Why Obama Ultimately Will Lose Religious Voters
Posted by WLS Shipwrecked:
I’m responding here to this article by Nathan Diament today over at TNR about how Obama will win over religious voters during his first term. The author considers the invitation to Rick Warren, the endorsement by Doug Kmiec, the fact that 20% of Obama supporters were pro-life, that he began his outreach to religious voters before announcing his run, etc., all as a foundation to claim that Obama will reach religious voters not with his words, but with his works.
I disagree for the following simple reason — Obama is not a truly religious man.
I’ve always been convinced that Obama’s participation and membership in the Trinity United Church in Chicago was more about his political aspirations than about religious faith. His rise in Chicago politics is linked to the support structure he built for himself with the South Side religious leaders and his career path of starting out as a “community organizer.”
But, more significantly in my view, since resigning from Trinity, Obama has not joined a new Church — either in Chicago where he intends to keep his family home — or in DC for their time in the White House.
Further, Obama has yet to attend a Sunday church service since the election. It was easy to make it to Sunday services while on the campaign trail — a visit to a local church in whatever town he happened to be campaigning in on a given Sunday during the primary or general campaign season was simply another opportunity to meet voters and be photographed. All that ended on November 5. Since then not one visit to a church.
While in Hawaii Obama skipped service on both Sundays he has been there, as well as Christmas day.
I’m not a particularly pious person myself, and I don’t regularly attend church. But I didn’t pretend to be otherwise while running for and serving in elective office.
Obama will lose religious voters over time because they will come to see him for what he is — an opportunistic politician who used church attendance as a tool to get ahead. He made them believe he was one of them when he truly wasn’t.
There won’t be any hiding it next time.
I guess what we’re going to find out is whether, in the long run, it really matters.
Jeff (6f146b) — 12/29/2008 @ 4:35 pm“There won’t be any hiding it next time.”
You have so little faith in the media, they can work miracles.
tyree (158c98) — 12/29/2008 @ 4:40 pmObama using religion for political purposes?
Don’t worry. The bromance between the MSM and BO will continue for a while. Notice how they aren’t defending CK so well right now?
And here we thought that Republicans were the sexist ones? On the other hand, we could have asked HRC.
Eric Blair (9294a8) — 12/29/2008 @ 4:43 pmBelief in a Big Invisible Bi-Polar Daddy Who Lives in the Sky is of no concern to me. Belief in the American people — in all their multiplicity – is.
And in that Obama is sorely lacking.
Not that such cynicism would in and of itself differentiate him from any number of other professioanl politicians of either party. It’s his smug assurance when throwing the likes of me under the bus that really rankles.
David Ehrenstein (0c5acf) — 12/29/2008 @ 4:59 pmBoth Reagan and W never joined a church in DC while serving, and both rarely attended public services. When this was brought up from time to time, both would reasonably explain that they would regularly have services with the Camp David chaplain on Sundays and didn’t want to cause the disruption that would ensue when the Secret Service invades a congregation. I’m sure Obama will do the same. The evangelicals didn’t seem to care with Reagan or W and I hope they don’t with Obama, and I expect no one else will give a flip.
Aplomb (b6fba6) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:06 pmThe best source on the internet for how the media treat religion is the site Get Religion. They noted the former junior senator from Illinois lack of church attendance in this article — upset stomach alert: it has an illustration of sushi made with Spam® — and the commenters have noted that chirch attendance by our other recent presidents has not exactly been frequent.
Bill and Hillary Clinton attended services at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington. Not a few people have noted that the Clinton’s church attendance seemed to get more publicity as their personal foibles hit the media. George W Bush said he wouldn’t join a congregation in Washington for security reasons. Yet Mr Bush is a Methodist, which means that there is a church of his own denomination, with considerable experience at hosting presidents, and with which the Secret Service is familiar. he could have joined a congregation — if he’d really wanted to. I don’t think he particularly wanted to.
St John’s Episcopal Church, right across the street from the White House, is always available; the President can walk there, should he so desire.
As much as I hate to use Media Matters for a source, they did document President Bush’s rather infrequent church attendance.
Wow, four links; this’ll go into moderation for certain!
Yet, despite the fact that we don’t see weekly or even monthly pictures of President Bush leaving church on Sunday morning, religious voters for the most part did not desert him.
This is one of my major pet peeves, politicians who tell us how religious they are, but who never seem to find the time to attend church.
The very Catholic Dana (556f76) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:13 pmThe difference is that Bush could quite clearly point to his history, as well as his conduct in office, to establish his membership in the “Born Again” community.
Obama, if he adheres to Dem. party orhodoxy, is going to have to mollify religious voters who are going to be upset with his policies. Many voted for him this time around thinking he was a man of faith when he is not.
And, that’s not “Spam sushi” — it’s musubi, and it’s the engine that drives the State of Hawaii before 10:00 a.m. It’s the Hawaii version of a “breakfast burrito” at 7-11.
WLS (26b1e5) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:18 pmWLS, spam musubi is an abomination unto the Lord; that former Senator Obama ordered some whist on vacation is enough to tell me that he is unfit to be President of the United States!
The very Catholic Dana (556f76) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:20 pmW is a personally humble and charitable man. O, not.
Does anyone here think that W’s long lost 1/2 brother would have to be hidden away until the election so that his poverty didn’t embarrass the great “brother’s keeper” speech giver?
Adriane (497622) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:21 pmI have more faith, in the faith, of a President who stakes out a position on stem-cell research, faith-based charities, and the consoling of the families of veterans, than one who publicly parades his devotion each and every Sunday after having hi-jinks with an intern in the Oval Office, steps-out on his wife, and sticks his finger in the eye of America while committing the most bald-faced lie.
Another Drew (wwbkaADitcy) (209453) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:24 pmBut then, that’s just me clinging to my guns and religion.
I never bought into Obama being a man of faith. Even while on the campaign trail he struck me as one who would only be committed to something if it gave him a political advantage.
As a person of faith, I don’t really care whether he goes to church or not because it doesn’t necessarily signify belief or commitment to any ideal or principle. It can easily just be another form of lip service. After all we watched Bill Clinton go to church for eight years, on the surface appearing to take his faith seriously…however, his actions revealed something else altogether.
Dana (79a78b) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:26 pmWhat is surprising is that 20% of his supporters were pro-life. The disconnect there is remarkable!
Dana (79a78b) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:27 pmLike, Dana, I have no confidence that Barack Obama is a man of faith. His easy tossing of inconvenient people off his bus, the less than candid stonewalling of his birth/citizenship records and his calculating use of Jeremiah Wright, Father Pfleger and Rick Warren simply confirms my belief. If Obama worships anything, it is his own reflection in the mirror.
SeniorD (50f696) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:34 pmI’m not making excuses for the man, but the only way for a Black politician in Chicago to start in politics begins by joining a powerfully connected Black church. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he really isn’t all that interested in his (or any) faith. It’s just the way things work around here.
Dmac (eb0dd0) — 12/29/2008 @ 5:58 pmIf Obama worships anything, it is his own reflection in the mirror.
That’s hittin’ the nail right smack on the head!!!
Bill M (2a5594) — 12/29/2008 @ 6:00 pmA politician attending religious services for political gain? I’m ever-so-shocked.
Religious people constitute the vast majority of America; I don’t think he’ll lose “religious people,” on this issue generally. As to the power players like Warren, they want access, and they’re getting it. They’ll be happy.
–JRM
JRM (355c21) — 12/29/2008 @ 6:11 pmWOW!! It’s amazing the number of people that travel with Obama every waking moment to observe his religious faith. I mean come on folks…just because he doesn’t join a church doesn’t mean he’s not religious…look at some of his stances. Maybe he believes in the true ideal of separation of church and state…and refuses to allow his religion to blind him to the welfare of people, such as folks killing themselves by trying to have abortions…even though they are morally wrong.
But unless anyone here is with him observing his every thought for religious tendencies, let’s cut out the guessing and protestations.
Bobby_2010 (0be700) — 12/29/2008 @ 6:59 pmOf course when douchbags like Jim Dobson are willing to throw guys like Mitt Romney and Glen Beck under the bus solely because their religion does not square with Dobson’s (even though they agree 100% on policy), it is no wonder Obama got to cakewalk into the presidency.
Joe (dcebbd) — 12/29/2008 @ 7:04 pmGosh, you make Obama sound like Ronald Reagan. RR had his own casual relationship with church (and many of its rules) but connected just fine with civilian true believers. Even his divorce didn’t hurt him.
Terrence (8fd35a) — 12/29/2008 @ 7:05 pmI said from the very beginning that he was an atheist. It was as plain as day.
He had an interfaith upbringing: Ma was an atheist, bio dad and stepdad were Muslims, and his grandparents took him to church.
That is to say: interfaithless.
I’m proud that my president, as a six-year-old, rejected Islam.
But Christians aren’t going to make a big deal out of this. They want to keep it quiet so their kids don’t see. The President is like the National Daddy (especially to children), so for him to openly reject religion would inspire kids to do the same.
Atheists won’t push this issue, either, because Obama would respond to their BS by going to church just to shut them up. Oh, who am I kidding. The atheists in Washington are all sub-morons who enjoy making noisy, counterproductive, obnoxious protests. Yup. They’re going to push Barack right back into church. It’s a shame.
Daryl Herbert (b65640) — 12/29/2008 @ 7:13 pmOkay, so by your reasoning then President Bush is not a truly religious man. He has not joined a church in D.C. in the 8 years he has been in office. When asked he said he prays and reads the bible in the White House.
Mark H (82f91f) — 12/29/2008 @ 8:06 pmBush never sat through a sermon with 9/11 labeled as “chickens coming home to roost.” There’s something extremely anti-American about that, and anti-Semitic as far as Wright’s beliefs.
Vermont Neighbor (ceab4f) — 12/29/2008 @ 8:43 pmFixed it for you.
SAM (d8da01) — 12/29/2008 @ 8:46 pmWhile in Hawaii Obama skipped service on both Sundays he has been there, as well as Christmas day.
What church services did John McAsshole attend? How about George W. McTorture?
Real American (f0643a) — 12/29/2008 @ 9:49 pmSee what I mean? “Sleepy” returns.
Eric Blair (9294a8) — 12/29/2008 @ 9:50 pmIt looks like Rev. Wright’s predictions about Obama behaving like a politician are coming true.
Obama did not react well to those criticisms either. His ego rather fragile for one so large.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/29/2008 @ 9:59 pmHow is it that the least educated trolls (Real American) always find their way here from the slums of Huffpo and KOS?
PC14 (82e46c) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:00 pmC’mon, PC14. This is not a new poster. Surely you recognize the style and word choices.
Eric Blair (9294a8) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:01 pmI’ll give good marks to Obama for choosing (or perhaps I should say allowing) Warren to be a part of the inaguration in January, although it barely puts a dent in Obama’s previous embrace of Jeremiah Wright.
As for the main religion observed by most people similar to Obama (ie, liberals/Democrats), that tends to be environmentalism (kneeling at the alter of AGW) combined with facets of socialism (bowing before the God of nationalized healthcare, the UN, and groups like the ACLU).
Mark (411533) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:03 pmWLS,
you are not mere unpious, you are ignorant of Christ’s teachings. Christ stated that judging the depths of a person’s religious sincerity by their public display of religious fervor is completely backwards.
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6:5-6
So before you take it upon yourself to judge whether the President-elect, or indeed anyone, is “truly religious” or not, crack open a Bible and read it. You might learn what Christian virtue actually entails. I’ll give you a preview: it does not consist of snidely assessing a person’s Christian sincerity by hours clocked in a pew.
Whether a person is religious in a Christian sense consists of whether they strive to conduct their life according to Christ’s teachings. At least your recognize that on that standard, you earn an F; what you are missing is that it also makes you unqualified to speak about him.
Cyrus Sanai (d38f17) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:12 pmDid anyone, including his fans, actually believe anything Obama said in his campaign? It’s like the expect their progressive guy to mouth the platitudes but it’s all “wink, wink I don’t really believe this crap.” And that’s okay!
Too bad they didn’t realize he was lying about ending the war too. For the good of the nation, I hope he was lying about the economy and health care as well.
Patricia (89cb84) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:14 pmDo Obama’s press conferences count as church services? The press always seem to be in their knees before Him…
Kensington (604105) — 12/29/2008 @ 10:53 pmComment by Kensington — 12/29/2008 @ 10:53 pm
DING….DING….DING
WE HAVE A WINNER!
Post of the Day!
Another Drew (wwbkaADitcy) (209453) — 12/29/2008 @ 11:17 pmObama will lose the Christian evangelical religious people with his judicial picks and his in your face godless intellectual friends.
SteveG (a87dae) — 12/29/2008 @ 11:25 pmWarren can’t fix that.
Actually, President Bush has frequented St. John’s Episcopal Church many, many times since becoming president. The difference is that President-elect Obama made a big deal about his Christianity, even so much as glorifying his relationship with the infamous charlatan, the “Rev.” Jeremiah Wright. Until all the dirt came out-not in the DDBMSOWM*-about the fringe church that is Trinity United Church of Christ. Evangelicals voters are just another one the many conservative voters not happy with the GOP candidate for president. When they realize the fraud that is Obama, they will come back to the GOP fold.
Mark J. Goluskin (d8da01) — 12/29/2008 @ 11:42 pm#6, #35
President Bush also made a big deal of his evangelical conversion, and it was always very a much a big deal in his campaigns for office. Whether he chose to pray in a church or on his own is and was his business. Protestant Christian faith does not require a church. People who have read a Bible or a book about the Protestant churches understand that point.
As for the President elect, he will be judged by the voters on what he does over the next four years as President; no one will care if he decides to go to church regularly, irregularly or not at all.
Cyrus Sanai (d38f17) — 12/30/2008 @ 12:09 amThe religious right has lead and lost. It can now follow or get out of the way. All the prayers in the world won’t pay their mortgages or electric bills.
DCSCA (d8da01) — 12/30/2008 @ 12:46 amand…why does this matter? Isn’t there more pressing matters to attend too.
Peoples (219912) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:04 amI’m only a simple woman, but in my humble opinion, there are a couple of points to make. First, one of the problems with most Americans is that we associate being a ‘church goer’ with being a moral human being. The Christian faith alone does not =morality. I once read a silly, yet profound bit of car bumper wisdom, ‘If going to a church makes you a Christian, then going a garage makes you a car’. We need a leader who is moral and and serve the overall good of this country. I would imagine that it would be a difficult job. Riding herd on a bunch of spoiled, whinining children, crying out “Gimme, gimme, I wanna, wanna”. Yes, we’re the most spoiled, arrogant creatures on the planet.
Rainie (224c18) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:27 amThis probably will anger a lot of people, but the truth hurts. Look at statistics. We consume most of the worlds resources. We expect that we can bully our way into whatever situation we like and the whole world should just quietly give in AND. We expect to have what we want, when we want it. Ouch. Don’t get me wrong, I do love my country and I’m more than a bit spoiled myself.
Well, then, now that I’ve offended everyone
Secondly, how many of us would go to church while on vacation? Gimme a break.
Geezzz….get a life people, and start practicing saying: “President Barack Hussein Obama” for the next 8 years; because America has spoken, we are tired of being led by a moron for the past 8 years.
Your hypocrisy is so blatant, for bible thumping, gun-toting warmongering PRO-LIFERS you are so quick at murdering LIVE, FULLY GROWN humans in senseless wars…. Make your minds, are you pro life or not, or are you just pro embryos?
Choose a position and STICK to it.
From a very catholic pro-lifer happy to have made FL a blue state. I am the real pro-lifer, I want all lives saved, embryos and that of our soldiers and the Iraqis as well.
anne (68b61a) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:33 amObama hopefully will pray, because he and we need God’s help and miracles to get out of the fix we are currently in. If he hasn’t been sincere about his religious beliefs, that is between Obama and his maker. I would hope that he will feel God’s presence, considering the importance of his power in the world as President of the United States, and turn to Him for guidence. God helped get this Nation under way, and I am convinced He has helped since, for we are the best Country God has to lead the world in righteousness and freedoms.
David Viger (5538c8) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:40 amSo in other words, Obama is a reasonable person who requires evidence before placing faith in unlikely claims. Great qualities in a president. People who are too quick to believe things without evidence will have faith in the existence of WMD, or Thor, or a connection between Iraq and Al Quaeda, or undead Jesus, or Smurfs. Faith has no place in the public sector, and the public sector has no place in faith. So let the government allow you to have your unfounded faith at home, and let the government operate without the meddling of wacky religion and the world will be a safer better place, so you can conduct your private religion in your private home without interruption, no matter what you believe in. If you like religion in the public sector, may I recommend you move to Iran, your values will be better represented there. I’ll take reality and rational judgment here in America, the land of freedom and progress.
Jaik (7d94a7) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:41 amObama has one the wacky right wing preachers presiding over his inauguration, he’s even willing to work with you. What a reasonable fellow. I think intelligent people of faith will be able to go along with that. The rest of you will be busy blowing up the Oklahoma City Federal Building and bombing the Olympics, maybe shooting doctors. Again, go move to Iran.
Now, why don’t all the whinos, hop on the bridge to no-where, join caribou barbie, and secede from
America. Then we’ll be left with all the elitist, educated folks able to get together (as we did to get BO elected) and pull the country from the hell hole it got shoved in by the bushwack.
Has any of you red states ever wondered why you are the poorest and least educated in the country? Food for thought……think about it, or ask an Obama elitist to EXPLAIN it to you. Your guns will not pay your mortgages or feed you unless you live in Alaska, and plan to have moose for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Please move to your own sulking, whino island and leave America to the real Americans, us 52% of the population.
anne (68b61a) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:45 amKissing right-wing ‘Christian’ butts will irritate Obama’s supporters, and the ‘Christians’ will still hate him… He’s a fool.
George V. (17087e) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:48 amIt’s ridiculous to point to the statistics above. As only 40% of Americans are pro-life, it’s hardly surprising that only 20% of Obama’s supporters were pro-life. While that means that about 70% of pro-lifers did not vote for Obama, on the other hand about 30% of pro-lifers did vote for him. If you think about it, actually that demonstrates that at least one-third of pro-lifers already support Obama.
Secondly, and perhaps more crucially, the writer promotes a fallacy that all pro-lifers are religious voters, and that all religious voters are pro-lifers. In fact, the religious pro-choice movement has many supporters. Simply put, pro-choice is supported Biblically. The Presbyterian Church, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Reform and Conservative Judaism all have pro-choice positions. It’s a hollow claim that religious people cannot support a separation between government and abortion, that it is not religious people who demand laws to cripple the personal choice to be made by the woman most affected, but rather those who crave power over the affairs of others.
Tommy (4b7134) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:48 amGeorge, I don’t think any TRUE christian could ever hate Obama or anyone. Isn’t that in the first page of the bible you all toting around and claim to abide by? I thought that was Christianity 101?
I guess the bible says it is OK to kill people different from you, people you disagree with or people for they oil…..(but destroying a blood clot aka embryo, is murder)…..because you right-wingers seems to be able to kill with one hand while holding the bible in the other…..tsk tsk tsk….
What would Jesus say?????????
Where does the hypocrisy stops?
anne (68b61a) — 12/30/2008 @ 2:56 amFirst,I have to say I am amazed at the continued scrutiny Obama receives with regard to his faith. Could it be maybe the first family does not want to make a hasty decision on a regular church after years attending their old one? Furthermore, there seems to be alot of religious folks in the white community that are skeptical of the black church in general and even more skeptical when it comes to Obama’s faith. That will not change anytime soon. The fact that alot of these folks have been calling him a muslim as if its a bad word in spite of what he says he is not going to get their support anyway.Also, there is nothing wrong with being a leader in your community and being visible at church. Especially in a black church which traditionally has been more than a venue for worship and prayer.Political and socio-economic issues that affect the community has always been a topic on the agenda at most black churches.Lastly, I wish people would concentrate on their own inventory with regard to spirituality. Many of us are so busy engineering a public litmus test of values to simplify what white people should be tolerant of from religious and racial minorities that seemingly the reconciliation process the white community should have a dialogue about with regard to America’s history of greed, violence, and racism and all the other ways we violate our christian beliefs without care might never happen.
Reginald Webb (a9d584) — 12/30/2008 @ 3:15 amChicago=bang,bang
john (221be9) — 12/30/2008 @ 3:19 amObama is right where he needs to be.
Everyone who has eyes and ears knows that NEGROS do there best works on the streets, some folks wont admit it because they go to the streets themselfs. How could Americans trust a man that lies to them, OBAMA is a lier period.
In his interview on religion he said he was a christian, but I say a christian isnt for abortion, or gays, because a true christian knows that is sooooo wrong. At Obams campaign the smell of pot was everywhere. The fact is OBAMA PUFF THE MAGIC NEGRO is a bold face lier.
I am glad to see that more and more people are waking up and seeing the games and garbage that is being played by obama.
colorful squid (6b5ea5) — 12/30/2008 @ 3:26 amI dont care who dont like me calling OBAMA a NEGRO. Its clearly ok for NEGROS to call whites, white trash and call themselfs the (N) word but its not ok for whites to call a NEGRO the (N) word. I have freedom of speach so I thought.
john (221be9) — 12/30/2008 @ 3:26 amSince the NEGRO is in office now, the NEGROS are the only peps with freedom of speech.
Your 3rd grade education isn’t serving you very well and your parents or/and peers obviously were a poor influence on your moral code. Maybe you should consider literacy classes. Seems to me whatver Obama is, his strings are pulled by powerful honky interests, including Mayor Daley and America-despising Soros.
aoibhneas (0c6cfc) — 12/30/2008 @ 3:50 amComment by john — 12/30/2008 @ 3:26 am
What in the world does Obama’s race have to do with anything? Perhaps you’re a Moby. In fact it seems rather likely.
Obama did not react well to those criticisms either. His ego rather fragile for one so large.
Comment by daleyrocks — 12/29/2008 @ 9:59 pm
Indeed. He has little perseverance (witness the “steadfastness” of his employment record) dangerously coupled with an extremely thin skin. Am utterly convinced he’s going to have a meltdown one of these days in front of at least one reporter, most likely in a “can’t I just eat my waffle” fit of pique. We can only hope it instead happens in a full press conference room.
Wonder when the press honeymoon with him will be over.
no one you know (1ebbb1) — 12/30/2008 @ 4:01 amDoes it really matter?
The religious person who keeps their religion to themselves, and worships in their own way.
Then you have the in your face religious types, judging others. They are the ones usually out sowing wild oats 6 days a week and go to church on the 7th to pray for crop failure.
Put me down in the I don’t care catagory.
Gerald A (3539db) — 12/30/2008 @ 4:03 amRegarding the race angle, does anyone truly believe Barry Hussein would have been the nominee had he been white? Based on his lack of experience? Of course spin has much to do with it. Dan Quayle had far more experience and yet was laughed at. The whole potatoe thing was also blown out of proportion. Joe Biden is a clueless caucasian with hairplugs. Obama can spew crap and be deigned a new Lincoln. 57 states indeed. Imagine W saying that. Or belittling Indians with a dot.
aoibhneas (0c6cfc) — 12/30/2008 @ 4:07 amIs it kosher to say that religious voters will only be won or lost by someone publically religious?
Then there’s this sort of presumption: “This is one of my major pet peeves, politicians who tell us how religious they are, but who never seem to find the time to attend church.” That to be religious, one must attend church. I think this comes a bit from the sugarcoating — when we say “religious,” we’re really meaning a certain type of christian, no other denominations or faiths or religious paths.
imdw (4dbc86) — 12/30/2008 @ 5:21 amcant you guys read the hand writing on the wall.this man was ordained by GOD.his story defies all logic.the earlier you all begin to understand this the easier it will be for you to swallow.God put him there and God is all he needs to bring about the changes that America and the World so desperately needs.Apostle Paul persecuted the Jews,still God Chose him.he wrote two thirds of the new testament.God is all he needs….
meghe raymond (60427f) — 12/30/2008 @ 5:46 amIt shouldn’t matter whether Obama is a true Christian or not. It doesn’t matter if he believes in GOD because GOD believes in him. (I’m not saying that he doesn’t). There’s this thing that GOD likes to call FREE WILL. Ultimately,GOD is the one in control anyway – NOT Obama.
As far as race is concerned, GOD sees no color. Why do we? If GOD can love all of us in spite of our downfalls, why is it so hard for us to love, respect, and value one another?
Lou (77d73c) — 12/30/2008 @ 6:13 amAdriane, @ # 9
Nah. It’s not like Dubya is a Kennedy. I still can’t figure out why they let Patrick out in public.
Pablo (99243e) — 12/30/2008 @ 6:15 amWe consume most of the worlds resources. We expect that we can bully our way into whatever situation we like and the whole world should just quietly give in AND. We expect to have what we want, when we want it. Ouch. Don’t get me wrong, I do love my country and I’m more than a bit spoiled myself.
Here we have another true believer in Obama’s religion. AGW is his religion and that of a large share of his voters. I suspect they may have a crisis of faith when the upstate New York glaciers begin to grow but true faith can overcome obstacles. And you don’t have to attend church. Just watch Gore’s movie once a month or so.
Boy, the topic of religion sure brings out some odd commenters.
Mike K (2cf494) — 12/30/2008 @ 6:38 amI love the hypocrisy here. I’m no Christian, but I’ve read enough of the Bible to laugh at the kind of thinking being shown here. I thought your relationship with Jesus was supposed to be personal, not the one given to you by your pastor. Why is it that people are so quick to assume you’re not religious if you never attend church? A good friend of mine was a very religious man. He tought his kids the Bible every day, and they prayed every day. But he hadn’t been to church in 12 years, because, in his eyes, organized religion takes away from your ability to read the Bible with your own mind.
Perhaps Obama hasn’t found a church yet that he’s willing to expose his family to. Or perhaps, like my God fearing friend, he has just come to see ORGANIZED religion as unnecessary to consume Gods word.
Jamie Nordmeyer (3f5516) — 12/30/2008 @ 6:38 amPresumably, he’ll lose religious voters not because he’s not religious (most religious voters care relatively little about presidents’ personal faith) but because his abortion position is so extremely opposed to theirs. He’s way out of step with the American mainstream on this issue, let alone devout religious people.
Joe Bingham (361702) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:12 amJudge not and you shall not be judged.God is not only found in churches, he dwelleth evertwhere.This guy needs a rest and a clear head to to deal with the mess.
Linda (dc63b3) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:16 amPlease stop this scutiny.You guys have more issues to deal with than making yourselves into watchdogs over your president. God himself is watching over Barrack while he takes care of bussiness. Keep praying for him while you’re in church and keep up the faith.
Linda (dc63b3) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:20 amanne said:
George, I don’t think any TRUE christian could ever hate Obama or anyone. Isn’t that in the first page of the bible you all toting around and claim to abide by?
I guess the bible says it is OK to kill people different from you, people you disagree with or people for they oil…
You would think a self-professed Catholic would have actually read the bible–the one I’ve read says “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”, etc., on the first page and says nothing about how to act towards others, and nearly the entire Old Testament is filled with examples of God ordering the Israelites to wipe their enemies from the face of the earth because they were “different”(i.e., polytheistic). Even Jesus said “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
anne must belong to the Church of Good Feelings, because she clearly doesn’t understand biblical scripture one iota.
Chris (2d8013) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:33 amI’m gonna send this comment to that notorious Godbotherer George Bush. I’m sure he could use the laughs.
Pablo (99243e) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:41 am“Please stop this scutiny.You guys have more issues to deal with than making yourselves into watchdogs over your president.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Linda are you a Democrat by any chance?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:47 amPresumably, he’ll lose religious voters not because he’s not religious (most religious voters care relatively little about presidents’ personal faith) but because his abortion position is so extremely opposed to theirs. He’s way out of step with the American mainstream on this issue, let alone devout religious people.
Comment by Joe Bingham — 12/30/2008 @ 7:12 am
Bingo.
I would much, much rather have a solidly conservative, moral, pro-life atheist in the White House than another Billy Jeff Clinton who exploits interns and cheats on his wife and promotes the killing of unborn children every chance he gets (people forget what his very first executive orders as President were all about) but shows up with a big honkin’ Bible tucked under his arm sitting in the front row in church.
the very Catholic no one you know (1f5ddb) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:48 amPlease stop this scutiny.You guys have more issues to deal with than making yourselves into watchdogs over your president. God himself is watching over Barrack while he takes care of bussiness. Keep praying for him while you’re in church and keep up the faith.
Comment by Linda — 12/30/2008 @ 7:20 am
The man will be working for me and many of his public acts will affect me or things I care about. Of course I’m going to be watching what he’s doing. I thought that’s what good citizens were supposed to be doing. Or at least that’s what we’ve been told by liberals for the last 8 years.
the very Catholic no one you know (1f5ddb) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:51 amlet everyone respect Obama,leaders are chosen by God,love him in whatever race ,circumstance ,pray for him for wisdom.He hasn’t even taken office and many are heckling.Amrerica whites need to grow with the whole world while christians should respect others,love and educate others.The whole world is reading,analysing every comment you make.Let all be patient.
Ogollah Lameck (cba8a9) — 12/30/2008 @ 8:27 amOgollah Lameck, Obama is not entitled to be treated differently than any other US politician. Certainly not better than his supporters treated Republican Presidents.
SPQR (72771e) — 12/30/2008 @ 8:33 amLeaders like George Bush?
Pablo (99243e) — 12/30/2008 @ 8:33 amPresident Obama, in his first few months in office,
Another Drew (wwbkaADitcy) (fa7341) — 12/30/2008 @ 9:02 amwill take actions that will display to every sentient observer what his beliefs are.
Watch and Learn!
The whole world is reading,analysing every comment you make.Let all be patient.
YouritelikeachildplezgobacktoscholsoonBuhByee.
Dmac (eb0dd0) — 12/30/2008 @ 9:18 amWhy Obama Ultimately Will Lose Religious Voters
I’ve got only one thing to say……………
You wish.
Oiram (983921) — 12/30/2008 @ 9:31 amI’ll say, Mike K, LOL!
OR is … it, COMMENTER ????????
Patricia (89cb84) — 12/30/2008 @ 9:41 amwls, do you want Obama to lose the religious vote? Well, sorry to disappoint you shipwreck, but that ain’t gonna happen. One example is Pat Robertson. He is a well respected voice in the evangelical circles. He has recently praised Obama for some of the good steps he believes he has taken during this transition period. He also says he has the makings of becomng a great American President. At the same time he seemed to be blaming Bush for some of the problems we have today. Especially, Katrina. I think the Evangelicals especially, like Obama. (Can’t really say the same for the Catholics, because I don’t know.) Joel Osteen has a lot of praises for him as well. Don’t worry, he will soon find a good church to join. Joining a new church is not something you rush into. It takes a lot of enquiries and prayers. Now take a cup of coffee and smile…..that’s it.
love2008 (0c8c2c) — 12/30/2008 @ 9:46 amThis post goes perfect with the conservertive reconstruction project for sure. Kind of a sisterhood there.
C. Rich (084343) — 12/30/2008 @ 10:47 amBe patient; be patient; be patient. He will go to church again . . . eventually. It takes time to find a new church; give him a break!
What? The question is NOT ‘Why hasn’t he found a new church?’ it’s ‘Why has he not been attending church at all?’ Well, I guess I misread it then, didn’t I? [All who fit that profile feel free to chastise yourselves.]
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/30/2008 @ 11:07 amComment by Icy Texan — 12/30/2008 @ 11:07 am
love2008 (1b037c) — 12/30/2008 @ 11:17 amYes…..be patient. He will soon announce his next church. Shall we call it “the first church..”? You guys seem to be missing the possibility that he may be having church services at home with an appointed minister. Or a house fellowship. There are many ways to have service these days, you know.
There are many of us (and you likely know quite a few) who grew up in a specific (acceptable to most) church; attended services regularly for many, many years; have faith in God; believe in the 10 commandments, the Torah or the Quran perhaps, etc.; but who no longer believe in many of the pronoucements of those supposedly annointed, “in charge of,” or those who are “designated representatives of” any religious organization. As I said, we have faith in God, but not always in those who choose to interpret Him.
4Heavenssake (c32319) — 12/30/2008 @ 11:29 amSo, give the guy a break.
4Heavenssake (c32319) — 12/30/2008 @ 11:30 amBarack Obama
Pious Agnostic (291f9a) — 12/30/2008 @ 12:30 pmWorships God in his own way.
Or not. It’s his choice.
Sorry, people. It is because of the whole Trinity United/Rev. Wright debacle, in addition to his anything-goes stance on abortion, that Obama will not have the luxury of simply declaring that it’s a private matter.
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/30/2008 @ 4:46 pmobama was a member in that “church” in chicago only because of ambition and his wife. he’s totally whipped. never was the motivation anything other than advancing his career. he’s the quintessential cynical politician – othing more.
tike redman (3ecf0b) — 12/30/2008 @ 7:30 pm[…] Obama suddenly looses his “religion” Seen on Patterico… […]
Obama suddenly looses his “religion” « Something should go here, maybe later. (2a835e) — 1/5/2009 @ 3:39 pm