But, let's be clear about the facts of Obama's religion--and this is not about supporting/endorsing him or any other candidate, this is about being true to the facts, about living in reality.
This is also not about bashing people who do adhere to the canons of Islam.
This is about Obama and the faith that is his.
Obama is a professed Christian.
Here's clear testimony from the Senator himself:
"So, one Sunday, I put on one of the few clean jackets I had, and went over to Trinity United Church of Christ on 95th Street on the South Side of Chicago. And I heard Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright deliver a sermon called 'The Audacity of Hope.'
"And during the course of that sermon, he introduced me to someone named Jesus Christ. I learned that my sins could be redeemed. I learned that those things I was too weak to accomplish myself, He would accomplish with me if I placed my trust in Him.
"And in time, I came to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death, but rather as an active, palpable agent in the world and in my own life. It was because of these new found understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity one day and affirm my Christian faith.
"It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn't fall out in church, as folks sometimes do. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. The skeptical bent of my mind didn't suddenly vanish. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth and carrying out His works." [Speech, 6/23/07]
Barack Obama is not and has never been a Muslim. Obama never prayed in a mosque. He has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago.
Vote against him if you want. Work for another candidate if that is your decision. Argue with his positions and policies. Decry his voting record. Question his ability. But, don't buy into the untruth some are spreading about his personal faith.
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Are people really stupid enough to say that? Are others really stupid enough to beileve it? Since only Obama can tell us what he believes, how could this be so?
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right (and with Wikipedia's help), his father (who left his mother when he was two) was raised as a Muslim, but became a "confirmed atheist" by the time he and Obama's mother met. His Indonesian stepfather wasn't religious.
Some people are uncomfortable with his past. Me, I'm uncomfortable with his policies. I like to think that's more legitimate.
His middle name (Hussein) is working against him with respect to this issue. I think it's irrelevant. There are many Christians with Arabic names.
Anon and ibreakcellphones, thanks very much for the common sense wisdom! And, it is true that some are swayed by crazy reports that are untrue.
ReplyDeleteYes, people are that stupid. OR maybe they're also evil. I think most of the flack has been started by someone/some party that's afraid of what he has to say. What better thing to use than FEAR? Sad to say, but it's become commonplace in recent years.
ReplyDeleteBelinda:
ReplyDeleteBarack hasn't said much yet and what he has said reveals a complete lack of knowledge in foreign policy.
As for domestic policy, hold on to your wallet, the nanny state is on the way.
I'm impressed, Chris. Usually you don't prove the other person's point quite so readily. Good luck with the fear.
ReplyDeleteChris:
ReplyDeleteI thought we were talking about truth and honest debate in politics, not specific policies of specific candidates. Can we just agree the debate should be held honestly, and not by innuendo and misdirection?
This is a little late I know, but I just thought that I would add that at Christmas with my father's family, my grandparents and an aunt and uncle all thought that the rumors were true about Obama being Muslim. When I let them know that it was untrue, they were still skeptical. People really do believe this.
ReplyDelete