With Saturday’s South Carolina Democratic primary largely in the hands of undecided black women, who go to church is disproportionately high numbers–not to mention white Palmetto State church goers–God-o-Meter wasn’t surprised to get a call from the Obama campaign on Sunday offering an interview. Read or listen to the interview here. God-o-Meter was struck by two themes that emerged in the interview. First, in the face of false e-mail rumors that he’s a Muslim, Obama stressed he’s a Christian who was baptized as an adult, prays daily, and has a close relationship with Jesus. To wit:
The prayer that I tell myself every night is a fairly simple one: I ask in the name of Jesus Christ that my sins are forgiven, that my family is protected and that I am an instrument of God’s will. I’m constantly trying to align myself to what I think he calls on me to do. And sometimes you hear it strongly and sometimes that voice is more muted.
God-o-Meter was surprised to hear Obama take that further by saying he applies Christian, or Judeo-Christian–tactics to the rough and tumble of presidential campaigning:
In terms of on the political trail, I don’t find it challenging to be respectful and courteous to people, including my political opponents. You know, the Golden Rule still applies in politics.
I do think that being a Christian doesn’t mean that you’re passive or that you aren’t going to confront injustice. What I think is important, though, and is important not just for me, but also for my team—I’m trying to always reinforce this within the culture of our organization, and I’m not always perfectly successful—is to at least be scrupulous and honest in how we present our disagreements with other people.
I try to measure whether what I’m saying is fair by seeing how I would feel if I was at the receiving end of it. And, you know, there are a number of people—there have been a number of times where I’ve been criticized during the course of this campaign. And I say to myself, “Well, that’s a fair criticism in the sense that I may disagree with the criticism, but it’s substantive and there’s a legitimate difference of opinion.”
There are other times where I feel as if people are just distorting what I say to score cheap political points. And that gets you frustrated or weary or occasionally angry. And so, I try not to do that to other people.
Does this strike anyone else as sanctimonious? What stood out most to God-o-Meter, though was the Illinois Senator making the case that his exposure to Islam–by way of his Kenyan father’s side of the family and his years in Indonesia as a child–made him better suited to engage the Islamic world and possibly make us safer.
I do think that for the average Arab or Indonesian or Nigerian or Asian Muslim on the street that my familiarity with their culture would have an impact. I think that they would view America differently if I were president. Now, that is not just symbolic. That is something that could be used in a constructive way to open greater dialogue between the West and the Islamic world and that ultimately could make us more safe.
…. I absolutely believe that having lived in a country that was majority Muslim for a time and having distant relatives in Africa who are Muslim, that I’m less likely to demonize the Muslim faith and more likely to understand that they are ordinary folks who are trying to figure out how to live their lives and raise their kids and prosper just like anybody else. And I do think that that cultural understanding is something that could be extremely valuable.
In the face of those false rumors, this line of reasoning struck God-o-Meter as pretty sound. And pretty brave.
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posted January 23, 2008 at 1:53 pm
He supports abortion. Where in “Thou shall not kill” say that it is OK?
HMMMMMM
posted January 24, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Why won’t he tell his middle name???????
posted January 25, 2008 at 9:19 am
“supports abortion?” If this is true, then pray about it, don’t complain about it! God will move a man to change, but in Gods time! Did you know the lady whom was the center for the pro-abortion movement, no-longer supports her previous belief and has also become a professed Christian herself… interesting eh? God is awesome!
Love,
fellow believer
posted January 25, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Why doesnt he hold his hand over his heart while the pledge of allegiance is being said? Belongs to all black church [African] no whites allowed hmmm theres a switch also look this up Obama fans
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp copy and paste in your browser =I dont want a President that wont hold his hand over his heart during the pledge do you?
posted January 26, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Wow, talk about a load of crap! First of all, Obama doesn’t “support abortion”, he supports a woman’s right to choose. There is a HUGE difference. The woman making that choice will have to answer to a higher power for that decision, not to Donny.
And what does Obama’s middle name have to do with anything? Fine! It’s Hussein! So what? What does that prove? That his parents gave him a middle name 40 plus years ago that just happens to be the same as the last name of Iraq’s deposed dictator? By the way, the name Hussein in the Middle East is like the name Smith in America. It’s a very common surname in that part of the world! So Renee, what’s your point?
Obama belongs to an all black church which doesn’t allow whites?! Are you kidding me? That’s a bunch of baloney! I have been through Trinity Church’s website several times & I’ve never seen anything to suggest that white people aren’t welcome. Although, I don’t see anything that would lure this white man to join either if I lived in Chicago. Fact is, I’m sure white folks choose not to attend, that’s why it’s predominantly black. Duh! So what? Most churches I’ve ever attended were all white, but they didn’t put out an edict that blacks weren’t allowed. Also, Trinity Church is part of the United Church of Christ which is one of the most progressive and inclusive denominations in America. I know this because I’m a member of a UCC church in Columbus, Ohio. It’s not in the nature of a UCC church to be discriminatory, so Larry’s inference is way off base.
And where Obama places his hand during the Pledge of Allegiance is of such vital importance….Why?!!! With the Iraqi War, the foreclosures on homes nationwide, rising unemployment, the unstable market, failure of elected officials to resolve the illegal immigrant problem, corporate corruption and greed, political leaders who are pandering to special interest groups for their own personal benefit, etc…and Obama placing his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance is what you’re so concerned about?!?!?
George W. performs this ritual and it didn’t stop him from instigating an immoral war which has cost thousands of lives and maimed thousands others not to mention the innocent Iraqi civilian lives lost. You think he (and those who support him so vehmently) won’t have to answer to a higher power for these atrocities?
Come on people! Get your priorities in order! Stop sweating the small stuff and let’s get this country back on track!
P.S. I’m a Romney supporter!
posted January 30, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Obama is not a christian…unless he behaves like a lot of other professors these days and is a forgetful hearer of what God’s word clearly states.You can’t “straddle the fence” and expect people to believe that you’ll keep your word no matter what comes your way.Its like a label on a box.They are allowed to tell little “white lies” about whats inside that box.Years ago you could not do that and get by with it because it was called “breaking the law.”Its greedy prideful men and woman who only see what they want to see who appear to be making and breaking laws these days.But people are so oppressed and burdened with past leaders that they don’t know what to believe anymore.Someone can just swoop in and make more wild promises and it starts all over again and again and again.Just my surface check on Obama gives me chills..but so does my knowledge of Hillary.I fear for this country and my heart is heavy,but I have to take in consideration of where we are in time.I’m wounded and I figure I’m not the only one.
posted February 1, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Snowbird:
Let me guess…you voted for Bush in 2000 & 2004, right? And I’m sure you were all gung ho for the Republican sweep of the Congress in the ’90′s too.
Well, look where these political hacks who I’m sure you voted for got us! Seems to me those who were so gullible that they voted for the current president (or should I say dictator?) in not only 2000, but again in 2004 might recognize their folly and back off from whining about the state of this country which they helped to create.
I think anyone who voted for “W” TWICE ought to have their head examined and do us all a favor. Sit out the general election in November. Your judgement is obviously suspect.
You say, “people are so oppressed and burdened with past leaders they don’t know what to believe anymore”!?! Maybe that’s precisely the problem. Perhaps people like you should reevaluate their belief system, because it appears dreadfully flawed.
Perhaps Obama doesn’t practice your extreme brand of Christianity, but that doesn’t diminish what he’s done in public service for those “oppressed and burdened” people in our country you speak of. What have the political figures you’ve supported accomplished in terms of making this country stronger and more united? It appears…NOTHING!
posted February 3, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I believe that Barback Obama self not christian, that why I feel bother myself he’s self pratice of muslim and islam, also I dont trust in him his addressing about to do change the world in 21 centuries, put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help, Obama not know how do handle to saves his country nothing, also you can’t do change our government the law in our religion, you will see how people will slow down out the rages by you agasint your opitions the world. It will appear to see messed up your addressing and not need to seeing any black person to running by president, no want to hear of your complaint all of nothing your life
posted February 12, 2008 at 8:55 pm
It is not for us as human beings to judge whether Obama or any other person is a christian or not. Only God, the true Judge, knows the heart and soul of a person. We should be concerned about our own standing with God and not judge others relationship with God. What we should be doing is lifting up Jesus for he says if he be lifted up he will draw all men unto him. According to what I have read about Obama’s statement regarding his relationship with God, I believe what he says.