Voters may apply "religious test"

If a person hides their faith and the salvation message, are they ashamed of Yeshua or Jesus who saved them from eternal sin and punishment? Jesus warned us ahead of time. The Gospel is not something that can be hidden. Many of Israel's kings went astray as a teaching tool for the future generations, of what to do and what not to do. This is humbling. Is Obama a repentant of his sin, humble servant, thankful of salvation. Or does he preach another Gospel full of wisdom in his own eyes. Helping other generations to eat from that tree of knowledge of good and evil, Like Eve? Her children are a pain to the rest of us. Repent or Rebel against repentance, this is our choice. Where does Obama stand on such a choice? There is One GOD, One Redeemer, One Savior, One Mediator between Man and GOD... KJ 1 Tim 2nd Chapter gives us the free will choice. The Bible does not prophecy peace between Hagar's children and Sara's children. Choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and my household... Joshua 24th Chapter. Obama will either hear depart from me, you who work iniquity... KJ Mat. 7th Chapter If Obama has real faith, share it regularly for the sake of the lost of this world. Just a thought, based on scripture

Yes, we are a nation founded by christians - christians who believed in religious freedom. The first american settlers were escaping a nation where they were persecuted for their religious beliefs. I think that even the founding fathers, who had a firm understanding of the detrimental effects of religious persecution, would be more tolerant of muslim americans than Jordan Sekulow. To criticize Obama for saying something so diplomatic and innocuous as that Muslims are an important cultural group in America, is just absurd.

I think that if more americans understood just how similar islam and christianity are, this media-hyped controversy could finally disappear. Just to point out a few similarities - Allah is the muslim word for God. Even Arabic Christians (they do exist) use the term Allah to refer to God. And although he's not considered the son of god, Jesus is one of the most important prophets in Islam, just as he is in Judaism. All three religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam worship the same God, all teach love and acceptance, all three contain the same historical figures, (john the baptist, moses, jesus, etc) and were established at about the same point in history.

Besides the fact that Obama is a Christian, what would it matter if he were a Muslim? Of course the treatment of women in islam is contrary to american ideas of liberty. But guess what? Its also contrary to many modern muslim's idea of liberty. Its a shame that nations like Saudi Arabia have become the american model of the muslim world. I think that people hear that Obama might be a muslim (again, he's not) and immediately the image of veiled women, stoning and suicide bombers come to mind. We cant understand that many muslims do not adhere to shariah law, and do in fact treat women as equals. Furthermore, those that do follow shariah law, follow various interpretations of it. Only the most fanatic muslims think that Shariah law condones violence to spread islam. This lack of understanding by the american public is definitely the fault of the media being attracted to the drama associated with fanatical islam, as well as individuals like Jordan Sekulow, pursuing the invented agenda of what he seems to believe are the persecuted white people of America.

I beg to differ - it is not about religion. It is an attempt to explain a president who talks and acts like someone who is not an American.

Today Obama will demand that the Republicans support economic policies that would be laughed at by Eisenhower, Reagan, both Bushes and even Kennedy. Obama is promoting an alternate reality.

Where does this come from? Perhaps his homeland, perhaps his religion? Is this from theories of a communist father and a flaky, absentee mother?

We don't know and no one seems to be able to say why - including a gaggle of nervous Democrats facing defeat in 2 months.

Obama insists on being at the bottom of a ditch, digging furiously, and asking this nation to pick up a shovel. The controversy won't go away until we understand.

Good discussion. I think it's true the President has possibly given nice remarks about Rheinhold Neibhur, who influenced many Democratic presidents. By the way, happened to see a poster in NY with a 2008 speech of his where he ended with God Bless America, not once but twice. Though I'm fan of B. Graham and son, also found something to admire with types like Oscar Romero (see film Romero). To me, Pres seems sincerely well intentioned, but affected by few things -- too many chefs in the brew, pressure by media during mid term elections, and his own propensity to give half to one side, and half to other, that is frustrating sometimes,. Also, liberals do control the media, because christians were sort of discouraging themselves from entering it and entertainment, it seemed, so now that's the status quo, and those are the voices that are trying to appeal to Pentagon and other parts of govt. Just trying to sort through, very intriguing discussion points.

I realize that there are some folks out there that think this shouldn't be an issue. I agree to some point, but we must also remember that a persons upbringing and religious background effects decisions they will make as an adult. Because of the religion of those who attacked our nation is the same as the religion as to which our president was raised understandingly causes concern. (Even though he claims not to practice any religion.) This would not be an issue had he been raised differently.

I think that President Obama needs to get his act in order and stop being luke warm about his Christianity Faith and take a stand. If he is Christian, he needs to be proud and not act cowardly. Just cause he was born in the USA doesn't automatically make him a Christian and us Christians that are true know this. He needs to be real and admit the truth. If he is muslim he needs to admit and sincerely consider it. We the sincerely true Christians in this country need to pray for Obama to realize what Faith he is and that Christ does a "Road to Damascus" experience with Obama (if necessary) to get serious and stop trying to hurt this nation with his indecision.

While America is not a Christian nation per se, that is, our governors do not sit with Christian theologians and pastors in any official capacity to gain perspective before legislating, our nation was established by men who personally found divine direction in their churches before stepping into the Continental Convention, and overwhelmingly so. Our nation of laws runs the way it does because our people believed in the Great Lawgiver of the Bible, not of Greek mythology, the Hindu pantheon, or any Koranic moon deity. While our country today is filled with people who now believe in everything, you will find that Christianity still reigns supreme as our cherished foundation and most obvious religious identity, and our politicians generally hold affiliation with some denomination therein. I think Sekulow holds out for us a real head-scratcher; why is Obama's belief system so vague? Christians believe that Christ is God incarnate and the only Savior of mankind. How can a genuine Christian be so cagey about his identity while at the same time put what he should believe to be a falsehood on a pedestal, namely, Islam? Being fair-minded is one thing, but Obama's words and actions make it appear as though he is not truly Christ's ambassador but simply his own, and neither Christians nor Muslims can claim him fully. Probably we shouldn't want to.

Was Obama "quick" to "endorse" the mosque in lower manhattan? Or did he finally respond to the issue during the Ramadan dinner at the white house by vaguely asserting that everyone has a right to freely practice their religion?
This is just one example of Jordan Sekulow's knowingly untrue assertions in this manipulative article. This sloppy, irresponsible writing belongs in a tabloid- a free tabloid. Washington Post, you can do better.

I can't imagine that a man who states so many untruths and so much vitriol into a single column is given space on the Washington Post website.

How come there's a button to record offensive comments, but offensive columns are let stand?

Perhaps President Obama has actually read and understood the Constitution. Mr. Sekulow might give that a try.

Maybe President Obama is like a lot of Americans. Maybe he thinks of himself as a Christian, but is really not all that into church. Maybe he is quietly devoted to Christ, but not a maniac for Christ. Maybe he went to Rev Wright's church for 20 years, because it was a church and it was there, and not because he believed exactly as Rev. Wright believed.

So President Obama is not a Jesus fanatic; so what? That is something he has in common with most Americans.

The scientific term for this column is "Wacko."

A couple of points:
1. Right after 9.11, GWBush, in one of his finest moments, made clear that Muslims were not the enemy, AlQueda was, and that Muslims are as good Americans as are anyone else.
2. Many republicans have said what Obama said: Muslims have a *right* to build a mosque where it is legal to build a religious facility.
3. Republican (and Mormon) Orrin Hatch, God bless him, came out in favor of the mosque today.
4. Based on his column, I have zero confidence on the author's ability to understand the complexities of the black church's relation to "liberation theology." I suppose our author would argue that Blacks were never "oppressed," for instance.

Wacko.

By ignoring the "Muslim issue," the President did little to answer a question many Americans want to know.

- Jordan Sekulow

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This idiot along with 20% Right Wing Nuts in America actually believe Obama is Muslim. That the evil genius planned all this way back in his college days that he's gonna fool the world by being a Christian, going to a Christian Church, marrying a Christian woman, raising Christian Children knowing full well in advance that one day he will become a Senator and eventually the President of USA.

If it wasn't obvious before it better be now to everyone that there is a sizable number of Whites, predominantly Christian racist Americans for whom every day that goes by with a Black man as their President is utter torcher and they will believe any gutter theory from any Quack Fox News Expert that demonizes Obama and furthers their beliefs.

If you think 'faith' means 'Representing bias toward Christians as President of the United States,' then you may well question his 'faith.'

It's his *job* to represent all of us, as equal citizens, no matter what the numbers say.

He spoke at length about the Wright matter during the election: he was called a slave indoctrinated by Wright, then, while they were still insisting he's a Muslim as they do now.

Which is it? Or is it about something else?

Mr. Sekulow,

I believe you and the Christians you refer to are confusing showing neutrality towards any religion with showing favoritism towards a religion. To me, President Obama has displayed a refreshing neutrality. Simply not showing the bias toward Christianity that most Christians seem to expect seems to make many feel they are under attack.

Supporting the 1st amendment rights of Muslim citizens is his duty. That is not some "legalistic quibble" but a basic principle of civil rights in this country. Your rights are only as safe as the rights of the group you most fear. If Muslims can't build a mosque, the precedent can be used to prevent you from building a church next week.

Not pressuring the Pentagon to include Rev. Graham in their event was in no way his duty. Rev. Graham, like Rev. Wright has gone out of his way to be controversial, for most likely similar reasons, to appeal to his audience. Both men should know such behavior can have consequences.

As to Rev. Wright's statements regarding 9/11, I remember Rev. Falwell saying something similar. He also blamed America and certain Americans, just different ones. If Rev. Wright's statements were problematic, what about Rev. Falwell's?

As to your contention that you know the president's motivation for resigning from his former church, other people have resigned from churches after a pastor or denomination came out with controversial or extreme positions. The former White House press secretary Bill Moyer and former president Carter and his wife are examples of public people who stayed with a denomination, in this case, the Southern Baptists, until they were pushed over the brink by the denominations' changes. Were those decisions "political" too?

There is a difference between being treated as an equal, just "one more belief on the block" and being given a position of privilege. During the last administration, Christians, especially conservative Christians, appeared to be privileged. From my perspective, all this "Obama is a Muslim, Obama isn't a Christian" is just people upset about losing that privilege. And, for all that "Christian nation" stuff the folks calling your radio show believe, the government is secular and should not be in the business of granting privilege.

While I am not a religious person, and while I voted for Obama, I completely agree with this author of this article. Obama has been a major disappointment and he seems to put the idea of Muslim outreach ahead of the US interests time and time again. Obama may not be a Muslim, but it's clear that his background often guides his decision rather than the interest of the US people in general. The statement he made in Turkey is revealing, and his directive to NASA to make Muslims feel good about their contribution to science and space exploration is simply ridiculous, since not a single predominantly Muslim country has any real know-how in space technology: even the most modern Muslim nations like Indonesia and Turkey are not very advanced when it comes to science and technology.