By Lauren Carlson-Vohs

The fiery, inflammatory remarks of Rev. Jeremiah Wright have stirred much controversy in recent months, particularly as they impact presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign. Yet regardless of one’s political leanings, it would seem they have provoked healthy, hopefully healing, dialogue on the topic of race.

Likewise, I think it has caused many to stop and reflect on what our spiritual place of worship means to us. I know my church has faced moral crises involving our clergy, as have many other congregations. So it set me to thinking, at what point would I abandon my church? When I think of the personal sacred ceremonies that have taken place there, from baptisms to weddings to funerals, one comes to realize we are invested in our place of worship in many heartfelt ways. Similarly, the spiritual community we develop over the years becomes precious to us.

In his decision to not disown Rev. Wright, but instead just his controversial political statements, Obama asks us to try to understand the roots of Wright’s anger and to understand that Wright is much more than the few selected sound bites that have been selected to represent him.

Most importantly, he asks us to come to the table together to begin to reconcile our collective anger and fears: “In the end, what is called for is nothing more, and nothing less, than what all the world’s great religions demand – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Let us be our brother’s keeper, scripture tells us. Let us be our sister’s keeper. Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well.”

An interesting article appeared in the March 23, 2008 issue of the New York Times, “Obama’s Talk Fuels Easter Sermons.” Philip Blackwell, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Chicago and white, had the following words to offer his urban, racially mixed congregation: “The church needs to be a community within which the pain can be shared. The grievances can be aired, and the power of that can be directed toward the ‘new creation’ that is portrayed in the Resurrection.”

Beverly Daniel Tatum, in the ‘Breaking the Silence’ chapter of her book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” offered these inspiring words: “We all have a sphere of influence. Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we will begin to speak. There are many problems to address, and we cannot avoid them indefinitely. We cannot continue to be silent. We must begin to speak, knowing that words alone are insufficient. But I have seen that meaningful dialogue can lead to effective action. Change is possible. I remain hopeful.”

A personal example of the power of this dialogue is found in the legacy of my father-in-law. As Hispanics began moving to his small Minnesota town in growing numbers, a defining moment of character was before him. He could choose to respond in dislike and fear of the situation, or he could choose to embrace it through his faith. A deeply religious man, very active in his small-town church, he chose the latter option. Many in his congregation did not do so, however.

He reached out, actually going to the mobile home park where many of these families resided and welcomed them to his community and church. In the process, he befriended one family in particular. As he became better acquainted, his family reached out to help theirs. At first it was with providing household items and offering them their used car for a good price. Then he decided to take a momentous step – he co-signed for a house with them. It was the only way they could qualify to buy it.

They became best of friends. Young immigrants, they actually came to call my in-laws mom and dad. And eventually they would spend every Christmas Eve together, as well as many other social gatherings. Most powerful in this story for me is the fact that this family worked hard and put all three of their sons through college. Each of those sons is now a police officer and I often wonder how many of those who initially scorned their presence, now have benefited from the services and protection they provide.

We all have it within us to make a difference – to seek out our defining moments of character, our spheres of influence. It surely is within each of our best interests to do so, for as the saying goes, united we stand, divided we fail. Most importantly, however, in doing so we live our faith and walk our faith, rather than just talk it. And the world is a better place, for all.

 Spiritual writer Lauren Carlson-Vohs shares this space with Dr. Bernard E. Johnson and the Revs. Tim Power, Rod Anderson and Timothy A. Johnson. “Spiritually Speaking” appears weekly.