What Obama Achieved at Saddleback

MCCain seems a bit shaky on one point. If human rights begin @ conception, do they end as soon as you oppose the US.
The genius of Christianity is the understanding that what you do to the least of these you do to God. That is a hard thing because it means that what you do even to your enemies you are doing to God.
What struck me was MCCain seems to think being a Christian is easy. Obama recognizes that it is very very hard & you never really get there.

I thought Obama's answer to the question about evil was infinitely more Christian, and realistic, than McCain's. Warren didn't ask about specific evil enemies, he asked about Evil, with a capital "E." McCain uttered the simplistic inanity of the evening: "defeat it." And of course he responded as if Evil = Islamofascism. Obama answered the question as asked, he gave examples of evil including the evil within ourselves and our country, called for us to war against it, but concluded that only God could ultimately defeat evil.

Theological assessment: Obama gets an "A," McCain an "F."

Also, McCain's answer to the definition of "rich" was completely out of touch with the reality of work-a-day America. He was raised in a wealthy family, married into an even wealthier one, and that has cleared shaped his understanding of this question.

It's so sad that our future brilliant leaders have to be forced to kowtow to groups who believe so strongly in archaic superstition. Can't we all evolve? McCain is a yes man who said what they wanted to hear whether he believes it or not. At least Obama knows how to diplomatically lead a FREE nation made up of diverse cultures and beliefs.

All scientific textbooks on embryology agree with the bible in that human life begins at conception.
The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 6th ed.
Keith L. Moore, Ph.D. & T.V.N. Persaud, Md., (Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1998), 2-18.
Essentials of Human Embryology
William J. Larsen, (New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1998), 1-17.
Human Embryology & Teratology
Ronan R. O'Rahilly, Fabiola Muller, (New York: Wiley-Liss, 1996), 5-55.

So there is no question from a theological or scientific perspective. Obama even opposed legislation requiring care for a born infant that survived a botched abortion. So regardless of when life starts Obama does not care about protecting innocent human life. The question asked when does a baby get human rights. So as long as everyone agrees the baby is a human then the question is valid - "When does a human get human rights?" McCain's answer would be at conception. We don't know Obama's specific answer except that it is sometime after being born, if ever. He would not give an answer other than saying “it’s above his pay grade”, yet his actions or votes reveal what he believes. He should have given a straight answer consistent with his voting record.
Obama said abortion rate has increased under Bush. Actually, Obama is mistaken – according to pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute the abortion rate last year was as low as it’s been since 1974. Also, the number of abortions was at its lowest since 1990.
Baptists believe people are saved by grace through faith. Baptism is a symbol or outward expression of an existing faith. Followers of Jesus Christ have recognized and admitted separation from God by disobediance. They turn from living by their own rules and commit to following God's plan. Believe Jesus died to pay the price for your wrongdoing/breaking the 10 commandments and receive forgiveness. Commit by act of will and heart to trust him and follow him. Put him in the pilot seat of your life. Then be baptized because he commanded it and do it the way he did it - by submersion. Baptism is from Greek baptizo which means submersion or immerse.
Separation of church and state - this is not in the Constitution. The first amendment says, "Congress shall MAKE NO LAW respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." (emphasis my own) This simply means the gov cannot force Americans to follow a certain religion and cannot establish a state religion. There is no indication of intent to separate faith from politics. That is impossible. Everyone has faith in something. Everyone has a worldview.

Senator McCain's "riff" on his personal faith would be even better if it didn't appear to have been deliberately lifted from "The Gulag Archipelago" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

What is Rich? McCain, born rich and marrying rich has no idea of what is NOT rich. Obama, born in a middle class family, being "fatherless", and earning his way through school, know what rich is. Of course McCain wouldn't want to pay higher taxes, he never earned his pay to begin with. He is a taker, Obama is a giver.

In my eyes that makes Obama a more faithful Christian. But then, I am a works orientated Christian. I volunteered to work for the Salvation Army for a year just to give them a hand and to learn how to be a better steward for Jesus.

Paul, living wholly for Christ.

I think Pastor Warren was entirely fair. If there were problems with the "cone of silence" that wasn't what he intended, and it probably didn't make that much difference.

The audience at Saddleback may have cheered McCain more, but that's to be expected. The important thing is, Obama showed himself to this Evangelical audience to be a sincere Christian. And I really think Christ is a lot more important in his life than McCain's -- Obama may have been somewhat agnostic as a young man, but he married into a believing family.

The audience may have wished for a fiery anti-abortion campaigner, but I think they also wished for a candidate who hopes to apply Gospel principles when he can. Obama won on that count, quoting Matthew.

And, people who believe in the "Purpose-Driven Life" can't help but admire someone who exemplifies that. McCain more or less backed into this nomination, benefiting from the supposition that McCain as a "maverick" will be a cure for the bad choices George Bush made. McCain's ads promise he will solve what is wrong with "Washington", and by that he means what is wrong with the current Administration.

I don't think that will last. What will last is the realization that Barack Obama has, with the help of his God, formed a purpose and overcome incredible odds to achieve it. Of course, you have to then conclude that you *approve of* that purpose. Some won't. But I think Obama's appearance with Rev. Warren gives people who do think his aims are better for the country than McCain's the confidence to support him, publically and proudly.

I think it was obvious that McCain has been thoroughly busy holding Town Hall meetings, answering question after question from real American voters -- while Obama has been making emotional speeches and basking in his rock-stardom.

McCain didn't have to think long. I bet it's entirely possible that he has been asked those same questions, just framed somewhat differently, in one of those many Town Hall meetings.

Even when McCain gives a speech, like he did when appearing before the NAACP last month, he allows time for questioning from the voters.

"To the surprise and delight of those in the convention hall, McCain took questions, which ranged from judicial appointments to faith-based initiatives."

So, why did McCain seem sharper than Obama and ready to succinctly answer Pastor Warren's questions? Good, old-fashioned hard work paid off, as it always does.

McCain and Warren have lied to the public about this piece of fiction called a "cone of silence." McCain was in the car listening to Obama's questions. No wonder he was even able to interrupt Warren a few times and answer the questions.

Dishonesty...it's what Christians do for the GOP these days.

I would like to know what proof exists that McCain had the benefit of hearing the questions asked by Warren and the responses given by Obama before he was given his opportunity to speak.

Christians ARE NOT dishonest. Those that fear Christ usually are.

In all sincerity, my belief (after hearing both of them) is that one was honest and one was not; and those of you who make comments like the one "Dishonesty...it's what Christians do for the GOP these days"
are starting to get scared...really scared.