by Brooks Mick

Now that we know that an undisclosed but apparently significant proportion of black churches embrace "black liberation theology," perhaps we ought to think about the implications.

So-called "liberation theology" was first prominently mentioned by left-wing priests and others in Central and South America as justification for communist dictatorships. Then it was adopted and adapted to black churches and has become the principle impediment to black progress and improvement in racial relations. It much resembles the radical Muslim extremists in its opposition to American policies and its attacks upon corporate America. We have noted here that the left, communists and socialists, share their anti-Americanism with the Muslim jihadists.

Marx would find it ironic that religion, the "opiate of the masses," as he called it, would be used to spread communist ideology in the guise of a theology, but he would certainly recognize the attacks upon evil corporations and the demands to rob from the productive and give to the poor. Christian theologians might notice, if inclined to more rigorous thought, that Christ was more conservative, preferring to teach people to fish than just steal fish from fisherman and hand them out at political rallies. None of which disparages or prevents voluntary charity at all. Christ would assuredly approve of charitable giving. It is the stealing of one man's money by force that Christ would oppose.

Just as the "liberation theology" of Latin America promoted communist oppression, not liberation, black liberation theology certainly does not favor liberation, though the preachers are certainly enthralling, as we can note from various videos played recently of Reverend Wright and others. One might note the origin of "enthrall," and note just what is a "thrall" and what is "thralldom."

These "enthralling" pastors are keeping their parishioners in thrall, in enslavement, to the past. They perpetuate the victim mentality. They foment animosity and mental, if not physical, violence. They hinder the development of decent, friendly, useful relationships of their black parishioners with people of other races, relationships which would be of much help in improving economic conditions in the congregation. They foment divisiveness and promote delusional thinking and their message to their flocks greatly hinders the breaking down of the relatively minor, compared to the past, racial divide in the USA. They promote a bizarre witches' brew of Peronista populism, Marxist economic theories, and a tribal warfare mentality.

One always knew that the black Muslim churches of Elijah Mohammed and Louis Farrakhan were espousing hatred and divisiveness, but it is a revelation that many black Christian churches are promoting the same venomous attitudes. Perhaps, in this revelation, Barack Obama has performed a useful service.