community.”

If I do not hear YOU say that to the black community, I MUST assume you may believe the hate Reverend Wright reflects. I KNOW he comes from a “place” and “history” that is the “reason” for his remarks.... and I hate that for him and others who believe as he does. But, hopefully, you KNOW he is wrong and it is your RESPONSIBILTY to tell the world, and ESPECIALLY the black community, that he and others who profess such things are wrong.

When I hear you LEAD the black community, I will again be able to vote for you... along with many, many others who I know feel the same as I do. If you can't lead the black community with all your talents, you will not be able to lead the entire country.

I WANT to support you... I REALLY do. Help me elect you President. Please.

[blaqqardo]

Read his speech. He denounces the comments made by Wright unequivocally. He doesn't repeat everything Wright said, but please, read the part where he talks about Wright's comments having wrong assumptions and being divisive. You'll love it.

[heywhat]

Certainly Reverend Dr. Wright has the right to make the comments he made and no doubt that Senator Obama's speech was on point when speaking about the need to address race. However, I would still like to hear Senator Obama address why he did not take on a leadership position in his church when he admittedly heard controversial comments. Yes, most of us have probably heard comments from the pulpit with which we disagreed, hopefully, if they were this severe we did not allow them to go unchallenged.

http://strictlyanecdotal.com

[ChaucerDaisy]

Dear Fellow Citizen of America,

Please remember this as you consider for whom you will vote. Barack Obama invoked the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence when he began his speech on Tuesday. As Americans, we benefit from this awareness:

Reverend Wright, as an American citizen, has the "right" to First Amendment protection. Rev. Wright can say whatever he chooses to say. I remember my father, a Constitutional scholar, stating again and again this philosophy. "I may disagree with what you say but I will fight to the death to defend your RIGHT to say it."

My father served in WWII in the Navy. Rev. Wright served in the Marines. Are we so judgemental that we can encourage Reverend Wright to "serve" his/our country and DIE for his/our country but Rev. Wright is not allowed to voice HIS beliefs, HIS opinions, HIS views, HIS social commentary as a citizen of his/our country?

Reverend Wright can say whatever he wants to say.

Your concern may be guilt by association. But wait. Isn't everyone in America innocent until PROVEN guilty? Barack Obama does not use the words Rev. Wright uses. Barack Obama is not guilty of associating with Rev. Wright and mimicking his language or mirroring his belief system.

If we are to change as a society we MUST be critical thinkers. Passion and EMOTION led us into the fiasco of Iraq. Read about "logical fallacies." That's what is being played here. Emotion. Anger. Reactions to "God Damn." Reactions to Rev. Wright's reaction to 9/11. Reactions that are based on EMOTION, not LOGIC.

When you THINK about it, Barack Obama's measured speech in the face of crisis is the antithesis of Rev. Wright. When you THINK about it, whenever we are faced with a dissenting or minority view opposing the "popular or traditional" view, we benefit by examining, "why does that person think that way?"

Adlai E. Stevenson once said, "ALL PROGRESS HAS RESULTED FROM PEOPLE WHO TOOK UNPOPULAR POSITIONS."

Thank you for your consideration of my views.

ChaucerDaisy

[schmuckwithearlaps]

This whole incident shows how easy it is for liberals to be knocked out of a presidential race. It is only March and the conservatives are beating us blindfolded with both hands tied behind their back. Conservatives know how to make people feel negatively about a liberal candidate. It does not matter when we trot out all our excuses. Freedom of speech, innocent until proven guilty. Give me a break. The only thing that matters is voter perception. In 2004 it was "flip flop flip flop" and "purple hearts from self inflicted wounds". The truth means nothing. This is a battle for voter perception, and we are losing big time. Wake up, please, liberals, before it is too late.

[Herrington]

Well said.

[Shaddup]

Mr Lawson, those hateful words were thirty seconds of spin, aired repeatedly. That's not twenty years.

[GaryLawson]

Thank you for your response. If it was only 10 seconds of spin, it is still communicating something very negative and scary to the general public who will NEVER hear the enire sermon(s). Just ask Don Imus and Trent Lott. I am not against Senator Obama... I am for him... and I want him to win... sorry I didn't make that clear on my original post. Have a wonderful weekend.

[MrSorme]

Mr. Lawson, McCain embraced John Hagee, a man that begs for WWIII so that the End of Days can finally arrive and true believers can rise up to heaven while the rest of us suffer eternal damnation on Earth. Apparently Republicans can support the KKK, the slow dismantling of the Constitution, and various Christian zealots that are actually rooting for more wars and more death -- and nobody says a word.

On the other hand, Reverend Wright was pointing out America's flaws, and how they needed to be addressed and corrected (God Damn America? Yes, if we insist on first strikes against any nation that we randomly list as "evil" ... before calling someone evil, it's a good idea to look in the mirror and fix your own house first). Sadly, truth is the most feared thing in America and pointing out its flaws is not allowed in any way, shape or form. Of course, the fact is, if you don't point out something's flaws, if you don't insist on change, then nothing gets done and we're doomed to endlessly repeat our mistakes

The U.S. is in serious trouble, Mr. Lawson, and letting the same basic group of ignorant warmongers continue their activity will, I fear, be the end of the American dream. The choice is easy: vote for fear, ignorance, and imperialism, or vote for change and healing.

[carmenjonze]

Oh brother. I wonder how many of these fake ultimatums from white southern men Obama has gotten in the past 3 days.

"You must say EXACTLY what I want to hear you say...or else!"

Why not just tell him straight out he must tapdance for your personal entertainment?

I love all these self-appointed experts on "the black community" who know nothing about it but will play the "MLK" card in a hot second to try and give themselves credibility in their ceaseless lecturing.

Doesn't fly.

[GaryLawson]

Thank you for responding. I am sorry that my original comment wasn't more clear and that you felt I was "lecturing". I do not mean to present an ultimatum. I just want the Senator to LEAD rather than talk... and I meant to communicate this: If he is not perceived as "leading", he will not be elected as our leader, no matter how right he may be or no mater how much many of us want him to be elected. It's not a threat, it is a fact. Elections are WON by majorities, and, no matter what you or I want, Senator Obama will NOT win a majority if he is not perceived as leading the black community in a way very different from the way Reverend Wright leads. Being "right" but losing isn't what you want, is it? I am trying to HELP the Senator win. You don't know me at all, except from my comment. How could you? I am not a fake, I have tried my entire life to help poor people, I believe in reconciliation, I respect Senator Obama and I think it would be wonderful in so many ways for him to be our President. But, like you, I have my opinions and needs. I respect yours, please respect mine... and, when that happens, mutual respect, we will have made a good start on fixing many of the problems in America. We are still the greatest country in the world in terms of OVERALL opportunity, justice, peace and respect... but we obviously still need to do more to be "a more perfect Union". I'm ready, are you? Peace.

[truesoccermom]

I am a passionate Obama supporter who thinks he can be the greatest leader of my lifetime. I am sad about the events with Pastor Wright because as much as I and other enlightened Democrats see Obama's brilliance in dealing with the issue, I fear there are many others (mainly repubs and working class dems) who are still left with the idea that Obama's "mentor" is an extremist who preaches angry sermons about blacks being victims. While I hope I am wrong in this I think the only way to reach these people (and at the same time silence the hateful right-wing witch hunt about black preachers) is for Pastor Wright to come forward (on Oprah or 60 minutes perhaps). He could explain his background and talk about his struggles as a black man during segregation. He could talk about the Christian and religious aspects of his ministry and explain how he came to know Obama. And finally, wouldn't it be wonderful if he could admit that he too was touched by Obama's speech and recognizes that his past angry rhetoric (preaching as if the country were "static") is no longer helpful and productive in the black community. He could show that Obama is now his "mentor" and demonstrate what a truly amazing leader Obama will be for this country. I think something like this would turn this whole thing around and truly further the discussion that Obama has started. I welcome your thoughts on this.

[research]

Would God consider America's Iraq War Crime Invasion and occupation, Damnable?

[DoninJoisey]

My thoughts are that it wouldn't help. They'd just say "he doesn't mean it". What I would pay to see is Wright have a face-off with Ferraro! There's someone out in left field. If I were black, I'd be cursing Ferraro. (I'm white, and think she needs help).

From what I've read, Wrigths overall actions and deeds speak well for him. The snippets were hear over and over are not representative of the man - they were the worst (and admittedly bad) that could be found out of the hundreds and hundreds of sermons he's given,

[KimberlyKay]

When Benjamin Franklin was asked what they had got, he replied "A Republic if you can keep it."
Our founding fathers and mothers would be proud of how far we have come. But, they would also find a great deal they didn't like at all. It is up to us to make certain we keep the Republic they gave us and perfect that Union with our actions so that our children inherit an even better, freer, more just America. Criticizing the Country is Patriotic and it is how we keep the Republic we were given. Each and every one of us is bless that we were born in this Country; yet, we cannot forget that we also bear the burden of keeping the Republic and that burden is bourne through criticism and constantly trying to make our Country even better.

[Mollye]

Way to go Steven Waldman, it's a real good thing to compare a racist, hate-inciting MINISTER who is a role model not only for his adult congregation, but the children as well, to one of our founding fathers and 2nd President. And yeah, you were trying to defend him, otherwise you wouldn't have written this bogus comparison.

[Clinton]

What about HRC and the crypto fascist 'Family'. HRC the neo-con.

[KimberlyKay]

Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a marine veteran of the United States of America. Did you have a specific problem with the post? Did you find it badly annotated, argued or worded? Perhaps your problem is you prefer a candidate other than Senator Obama. This is no argument. It is only a preference.

As for demeaning Reverend Wright by 3 comments taken out of context from his 40 year ministry, you might want to check out this link:

http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2007/0402.shtml

The man who wrote the above post has no dog hunting in this race.

[CitizenE]

Jeremiah and Isaiah. Woe unto you...

[xargaw]

What is the difference if I damn the Adminstration, the Corporatists, the agression, the bullying power, the greed, the deriliction of serving the poor, the health care system, the racism, that is all part of my country. When our country is guilty of sin, if we don't call it out, we are complicit. Grow up America. There is much that is good here, but like any place on earth, there is much to be damned. We have much work to do. Are we going to wait another 200 years because no one is willing to face it?

[newworldman777]

Although the die-hard patriots, comprised mainly of European descended citizens, have evidently convinced themselves that America is beyond reproach, America is indeed guilty of much sin, which left a legacy that still haunts and victimizes many of our citizens. To get beyond these problems and expect any semblence of healing, we must all thoroughly, openly and honestly examine our history and bring all of the ugly facts out into the open. For crying out loud, people should stop expressing shock when they discover that the posterity of the historically oppressed have a bone to pick with this country. Because tens of millions of our minority citizens share similar feelings of victimization, this should be a red flag that all is not well; there is justification for these feelings.

Sinful acts committed against non-whites are what created this country from the beginning. European genocide of Native Americans and the ultimate theft of nearly all of their lands provided the land and resources that enabled the immigration of millions of Europeans, who eventually created America. Millions of African American slaves provided centuries of free labor, giving a tremendous boost to that nation-building endeavor. Our invasion and theft of nearly half of Mexico, from which America created our entire Southwest, was an act of what we now call "naked aggression," and we now condemn other countries for doing the same (Iraq invading Kuwait). America implemented racist immigration policies that, for centuries, allowed tens of millions of Western and Northern Europeans to freely immigrate here with no restrictions whatsoever, while at the same time denied entry to nearly everyone else, especially non-whites (a restrictive and selective policy that continues to this day, resulting in millions of Latino "illegal aliens" who would have been welcomed here a century ago, had they been from Western Europe). The result of that endeavor is a country that is predominantly populated by people descended from Western Europeans, and they have always held power because of their dominance. They don't recognize or appreciate the privileges that come with such advantages, so when certain minority groups criticize American policies that discriminated against their ancestors and currently creates residual bigotry against them, the European descended people seem shocked and dismayed. Believe me, as a Native American, I can tell you that racism in America is alive and well. In fact, I have experienced it from both blacks and whites, so few are innocent in this debate, from my point of view.

To viliffy Obama for associating with Reverend Wright is wrong. Walk a mile in their shoes, then see if you understand where they are coming from. Obama, having walked in those shoes, could possibly work wonders with the volatile and perennial problem of race relations. Obviously few others have been successful in that regard.

[erykah]

I am appalled at how the media has used snippets of Rev. Wright's sermon to create the current controversy and unjustly villify this man. I do not believe the Wirght, Adams or Jefferson need to be excused as the latter stated concerning America's original sin of slavery, " Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice can not sleep forever." A kinder, gentler way of saying what Wright said. I do wish folks will take the time to listen to the sermon in its entirety. You may not agree with Wright, but I do believe you will walk away with a different interpretation than has been constructed by the media.

[AntonBursch]

Has anyone said 'god damn you' to their wife or husband or children or siblings or friends?

I think the fair answer to that question is to question if there is anyone who hasn't said that.

If a person can say 'damn you' to their loved ones in a moment of anger, then they can say it about their country.

Anyone who loves their country more than their own family doesn't deserve to be an American.

[MarineBugler]

Good post.

I can say 'God Damn America!' and still be proud of my country, if I think America has been wrong in her actions.

Does this mean I will be on Fox Noise in a continuous loop in order scare 'Middle America'?

Considering the fact that America has been 'scared' into believing that one pastor, in one church, who said some 'objectionable' things, it makes sense that we have been talked into persecuting a war that should have been waged in the first place.

Remember, this country was founded as a slave holding 'free' nation. What a contradiction. Nonetheless, we have the capacity to become better, if we only listen to one another ... without FEAR.

[Advocate123]

This is so typical of liberals who invent a history that does not exist to suit their own agenda. Everything you said is just unfounded.

Adams never feared "greed and commercialism" in the colonies; you base that on nothing. He wanted the libertarian ideal of virtually no taxes and the ability to live free from the government. Moreover, the thought of a progressive tax on income would have made Adam's want to start a 2nd revolution.

The selfishness that he discussed was the fact that some people still sided with England, while others fought for their rights! That was what he meant by "even in New England" because New England was overwhelmingly against the British.

I am so sick of liberals making things up about about our Founding Fathers. Our Founding Fathers were all libertarians. Get over it.

[AntonBursch]

LOL!!!!

thank you for enlightening us, oh bearing of truth!!

LOL!!!!

[Argoth]

Please tell me you are being facetious...

If not, why don't you back up your argument with some fact?

[KaAp]

John Adams specifically said (and I quote from the portable John Adams) “the specter haunting the world was commercialism and its gangrene of greed” Furthermore, ten years after the Revolution he began to write “treatises in defense of government and the necessity of its controlling mechanisms” (Diggins, xxii) .. In a Passion for Justice Robert Solomon cited John Adams complaints about the crash commercialism of NYC (pg 23) … I can go on and on with quotes and citations. My point is that I wish before people would post they would get their facts straight …

[KimberlyKay]

Actually, John Adams' problem wasn't with taxes (high or small). His problem (and most of his countrymen and women's problem) was with taxes without representation. Do you have HBO? Perhaps you should watch the John Adams mini-series, or you could buy John Adams by David McCullough. This is basic stuff. John Adams wasn't a libertarian. That party did not exist in 1776. John Adams didn't believe in political parties. He was aligned with the Federalists, but he still didn't believe in parties (President Washington didn't believe in political parties either).
I am so sick of so-called conservatives making things up about our Founding Fathers. Where do you folks get your information? Because it certainly doesn't come from history.

[qdog112]

You sir are an idiot to proclaim all the founding fathers were anything but white men would be wrong. They were a pretty diverse group for a bunch of old white boys.