Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, president of the Chicago Theological Seminary laments what she calls the “Sermon Chop Shop.”  Her reference is to an effort apparently now underway by right-wing pot-stirrers to find offensive nuggets from the sermons of Rev. Otis Moss, successor of Rev. Jeremiah Wright at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Their purpose, states Thistlethwaite, is to “generate new controversy.”  Trinity is the church where presidential candidate Barack Obama attends worship, and is a source of tension for him since Rev. Wright’s “chops” were broadcast on YouTube and television, and because Rev. Wright has found the spotlight irresistible.

Some of the statements attributed to Rev. Moss can be found here.  Thistlethwaite suggests that the “hip hop” sound of Moss’ remarks are attributable largely to the attempt by Moss and Trinity church to make the faith relevant to young folks who speak a different language from that of their elders.

Thistlethwaite vouches for Moss’ integrity, faithfulness, and loving spirit, pointing to the personal relationship she has with him, and her observation of him as a doctoral student at the seminary.

The right-wingers who are trying to fan the flames of the Wright controversy by dragging Otis Moss into it know that “ain’t it awful” attracts viewers and sells newspapers.  They also know that religion is a hot button easy to push, and that race is a subject certain to raise the blood pressure of those who listen to them.

Personally, I find this kind of provocative manipulation to be calculated, cynical, profit-driven, counter-productive, and vain. 

While I don’t take seriously the Rush Limbaughs and Sean Hannitys of the world, I know plenty of people do, and that is pretty frightening.

I just wish folks would do a little thinking for themselves.