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A secular view of Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast
By Jacques Berlinerblau
President Obama spoke on Thursday morning at the 59th annual National Prayer Breakfast. The gathering is one of those peculiar Washington pageants that elicits diametrically opposed reactions from those who bother to take note of its existence.
Those hostile to the NPB view it as a raging Christ-fest. Those in support of it view it as good, clean, absolutely necessary, public worship of our God.
I, as you may have surmised, could do without the NPB. But part of being what I might call a "new secularist" consists of dealing with reality as it is, not reality as it might have been fifty years ago.
Well, when the president of the United States of America (a Democrat) delivers a twenty-two minute address about his personal faith, drops half a dozen Scripture bombs along the way, and declaims "I came to know Jesus Christ for myself and embrace Him as my lord and savior"--all I can say is that the sixties are over, man!
The golden age of secularism has passed. The secular movement--if there ever was a viable one in this country-- must look at events such the NPB as an invitation to think secularism afresh (something I am trying to do in my current research).
In any case, here's what I took away from the president's speech:
Obama's Performance? Not for the professors, but. . . . : Many academics, I suspect, secretly believe that Obama is one of us. As far as we're concerned he'd rather be cogitating down at a good Div or Law School instead of working this day job that he's got going now.
So whenever Obama speaks on weighty matters like religion we professors expect nothing less than Reinhold Niebuhr meets Max Weber meets Ralph Ellison. And we are invariably disappointed. That's because a commander in chief who ruminates like an Oxford Don is not long for the White House.
Still, while yesterday's address was a platitude-fest as well (i.e., "My Christian faith then has been a sustaining force for me over these last few years,"; "my faith journey has had its twists and turns. It hasn't always been a straight line"), the overall speech was quite effective for the non-advanced degree crowd.
Obama spoke slowly. He avoided grand rhetorical gestures. He was humble and quite frankly, he looked exhausted--all of which lent his address an air of authenticity, even gravitas.
Using Faith and Values Talk to his Advantage: In last week's State of the Union the president refracted nearly all of his issues through the prism of education.
At the National Prayer Breakfast he employed a similar tactic. Obama managed to skillfully package partisan political points in the guise of god talk.
Notice how Obama addresses the problem of incivility--in particular the rather uncivil charge that he is not a Christian--by seeking refuge in God:
When Michelle and I hear our faith questioned from time to time, we are reminded that ultimately what matters is not what other people say about us but whether we're being true to our conscience and true to our God. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
Now observe how the president delivers a stealthy but firm elbow to the tea party and others who seem at war with the very notion of government:
There's only so much a church can do to help all the families in need . . . . And that's why I continue to believe that in a caring and in a just society, government must have a role to play; that our values, our love and our charity must find expression not just in our families, not just in our places of work and our places of worship, but also in our government and in our politics.
The Office or the Kremlin?: Mid-speech the president gave a shout out to "The director of our Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership's office, Joshua DuBois -- young minister himself -- he starts my morning off with meditations from Scripture."
I wish Mr. DuBois would start off my morning with explanations of what exactly that Office is doing--a never-ending source of confusion, and even awe, among reporters, policy analysts and professors in Washington, DC.
I have complained about this for years. I have nothing more to add. So, heck, let the president's words speak for themselves:
Now, sometimes faith groups can do the work of caring for the least of these on their own; sometimes they need a partner, whether it's in business or government. And that's why my administration has taken a fresh look at the way we organize with faith groups, the way we work with faith groups through our Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Christ-Fest? While the president thankfully steers clear of "Christian nation" rhetoric there was simply too much of Obama the Christian yesterday.
Come to think of it, the National Prayer Breakfast often has this effect on politicians. Senator Joseph Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, sprinkled so many references to the gospels at the 48th National Prayer Breakfast in 2000 that he made George W. Bush look like a desk officer for Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Obama may earnestly believe that Republican Senator Tom Coburn is his "brother in Christ." But such a sentiment sounds odd coming from a president who once reminded his Turkish hosts that ours is not "a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation," but "a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."
Such a nation, one would hope, would be led by a person who understands that this type of rhetoric can be deeply troubling to those who don't believe in Christ. Just as it may offend those Christians who believe that Christ's teachings tend to become distorted when they are mouthed by the worldly powers that be.
By Jacques Berlinerblau |
February 4, 2011; 12:09 AM ET
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Posted by: Rongoklunk | February 7, 2011 12:39 PM
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I like to think that the Golden Age of Secularism is yet to come. But first we have to stop indoctrinating our children into supernatural beliefs - and stop filling their heads with fairy tales of a great skygod and life after death - which doesn't do them any favors. It dumbs them down, makes them superstitious, causes them to question scientific truths like evolution - in favor of a supernatural belief like Godidit, and justifies murdering infidels, by flying planes into buildings for heavenly rewards.
The hucksters get rich spreading god's word. But one day educated people will drop this absurd superstition. It'll happen a lot quicker when we realize that teaching our children to believe in gods has an enormous downside to it; it's not true, it feeds the hucksters, and can be very dangerous indeed.
It's shameful that 9/11 actually made the world more religious, when such barbarism
should have made all of us more skeptical of religion. We know the terrorists were fooled into believing in a heavenly reward,
to such an extent that they gave up their lives for it. (And murdered thousands).
Religion does that to people. It has them believe in totally irrational propositions. From that base - they can be made to believe anything.
Posted by: Rongoklunk | February 7, 2011 12:30 PM
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It is not for secularism that that the author wishes to silence the president regarding his Christian faith. The separation of church and state does not require the destruction church. The author would silence the president's religious remarks simply because he disagrees with them.
Posted by: davivman | February 7, 2011 10:32 AM
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oscumbo lies...more campaign rhetoric and lies. only the mentally weak are buying into ANYTHING barry says. if his mouth is open, he's lying..
Posted by: BOZOISPREZ | February 5, 2011 10:24 PM
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obama has a great talent deceiving others similar to satan. He should as he resembles a disciple of satan in his actions. Don't let him fool you. Remember that satan acknowledges Jesus and is in church every time the doors open. You will know by the fruits they bear.
Posted by: vageorge | February 5, 2011 5:55 PM
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i M P R O V I D U S:
ONFAiTH-WAPO tried to do that based (Devious) Demand, not popular demand. but
ONFAITH-WAPO (Newsweek at the time) realized that that was the way that the GAY-GANG's that troll these blog-sites (beside Social Networking sights) had complained against obviously None-Queerians or abused the "REPORT OFFENSIVE COOMENTS" button and therefore conspired to
TAKE OVER [this] STRAIGHT BLOG!
Note: Even though i[WE] never will 'FACEBOOK', NOR 'TWITT',s etc.. that WAPO has, from me understanding a great sister or brother [SECULAR; not Religion] 'Social Networking sight called, "MYSPACE?" which is much much less crowded than the other competitors. And if Ye & Yo's read'th their by-Laws it is more Truly Liberal and Will NEVER reveal Anyones Info nor Exploit Their users.
Note. It is against me religion (HO-CO-FE-FA) to use any of them. Soo, Better Nay Fix what is NOt broken. PS: After all, there a plenty of "GAY" sights, as well as Porno sights that any of them can visit and mingle Electronically.
Hope we [i] answered ye Yo's suggestion.
Posted by: wiki-truth | February 5, 2011 12:13 PM
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"Dear Readers: We now require commenters to register at washingtonpost.com and sign in before posting. Your MyPost User ID, which you'll be asked to choose if you haven't done so already, will be displayed with your comment. We hope this will encourage more topical, spam-free, and respectful discussions."
I don't think it is working.
improvidus
Posted by: improvidus | February 5, 2011 10:36 AM
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As was the case with me once, Emilt is not fully Christian just because he "embraced" Jesus Christ as his Savior. He might be able to say that one day when he repents and stops supporting enabling and hiding pedophile priests, the violation of the innocents at its most grievous. For those who believe in a one time justification, it's time you came to realize that you have to live your faith, and that Jesus always said when He pardoned someone, "Go and sin no more."
Repent and be saved, all you politicians and persons who have no respect for life after birth until natural death.
Posted by: areyousaying | February 5, 2011 8:42 AM
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What part of Jesus telling his followers not to judge others don't these Huckabee Obama haters get in regard to constantly bashing his faith?
They have a Lord Cheney mentality when it comes to cherry-picking their Scriptures and the Constitution, constantly scheming to ignore or "get around the law" as they please.
Posted by: areyousaying | February 5, 2011 8:31 AM
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As was the case with me once, Obama is not fully Christian just because he "embraced" Jesus Christ as his Savior. He might be able to say that one day when he repents and stops supporting live birth abortions, the slaughter of the innocents at its most grievous. For those who believe in a one time justification, it's time you came to realize that you have to live your faith, and that Jesus always said when He pardoned someone, "Go and sin no more."
Repent and be saved, all you politicians and persons who have no respect for life from conception until natural death.
Posted by: Emilt | February 5, 2011 3:03 AM
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I believe that ideas about gods, saviors, everlasting life etc. is so much hooey, and that they were invented by a bunch of apes cursed with a bloated sense of self-importance and breathtaking hubris. But this (dis)belief in no way detracts from my study of the music of J.S. Bach, an intensely religious man. The music speaks to deep body feelings and can stand completely on its own, even without the religious imagery. If you can play like that then just go ahead, believe anything you want.
Posted by: RichardHode | February 4, 2011 11:41 PM
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I dont feel like i should be forced to have health insurance, I think everyone would like to have health insurance if they could afford it. If you need affordable health insurance search online "Wise Health Insurance" you dont want to be with out insurance any time.
Posted by: lonnieesykes4 | February 4, 2011 11:41 PM
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People of faith have one thing in common – they believe whole-heartedly in their holy texts for everything. This surrender of the mind is brought about by the indoctrination of very young children day after day, Sunday after Sunday, in the “truth” of these holy texts. Small wonder there is little interest to use their own minds to look for evidence and to try and make informed decisions based on evidence not dogma. It really is a shame that the most advanced country in the world is held hostage by the religious right. This is not very different to what went on when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan and what we see in Iran today. Religion has always opposed progress. Religion’s companions are ignorance, irrationality and bigotry. The fact that uninformed ignorant people of faith can have such a threat to the teaching of science in this country is frightening but not unexpected.
There should be a required general knowledge quiz given to all our candidates for public office and they should be made to make statement on where they stand on the science of evolution and on the dogma of intelligent design. I want to know whether these wannabe leaders have any smarts. Blind reliance on holy ‘texts’ may have been OK prior to the Renaissance, but it’s not appropriate for the 21st Century.
Posted by: morryb | February 4, 2011 11:19 PM
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Milt I would appreciate it if you could forward this to the writer of the article you sent me Milt
i am an adult who is an atheist who does not believe there is a god however I believe that the myth of a god is a necessary teaching tool and encouragement for good behavior in immature children and also, unfortunately, in immature adults,of which we have many.
Sent to me by: Milton Shapiro Lt Col USAF Ret
Posted by: circleite | February 4, 2011 11:13 PM
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Who cares? Judge elected officials by their policies and results, not motivations.
Posted by: bpai_99 | February 4, 2011 10:23 PM
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Remember one thing: GOD is in control. If ever anyone of you were on your death bed, almost all would seek God. I know. The old saying that their are no atheist in a fox hole is so true.
Just remember that we all at some time in our sinful lives will need comfort from the Almighty. Some of these comments are pitiful.
Posted by: libertymeanslife | February 4, 2011 9:42 PM
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oh, the torture,the hell on earth the atheists endure,needing so desperately for all of mankind to follow "their" religion.for if not,that shadow of doubt remains,does it not?like a heart,beating,beating,beating.
Posted by: alamodefender | February 4, 2011 9:13 PM
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Jacques Berlinerblau, this article, para. 9 shows the erudite in this article. It's rude behavior to believe that advanced degreed folks have more understanding than non-advanced degreed folks.
The author here purveys a belief of superior communication skills commonly held by the collegiate, but hers and their skills show their lacking ability to communicate. The author is the sender of her message so the burdon is upon her to communicate in a way that her audience understands. The audience can be the best listeners in the entire world with paraphrasing, reflecting, using "I" language and what have they, but when an erudite can't modify their message for clear delivery; that is referred to as poor communicate skills.
It seems the audience writing here has missed the mark of Jacques Berlinerblau's message. I say the author Jacques Berlinerblau missed the target of her audience.
I will agree most points in her message but only because I understand her highbrow commentary. Obama is a one-term President. In addition, America may be founded by some Christians, but they did not form our Government to be religious.
I will agree with Obama in declaring his version of religion is only his and his spoouse's business.
Posted by: rgrowley | February 4, 2011 8:56 PM
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Berlinrblau again.
Calls the beloved Prayer Breakfast in Washington, long history,
a PAGEANT.
And right after the big batch of rabbis last week tried to start a campaign about what can and can't be said on American media.
Little stories like this coming in from all over the world. The Jews are worried about the surge, the rise, in anti semitism, we read.
Well, hopefully otheres will have more sense than WaPo, who puts out the beloved and admired and wise Berlinerblau.
Learned nothing?
Posted by: whistling |
----------------------------
Und hier ist the Christian-Nazi bastard, Whistling.
I rest my case. But only for the moment. Like Asange, I love crushing bastards.
Posted by: Farnaz2Mansouri2 | February 4, 2011 8:50 PM
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Couldn't these "Brothers in Christ" build themselves a nice community, say, in Antarctica, taking with them their Brothers in Christian Congress, the Court, etc., and leave the rest of us alone?
By the rest of us, I mean those who like the idea of an America governed according to the Constitution.
Barring that, suggest Christian Siblings head off for my country, Iran, or to Saudi Arabia, whose constitutions (such as they are) are best suited for theocrats.
Getting these people out of government will, I'm beginning to see, take nothing less than a concerted nationwide effort.
Get them out. Every single one of them. OUT.
Posted by: Farnaz2Mansouri2 | February 4, 2011 8:47 PM
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What I'd like to know is when is Obama going to invite the non-believers in his constituency over for a breakfast?
I hope all his God-blather was just an attempt to convince the pinheads who think he is a Muslim, that he isn't a Muslim.
Where he and his advisors go wrong, is that the number of pinheads who think he is a Muslim, plus those who support the NDP and the Religious Right, is quite inconsequential in terms of votes. They won't vote for him anyway.
On the other hand, the number of secularists/atheists/agnostics, humanists who DID vote for him because of his secular position (compared to Dubya), and supposed defense of the First Amendment, has been let down, BIG TIME.
He has kept in place Bush's sop to the Religious Right, the Faith Based Initiatives, which so far has cost taxpayers billions and has created multiple lawsuits against these religious groups by un-Constitutionally hiring only those of the "right" faith, while gladly pocketing taxpayer dollars.
Time to rethink your election strategy, Mr. President, by starting to pay attention to the non-believers of this country.
Posted by: gillyala | February 4, 2011 8:28 PM
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No, Whistling, this is decidedly NOT a Christian nation, and never was. It is a nation where a majority of the citizens are, at least nominally, Christians, but the government is secular (please look that word up, it is not the same as "anti-Christian") and allows any and all religions within its borders. It is our greatest strength.
If you like government-sponsorsed religion, please move to Iran or Afghanistan, or some other intolerant country - and take your supercilious attitude with you, Sonny.
Posted by: Pamsm | February 4, 2011 8:22 PM
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Please tell me that no one actually believes that Obama is what he is pretending to be. I don't actually care what faith he is or what he claims his faith is. All he's done in two years is to confirm that whenever he speaks you need a dictionary of socialist hidden words and a dictionary of dishonest claims. He fits into both with such ease that it's fearsome.
Christian? Maybe (although probably not) Muslim, nah, he'd already have a fatwah issues against him. Atheist? Seems to fit better than all the rest.
Mr. Obama, just stop lying and hurting this country.
Posted by: rdavid1020 | February 4, 2011 8:21 PM
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Berlinerblau,
when you or your parents came here to America,
did you not KNOW it was, (and sonny, still IS) a CHRISTIAN NATION?
It's been what it is now for some centuries. But you hadn't heard?
Do you think you could ever be happy here? Will all of us? Do you think your snotty brat stuff furthers your cause?
Have you noticed history is repeating?
Posted by: whistling | February 4, 2011 6:26 PM
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Berlinrblau again.
Calls the beloved Prayer Breakfast in Washington, long history,
a PAGEANT.
And right after the big batch of rabbis last week tried to start a campaign about what can and can't be said on American media.
Little stories like this coming in from all over the world. The Jews are worried about the surge, the rise, in anti semitism, we read.
Well, hopefully otheres will have more sense than WaPo, who puts out the beloved and admired and wise Berlinerblau.
Learned nothing?
Posted by: whistling | February 4, 2011 5:49 PM
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Saw a news clip today from the NETHERLANDS.
Umbrella group of Jews were in court trying to get more and different punishments for DOUBTING THE HOLOCAUST!
Reminded us of the rabbi's little gambit last week in which they sought to dictate
what could and could not be said on American media.
Not enough that they own the nearly all of the media, they want to say what's on the rest of it, too.
And that Obama better not pray to the Christian God!~
Posted by: whistling | February 4, 2011 5:39 PM
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the gnashing of teeth by some of the atheists in this column are proof enough for me.there is hell.God lives.
Posted by: alamodefender | February 4, 2011 5:19 PM
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The history of Obama' religious discussions reveals a hypocrite, a Pharisee, and a plain fraud.
Posted by: ravitchn | February 4, 2011 3:59 PM
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Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
Seneca the Younger, 3 BC – 65 AD
And, why pray: god has never answered the prayers of amputees; and, in ambiguous situations, there isn't a second law of probability for Christians, e.g., if there was there would be no casinos.
Posted by: fmwgrove | February 4, 2011 3:48 PM
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Mr. Berlinerblau does not do justice to the subject of President Obama's confession of faith at the national Prayer Breakfast. As an adamant secularist Democrat, I can understand, up to a point, Obama's need to periodically assert his religious affiliation; sick, cynical, sinful and hateful CINOs (that's "Christians In Name Only) have been merchandising an "Islamification" of him for two years now. These people despise the sixties, not because some hippies smoked pot, dropped acid, wore tie-dyed T-shirts and played rock LPs. CINOs have encouraged a loathing of the sixties because the era brought civil rights to the national table and straightened the nation's moral backbone in a significant number of other ways.
Secularists and decent people of faith--not politicized pentacostals and their ilk--in concert with non-believers, ought to join forces to prevent the further corruption of our Republic by religiously racialist civic sociopaths in the Republican Party (and elsewhere). I'll wager that, despite what "the polls" suggest, there are more of us than them. Yet their sinister influence in and out of government and the media--beginning with, as examples, Aimee Semple McPalin and three other members of her apocalyptic horsemen: Glen Beck, John Hagee and Pat Robertson--need to be subjected to a withering scrutiny. Our values are not being framed properly. Why not a new HUAC, charged with investigating the disgusting and amoral influence of the religious right in politics, government, media and, most frightening of all, the military? Let it start with an examination of the participants in the National Prayer Breakfast. To paraphrase Walt Kelly: "I have seen the Taliban, and it is us."
Posted by: woodmack | February 4, 2011 3:46 PM
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LETEMHAVEIT |
I am so glad that you cleared up the eternal question man has been asking since the dawn of time. Is there a God? Wow, now that you've told us to "get over it" .. now everyone, everywhere can base their belief system on what you "KNOW" to be true, that there is no God. You arrogant, pompous, know it all, oh, let me add, idiot. "The fool hath said in his heart.... no God"
Posted by: tennjim | February 4, 2011 3:46 PM
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Actually Obama's father was the atheist. He was a muslim as a child and renounced it.
You don't even have your smears right. What else do you have wrong?
Now remember, the hole on the bottom of your body is where the crap comes out, not the hole at the bottom of your face.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 3:35 PM
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I too am sorry that President Obama chose not just to attend, but to speak at, an event sponsored by the people who proudly claim the C Street moral degenerates as role models (e.g., "Tom Coburn, for example, is here. He is not only a dear friend but also a brother in Christ." and co-conspirator with John Ensign in the pimping of Ensign's paramour) and who have inspired the leading lights of Uganda, self-styled Christians, to declare jihad against gay men and women.
The President's remarks can be found at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/03/remarks-president-national-prayer-breakfast
If he did feel compelled to speak, I think that he would have done our great country, and the world, a world of good had he limited his remarks to not much more than a short reading from Matthew 25:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
This is self-evidently part of Scripture that few, if any, Republicans or Tea Totalitarians have ever heard of before.
Posted by: edallan | February 4, 2011 3:32 PM
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Correction:
....//Give me the holyi Insight and Pattern Recognition//To enjoy LIFEand make a good living//....
Posted by: letitbe | February 4, 2011 3:32 PM
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Obama's dad Was a Muslim. His mother was an atheist. His religion: Whatever is useful to his career.
But he was not born in Hawaii, which has no proper birth certificate for him. Hawaii has only a form given to American women with babies born abroad in order to give them a spurious citizenship.
Obama haS HOODWINKED US all about everything: his birth, his religion, his political beliefs, and his qualifications.
Posted by: ravitchn
---------------------------
This guy reminds me of some twisted Elder Beck version of a Mormon testimony meeting where the participants all chant hypnotically, "Yes, I know this is true."
Posted by: areyousaying | February 4, 2011 3:30 PM
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Dear Brother J.B. et al;
Frère Jacques, frère Jacques? Gues your not sleeping! i [WE] likewise can do w/out NBP.
If any Secularist (Old & New) or Atheist (Old & New) et al Was 'Commander In Chief' of This Overloaded Atomic Nation, i [WE] also WE will, behind closed door, succumb to "IT", such that, Ye, i will Sneak a Prayer or talk during stress-moments. i.e., In these 'times' when the SATANIC versUS lovin Evil Clerk Nation of Iran art PUSHING OUR BUTTONS; one needs perseverance, To DROP A-BOMB or Not To Drop A-Bomb? requires Mediation(Listening to "IT" & Prayer is to Talk to "IT").
The Problem With Slamin-Dunkin Brother Bama & CO., is that "GOD" (how ever one says IT" or spells "IT" or reads "IT") is the the REALiTY THAT
God, gud, G-d, GOD, G_d, G_D... (or Allah, Ishvara etc..) is and was never a "HE" nor is any god... a "SHE"; Only being "IT" a.k.a "iTSELF" in & Out Of US ALL. Period!
Example, Better to say, read or write the letters "IT" wherever the old [even when humble & Sincere] word "G-D" appears. i.e., "IN "IT" WE TRUST" Not in "IN GOD WE TRUST" So,
To say, "I came to know [IT] for myself and embrace "IT" as "Aware-of-iTSELF"--all I can say is that the sixties are over, man!" is a big Godly improvement, for SPACE-FORTH & FUTURE-BOUND Activities via "MEME"s. Aye?
Interestingly What's Happening in Aegypt, Tunisia et al [by YOUNG et al] is What the explosive (Global, not only Local) 1969 "SUMMER OF PEACE&LOVE" Revolution did For US "U.S.ians" is now effecting them! So
the [SPIRIT] of the 60's (Especially '69' moon walk & Talk When MAN {pbu them} made a "GIANT LEAP.." forwards Nay Backwards for US SECULAR(s) & not for them, fundaMENTALists!
Note: 1st MAN in space was in 1961 via Yuri Alek Gagarin {pnuh et al}.
As long as folk think HE instead IT; there's no "VISION no HOPE" for Any True Citizens of [NEBULA-BUILT] Space-Ship Earth) So,
VOTE: "APOCALYPTIC GOVERNMENT" & "GRIDARIAN DEMOCRACY!" Something To Live For Not To Die For! So, "Something To Die For..." thinking needs to END, 'MAN. oops & MAM!
HERE: is the APOCALYPTARIAN, a.k.a the HIGH PRAYER OF EKLAHTi-ON (EC{ATARiAN) FAITH
"DEAR Ec{at of my Holy heart-Beat//O' "IT" (God/Lord)//Please Hear me BIOMENTAL Prayer Fully//And grant i the SYNERGY of ye ways//i Love ye EPONYMOUSLY//Ye art Holy, holy, Holy//your kingdom is coming to pass Synergetically//On space-Ship Earth as ye are//i hear your Song//i always feel your presence//i love ye for it//And i ask that ye guide me here daily//Give me the holy Insight and Patter Recognition//To enjoy LIFEand make a good living//Forgive me MIZANICALLY, O'EKLAHti//In proportion to how i forgive others//The Temptations that have befallen me//i do not need,SO DELIVER ME FROM ILL-INTENTIONS NOW//i [WE] live on ye Ship to Avoid Lonliness//And i perceive the glory of ye TRANF{NITY//Please interpret me hope in terms of ye glory//O' "IT" Grant me what i [WE] deserve//HOLiNOMEN!"
Posted by: letitbe | February 4, 2011 3:29 PM
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Obama's dad Was a Muslim. His mother was an atheist. His religion: Whatever is useful to his career.
But he was not born in Hawaii, which has no proper birth certificate for him. Hawaii has only a form given to American women with babies born abroad in order to give them a spurious citizenship.
Obama haS HOODWINKED US all about everything: his birth, his religion, his political beliefs, and his qualifications.
Posted by: ravitchn | February 4, 2011 3:27 PM
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Religion and politics should be kept separate. Failure to keep them separate could eventually make the US look and feel like Islamic nations. No clearer example of what happens when they are not kept separate should be needed than those nations; Saudi Arabia, Iran, the Taliban.
The NPB is an affront to the beliefs of many people, which is reason enough to put an end to it.
Posted by: samsara15 | February 4, 2011 3:26 PM
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Now, if only the politicians who took part in this little religious show actually did as Jesus commanded...well, I guess I can dream.
Posted by: MidwaySailor76 | February 4, 2011 3:19 PM
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"There is nothing Christian about that man..."
Posted by: FrostBites
Do tell us your criteria, deputy. It is belief in:
-torture?
-pre-emptive war?
-all Muslims are our enemies?
-back ally, coat-hanger abortions?
-hiding predator priests from civil prosecution?
-discrimination against gays?
-denying First Amendment rights to Muslim citizens?
-denying Fourth Amendment rights to Mexican citizens?
-Israel first?
-lack of health care is our personal Lord and Savior's wrathful vengeance for pre-existing conditions and the sloth of the poor, children and those who can't find jobs in Bush's depression?
If you're going to decide who is and who is not Christian, tell us if we should all believe in the list above to meet the teabagger criteria of your cherry-picked scriptures.
Poor old Jesus. If I were Him, I would change my last name because of you and your hateful, intolerant, and yes, racist ilk.
Posted by: areyousaying | February 4, 2011 2:55 PM
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I don't have to have knowledge of the people who believe ridiculous things to know those things are ridiculous.
I have great hope in humanity, soon, if we're wise enough, we will cast off these primitive gods invented by our barbaric ancestors and deal with reality up front - no fairy tales, no ridiculous praying and praising and talking snakes, no need for the false consolation your religious delusions provide you.
You were trained to be religious, to have faith in your gods but you never outgrew it.
How do you feel about the primitive beliefs of our even more primitive ancestors ... the ancient greeks, the romans ... Mithra, Ra, animism ... these truly primitive people had no understanding of nature, their explanations for the workings of the universe were not so much ridiculous as they were ignorant.
But you know better.
And one other thing, secularism is a political philosophy, not religious. Freedom from religion ... now there's something I do believe in. Freedom from the oppression of ignorance and stupidity and freedom from juvenile adults who still believe in santa claus.
Aggressive secularism, as you mistakenly use the term, would be if I showed up in your church, paid for by your money, and stood on the podium and told you all what idiots you are. Nobody is doing that. Yet all of you believers make no effort to repay our patience with you. You and your kind spew a neverending religious noise upon us all.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 2:35 PM
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Don't worry Jacques, most Christians didn't think that it was necessary for Obama to be at the NPB anyway. There is nothing Christian about that man and he shouldn't keep acting like he is.
Posted by: FrostBites
-------------------------------------
Like some nerdy little Barney Fife hick, this Obama hater thinks she was deputized by her small and shallow god to determine, judge and condemn who is Christian and who is not.
May we see your little Christocon badge, please? I hear Lipton is giving them out as promotions for their new found patrons.
Posted by: areyousaying | February 4, 2011 2:34 PM
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I honestly do not trust anything obama claims. He has lied so much in the past when it was to his advantage. He will claim anything to win an election. The man doesn't have a clue about morals,ethics, or honesty.
We must vote obama and his outlaws out of office in 2012.....AMEN
Posted by: vageorge | February 4, 2011 2:27 PM
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Oh for Christ sake, teabagger theocons whine and cry Obama doesn't talk about his faith and then cry and whine louder when he does. "You can't have it both ways."
The US is NOT a "Christian" nation. The Constitution still trumps the Bible.
Why should a president have to talk about his faith at all? Religion is not a test to be President according to Romney and Huntsman supporters. Why do the same insist it applies to Obama and lie that he is a Muslim. Don't they honor their own Ninth Commandment or have they figured out how to "get around this law", too, like their Lord Cheney taught them?
Posted by: areyousaying | February 4, 2011 2:26 PM
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@carbar4647 - Now you go apologize to your mother for being the biggest mistake she ever made.
Posted by: cholly85241 | February 4, 2011 2:22 PM
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As an agnostic who no longer supports the President because he's a moderate wuss, this annual capitulation to the right cannot stand, man, to use the words of the Dude. Sure he has an ethos, but pandering to the wack jobs who believe in faith over science, logic and reason only further alienates the secularists among us who think that democracy is a losing battle. Government is the answer, states and communities and churches cannot control corporate pollution, carbon dioxide and global warming, and reckless bankers. We can't pray things will fix themselves.
I wish he had spent those hours writing some stricter banking regulations than writing a speech of platitudes in a n attempt to appear moderate.
Posted by: anarcho-liberal-tarian | February 4, 2011 2:08 PM
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GreensTheMan wrote to EezMamaTa: "WOW, perhaps you should take your own advice."
=========
GreensTheMan,
What beliefs of EezMamaTa do you find ridiculous?
=========
I find ridiculous the apparent belief that he is better off having faith in himself and humanity than in any god, because it allows him the freedom to ridicule others without guilt (and without knowledge--as the original statement that was called into question was based on a foolish assumption, but that's beside the point), and in acting so, he is somehow promoting the goodness of his own beliefs, when really all he is doing is showing that he's as human as any Muslim, Christian or Jew... or Atheist for that matter.
The thing is humanity will be humanity with or without gods. We need no help there. We act in humankindness, all of us, and we all will continue to do so, no matter what. At least with people of faith there is some hope that they will feel guilty for being rude and foolish (for instance for ridiculing people for beliefs that they believe they hold without any real knowledge of those people). But with people like EezMamaTa, they don't care at all, and they never will, because they are faithless and hopeless--nothing regulates them, and nothing can. I suppose this is a better way though, this sort of oppressive secularism?
Again, it is ironic that secularism in the name of freedom (especially when used as a sign of the superior intellects of those who pontificate its--and their own--greatness) is always charged with such a naive desire for the oppression of faith in others.
Posted by: LuthienKennedy | February 4, 2011 2:04 PM
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Please recognize that believing in a god is a childish superstition. Do understand, those of you that are superstitious, that you have created god for whatever ridiculous reason you have. Just understand your time in this world and be dragged kicking and screaming from it. I am disappointed that the President is a believer. It does make me think less of him as I do anyone that is superstitious. There is no god. Get over it. Live with it.
Posted by: letemhaveit | February 4, 2011 1:58 PM
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GreensTheMan wrote to EezMamaTa: "WOW, perhaps you should take your own advice."
=========
GreensTheMan,
What beliefs of EezMamaTa do you find ridiculous?
Posted by: Freestinker | February 4, 2011 1:45 PM
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The National Prayer Breakfast is a farce run by one of the most insidious organizations known - "The Fellowship" or "The Famliy" or "The C Street Organization." I don't care what the President believes in, I just wish he wouldn't legitimize this sectarian crap with his presence. The office of faith based [whatever] is unconstitutional and should be abolished. Read Article VI of the Constitution.
Posted by: bizecology | February 4, 2011 1:41 PM
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Talking snakes, all animals in a wooden ship, virgin births, ghosts, angels, devils, genetic bottlenecks after admin and eve (all of us are products of incest?) ... another genetic bottleneck after noah ... burning talking bushes, stoning everybody ... how can you possibly believe all this stuff and not see it as a fairy tale?
You sure can identify a fairy tale when it's not your religious beliefs, other people's religions maybe ? The only thing more ridiculous than this crap is people believing it.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 1:37 PM
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It's time to end this farce, and get religion out of the government. Imagine the Jesus-freak uproar should a President decline to participate. It's simply away to reinforce that god is an American and on our side. How silly. There is no god, and government should be secularist.
Posted by: jckdoors | February 4, 2011 1:32 PM
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Nobody is trying to oppress your faith, the correct word to use is ridicule.
If you don't want to be ridiculed for your beliefs then you should have such ridiculous beliefs.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 1:12 PM
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''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
WOW, perhaps you should take your own advice.
Posted by: greenstheman | February 4, 2011 1:31 PM
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All evangelicals should be deported to Israel or Iran. Dumbasses.
Posted by: emag | February 4, 2011 1:21 PM
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Organized religion is one of the worlds big problems. Spirituality is a personal thing, best kept to oneself.
Posted by: fishinfool | February 4, 2011 1:19 PM
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On Faith. Faith is belief, and in this world there are "ideas" and there are "beliefs." - one you can change and alter as you gain perspective, the other, you cannot change without gut-wrenching cause.
On perspective... education is knowledge and knowledge is perspective, the more perspectgive you gain, the better your knowledge, which leads to a stronger your education... a better understanding.
On God... Since recorded history there has been no proof of a higher power, only the manipulation of "ideas" by man, based in the belief structures man has created.
Take my words to heart, think about them - the one thing that is God-like in our universe is Earth. Once the human race starts to treat our planet with the moral ethics they spout for their imaginary "God" - we may have change to do something beautiful and wonderful.
But in the meantime, ask yourself this? Nation by nation, how much do you spend on military? Borders and walls? howe much aid is granted to other nations for military purposes? Now compare that to the amount granted to education and healthcare? Now ask yourself... What does your "ruling party" really want? Smart & healthy people? or do they jsut want to control people?
Posted by: hammershipdown | February 4, 2011 1:15 PM
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Franking the NPB is an insulting pandering bit of political nonsense; and it is interesting that Barry is disbelieved by the faithful and ridiculed by the unbelievers! So, on its face such pandering is a lose-lose for any politician! For Barry, it fundamentally alienates his base and reaps no benefit from his opponents; I suppose there is a chance he is just being honest and truthful; isn't that a kick in the teeth? In any case, I'm done voting for the best of a bad choice; I turned against my party of 30 years with George and it gets worse and worse on a daily basis; and the Dems slide further and further towards the Right everyday; and every "modern" politician is a worthless scumbag without morals, intelligence, or experience! I am for aiding and abetting the ignorant "masses" to destroy the world as quickly as possible so the Earth can get back on track for a few million years of healing; we can hope that evolution will create an intelligent species next time around!
Posted by: CHAOTICIAN101 | February 4, 2011 1:14 PM
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Nobody is trying to oppress your faith, the correct word to use is ridicule.
If you don't want to be ridiculed for your beliefs then you should have such ridiculous beliefs.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 1:12 PM
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FrostBites wrote: "Don't worry Jacques, most Christians didn't think that it was necessary for Obama to be at the NPB anyway. There is nothing Christian about that man and he shouldn't keep acting like he is."
=========
FrostBites,
Exactly what would it take for Obama to convince you that he is a Christian?
Just wondering exactly what your standard is?
Posted by: Freestinker | February 4, 2011 1:12 PM
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It is ironic that secularism in the name of freedom (especially when used as a sign of the superior intellects of those who pontificate its--and their own--greatness) is always charged with such a naive desire for the oppression of faith in others.
Posted by: LuthienKennedy | February 4, 2011 1:10 PM
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Christians are used to being lied to, they're used to swallowing large crocks of sht ... I mean look at the fairy tales they claim to believe.
This president or any other must spend time pandering to the idiots or they'll start realizing they're idiots. And idiots don't bother going to work, paying taxes, and hating their political opponents in a way that helps support the political games the politicians need played.
Before Obama started playing this game I had him marked as a simple zero in my book. Now he's less than zero. Considering how similar his presidency is to Bush in most other matters .... really, Bush had the conservatives fooled and Obama has the liberals fooled.
Conservatives and liberals, fools.
Posted by: eezmamata | February 4, 2011 1:03 PM
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Whatever it takes, politicians, like religious hucksters of every denomination, will tell you exactly what you want to hear.
What I don't want to hear are politicians sounding like sleazy televangelists, this is a SECULAR country, keep your religion out of my face and out of my government.
Posted by: daniel3715 | February 4, 2011 1:00 PM
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I am a person who really feels that a person's faith or lack of is a prvate matter and I really appreciate folks not sharing their faith or lack of unless I explictly ask about it.
People who "quote the so-called scriptures" are a tiring lot indeed, all who quote think they "know" or "understand" something about the "word of a god" but really, in reality, all they are "quoting" or "understanding" are another man's written word who "claims" the scriptures come straight from the "horses"("god") mouth. Really quoting scripture is quoting other men, so, all you scripture quoters get over yurselves and quit boring the world at large.
And, the use of the word or label "Christian" is just annoying. Who cares? Really.
The NPB is something most Americans would pass on unless there actually is a breakfast and it is free....I might even attend if that were the case, but no food no NBA.
Posted by: rannrann | February 4, 2011 12:46 PM
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Don't worry little libbies, we "religious zealots and right wingers" aren't buying Obama's transformation for a minute.
Posted by: thebink | February 4, 2011 12:45 PM
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Why is there even such a thing as a National Prayer Breakfast? Isn't it just another way for the politicians to broadcast their phony faiths? Look at me!! I'm praying! How pious I am! Vote for me because I can quote scripture, even if I am a crook.
And then they leave and go right back to looting the treasury and funneling taxpayer dollars to their rich defense contractor friends and their Wall Street buddies. What a load of hypocrites.
Posted by: Chagasman | February 4, 2011 12:40 PM
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Obama's too smart to believe in the supernatural, and smart enough to know that America is not ready for a non-believing president. He's a politician for chrisake.
Posted by: Rongoklunk | February 4, 2011 12:33 PM
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Don't worry Jacques, most Christians didn't think that it was necessary for Obama to be at the NPB anyway. There is nothing Christian about that man and he shouldn't keep acting like he is.
Posted by: FrostBites | February 4, 2011 12:22 PM
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Bush sold himself to the Evangelicals in a cynical ploy to win their votes. He promised to fight homosexuality, stop abortions, put prayer in the schools, and Christianize the military. With their enthusiastic support he still couldn't get half the voters in the country to vote for him and had to rely on lawyers and his father's Supreme Court cronies to install him in the WH.
Obama has kept his religious beliefs personal. He doesn't "spread the good word" for political gain. I, as a strict Pastafarian, am opposed to church government interaction of any kind. I believe it's dangerous and leads to indigestion.
Posted by: thebobbob | February 4, 2011 12:19 PM
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Posted by: honorswar26
“ . . . . . He trys to oversell to the American evangelical community the idea that he is just as much of a Christian as they are, while at the same time telling that churches aren't as important or capable in the community as government is.
You can't have it both ways.”
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
No? Obama must Certainly be a better Christian than the TV evangelical snake oil doctors. Certainly his beliefs and actions are more Christ like than those of Palin/Beck/Hannity/Rove/Limbaugh/Pat Robertson, McConnell, and Jerry Falwell.
Thank God McCain and Palin AREN'T in the Whitehouse!
Posted by: lufrank1 | February 4, 2011 12:16 PM
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He's beginning to loose me with this speech, as he's giving in to all these religious zealots and right-wingers. Enough with this religious righteousness...it has no place in government or in politics. Period. I'm constantly being bombarded with these religious fanatics in all type of media. Enough already. We should be progressing as a society, not going back to the dark ages with all this talk of god.
Posted by: geo2 | February 4, 2011 12:14 PM
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"this type of rhetoric can be deeply troubling"
What exactly was troubling?
The author is a dumbass.
Posted by: blasmaic | February 4, 2011 12:14 PM
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Barack Obama is an empty vessel into which voters pour their idealizations, pro AND con.
He's easily the most chimeral President of my lifetime, except Jimmy Carter, who also substituted professions of faith for having a track record.
I care little (as an atheist) if a President claims religion is a source of personal strength and inspiration, as long he doesn't let it dictate scientific positions like medical care.
But in Obama's position the perception of what his belief is 1000x more important than what they actually are. So if he feels a political need to believe in a Ground of our Being, he'll find it real easy. I don't believe his personal pronouncements any more than an actor in character.
Posted by: WmarkW | February 4, 2011 12:11 PM
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To the above commentator, Duh! He or she thinks people are stupid and that they are going to just lie down and let stupid comments like his prevail. I really do not care if the President is a man of faith or not. That is a deeply personal matter. What he chooses to share with the American people should not be judged in the crucible of hypocrisy. He/she speaks as though they have a personal relationship with President Obama. How quickly we forget that George Bush pandered to the same evangelicals for political gain. Idiot!
Posted by: dartery | February 4, 2011 12:10 PM
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Congratulations! That was quite possibly the most patronizing column I've ever read. It's truly a pity that your opinion is not quite as important as you obviously think it is.
Posted by: ronavis | February 4, 2011 12:10 PM
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Does anyone REALLY believe obama? He is playing to the crowd...like he usually does. Can we skip a year and get right to 2012 so we can get rid of this mistake?
Posted by: carbar4647 | February 4, 2011 12:01 PM
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Barack Hussain Obama is first and foremost a politician. He will say and do anything to try to get political advantage for his agenda. He trys to oversell to the American evangelical community the idea that he is just as much of a Christian as they are, while at the same time telling that churches aren't as important or capable in the community as government is.
You can't have it both ways.
Posted by: honorswar26 | February 4, 2011 11:49 AM
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vageorge[
"Obama has a great talent deceiving others similar to satan. He should as he resembles a disciple of satan in his actions. Don't let him fool you. Remember that satan acknowledges Jesus and is in church every time the doors open. You will know by the fruits they bear".
Spoken like a truly devout and totally indoctrinated christian. You make my point about religious delusion. Thank you kindly.