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"One's Worldview Should Illumine One's Decisions"
In the introduction to his Obama/McCain CNN interviews August 16, Pastor Rick Warren used "worldview" as a synonym for a person's "faith." He needed and wanted a word that would exclude nobody, not even the anti-religious.
Philosophies are ways of seeing the world. A religion is a particular way of seeing the world + the commitment to live in the light of this way of seeing the big picture. Worldview is the one-word way of saying all this.
Nobody on earth has a greater need to see the big picture than the president of the United States. The big picture is inclusive: nothing and nobody is left out. But no human being sees the big picture without distortion. Every human being's sight is limited by nature and nurture, by knowledge and prejudice, by experience and commitments and selfishness ("the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life" [First John 2:16]).
So what "advise" do I have to give to "John McCain and Barack Obama on the role religion should play in their presidential campaigns?" Here it is:
1 --- In speaking, debating, and promoting-advertising, neither obtrude nor repress your religion. The public will notice, to your discredit, either of those seemingly unnatural treatments.
2 --- When you say, "As I see it," tell us why. We know that politics is combat with the mouth rather than the muscles, warfare with words rather than with weapons, so we expect your "why" to be tactical or strategic. But we want to hear the deeper reasoning. What does your seeing reveal about the presence or absence of the big picture in your awareness, including important alternatives to how you see it? And, on matters of sufficient importance, we want to hear what in you is even deeper than your reasoning, namely, your worldview.
3 --- To err is human, and we're never going to have a president with "a right judgment in all things." The phrase is from the Book of Common Prayer. It's in a prayer, the assumption being that a humble openness to God gives one a better chance of making right judgments as one transcends self and party and tries, as Lincoln put it, to "be on God's side." It's dangerous to tell us that you pray for divine guidance, but it's honest. Dangerous, because enemies will be quick to accuse you of hypocritical piety. But honest to the human condition of limited wisdom. And most of us will feel solidarity with you in your humble confession that in facing the demands now on you (and later in the White House, if you win), you need all the help you can get from above and around you.
4 --- Do not be intimidated by the keep-religion-out-of-politics crowd. Falsely, they claim that America's foundation was secular. As a legal document, the Constitution does not use religious language. But the First Amendment enjoins government against interference with the "free exercise" of religion, and the founders were - almost to a man - expressly religious. Prayer was (and is) assumed at the beginning of political assemblage, and it is honored in the Declaration of Independence's phrase, "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."
By
Willis E. Elliott
|
August 28, 2008; 7:18 AM ET
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Posted by: Hello Rabbi ELLiOT | August 31, 2008 5:02 AM
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G A B Y
G A B Y
G A B Y
Mr. Gaddy is a Satan & ye hath been mis-interfaithly led-astray!
Fool!
Posted by: Att: G A B Y | August 31, 2008 3:40 AM
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Being an older one yourself Willis Elliott you surely remember the Kennedy speeches. I do and by comparison Barak made JFK look like a beginner with his acceptance speech. He even got the word abortion in saying the way to stop it is end unwanted pregnancies. Want to argue that won't work?
Now you must agree that this metaphor describes the present state of the campaign so far:
Obama and McCain were fighting when McCain threw a couple of sticks of dynamite at Obama. Last night Obama lit that dynamite and threw it back.
Posted by: BGone | August 29, 2008 1:12 PM
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Well, Rev. Elliott, I disagree.
Please read Rev. Gaddy's essay with which I very much agree.
Posted by: Gaby | August 29, 2008 1:11 PM
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TO: SHMUCKS from HARVARD & GEORGETOWN & BERKLEY Religio folks:
Please: Stop Satanically switcharooing between a Pure 'SECUALR'ist & a un-pure HUMAniSta!
Note: There is no Such thing as a SECULAR-HUMiNiST any more! Do not mix apple with orange pleaze! SCHAME SCHAME SCAEME!
VOTE For: innate "SiNGULARiTY" Of ReLiGiON() in U.S.A. & elsewhere Never via "PLURALiTY" of man-made imported RELiGiON(s) in America!
imagine: The O.ne U.niversal R.eligion B.ook O.f T.ransfinity [O.U.R.-B.O.T.]; aka The Religion of Everything Before the Science of Everything!
HALLALUYA! Praise the HOL{i}-NEVER-WO&MEN!
Goodbye "Interfaith-Nation" pipe dreamers!
Goodbye jealous Evil "HUMAnIST's" [Zero SECULAR] like ye proud Judeo Mr. gods-chosen-people , G.M.Epstein & idiot(s)!
August 29, 2008 12:05 PM
Posted by: Anonymous | August 29, 2008 12:15 PM
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The inability of the majority of America to distinguish between religion, church, faith and
spirituality complicates any discussion of this sort. Some of the “founders” of America
were certainly wary, to say the least, of church (not religion) and some of the conduct
abetted by ecclesiastical teachings. Note that Jefferson’s “wall” was between church and
state.
Currently, it is apparent by the content of statements made by most of the original
candidates, their discussion of faith is a “Sunday go to meeting” garment. This very
transparent pandering is very often to those who are ensconced in a theocratic world view being taught (by churches) to believe American law is based on the Bible. Any knowledgeable person knows that the House Chamber is adorned with relief portraits of famous lawmakers throughout history and that Jesus was not included.
My advice to politiciabs: stop the use of ambiguous labels, code words and claims of piety.
Demonstrate the quality of your character by the consistency of your conduct: whether you explain the issues or dodge them; how you characterize fellow candidates and if you inform us of the sacrifices we citizens may face when you are making promises of change.
Posted by: Patient | August 29, 2008 11:38 AM
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"How long is the Beast allowed to have authority in Revelations? "
Revelations Chapter 13 tells us that it is 42 months...
... Almost a four-year term of a Presidency...
According to The Book of Revelations the anti-Christ is:
"...a man, in his 40's, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal....the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything..."
Do we recognize this description?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even if you don't believe in the Bible or it's teachings, how can we ignore the fact that this man has such close ties to the Muslim faith and it's beliefs?
And that the Pastor from his church preached hate against America?--No matter how much he may denounce him now, this was his spiritual leader for many years.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a recent news broadcast, Barack Obama made this statement with pride, 'We are no longer a Christian nation; we are now a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, . .." To think our forefathers fought and died for the right for our nation to be a Christian nation--then to have this man say with pride that we are no longer that.
How far has this nation come from what our founding fathers intended it to be!
Posted by: Shayna Arnold | August 29, 2008 10:28 AM
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I mean, hey, Bgone. Maybe you and JJ could get together on some kind of class-action suit.
*snap.* oops, 'Tort reform,' can't do that, can you?
What would you like to do now?
Posted by: Paganplace | August 28, 2008 8:19 PM
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" BGone:
"Shouldn't the "worldview" of everyone be dominated by religion?"
Why domination? Need some?
"Is there life without religion?"
How would you go about finding out?
"Is there even the possibility of social order without religion?"
Who's asking?
Does that work?
"Who's the highest authority we can call on if not God?"
Who said you needed 'highest authority?'
" Don't you wonder how I got from religion to God?"
No, I don't. I ask, if you been anywhere, what you can bring *back*.
"Remember, the big money goes to those that sell their souls to Lucifer, take holy orders and lead the multitudes to hell."
I think the name you're looking for there is 'Mammon.'
'Lucifer' is actually not part of that mythology, strictly speaking. If you like absolutes.
" They get from religion to God with the greatest of ease -must be daring men like those flying about on their flying trapezes."
So, big surprise, pal. The righteous and powerful got *backwards.*
What would you like to do now?
Posted by: Paganplace | August 28, 2008 8:17 PM
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NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., MYSPACE, Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
-
According to Federal LAW, "i" Jacob JO...Z, herein NOW, Electronically serve'd "NEWS CORP., Et Al" as per after many many Warnings.
LiVE, FROM:CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
Note To Alot Of WAPO's socalled PRE-APOCALYPTiC 'Moderator(s)", YE All
Are SUPER-STUPiD-STiTiOUSLY Devilishly Jealous of O.U.R. “EC{CLATi}-ON” NEW RelIGiON from Old!
Wow! EC{LAT} 'Not Allowed!
Wow JOK{TAN} 'Not Allowed!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT, after giving al ye Many many FAiR Warnings: For Religious Discrimination, Theft of iNTELLECTUASL Property, Plagiarism etc!
August 28, 2008 6:04 P
.
Live From: CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' , after giving Ye many “FAiR” warnings, for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT For 1) Religious Discrimination , 2)Theft of iNTEELECTUAL Property , 3Plagiarism .………………..nth etc!
Originally Posted On 'onfaith' Moderators SUSAN K. SMiTH
Orig posted on 'ONRELIGION' posted On Moderators Susan K. Smith site Posted August 28, 2008 6:04 PM
Posted on 'ONFAiTH' moderator Sue Thistlethwaite site August 28, 2008 6:43 PM
Posted on 'POSTGLOBAL' on moderators STEVEN MUFSON site August 28, 2008 6:48 PM
Posted on Moderators Sally Quinns site 'ONFAITH' August 28, 2008 6:59 PM.
Posted on Moderator Deepak Chopra 'ONFAiTH' cite August 28, 2008 7:15 PM.
Posted on Moderators Susan Jacoby 'ONFAiTH' site August 28, 2008 7:20 PM.
Duly served on 'ONFAiTH' Moderator Greg M. Epstein August 28, 2008 7:23 PM
Onfaith Epstein again August 28, 2008 7:28 PM
Duly served ONFAiTH moderator Welton Gaddy August 28, 2008 7:37 PM
Duly served ONFAiTH Moderator Willis E. Elliot August 28, 2008 7:39 PM
Posted by: NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., MYSPACE, Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al | August 28, 2008 7:40 PM
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NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., MYSPACE, Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
-
According to Federal LAW, "i" Jacob JO...Z, herein NOW, Electronically serve'd "NEWS CORP., Et Al" as per after many many Warnings.
LiVE, FROM:CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al:
Note To Alot Of WAPO's socalled PRE-APOCALYPTiC 'Moderator(s)", YE All
Are SUPER-STUPiD-STiTiOUSLY Devilishly Jealous of O.U.R. “EC{CLATi}-ON” NEW RelIGiON from Old!
Wow! EC{LAT} 'Not Allowed!
Wow JOK{TAN} 'Not Allowed!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT, after giving al ye Many many FAiR Warnings: For Religious Discrimination, Theft of iNTELLECTUASL Property, Plagiarism etc!
August 28, 2008 6:04 P
.
Live From: CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK YA!
Thank You 'onfaith' & 'postglobal' , after giving Ye many “FAiR” warnings, for allowing me to go Forward in U.S. FEDERAL COURT For 1) Religious Discrimination , 2)Theft of iNTEELECTUAL Property , 3Plagiarism .………………..nth etc!
Originally Posted On 'onfaith' Moderators SUSAN K. SMiTH
Orig posted on 'ONRELIGION' posted On Moderators Susan K. Smith site Posted August 28, 2008 6:04 PM
Posted on 'ONFAiTH' moderator Sue Thistlethwaite site August 28, 2008 6:43 PM
Posted on 'POSTGLOBAL' on moderators STEVEN MUFSON site August 28, 2008 6:48 PM
Posted on Moderators Sally Quinns site 'ONFAITH' August 28, 2008 6:59 PM.
Posted on Moderator Deepak Chopra 'ONFAiTH' cite August 28, 2008 7:15 PM.
Posted on Moderators Susan Jacoby 'ONFAiTH' site August 28, 2008 7:20 PM.
Duly served on 'ONFAiTH' Moderator Greg M. Epstein August 28, 2008 7:23 PM
Onfaith Epstein again August 28, 2008 7:28 PM
Duly served ONFAiTH moderator Welton Gaddy August 28, 2008 7:37 PM
Posted by: NOTiCE TO SUE , in FEDERAL COURT: NEWS CORP., MYSPACE, Washington Post, NYP, NYT et al | August 28, 2008 7:39 PM
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Shouldn't the "worldview" of everyone be dominated by religion? Is there life without religion? Is there even the possibility of social order without religion?
Who's the highest authority we can call on if not God? Don't you wonder how I got from religion to God? Remember, the big money goes to those that sell their souls to Lucifer, take holy orders and lead the multitudes to hell. They get from religion to God with the greatest of ease -must be daring men like those flying about on their flying trapezes.
Posted by: BGone | August 28, 2008 6:31 PM
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(To mods: the Reverend's text got repeated in his post! :) )
I'd say, Reverend, that not every *worldview* sees human nature as inherently 'sinful and lustful and limited' in the manner you describe: frankly, it's not as if our political life has hit some theoretical limit of human goodness and smartness and compassion, and requires something 'more,' just cause some worldviews would prefer we give up the chase.
Saying humanity is 'futile and fallen and lustful,' then wanting to substitute a religious authority, doesn't cleanse politics, ...it corrupts both religion *and* politics.
Our democracy is not supposed to be like what Bush gave us, claiming 'God spoke to him' to lead us into all manner of debacles, and then simply *ignoring* the will of the people when he acted in 'God's name.'
Whatever you think our country is supposed to be, ...if it's *that,* Reverend, we have a problem.
If faith in politics says we *can* as human beings, *bring more goodness of humanity to our governance and our world, not try to condemn or coerce it because some religion thinks 'Only our God's rule is *good.*'
If politics becomes an expression of the *best* in humanity, an exercise and application of our common hopes and needs and aspirations, then you try and tell me any good God would be displeased at *that.*
I mean, you could *try....*
But there's work to do.
Posted by: Paganplace | August 28, 2008 1:04 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Reply: The Conflict We Chose: By Mark Weisbrot on 'onfaith' sister blog; "postglobal" today:
Note: It is AMERiCA who is the 'EViL EMPIRE" & not Modern Russia! The Tables hath turned & the 'Hand Writing is on the Table, U.S.A! And
Mother/Father Russia is thee most genuinely Diverse, interfaithed Nation on Holy Cosmic NEBULA-built Space-Ship Earth(s), aka S.S. GAiA, S.S. GEOiD, S.S. TELLUSng something. Not America. Not Europe.
---To Stupid Jealous Americans: note: RUSSiA is the Smartest & Richest on Earth today!
America Violated the 300 Year Clause of the Americans ALASKA PURCHASE & the Czarist Stipulation (Re Gogless if turned Bolshivik or not] where is sais, [translated fron Cyrillic]
"If at any-time the U.S.A. Violates ANY of the Peacefull terms, that on demand, The RUSSiAN Government will pay 1,000 times the original purchase price........"
Att: Sour America, no more Sweet sweet America, HOUSTON, you have a Problem!
Russia Demands the Alaska that Ye Stole!
PS: G-8, russia does not need! nor does China, nor India {will never fill that 'G' void}, hence ye will be not only alone, but check-mated out of the Bank!
PS: Att: U.S. Federal Reserve of Dec.1914 et seq: RETURN The GOLD BULiON That Ye Americans & Friends hath Stolen from Mother/Father RUSSiA et al!
Hence: Russia wants both "ALASKA" & "GOLD" that Ye Hath Stolen from RUSSiA Major! Not Minor!
---
Ps: Russia, Venezualia, Iran, Cuba , China & India are gonna Gang-up on YE! 3rd World War & not 'Cold War' rhis time around ARMAGEDDON Loving & Provacatives, EVANGELiCALS NATiON U.S.A.! Aka Jealousicals, aka EViLGELiCAL & Catholics Nationals!
iMPORTANT: Caucus type Georgians are worse than Gypsy's! And They hath their own Dialect/Lingo. And RUSSiA, the ones whom EDUCATED, FED , Protected & Clothed foe 50n Years, does not want nor like Goergians! They are Devilish with long-crooked noses & snaky faces. A step away from Low Lifes! They are known as the 'People from ABROAD!"! [REfusniks!]! And Russia is right!
PS: Gerigians should Pay for the 22 Million Russians [not Geaorgians] that their 'Father' STAlIN hath Wrought! If JEW(s) can collect Human Wrong 'REPERATIONS" (via national government Moneys) from Germany because of what Catholic-Hitler did, then Georgians (America can chip-in) must pay Russians for what Catholic Stalin ]Georgians, not germany] did Atrocitly !!! OR
Georgians Government, via Mr. [American Satanic Puppet] Mikheil Saakashvili [aka sak-a-sh-ti] must pay the RUSSiAn FEDERAtION 'Reimbursement' for HEALTH, Education, Protection, Housing etc.. expenses that [Hard Working] RUSSiAn (not Americans] Payed Out!!! SO,
America, If Ye want, Ye surely Will Be Destroyed!
So Please STOP pushing Buttons so to spaketh TRUTH (opposite of MYTH)! An d STOP spreading Rumors of 'Cold War!' Note: Ye wish might come TRUE!
---
WHEREFORE: VOTE, "Gridarian Democracy & Trans{finite} Civilization", Healing of Nations & Global Peace & More Good Tidings.."
---
WOW! The Evilgelical Nationalis are getting Scared! SCHAMe SATANS ADvocates & ye Devish schemes!
VOTE: Deport all imported Religion SYSTEMS, not made in America! Time to remove all SECUALR priviliged (not a right) of "ALL" 'IRS Tax Free Status' to All REliGiON(s) not Prophecied nor Borneth in Sweet Sweet America, Whom the "NiCOLAiTAN"(s) tryed to Hi-jack [attempted Coup D atat] via PULPiT LEGiSLATiON, not from the Seculars Bench!
WARNiNG World: These Evangelical folks are worse than COMMUNiSTS! Not Secular Russia or China et al!
Paid For BY: The American 'EC{LAT{ARiAN'--NATiONALis' Movement & the 'JO{KTAN}ian' Party 2013+
August 31, 2008 4:55 AM