Comments

If Obama truly believes in the Golden Rule, then why is he unwilling to “do unto others” when it comes to protecting the unborn? He opposed the ban on partial-birth abortion and strongly criticized the Supreme Court decision upholding the ban. In the Illinois state Senate, he opposed a bill similar to the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion. In essence, then, Obama supports infanticide, for which God judged the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. Moreover, Obama’s record on charitable giving is abysmal. His tax returns for 2006 and 2007 show that he gave a measly 5 to 6 percent of his income to charity, in contrast to Hillary who gave 10 to 14 percent and McCain who gave 27 to 28 percent during those years. You would think that someone who claims to live by the Golden Rule (especially considering Obama’s wealth) would be a tad more generous (but of course he is willing to be very generous with other people’s money!) Obama’s recent comments are far from "refreshing"--they only confirm his hypocrisy.

says a lot but you are correct insaying little. christianese is nothe same as being a CHRISTian. Failure to mention CHRIST says there is none in his life which he must be in control. Sadly most only look at the glamour and don't want to see the rubber where it is hitting the road.

I appreciate a willingness to see beyond Obama's position on abortion. While I believe he is completely wrong on that issue, I support him in many, many other areas - Iraq, the economy, health care, the environment, education, and more. As a member of Democrats for Life of America I am working and praying for a change of heart in Sen. Obama and the party, and wish fellow believers would respect that at least, even if they can't personally follow that path. I have been called a Nazi, an "Obamanation", and accused of having the blood of all unborn children dripping on my head if I support Obama, this by fellow believers. I rarely face such vicious attacks from my unbelieving fellow Democrats who oppose my pro-life stance. Anyway, thanks for your openness to see the good, as well as the bad, in Obama.

Obama is an empty suit. He is a mild wide and an inch deep. I don't believe a word he says.

I agree that these are interesting and refreshing comments from Sen. Obama.

Also interesting were Joseph Lowery's comments this morning on CNN that he believes that God has called Mr. Obama to be President.
There seems to be more smoke and fire associated with Sen. Obama's religious associations than is the case with either Sen. McCain or Sen. Clinton.
I think I know why, but I find it curious all the same.

I too believe that Obama is all smoke & mirrors. IMHO, he is no more a Christian than someone in the KKK. Obama finally QUIT his church, and even in this, I believe that it was carefully orchestrated so that he could say that he was forced to withdraw his membership because of the racist, hate-filled comments coming from the Catholic priest. Yet, Obama IS HIS CHURCH. It's inside of him. He will NEVER really disown Trinity or Jeremiah Wright. He believes in EVERYTHING that comes from that pulpit--but to run for the White House, he can't allow these feelings to be seen by the American public, so again--it's smoke & mirrors.

I believe that Obama is a puppet with his strings being pulled by none other than George Soros. How else does one explain his instant rise to political stardom with no resume, no experience, nothing. He hasn't done anything, hasn't changed anything--and now he wants to change America into a socialized ghetto.

BTW, I don't see any "Christian" prospects in the 3 finalists for the Oval Office--so maybe we're finally facing God's judgment?

In addition to the obvious comments above concerning Obama's blind eye to infants in the womb and out and to the scientifically proven but covered up psychological damage to the aborting mother, and in addition to his lack of concern for, say the wanton massacre of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis by Saddam Hussein; much of his proven practice, policy, and track record legitimately question his understanding of the golden rule in faith and practice; one has to wonder at the purposeful willingness to sit under the spiritual guidance and input of a Jeremiah Wright (and Father Phleger) for twenty years and his friendship without transforming William Ayers who remains unrepentant for his past history. The truth is that many, many more without blowing their horn have sacrificed their lives to help the poor, the oppressed, the disenfranchised, and the hurting than bloviating liberals who falsely claim this is their monolithic domain, and these many believers do it in the name of and for the sake of the Christ of the Scriptures. The Obamamaniac "believers" need to remind themselves of Christ's own words, "Many will come to me in that day and say, Lord, Lord, did we not ......? Then I will tell them plainly, Depart from me, I never knew you." For everyone the judging measure is, "By your fruit you will be known." There needs to be a reeamination of "fruit" as it is defined Scripturally and a reminding of the truth of Hebrews 5:14.

All I can say is REMEMBER JIMMY CARTER. Just because someone says something Christian doesn't make them qualified to govern. Obama's policies, if enacted, would bankrupt this country even more than it is already. He would appoint judges that believe in legislating from the bench. Christians need to think twice about voting for someone who sounds Christian. REMEMBER JIMMY CARTER!

You've heard the old joke: How do you know when a politician is lying?....When his lips are moving!

Don't believe anything you hear/read from any of these people. Their job is to get what they want, without sacrificing too much. They are doing their jobs, as they see them.

Keep in mind that Obama is known for his rhetoric...don't believe what he says unless, and until, you see the fruit. Anyone this far left can not have a Biblical worldview, as we know it.

Please, please, be careful what/whom you promote.

I like Obama, and I believe that his Christianity is sincere and heartfelt. He came to Christ after much discerment. Personally, I want to hear more about John McCain's faith journey and how his faith shapes his political beliefs. Don't give McCain a free pass on this issue, if you're going to beat up Obama about it.

There's an old saying: "if there's a difference between what you say and what you do, what you do is the truth." What Barak Obama has done -- his own actions, the people he has associated with and the legislation he has sponsored and supported during his political career -- should make it clear he is, at best, a socialist, and at worst a Marxist.

Just because someone has Christianity down pat does not mean that he is truly a born-again Christian.++

If Obama claims to be a Christian, I'll believe him until he proves me wrong. Certainly there has been nothing from the current administration's foreign policy, or much its domestic policy which suggests that its architects are people of Christian faith.

Knowing Scripture backwards and forwards is not the same as knowing God through Christ. So many of the writers here are of small brains and wizened hearts that they do not see that the ruin of this nation is its churchiness and moralistic sentiments which are totally vacuous in the clear absence of Love.

Love your enemy. No greater love is there than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. God is Love. If I have all these gifts but do not have Love…

To those of you who only extend your "compassion" to the unborn, you really need to re-read Matthew chapter 18, again. And try on Ezekiel 16 for good measure.

If you want to jerk your knees, do it to bow in repentance and prayer, not to lambaste, in ignorance, a person you do not know.

My goodness, I certainly wish that I was as certain of God's personal politics as some of you people seem to be. Question: Did you even read the column you're commenting on, or did you just see the words "Obama" and "democrat" and go from there?

We all fail to fully live out our faith - Reagan, Obama, you, me. Many statements here, for instance, are indistinguishable from secular posts, barren of grace. What I hear in Obama's statements about his faith, however, are different. They are not the canned phrases of a politician, but the words of a thoughtful believer. Despite being his political opposite, I am humbled by his example of extending grace to his opponents and acknowledging being a "weak vessel". He will not get my vote, but he does have my great admiration as a Christian brother living out his faith.

Obama’s faith not Biblically based

Seven years after Obama’s claim of salvation in 1988, he published his book ‘Dreams From My Father” in 1995, where he wrote “g—d----“ in a half dozen places. Some of the cursing God was to repeat what others had said. At least one instance was Obama’s own take on things. Someone who loves the Lord would not publish words that are clearly against God’s basic Ten Commandments.

Obama calls himself “a committed Christian” yet his version of Christianity isn’t Biblically based. In a newspaper interview, he said he doesn’t believe in eternal judgment (if there were no eternal judgment for sin, Jesus Christ wouldn’t have had to come down to earth), and he doesn’t know if he’s going to heaven. Obama said he doesn’t believe Jesus’ words in John 14:6 where Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”

Last year the highly esteemed Rev. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries closed his sermon on John 14:1-7 with this: “And let me add this. If you go out of here saying you don’t like that text (John 14:6), that is your privilege. But do not call yourself a Christian. You are calling Christ a liar.”

I listen to Obama and am impressed with his style and speaking ability. He certainly knows how to work a crowd and stir up emotion. However, when is he ever going to tell us what he will do. I am tired of his bumper-sticker speeches. As to his faith, I am not able to discern whether he is a true Christian or not, and perhaps that says more then anything. Certainly his former Pastor was no Biblical scholar. His remarks at the National Press luncheon proved to me that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Like Dr. Kennedy said, if you are going to deny Scripture then you cannot call yourself a Christian. Remember. God CANNOT lie.

Obama SOUNDS good. He always does. And his comments are insightful, without the egoistic "ordained-by-God-to-do-certain-things" posture that some politicians seem to take. But he also mentioned, in another somewhat overlooked comment, that individual salvation is intimately tied to collective (or societal) salvation. I think that's a disturbing distortion of Christian orthodoxy and may factor heavily into his socialistic leanings.

FYI: You have confused the two posts listed below...I, Dianne Ellis, did not post what has been attrubuted to me. I posted the first one attributed to Doug. I have friends who may read this and do not want them thinking Doug's sentiments are mine!

Posted by: Doug at June 4, 2008

Posted by: Dianne Ellis at June 4, 2008

Please don't rush to give bad comment.obama still he is not a presdant,as a chrstian i will say obama was herted by his chruch,so he should make a decision.still i will say live it to God. you will see when he became a presdant God is going to change many things.
stay blessed.

John McCain appears to be passing the abortion authority down to the State level given his stated position on his own website. I support the reversal of Rowe vs. Wade however he seems to be washing his hands of the issue by passing the buck to the States. This in my opinion is nothing more than an appeasement to the Christian right and has no weight or merit. John McCain is not a champion of the Pro Life cause and never has been, he has always punted on the issue. However his conciliatory position on abortion is still a better option than the Pro Choice position given by Barack Obama. McCain wins this round as the clear lesser of the evils.

Tom Boynton wrote: "Knowing Scripture backwards and forwards is not the same as knowing God through Christ. So many of the writers here are of small brains and wizened hearts that they do not see that the ruin of this nation is its churchiness and moralistic sentiments which are totally vacuous in the clear absence of Love...God is Love." I agree that moralistic sentiments without love are vacuous and that our compassion must extend beyond the unborn, including the thousands of women who are devastated by abortion and live to regret it. God is love, but He is also holy and righteous and calls His people to holiness. We cannot claim to know God through Christ while dismissing His call to the sanctified life, as well as His command to be salt in our societies. This includes defending the weak and the fatherless and working for laws that preserve human life instead of destroyng it. And since when is it "loving" to accuse those with whom you disagree of having "small brains"? Seems like Obama is not the only hypocrite.

Anyone and I mean anyone who does not believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and has the authority to word John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but by Me" will ever inherit what is waiting for those "who know Him". The entire contents of the written Scripture is the essence of this faith.
The sacrifice of Jesus was a factor that made life possible for us, because He was raised from the dead. There is no room for disagreement---we either accept or reject and select where we will be beyond physical death based on this acceptance.Bill Dugard, Louisiana

"John McCain appears to be passing the abortion authority down to the State level given his stated position on his own website. I support the reversal of Rowe vs. Wade however he seems to be washing his hands of the issue by passing the buck to the States." Actually, respecting the rights of states to make laws against abortion is much closer to the original intent of the Constitution, in which there is separation of powers between the national government and state governments. The 10th amendment further clarifies this by stating that all powers not delegated to the United States (i.e., the federal government) are reserved to the states or to the people. Murder (of unborn children or other victims) is not a federal matter but a state matter, since the Constitution did not grant Congress the power to make laws governing murder. In this respect, Roe v Wade was a violation of states' rights because it overturned all existing state laws against abortion.

For Sen. Obama to get my vote, he needs to publicly say that "Jesus Christ is the Son of God." He may say he is a christian but does he believe that Jesus is the Son of God, rather than a great man.

Julie, keep in mind that Roe vs. Wade was a product of the Judicial Branch and not a product of the Legislative Branch. If anyone is violating states rights it is the Supreme Court. The only power that a President has regarding the Supreme Court is to appoint judges and that may or may not happen within the next term. I am not voting for Barack Obama for many reasons of which the abortion issue is one. However I am intrigued by the fact that John McCain is presently courting the disgruntled Clinton followers. What will he be promising them regarding the abortion issue in order to collect their votes?

I think we're on shaky ground whenever we start trying to figure out, absolutely, if someone is a true Christian. Some characters in the Bible did some pretty awful things (murder, adultery, etc.) yet were authentic believers. Also, people can have extremely confused theology yet somehow really believe Christ died for their sins. On the surface of it, Obama's remarks about his faith strike me as genuine.

Yet I've also begun to notice concerning him, as former Democrat senator Bob Kerrey once said of Bill Clinton, "He's an exceptionally good liar." Obama's skills at spinning a yarn, all the while seeming utterly sincere, perhaps are best illustrated by that famous speech in Philadelphia when he said, "I can no more disown [Jeremiah Wright] than I can disown the black community," etc. (Not that Obama's in the same league with Bill Clinton in this department!)

Apropos to this discussion is the cover story in the latest issue of CT about how virtue trumps policy in determining who would make the best president--and how past behavior is the best determinant of a candidate's virtue. On that basis I'm more inclined to support McCain, even with his hair trigger temper!

"Julie, keep in mind that Roe vs. Wade was a product of the Judicial Branch and not a product of the Legislative Branch. If anyone is violating states rights it is the Supreme Court." That was exactly my point--that Roe v. Wade was a violation of states' rights by the Supreme Court. According to the 10th amendment, states have the right to pass laws against abortion. I thought I was pretty clear about that in the last sentence of my previous post.

Do any of you Know the phrase "Judge not, least you be judged." It is from the Bible and I believe Christ himself said that. Unless you have walked this man's road, you do not have any business griping.
Obama says he is a Christian and that he has a personal relationship with Christ. THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. I have been on his web site as well as anti-Obama sites and after reading and hearing all this, HE HAS MY VOTE FOR President. Remember as President, he is only one man. The President has to work with the Congress.
Thank you.

The race for the presidency is about to begin. All we have is the outward appearance, we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to see more deeply. Given that George Bush is a 'Christian' and that didn't stop him from using other people's children to fight an illegal and costly war, going by a politician's professions of faith may lead us disastrously wrong. Let us hear what both candidates intend to do in office, then make up our minds.

Most of the comments do not mean a thing. The USA is not a Christian country. It is a religious country but certainly not Christian. Remember Jesus.? He said Why do you call me Lord,? and do not do what I tell you to do.
We Americans do do religious things when it pleases us. Look at all the phoney Preachers on TV and when Billy Graham says" I think we will find some Muslims and Indus in Heaven, our Christian brothers say " Billy graham is going straight to hell.

So stop judging Obama and others and wait and see what they will do.
George Bush is supposed to be a Christian. Religious Yes ,but certainly not Christian.

The church today carries the last hour's mission of God: the deepest heart cry for the greatest explosion of soul winning and discipleship making revival and not so much of political propaganda. You know we are in the kimngdom dispesation. We are reigning Him with already. All the world rulers are subject to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.Our focus now must remain our closet's lifestyle to effect and sustain it.

As a person who does not equate the adjective Christian with either the adjectivies good or moral, I find the words I read here terrifying. Too much evil bigotry is purpertrated under the guise of Christianity with the adjective Christian attached.

The person who called Obama a socialist or Marxist obviously doesn't have a clue about these economic systems neither of which is advocated by Obama.

The person who cited Jimmy Carterrather than George Bush when warning of not to vote for someone who sounds like a Christian is surely exceedingly confused.

To judge a candidate soley by his position on abortion surely is a mistake when you look at the harm the present administration has done in the last eight years.

I find Obama the most profoundly thoughtful candidate we have had in public life for a very long time and I fear that is is downfall because too many folks respond only to sound bites that appeal to preconceived prejudices rather than taking the time to listen and understand thoughtful discourse.

Let us pray for thoughtful enlightenment.

Hazletine

wow ... what a bunch of flaky and judgmental postings! call off the attack dogs for minute and please get a grip!

I am amazed what passes for Christianity today. Many people in the past have used Christianity as an excuse to enslave people, deny them their basic rights with the ideal being true christians. I respect your rights to disagree but don't make God to be a democrat or republican. I don't believe in abortion but it is the utmost falsehood to say you love people but believe it's alright if you are born with the right monies, skin or neighborhood to be entitled to more of the world resources. Poor Christ, could he survived being a dark-skinned man with no property, education, political ideals in some of our churches? If you are going to call Sen. Obama on his religion then question Sen. McCain, also. It seems until it became political uncorrect, He was willing to support racially biased churches, schools and legisations without thought. I am reminded that when Martin Luther King asked some white ministers to support the bus boycott they used the Bible to explain why "Jim Crow" was biblically correct. I also remember when Billy Graham was attacked for having mixed audiences at his crusades. Remember that 11:00 on Sunday morning is the most segegrated hour in America and how this started when the early white churches and ministers decided that Blacks were not equal to whites.
We all come short of the glory of God. We all are sinners. There is no large or small sins in the eyes of God. I, too am struggling with living my faith as Sen. Obama. If you have arrived at that perfection of faith why do you need Jesus? Paul asked for removal of his thorn. He was reminded by God that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses" I am just believe who saved by grace.

Any man who would vote to kill babies born alive is seriously off. His taxpayer giveaways have me holding on to my back pocket. His friends are atrocious. His foreign policy and attitudes toward people who are plotting to kill us is naive.

Somehow I ALWAYS end up paying.

I am voting for Barack Obama this fall. I am pro life. But I am not trading everything else because some people want to have abortions. And especially not because some people are gay. I have to live in this country with a terrible economy and 2 wars and another that Republicans want to start in Iran. We could have better health care but we don't. Why? Because Christians vote on 2 issues and hand over the economy to the rich. I didn't have an abortion. I am not gay. Why do I have to go without health care? Answer me that? Why does the whole country have to suffer because Christians vote to end legalized abortion or gay marriage. Thanks for ruining the country fellow Christians. Thanks for making my life miserable because you couldn't just become a pro life democrat and work to end abortion in a party that at least cares about the other 99% of the problems in this country.

1. Where was all this questioning of Bush's faith, church background and theology when so many Christians took him at his word?

2. Does the fact that I've listened to racist sermons preached by egotistical white men and continued to attend and participate in the church/ministry mean I have poor judgment and agree with everything that was said?

3. Should the members of a congregation be guilty by association if their pastor embezzles money, molests a child or even worse, in some people's eyes, swears from the pulpit?

4. What about the children saved from abortions? What about the single mothers who decide to do the brave thing and not have an abortion? Who is rallying for them?

The people of the United States of America should be very careful in electing their next President. To me electing Barack Obama as your next President will automatically qualify you to be addressed as the Divided States of America as his policies may not augur well for America as a super power.

The issue is this: Despite his sincerity of belief, Obama is a universalist ... at least he was in 2004 when he talked to the religion editor at the Chicago Sun-Times for a book.
See Cal Thomas' column on the issue.
http://www.calthomas.com/index.php?news=2288

On Matt:

You are right by saying it is possible that Barack might actually in synch with Rev. Wright's pure theology by just attending the TUCC.

We need more basis.

1. He has a devotion to Pastor Wright. He's the one who quoted that the Reverend was in effect part of the Family for a number of years.

2. Get facts from Chicago history of Obama. In 1996, Obama strived to get the endorsement of Democrat Socialists of America in Chicago.

3. One of the major supporters of the DSA in Chicago, which political principle is strengthening of civil rights group, are the black radicals in the group.

4. Most Jeremiads (that's how they call themselves) are members of DSA of Chicago. Rev. Wright is a DSA member.

Do your own thinking... that's what the best beautiful thing in the Country... free thinking.

Personally, my misgivings is this: IF OBAMA REALLY BELIEVES IN THE GOOD THINGS PASTOR WRIGHT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HIS FAMILY, WHY WOULD HE ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE DICTATED BY THE mainstream media. By quitting the TUCC, it becomes a political exercise rather than a principled separation from Church. "Ordinary" Christians would lose everything but he/she will defend his Church, which he/she strongly believes in. It is not just a dress that you can immediately take off and wear a new one.

Because of this, I personally find that such move has some element of hypocrisy.

[...]That is one strand of Democratic foreign policy. A second strand emerged in the context of the Vietnam War. That war began under the Kennedy administration and was intensified by Lyndon Baines Johnson, particularly after 1964. The war did not go as expected. As the war progressed, the Democratic Party began to fragment. There were three factions involved in this.[...]