Here's a contrarian view on the flap over the comments by Barack Obama's minister.  Rev. Wright, in full fury, said, "God da*n America" in a fiery sermon.  All good Democrats ran scurrying for cover, including Senator Obama.  The Republican spin machine, without even trying, went effortlessly into faux outrage mode.

And America yawned.

Americans go to church and Americans have heard passionate preaching since, well, the beginning of America.  For the past two decades, the outrage, the prophetic voice of the American church, has been from the right.  The Moral Majority, Promisekeepers, Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and thousands of associated ministries have pounded the message that America is in danger of suffering for its sins.  Remember the instant reaction to 9/11 from many ministers was that God was giving the U.S. its' due. 

The message from the right, while not as direct as Rev. Wright's statement, is not much different.  Primarily because of abortion and gay rights, God's judgement is coming upon this country.  AKA God da*n America.

The prophetic voice of the church has taken a left turn in the past few year.  Primarily because of concern over the environment, but also due to poverty, genocide, third world development and (still) civil rights concerns, the liberal church is capturing the ear of America.  Even the Southern Baptist Convention is engaged in dialogue.

Don't hear me wrong; Rev. Wright crossed a line and his intemperate remarks could not be ignored by Senator Obama.  But the anger from the left that used to be a cardinal sin is now a simply a venial sin.  The reason for this is simple:  Americans understand Rev. Wrights' viewpoint and increasingly agree with it.