A 12-Step Program for McCain (Part1)

I support a woman's right to a late-term abortion. It's a painful decision, especially when you have to do it in the third trimester. While I don't know enough about the Illinois vote to say whether I would support it or not, I do know that almost all third-trimester abortions are because of severe fetal defect or to protect the life of the mother. Women don't carry a child for that long only to randomly abort because she didn't want it any more. It's not logical unless there is severe fetal or maternal distress. One would assume that the doctor performing the abortion would know what to do if there was a sign of life in the aborted fetus. Then again, I am not a medical professional, nor have I ever had an abortion myself. I know a few women who have, but not late-term ones.

I think that Obama's vote in the Illinois State Senate is being taken radically out of context, just like a lot of other claims about him and his views.

Barack Obama is for unfettered access to partial birth abortions up to the date of delivery. He is also against giving medical care to a baby showing signs of life after a abortion allowing that baby to die.

Athena- do you support Obama's radical position on abortions? That's barbaric.

There are 8 deadly sins, pride, covetousness, lust, gluttony, anger, envy, sloth and abortion. Lying is not a deadly sin else there would be 9. Abortion makes up for lying by being double deadly thus equal to two deadly sins. First there's the fetus that dies and then there's the death of democracy that must give way to those who defend the defenseless fetus, loyalists of the king of kings.

Interestingly enough, a conservative, anti-choice law professor, Douglas Kmiec, endorsed Obama recently. His statement was that, even though he disagreed with Obama on abortion and gay marriage, he felt that Obama would listen to all sides of the arguement. Obama also stresses personal responsibility. Besides, how can one be anti-abortion and pro-war? Unless you're just pro-life for American fetuses.

I hope everyone who wants to outlaw abortion is ready to have their taxes raised to pay for the influx of Head Start, AFDC, WIC, and public school kids that will come of it. Not to mention the pre-natal care covered under Medicaid. Also, shall we investigate all miscarriages, to make sure that they weren't self-induced abortions? And how many years in prison should woman receive for seeking an abortion? How about doctors who perform abortions? Should they get the death penalty? (Irony of ironies...)

I appreciate the analysis and the suggestions but the one thought I cannot get out of my head is: does a person who professes a committed faith "tailor his/her faith message" to garner votes? or does a person who professes a committed faith state the tennents of that faith and hope for the best?

Mr Mark-

Obviously you are NOT a student of politics.

This election is predicted by the vast majority of pundits to be close.

In some ways I hope Obama wins. It will be the 2nd coming of Carter, and we know how that one went.

There has not been a good democratic president - that had integrity, and good policies , since Truman. You need both. ( Bush does not possess these qualities either)

Mr Mark-

Obviously you are NOT a student of politics.

This election is predicted by the vast majority of pundits to be close.

In some ways I hope Obama wins. It will be the 2nd coming of Carter, and we know how that one went.

There has not been a good democratic president - that had integrity, and good policies , since Truman. You need both. ( Bush does not possess these qualities either)

Thanks Practica1,

I didn't know this has been Obama's position on fetus who may survive abortion. I can never vote for him.

I don't know, Oberle - you took issue with: " while Obama is 100% pro-abortion. There's no way most conservative Chrisitans like myself could vote for someone with Obama's views on social issues, nor would we stay home and allow Obama to win by default."

And insisted:

"Um, Christian, Obama is not "pro-abortion", he is pro-choice. Get that thru your thick Republican skull. "

But Obama voted against a bill that would have required the protection ("make comfortable") neonates who survived abortion procedures and were born alive. All this would have done was require the poor creatures - chemically burned, slashed by sharp instruments or dismembered by suction, too immature to breathe on their own - be sedated until they died or, in rare cases of later term procedures, be provided with care that might preserve their lives. Keep in mind that the abortion itself was over, and the seperate organism (fetus, baby, neonate, product of conception) no longer interfering with the woman.

Obama and NARAL wouldn't even allow for a guarantee of treatment we routinely give unwanted puppies and geese.

I'd say that's pretty "pro abortion" - no choice for the rare survivor of the procedure seems pretty intransigent on the issue of "choice."

And, since I daresay you will be courageous enough to call me a thick-skulled Republican, I will take another moment to insist that I am a Democrat concerned about the vulnerable.

Look at McCain with the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in America!

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/blog/

Perhaps instead of writing about how politicians can effectively twist religion, spirituality, and religious people for their own gain, the readers of this blog would benefit more from the use of your hermeneutical expertise to expose politicians who are doing this. Someone who has spent much of his life studying religion should be well aware of the power it has both to transform people and to radicalize people – I would hope that you’d be more interested in seeing healthy, transformative religion play a part in politics rather than violent, misguided religion. Unfortunately, suggestions such as yours in this article add nothing but division, partisanship, and manipulation to the conversation about religion and politics when this nation desperately needs a healthy religious dialogue.

"Christian:
If McCain "distances himself from evangelicals," what will I as a Christian do? Vote for McCain.
McCain's still pro-life, always has been, while Obama is 100% pro-abortion. There's no way most conservative Chrisitans like myself could vote for someone with Obama's views on social issues, nor would we stay home and allow Obama to win by default."

Um, Christian, Obama is not "pro-abortion", he is pro-choice. Get that thru your thick Republican skull.

and

"G. Adams:
I am somewhat surprised and very disappointed to see this column being used so baldly for partisan campaigning"

What did you expect? On the other hand, maybe it's not so much "partisan campaigning" as it is telling the truth. Yet another new concept for Republicans.

Aussie Barry:

You're not an outsider. The most powerful office on earth must have some effect on your life too. No doubt you're being taxed without being represented they're so clever.

Did I say most powerful? Second most powerful for he bowed down before the pope and kissed his ring. And then he went to Saudi Arabia, hat in hand begging for oil. Third most powerful? Oops. There are the evangelicals claiming the highest power in the universe. They voted for an abortion and he's what we got. Seems to have turned our office of president into the weakest post in the world.

You chaps have any oil? Maybe you should keep an eye out for the real power. They'll drill you before you know what's happening. We're addicted to oil and faith in the Bible preachers. There's no shortage of preachers while oil has folks climbing the walls.

This election season we're working on a different kind of abortion from a different faith, the holy order of ecologists lovingly known as tree huggers. There's a story that goes with that but I don't want to get censored -happens to me a lot.

Scott-

Berlinerblau is an atheist.

Jesus was a Torah-observant Jew.

You are confused.

I guess I should start with my assumption that you are jewish, as you teach Jewish Civilization. Why would a jewish man want to ban gay marriage? As far as I've heard, there's nothing in the jewish faith frowning upon lesbian relationships and even gay relationships are commonly accepted to the point of allowing common law unions. Furthermore, in Isreal it is common for gay partners to adopt their partner's children. This is hardly an anti-gay stand. You also talk about the pro-life issue. From my research lots of jews align themselves with the pro-choice side and a few with the pro-life side but as for the actual faith, they don't voice an open opinion either way. It sounds to me that you are one of the "conservative Evangelicals" that you talk about in your article.

I think I should also point out that everyone likes to quote the old testament when it suits their needs (i.e. an eye for an eye and all the "anti-abortion" passages) but for all the christians out there I think I should point out that jesus over-turned the law of moses and said "But I say unto you That ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also." I think my point here is that, while people quote from the old testament to support anti-abortion sentament and a pro-war stance, the new testament (which all christians should follow) is anti-war and says nothing about abortion. Which is it christians? Is killing bad and we shouldn't do it (no war) or is killing ok and we should do it (pro-choice) its your choice but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Look at the McCain shortlist for VP - he's after some of the most cynical political Born Agains in the country. The only one missing is Senator Michelle Bachman who calls herself "a smitten kitten for Jesus."

And there are misters Huckabee and Romney, with their own ferocious misunderstanding of christianity.

His governors are scary. Minesota's Tim Pawlenty and his wife hang out with some of the most retrograde "christians" in the country, and has helped plant them in agencies in the state and in the federal government. The dissent in the education department is terrible, first he appointed crazy religious fanatic Sheri Yecke and she filled the place up with political operatives that are still here and in the federal department of education.

These guys love the old testament and Paul, and ignore most of what Jesus had to say as inconvenient and embarrassing. Rule on seems to be their motto, they are more concerned with property than with freedom and they are still fighting communism as the anti-Christ.

We are in for more mixing of idiosyncratic religion with our schools and public life through "faith based initiatives" because it's just easier for MaCain (and probably Obama,too) to let the good times and the dollars role for the religious zealots.

We should get religion out of the American electoral process, all religion. And while we're at it, let's stop with the first lady nonsense, too. Who wants to know about every spouse and marriage? Other governments don't trot out marriages and spouses for every public occasion (and why should they be 'first' in a land without lords, ladies, barons, and princes??)

McCain and Obama will both being godding at us for months - and then one of them will continue for years more.

I really don't see how someone who supports the killing of fellow humans and stands for the tyranny of today can even claim a religion card without it being the Satanic one I mean really these guys are war hawks not men of cloth I guess all I'm saying is intention is great yet truly means little to nothing if presented in a hollow vessel

"It will be a wipeout of disastrous proportions for the Rs this fall. It could even be the end of the Rs as we know them"

The end of the "Rs" as we know them? I'm reminded of Mark Twain's quote that went something like this, "the reports of my death are highly exaggerated." If Democrats think this of the Republicans this year, they do so at their own peril.

This may be the year for Democrats, but the Democrats chose a higly controverisial candidate to run against a well-liked and respected, experienced, moderate Rebpulican. It's gonna' be close.

McCain should not cater to the religious groups. He should redefine the conservative Evangelicals into micro-groups and appeal to their other interests.

I am getting the distinct impression that the Republicans are already afflicted with a sever case of buyer's remorse with their candidate, John McCain.

It was bad enough when McCain was being overshadowed by the Hillary/Barack show. He couldn't get arrested back then. Now, his feeble attempts to "set the agenda" and "take on Obama" are looking like fool's errands. He's not only misspeaking to the point of daily embarrassment, but he's having his balls handed to him by his Obama within minutes of every lame attack he launches.

Add to that the fact that McCain will never be able to shake of the stench of bush, and one could well wonder why the Rs are even bothering this time around.

It will be a wipeout of disastrous proportions for the Rs this fall. It could even be the end of the Rs as we know them.

As an outsider I am fascinated that people will vote for a person solely on whether they are fore or against abortion. What I would really like the so called Xtian Right to tell me, who is morally worse, a woman who for reasons we do not know, finds she can not go through a pregnancy, or somebody who orders or supports cluster bombing etc.which not only kills at the time but goes on killing and maiming innocent living, breathing and thinking humans for years.

So basically Mr Berlinerblau is suggesting that the tried and true GOP strategy of SPIN be used to manipulate the religious right into voting for John McCain. And of course the fine oratory, in regards to religion, that Barack Obama practices so well, is to be considered false and unworthy of consideration. After 8-10 years of the evangelical Christian right attempting to shove their beliefs into the public consciousness and insisting that their view of the world is the only valid viewpoint, we now see that their influence is diminished. Clearly their view was unsustainable, because many many people are not that gullible.

I think that the GOP and the religious right have a huge shock in store for them this November. How can anyone take religion seriously after a President goes to war in the name of God? How could a true God condone such action? When will Human Beings learn that all religions worldwide pray to the same deity. The differences are purely a result of cultural imperatives and the environment in which each of us grows up in and is conditioned in

If McCain "distances himself from evangelicals," what will I as a Christian do? Vote for McCain.

McCain's still pro-life, always has been, while Obama is 100% pro-abortion. There's no way most conservative Chrisitans like myself could vote for someone with Obama's views on social issues, nor would we stay home and allow Obama to win by default.

I am somewhat surprised and very disappointed to see this column being used so baldly for partisan campaigning.

Religon and politics SHOULD NOT MIX. Obama and McCain ARE Christians- that's the end of it! Evangelicals are part of the reason we are in the mess we're now, due to the fact they were bushwacked into voting for Bush. Bush is a terrible president. How can anyone suport his faith-based ideals when he and his partners lied to the public, thousands of soldiers are dead and the world hates us? McCain needs to wake up and get away from old Georgie boy if he wants to win. And I hope to God he doesn't. OBAMA, 2008!!!!!

Imagine James Dobsen's frown when he finds out that God's throne doesn't have the word Republican on it. As for McCain, the very fact that in 2000 Republican head-hunters roasted his hide on a spit speaks volumes about the man. How could it be that in one election he wasn't fit to carry Bush's shoes and now he is the star of the Republican Runway couture? Oh, I get it. He's seen the light. Well, don't shine too much light on that old face of his.

Religon and politics SHOULD NOT MIX. Obama and McCain ARE Christians- that's the end of it! Evangelicals are part of the reason we are in the mess we're now, due to the fact they were bushwacked into voting for Bush. Bush is a terrible president. How can anyone suport his faith-based ideals when he and his partners lied to the public, thousands of soldiers are dead and the world hates us? McCain needs to wake up and get away from old Georgie boy if he wants to win. And I hope to God he doesn't. OBAMA, 2008!!!!!

Sorry the truth is tough

If Obama has any problems with a McCain debate he should lose.
McCain is not only a poor orator he looks his age and that is a turn off for the majority.
How can anyone over 70 years old compete on any level with a young man?
A chess game maybe, when you have all day to make a move.

McCain can still win, this is just like a court, being right has nothing to do with winning.
Before Bush won the last election, I would have bet the farm on Obama, now I think anyone with money behind them can win.

There's something about a 12 step program for McCain that seems to have a lot in common with another "steps" program, AA. Works for wine-o's so it should work for McCain, (evil spirits come bottled in bond)? The AA gang calls upon a "higher power" but never use the word God. Didn't Bush use the advice of a "higher power" when deciding to attack Iraq?

Isn't the steps routine about stopping and not starting something? "How to Develop Good Habits in 12 Easy Steps" should be a best seller. Evangelical some kind of bad habit?

First off, McCain is not a maverick. He got that name in the 90s, but since Bush took office, he's been a straight, down-the-line Bushie. Not a bit maverick. His ideas (the few that he actually has), his projections for the future, not a one of them could even be construed as maverick. I think the media, and you, should get over calling him a maverick, because it is just not true.

Your "Step Three" reeks of "allows McCain to continue to assert his POW status and 'simple' faith as a political chip while putting questioning of the same out of bounds to his opposition."

You still don't get it or is it that you can't take it? The GOP dumped the evangelicals. The question is will Obama accept them not the other way around.

The one that wins will get Bubba's vote. Bubba is out of gas, in a pouring rain while expecting a hurricane to take out the last refinery.

Did I mention Bubba is a beer drinker, not a church going type? McCain's wife being a beer distributor gives Mac an edge. But the issue is oil, American oil. The candidate that convinces Americans their tanks will be filled will win, not the one that promises still more abortion for a government.

Good try anyhow. Maybe you should ponder a change of occupation. Evangelical is yesterday's bad news. Who will get the ecological values voters votes?

Ecology is religion too you know. It's no more difficult to get a nuclear power station built on Temple Mount, in Vatican City or at the holy shrine at Mecca than to build one in Yosemite, under El Capitan.

--For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires--

2 Timothy 4:3

"Obama can rely on his personality and theological intellect to ingratiate himself to religious constituencies.."

Theological intellect? Is that like code for sitting under twenty years of racist "liberation theology" beliefs being preached from the pulpet?

Theologically speaking- he has faithed himself out of winning a Christian vote.

The main problem McCain has is that he is republican and follows failed ideologies and political platforms.

I would urge all Of Faith readers to vote democratic. McCain is nothing more than four more years of failed policies.

The United States of America can barley manage to live out the last few months of the Bush Administration, let alone four more years of the same.

religion poisons everyone it touches! its run mostly by homophobic moneygrabbing ministers! its all hokus/pokus all the time, a total farce a major scam!!