Contact: Christian Defense Coalition, 202-547-1735, 540-538-4741 cell

WASHINGTON, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Defense Coalition says Rev. Wright is disingenuously trying to make the critiques of his sermons about race and attacks against the black church rather than an honest assessment of his harsh and bitter views and comments.
 
The group says by attempting to deflect attention and responsibility away from his own words, Rev. Wright is creating a hostile and poisoned atmosphere for true racial dialogue and reconciliation.
 
Rev. Wright needs to understand this is not an attack on the black church, as he would have us believe, but rather this is outrage and anger over his hate-filled words.
 
The Coalition says it is imperative for Rev. Wright to accept responsibility for his own words and actions and stop making it an issue of race and hostility toward the black church.
 
Does this now mean that any criticisms of Senator Obama will also be an attack on race and the black church in America?
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, comments, "I was absolutely stunned over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments at the National Press Club today saying the criticism of his recent comments were an attack on the black church and not him.  This is simply a transparent attempt by Rev. Wright to draw attention away from his thoughtless and bitter comments and attempt to make it about race.
 
"Instead of working to build a thoughtful and honest conversation on race in America, Rev. Wright has poisoned the waters by saying the criticisms against him were really an attack on the black church in America.  It is disgraceful that a distinguished pastor, such as Rev. Wright, would play the 'race card' and resort to such manipulation and blame shifting to justify his own hate filled words.
 
"Rev. Wright must assume responsibility for his own harsh and insensitive words and not make it an issue of race or prejudice against the church.  Simply said, Rev. Wright this is not an attack on the black church it is moral outrage against your mean spirited and bitter words.
 
"If Rev. Wright were truly interested in working toward racial reconciliation, one would have expected to see humility, openness and responsibility.  Sadly, all we saw today was arrogance, blame shifting, and bitterness.  Rev. Wright would be better served by not pointing fingers, by following the example of Christ and humbly building bridges."
 
For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at 202.547.1735    Cell:   540.538.4741