Obama's Fascinating Interview with Cathleen Falsani

There are a couple of gems here. My favorite is when he says that sin is "being out of alignment with my values." A close second is the paragraph where he talks about his "ongoing conversation with God" and "constantly asking myself questions."

The man is more conscious than most people. Where does consciousness comes from? It comes from a connection to God. Consciousness equals enlightenment. The spirit of God or the Holy Spirit if you will raises one's consciousness. This is gift and it is manifested in president elect Obama through serving others. This current position he's in is his destiny. This is the work of the Spirit.
Whatever happens, do not touch a hair on his body. God is trying to tell us something through Mr. President Obama. Listen carefully.

I would like to know if the allegations mailed to me below are true. Perhaps Jay Sekulow could verify or tell me the truth?

--- On Tue, 11/11/08,
(This emaill is not being sent out under the auspices of James Padgett Ministries Association.)
Please bring this all important material to Dr. Dobson's attention

Dear Concerned Fellow American,
After learning that Barack Obama was born in Kenya and had been adopted in Indonesia by his mother's second husband, Lulu Soetero (making him ineligible to become President of the United States, attorney Phillip Berg (framer Deputy Attorney General for the State of Pennsylvania and lifelong prominent Democrat), asked the Democratic National Committee to vet Obama on these matters prior to nominating him to be their party's candidate for the presidency. They refused to, so he filed a lawsuit against Obama and the Democratic National Committee and others involved. His lawsuit was dismissed by the US District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania on the absurd basis that he lacked standing to question the Democratic Party's choice in moving forward with Obama. Berg filed an appeal to the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is giving Obama and the Democratic National Committee until December 1, 2008 to respond. After Berg files his answer to their response, the Supreme Court WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO REVIEW THE CASE, BERG VS. OBAMA.

Though attorney Berg has been on over 60 media programs and his website has over 71.8 million hits on it, our NATIONAL MEDIA HAS MENTIONED NOTHING OF THIS. Please pray and do anything you can do to help make this public knowledge. Pray that the Supreme Court will decide to review the case and will declare Obama ineligible (for the sake of the 1.3 million babies that will be aborted each year as well as many lives that will be greatlly damaged by the advance of the homosexual agenda. It was leaked Monday, Nov. 10, that in his first day in office, Obama will move to again fund abortions overseas {which Pres. Bush stopped) Again, for further information and updates on this lawsuit, you can go to Phillip Berg's website, www.Obamacrimes.com. You can also google "Obama birth certificate" and obtain articles fully explaining his lawsuit.

Berg, of course, is familiar with the defenses of Obama's birth certificates mentioned on Snopes, Politfact and FactCheck - but believes these are not telling the whole story and contain inaccurate material. One only needs to know that the Annenburgs own FactCheck.com and that Obama sat for many years on the board of one of their corporations. Wouldn't effect its partiality any, would it?

If you google "Obama birth certificate, you will see even a number YouTube videos that also bring out the spurious nature of the birth certificate the DNC posted on their website.


(Please forward this on to other likeminded citicens who would pray and work in order that the truth would be publicly exposed.)

Below is the latest press release about this lawsuit, stating Souter has directed Obama and DNC to respond to it by Decmember 1, 2008.

For Immediate Release: - 11/07/08

U. S. SUPREME COURT AWAITS RESPONSE TO
BERG'S WRIT OF CERTIORARI
FROM OBAMA, DNC and Co-DEFENDANTS
(Contact information and PDF at end)

(Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania – 11/07/08) - Philip J. Berg, Esquire, the Attorney who filed suit against Barack H. Obama challenging Senator Obama’s lack of “qualifications” to serve as President of the United States filed a Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on October 30, 2008, requesting review of the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Judge Surrick’s Dismissal of Philip J. Berg’s lawsuit against Barack H. Obama, Jr., the DNC and the other co-Defendants. Accordingly, the U. S. Supreme Court has set dates in which Barack Obama, the DNC and all co-Defendants are to respond to the Writ, which is on or before December 1, 2008.

Mr. Berg remarked today, “I look forward to receiving Defendant Obama's response to the Writ and am hopeful the U. S. Supreme Court will review Berg v. Obama. I believe Mr. Obama is not a constitutionally-qualified natural-born citizen and is ineligible to assume the office of President of the United States.”

Mr. Berg’s case, Berg vs. Obama was dismissed from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Docket # 08-cv-4083 for lack of standing. Mr. Berg filed a Writ of Certiorari for review of the case and an injunction to stay the election pending review. Justice Souter denied the injunction. It is expected that the Court will decide whether or not to review Berg v. Obama after the Defendants file their response, and Mr. Berg has replied to the Defendant’s response.

The Defendants' response is due by December 1st and Mr. Berg's reply will be submitted thereafter.

# # #

Philip J. Berg, Esquire
555 Andorra Glen Court, Suite 12
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444-2531
Cell (610) 662-3005
(610) 825-3134
(800) 993-PHIL [7445]
Fax (610) 834-7659
philjberg@obamacrimes.com philjberg@obamacrimes.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Below is an article describing the grounds for Phillip Berg's lawsuit (Below it are links to other helpful articles by Berg)):

Thursday, August 21, 2008
Obama Sued in Philadelphia Federal Court on Grounds he is Constitutionally Ineligible for the Presidency
by Jeff Schreiber
America's Right.com

A prominent Philadelphia attorney and Hillary Clinton supporter filed suit this afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic National Committee and the Federal Election Commission. The action seeks an injunction preventing the senator from continuing his candidacy and a court order enjoining the DNC from nominating him next week, all on grounds that Sen. Obama is constitutionally ineligible to run for and hold the office of President of the United States.

Philip Berg, the filing attorney, is a former gubernatorial and senatorial candidate, former chair of the Democratic Party in Montgomery (PA) County, former member of the Democratic State Committee, and former Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania. According to Berg, he filed the suit--just days before the DNC is to hold its nominating convention in Denver--for the health of the Democratic Party.

"I filed this action at this time," Berg stated, "to avoid the obvious problems that will occur when the Republican Party raises these issues after Obama is nominated.".

Berg cited a number of unanswered questions regarding the Illinois senator's background, and in today's lawsuit maintained that Sen. Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen or that, if he ever was, he lost his citizenship when he was adopted in Indonesia. Berg also cites what he calls "dual loyalties" due to his citizenship and ties with Kenya and Indonesia.

Even if Sen. Obama can prove his U.S. citizenship, Berg stated, citing the senator's use of a birth certificate from the state of Hawaii verified as a forgery by three independent document forensic experts, the issue of "multi-citizenship with responsibilities owed to and allegiance to other countries" remains on the table.

In the lawsuit, Berg states that Sen. Obama was born in Kenya, and not in Hawaii as the senator maintains. Before giving birth, according to the lawsuit, Obama's mother traveled to Kenya with his father but was prevented from flying back to Hawaii because of the late stage of her pregnancy, "apparently a normal restriction to avoid births during a flight." As Sen. Obama's own paternal grandmother, half-brother and half-sister have also claimed, Berg maintains that Stanley Ann Dunham--Obama's mother--gave birth to little Barack in Kenya and subsequently flew to Hawaii to register the birth.

Berg cites inconsistent accounts of Sen. Obama's birth, including reports that he was born at two separate hospitals--Kapiolani Hospital and Queens Hospital--in Honolulu, as well a profound lack of birthing records for Stanley Ann Dunham, though simple "registry of birth" records for Barack Obama are available in a Hawaiian public records office.

Should Sen. Obama truly have been born in Kenya, Berg writes, the laws on the books at the time of his birth hold that U.S. citizenship may only pass to a child born overseas to a U.S. citizen parent and non-citizen parent if the former was at least 19 years of age. Sen. Obama's mother was only 18 at the time. Therefore, because U.S. citizenship could not legally be passed on to him, Obama could not be registered as a "natural born" citizen and would therefore be ineligible to seek the presidency pursuant to Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution.

Moreover, even if Sen. Obama could have somehow been deemed "natural born," that citizenship was lost in or around 1967 when he and his mother took up residency in Indonesia, where Stanley Ann Dunham married Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian citizen. Berg also states that he possesses copies of Sen. Obama's registration to Fransiskus Assisi School In Jakarta, Indonesia which clearly show that he was registered under the name "Barry Soetoro" and his citizenship listed as Indonesian.

The Hawaiian birth certificate, Berg says, is a forgery. In the suit, the attorney states that the birth certificate on record is a forgery, has been identified as such by three independent document forensic experts, and actually belonged to Maya Kasandra Soetoro, Sen. Obama's half-sister.

"Voters donated money, goods and services to elect a nominee and were defrauded by Sen. Obama's lies and obfuscations," Berg stated. "If the DNC officers ... had performed one ounce of due diligence we would not find ourselves in this emergency predicament, one week away from making a person the nominee who has lost their citizenship as a child and failed to even perform the basic steps of regaining citizenship as prescribed by constitutional laws."

"It is unfair to the country," he continued, "for candidates of either party to become the nominee when there is any question of the ability to serve if elected."

RELATED ITEMS:

America's Right commentaries: Eligibility Goes Beyond Citizenship and Is this For Real, and Why Hasn't the Mainstream Media Covered it Yet?

America's Right interview: A Conversation with Philip Berg, Esq.

See periodic updates at America's Right.com (Click HERE)

Wow. I believe he is going to make a wonderful President. How fortunate for America to have chosen such an intelligent and spiritually grounded man to lead this country. I like the part where he explains that we are all connected no matter what our spiritual beliefs are.. And what's even more comforting is that he seems to still have the same values during the elections and now that he spoke of 4 years ago in this interview. Now that really speaks to his character and his honesty....I voted for the right man...

Thank you so much for sharing. I could tell this is how Barack Obama believed just from carefully watching and listening to him throughout this Presidential Campaign. I'm so very grateful.

And to think that while we were crying out to God as the devastation of the 60's proceeded, God had already answered (Barack was born in 1962)!! The other day I heard John Lewis put it this way about Barack: "He was tracked down by the Spirit of History and he allowed himself to be used for the common good."

We're living in a sacred moment in time. How cool is that?!

My god, that we elected such a wonderfully aware and intelligent man to the highest office in the land is a total miracle. Amazing. Simply amazing. Is America reinventing itself again? I don't even believe in god and I want to say God have mercy on us that we not lose hope, and keep and protect Mr. Obama.

This is so inspiring! It's funny to me how some people try to claim that Barack Obama is a Muslim and in the same breath condemn him for belonging to Rev. Wright's "christian" church for 20 years! It's plain to see that this is a man with deeply rooted spititual values and solid moral fiber that can be seen throughout his family, especially in his children! I am a registered Republican but I did vote for him and I think we got it right this time!

I don't understand how this individual can spout the stuff that he can and consider himself a Christian. He sounds more like a Unitarian Universalist.

In regards to Frank's comments, why do conserviative Christians always have to parse everything so literally? I really think you miss the essense of Christ. Don't forget the real developer of Christianity was Paul and dogma was to come later. Unitarians view the world as having many avenues to truth. Would Christ really object? How do you make sense of Christianity as love and reconcile using fear and exclusivism? And how do you miss that Jesus was a jew, born, lived and died as one. Does all Judaism go out the window? Was he breaking with his faith or simply challenging it?

Really, I only have respect for thinking, questioning Christians. Sorry!

To Frank's statement:

Maybe one day we'll be more concerned with what people Are rather than what they "call themselves." We know that many murderers, pedophile priests, and others who simply wish to feel superior "call themselves" Christian quite often. But what we "are" is the extent to which we are loving in our heart--the extent to which our spirit is free of judgment and superiority. Working to say others aren't Christian is a way to be quite unChristian and repel others who may consider looking at the actual teachings of Jesus.

Just an FYI, I see in the post about Berg's lawsuit that he believes Obama's birth certificate is fraud, the following statement:

The Hawaiian birth certificate, Berg says, is a forgery. In the suit, the attorney states that the birth certificate on record is a forgery, has been identified as such by three independent document forensic experts, and actually belonged to Maya Kasandra Soetoro, Sen. Obama's half-sister.

It couldn't possibly be Maya's hawaiian birth certificate forged to look like his. She wasn't born in Hawaii, but rather Indonesia where they lived at the time of her birth.

Berg has been proven to be a nut case who files lawsuits at every single opportunity. He has attempted to sue hundreds of people and his claims are always thrown out of court. He's just an attention seeker trying to capitalize on the Obama success.

He fails on every measurement of 'what is a christian'.

He says sin is just "not following his own values"
he says Jesus is "a teacher"
He says there are "many ways"
He says he can get to heaven "by being good enough"

Christianity is not what we define it to be, but what Christ defined it -- in His own words.

David
www.redletterbelievers.com

I'll be the first to admit that as a Christian, I did find some of his answers thoroughly disappointing, from a theological perspective. Only God can truly know if any man really has a relationship with Him or not, and I have no reason to doubt Obama's sincerity, but his answers here are far from matching the clear doctrine of the Bible, New Testament in particular.

That being said, this doesn't change my opinion of our new President, from a political standpoint. He's a man who clearly has a very strong moral compass and a genuine concern for his fellow man. His theology may not line up with mine but he is still a great example of what kind of people we should strive to be, regardless of our various faiths.

It's really remarkable to have someone as our leader who speaks so thoughtfully and in depth about these most profound issues. All I can say to David R and those like him, I'm sorry for you. I'm sorry that religion has so narrowed you and closed you off, rather than opening you, as it appears to have done for Obama. Your response is the essence of smallminded dogma, and we should never stop fighting that spiritual smallness.

I'm not even sure why I'm responding to you; it just took my breath away to read such a profound conversation with our new President and have it be boiled down so mindlessly as you did. I hope you will one day see the true depth of Obama's religious views, and the poverty of your own.

Saying Obama is not a Christian is bearing false witness and therefore a sin.

Wow this is such a personality quiz! If anyone can read into Obama's ideas anything evil as anonymous has tried they are really telling you something about themselves. It is kind of scary actually how so many words were so well organized to rationalize the antisocial hate behind them. When you see a painting of love birds in a tree and some anonymous person steps up to tell you that they just ate their children or something you first step back, then smile, then run.

I actually think that Obama is acting appropriately as a Christian. While I also may not necessarily agree with everything he says, based on Romans 14, I think that he is on the right track. I would also add that I think there is a big difference between speaking falsely out of fear and speaking honestly with respect for the needs of your audience. There are plenty of examples of both in the Bible. My impression is that this interview falls in the latter category.

This is a transcript from an interview in 2004. What strikes me is how - after four undoubtedly tumultuous years - Obama has remained consistent in the way he speaks of his faith and steadfast in his personal spirituality of tolerance and the diversity of individual paths, awe and acceptance of the complexities beyond human understanding, appreciation of the importance of the separation of church and state informed by his study of constitutional law, and clearly a strong belief in core common values that rightly guide us true and unite us.

That's a lovely interview. Yes, I was also struck by how similar he sounds four years later. I'm having trouble thinking of any other politician who might give such a thoughtful interview. Sure, lots of people can quote the bible at length but Obama discusses his faith in a very personal way and makes sure his interviewer knows that he's not sure about a lot. His faith is a process, something he strives for, not a blow to the head and sudden truth.

On a personal level, I feel very sympathetic to his views and his faith but politically speaking, I'd say this is a clear example of why I'd vote for someone who brings their religion to their office. He has a moral, not a fundamentalist, approach to integrating his religion into is poltics.

What a refreshing interview. I was a bit put off when I first read through it when he dodges a few questions or frames things to avoid a controversial answer but, on the second read, I saw that he's not only self-conscious about sensitive topics but he's self-effacing and genuinely modest about dealing with people he might disagree with. It's too bad that, now that he's president, he's just not gong to be able to discuss these things at a level of detail that he must think about them. He's moved his rhetoric more toward, oh, the style of King and Ghandi, operating only in policy details but avoiding rhetorical detail. Anyway, thanks for publishing the whole interview.

Obama claim that "Jesus is an historical figure for me" is a bit odd especially because he never mentions Christ as The Son of God.

Obama also describing sin as something "out of alignment with his values" is a bit strange.

Tis shows Obama has a clear disconnect from Christian faith.

I have to agree with 186. Notmentioning that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God shows a clearly distorted view of the Christian faith.

Using terms such as "Religion" or "Spirituality" seem to detract from the truth. The truth is that Jesus came to save the lost, which we all are or were at some time. This crosses all racial, demographic, and geographical barriers.

Although Jesus and the first disciples and apostles were not necessarily political figures, they did interact with politicians, law, government, etc. Look at Peter's and Paul's speeches to rulers. Look at how Jesus interacted and responded to them. Read their teachings on how Christians are to treat non-believers and all people. You will see unconditional love and sacrifice for others, with no tolerance for sin (especially in the church).

It's okay to be a leader, politician, religious figure, whatever, and not compromise the Word of God and still have the love of Christ for others (regardless of their beliefs).

Thank you for posting this.

Some of what Obama says echoes Emerson. He may read "On Self-Reliance" from time to time.

I hate to hear people who think they have Christians figured out. They know the talk but their tone shows they don't know what they're talking about. The bottom line is this: he sat in a church listening to hate messages when he told the world he didn't. That to me is a lie. I would have rather he admit it up front and say he was leaving for a better church or even if he said he liked what he heard, but to blantantly lie. I see how he tries to make himself look "Christian", but the fruits aren't there. Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits". He may be spiritual, but I don't know what spirit he is talking about.

To the geniuses who denounce Obama's citizenship, I have this to say:

1. I regard Obama as a political fraud along with all the rest of them. He's going to be strictly a 1-termer when he proves incapable of bringing about any substantive change. I don't take any of this pro-abortionist's expressed religious views seriously, any more than I could take seriously the expressed religious views of any Kali human sacrifice worshipper.

2. BUT Obama is most emphatically a US citizen who can be (and is) elected president. It is a common error to think that a US citizen born outside the US is somehow ineligible to the office of president. The Constitution says that the president must be a "natural" born citizen, not a "native" born citizen. So all the hogwash about his Hawaiian birth certificate or whether he was born in Kenya is utterly irrelevant.

People who oppose Obama should do so on substantive grounds, and not dishonor themselves with invented technicalities.

Sorry to rock your boat, demablogue, but God is Love, Joy, Power and Wisdom, and when I am in alignment with God, I experience Love, Joy, Power and Wisdom. The instant I say, "You are damned because you don't worship God using the correct formula," you separate yourself from God.

In reply you will say, the Bible says such and such, and therefore I am right. I have one answer to that. The Bible is not the experience of standing in constant communion with God, and everyone is equally qualified to experience that communion, no secret handshake required. The Bible may point the way, but as the Zen masters say, "Look at the fool who points at the moon, then mistakes his finger for the moon itself."

God's children will never need a book, or a church or a community to tell them what their connection to God must be. Everyone's connection to God is a given, and the Love, Joy, Power and Wisdom that I feel in His presence is the only proof I need that His Love has not a hint of the hatred and exclusion that seems to be all the rage.

So, you know what is in President-elect Obama's heart? How is this? You know what his connection with his creator is? Amazing!

Having been a fire-and-brimstone Baptist Christian for seven years of my life, and having thereafter evolved into an agnostic with an atheistic philosophy, I greatly admire Obama's belief system. It is the right kind of mindset to have as a Christian.

My former strain of Christianity is a sect that degrades humanity and the limited time we have here on Earth. It does not promote the wonderful human virtue of tolerance. It does not promote fairness. It does not promote rationality (see the 4/5ths of the world in Hell statement). It does not promote realistic family cohesion and love. In fact, that faith broke up my family and continues to have unfortunate consequences to this day since I left it six years ago. I learned that religious certainty - as espoused heavily by my former faith - is truly a soul- and mind-killing poison.

Obama, with his beliefs, is what we truly need at the helm of government at this turning point in American history.

Why do we lambast a good man (Christians - hah!) for the way he states his beliefs, and if you don't want him in your club because of it, well then he's probably use to that, isn't he. I think if you confronted Obama on his wording, he'd say, "okay u got me there, but I think you know what i mean". We should all walk in his shoes, and we'd probably find that they look a lot like sandals. It just astounds me that people can be so nasty (what would Jesus do?) when it comes to people's faith bases - it's what has caused thousands of years of suffering in the name of an exclusive savior - ironic at a minimum. What did Obama call it? religious certainty - which sorta counters the meaning of the word faith, doesn't it?

Not sure Obama's too clear on the principles of grace,forgiveness of sin, redemption,and resurrection (calling yourself a "Christian" is predicated on belief in these concepts). If he believes that "What I believe in is that if I live my life as well as I can, that I will be rewarded. I don't presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die. But I feel very strongly that whether the reward is in the here and now or in the hereafter, the aligning myself to my faith and my values is a good thing." then he's missing the foundational aspects of Christianity in that it's not how good he can be, it's acknowledging that none of us is "good" or ever will be, but that Christ came to take the burden of sin from us. By inviting Christ into our hearts, only through Him (or Her) can we lead "lives fulfilled" which entails acts of "goodness" as well as countless failures forgiven.

Also, he defines "sin" as " being out of alignment with his (own) values." This is frightening to me, since we all carry around values of our own. I wonder if Hitler thought he was "aligned in his values" as he went about massacring the Jews. As a Christian, I believe sin is anything outside of God's will. The concept doesn't rotate around my values. I'm thankful for that, since if you left it to me, I'd tell you that I'm a whole lot less "full of sin" than God would. This is called "rationalization." There's no room for redemption if it's up to me and my values.

I didn't really know what Obama's spiritual orientation was, so I appreciate the article. I think he's a very well-meaning person, but he appears to be what I would call a "roll your own" Christian. These folks are quite popular. I don't judge them at all - they simply shouldn't call themselve Christians. I share a lot of his views, particularly his points about proselytizing and having a monopoly on Truth. I don't have all the answers (either); my only point is that if you call yourself a Christian, there are some basic beliefs involved. Obama should tell people he is a "man of faith."

Then again, that wouldn't bring the votes in the US, now would it. : )

Here's the best part of this issue. You are accusing ME of arguing in the context of Christianity. I do not call Barack Obama a Christian, he does.

If you claim to be a Christian, and then the words you say are antithetical to Christian doctrine (ignoring the words of Christ himself) then you are incorrect. I don't claim to be right, I BELIEVE I am right, but I am going on faith.

Let's do a word excercise. Dictionary.com defines Christian as:

Chris⋅tian   /ˈkrɪstʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kris-chuhn] Show IPA Pronunciation

–adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings: a Christian faith.
2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ: Spain is a Christian country.
3. of or pertaining to Christians: many Christian deaths in the Crusades.
4. exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike: She displayed true Christian charity.
5. decent; respectable: They gave him a good Christian burial.
6. human; not brutal; humane: Such behavior isn't Christian.
–noun 7. a person who believes in Jesus Christ; adherent of Christianity.
8. a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ: He died like a true Christian.
9. a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren.
10. the hero of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.
11. a male given name.

This is about as non-religious an approach to the term as you can take. However, even in a purely analytical, secular view, you still have to defer to the SOURCE of the concept: Christ.

Unfortunately, Skye, you can't burst my bubble. I'm basing my analysis of his words on the only actual reference for Christianity, Christ. I do not say that Barack Obama is NOT a spiritual man, or a child of God. I simply say that a Christian who ignores Christ is, by definition, not Christian.

Remember, HE brought it into Christianity...I did not label him Christian, he labels himself Christian. You can be a "good person" and not be a Christian. I'm not the judge, but I refuse to stand by while people dilute Christianity to anything OTHER than the following of Jesus Christ. If you don't like what Jesus said, did, or stands for, then don't be Christian.

You can cutely dismiss my argument because I quoted scripture; however, your dismissal will be revealed as invalid by anyone with even a rudimentary level of understanding. Let me explain this concept by analogy for you.

Barack Obama says, "I'm a burger king guy because I agree Big Macs, fries, and shakes."

You say, "SEE?!? HE DOES LOVE FAST FOOD!"

I say, "Wait, Big Macs come from McDonalds"

You say, "Don't you point to the menu!!!! HOW DARE YOU JUDGE HIS TASTE IN FAST FOOD."

I say, "He can like fast food all day but, Big Macs still come from McDonalds, so if he likes them, he's not a Burger King guy."

You have to take HIS argument in context...if you take it out of the context he frames it, you take your opinion out of relevance.

Cathleen, why did you hold off on posting this until after the election? Don't you think the voters are entitled to have all available information when making a decision on who should be leader of the free world? Would you have held off on posting an interview with John McCain if he had ties to similar religious figures like Wright and Pfleger?

On the interview itself:

Interesting, I always thought that sin was being out of alignment with God's values...

So Obama attended Trinity every week and he never heard Rev. Wright utter a racist or anti-semitic rant? I'm sure the President-elect is being quite forthcoming regarding that.

"Father Michael Pfleger is a dear friend, and somebody I interact with closely." Scary. Any person with common sense, left, right or center, would run, not walk, away from a Father Pfleger.

Deb,

We're not discussing abortion itself. What we're discussing is Obama's position on abortion, which includes his infamous support for even killing babies who somehow survive the abortion process. No such person can be regarded as being in tune with God in any religion or in any way a spiritual person. Obama is a good speaker, but not all of us are fooled by him. And after the disillusionment about him when he can't deliver his promised "change" sets in a year or two from now, a majority of us won't be fooled.

Oh, Your Name! That's the problem with the Bible or any scripture. It can be interpreted in any way you choose, and then you claim your interpretation is the correct one. So go practice your religion and call it whatever you like, and let everyone else practice theirs and call it whatever they want to! Why do you infernal fundamentalists want to force everyone into your terminology, definitions and system of religious practice?

This election was not the defeat of Republicans, but of narrow-mindedness, of us vs them, of intolerance. The intolerant are finally going to be more and more marginalized in the society & world. Palin was the last dying gasp of intolerance. Please God, let Palin be the 2012 Republican nominee!

PKFagan said:
“Also, he defines "sin" as " being out of alignment with his (own) values." This is frightening to me, since we all carry around values of our own. I wonder if Hitler thought he was "aligned in his values" as he went about massacring the Jews. As a Christian, I believe sin is anything outside of God's will. The concept doesn't rotate around my values. I'm thankful for that, since if you left it to me, I'd tell you that I'm a whole lot less "full of sin" than God would. This is called "rationalization." There's no room for redemption if it's up to me and my values.”

PKFagan, you may not realize it but when you claim that sin is anything outside God’s will you are rationalizing too. You are just not aware enough to admit that your view of sin comes from you. Obama sounds like he is aware of this, thankfully.

I find it funny that you claim to know what God would say about your sin, and then you accuse Obama of being the one who is disingenuous.

Tolerance is the key word here - be tolerant. We're all human beings, we all live on the same planet, we're all going to die, and we all have some belief about afterlife - yet no one knows for sure about God, it's all in your own belief system. There are billions of different believers. Let's all be tolerant and treat others the way you would want to be treated...respectfully. I'm quite pleased that our democracy worked - that people voted - and that we'll have someone who I consider enlightened and tolerant of others beliefs heading our country.

I find it a shame that some are so rigid in their dogmatic view of the world that they wouldn't find Obama's approach both refreshing and excitingly common. It's very close to what everyone I know from the small town I grew up in (a very Christen community) truly believes.

Thanks Ms. Falsani for a very good interview.

It is becoming apparent to me that Obama may well turn out to be a great spiritual leader as well as a great political leader. That is just what the world needs at this time--more inclusive spirituality, less devisive religion.

I did not find Obama's comments "refreshing" or "excitingly common". I found them somewhat contradictory, as Demablogue seemed to. He states he is a Christian, but based on his comments, doesn't practice Christianity fully. I believe he is like so many Americans who are more focused on themselves and what makes them feel good rather than living to honor a God or the basic truths of Christianity (or any other religion). I also found his comments that Fox News and talk radio were "dangerous" to be quite disturbing... Not very open minded. I'm also not surprised to see the comments discribing the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as a "good friend" -- contradicting his comments during the campaign. The more I learn about Obama, the more scared I get...

A W Tozes in speaking of the liberal churches of the day said " These will not quite give up the Bible, neither will they quite believe it"

Your Name wrote:

"I believe he [Obama] is like so many Americans who are more focused on themselves and what makes them feel good rather than living to honor a God or the basic truths of Christianity (or any other religion)."

You've got that 100% right!

And I will add that Obama's false god isn't just the idol of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman that he carries with him (see the Google News link I'm posting with this) Obama's false god is really the solipsistic Obama himself, making it all up as he goes along with neither reverence nor reference to the highest power.

Your Name wrote:

"I believe he [Obama] is like so many Americans who are more focused on themselves and what makes them feel good rather than living to honor a God or the basic truths of Christianity (or any other religion)."

You've got that 100% right!

And I will add that Obama's false god isn't just the idol of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman that he carries with him. See this Google News link:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=hanuman+obama

Obama's false god is really the solipsistic Obama himself, making it all up as he goes along with neither reverence nor reference to the highest power.

Living by the "Golden Rule" should be the only religion any thinking person should need. Forget about the Bible, or the equivalent texts of the other great religions, I'm sure they all have passages that are educational and inspirational, however they were all cobbled together by flawed human beings and as such are tainted. One should approach the comparative study of relgions as an academic exercise, gleening from each whatever brings the intellect and the emotions into harmony. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

the commenters who say they do not believe that Obama is a christian just because he did not say in so many words that Jesus is the 'Son of God' etc. is disturbing because in many of the churches I have gone to just saying Jesus is enough to identify Him. Nothing else need be said. And in many churches

Sounds like Patrick is heavily into retribution. But of course, only in the loving Christian tradition. I say give him a break, his thinking must be clouded by the sleep deprivation caused by caring for so many of infants he's adopted. Try a little love, Pat...

This is a very revealing interview. Three things I learned: 1) Obama is not a true Christian (he essentially debunks the Bible's authority on Jesus Christ being God Incarnate) 2)He is more secular than I had originally thought and I fear that his policies will reflect this view 3)It's astounding how many people have written in support of his unitarian "religious" beliefs to the point of deifying him as the Messiah. It boggles the mind and does injury to the soul.

Jesus as the Son of God is equal to God the Father,Himself. A true Christian believes in the Trinity, God the Father, God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit. Obama has no revelation in him concerning who Jesus is and what He has done for mankind. Jesus died on the cross and paid for all the sins of mankind. There is only one way to be saved, and that is through a confession of Jesus Chrit as Devine Savior and Lord. Obama has no revelation from the Holy Spirit in him, and attributes his wisdom and knowledge to an inner dialogue with self. This revelation comes out of a mixture of hinduism and secularism which accepts Jesus as a teacher or prophet of one of the religions, but not as the one and only Savior. That is the reason he can kill babies and compromise virtues on behalf of what he calls a greater good. The devil himself can give inner nudgings to Obasma and pervert the real truth. The reason he dislikes Bin Laden is not what he stood for, but his method of achieving it. What is the difference between killing defenseless babies in the womb and Bin Laden killing people who are alive to achieve his aim?

The dogmatic posts here are an affront to faith and to any notion of tolerance and charity.

Don't presume to tell others what a True Christian believes. You may have noticed that there is no universal understanding of what Christianity is even among the standard sects, much less in the world at large, where Christianity is a minority religion and always has been.

If you were truly a faith-holder, it should be enough that you believe something yourself, don't try to inflict your faith on others.

Do not underestimate the power of dogma - a specific tenet or doctrine. To Christians it represents the teachings of Jesus Christ. Far from being an affront to faith, it defines it. Despite our own Cloud of Unknowing, and in spite of our efforts to claim truth as our own invention, universal truth is found in the Logos inscripted in the Bible. Ask for wisdom and ye shall receive.

This is one of the most terrifying statements yet made:

They will know we are Obama's kind of Christians by our love.

Thanks, Luke, for pointing out just how dangerous it is for individuals to define their own faith.

As a Christian, I will follow the words of Christ. As whatever you are(Obamian?), you can follow the words of Obama. Unfortunately, you still will not be Christian if you reject the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Aghast, you are incorrect. ALL Christians, regardless of denominaiton, belive in a core set of tenets (Christian doctrine, Christ is God, Christ saved man) They disagree over prejudices fostered by 16th century European propaganda that linger to this day, and mere technicalities. However, you cannot find a Christian church that denies the basics about Jesus Christ. It is impossible, because to be Christian, you have to follow Christ.

It's not religion, it's not dogma, it's definition. The word Christian means follower of Christ, if you don't follow Christ, you can't be defined as Christian.

Freudian psychologists cannot, by definition, reject the teachings of Freud...when they do they change to something else (Jungian?) they redefine themselves, but they can no longer be Freudian.

You are continuing to fail in the argument category. Argue in context. Or have you figured it out yet that this is a non argument because it's definition by empirical evidence?

-Demablogue

As a Christian I am not allowed to judge a person. Period. That task is up to God. What Obama said in this interview, even if evasive and incomplete at times, made sense. Obama believes in the separation of church and state. He believes in choice, rights, freedom and equality. He has to manage his moral values, based on his Christian beliefs, with his civic values, based on his view of government. We do not live in a theocratic society, we live in a democracy - a republic, founded in the name of God, but not exclusive to one belief in God. "Freedom of religion" means just that, the good and the bad (in whose ever opinion you might choose). In "Freedom of speech", you have to tolerate the hateful words of the Klan as well as the angry outbursts of homosexuals. The Catholic Church and other fundamental ecclesial communities are at war, not with Obama, but with democracy. The challenge is in finding ways to cooperate and live together even though there may be many differences. I know in my hearts that as long as we are consumed solely on the symptoms of social degradation, like the so-called right to life issues: war, abortion, research, capital punishment, euthanasia, disease, famine or torture; then we will be doomed to fail because we are not focusing on the causes: loss of morals, decline in ethics, disintegration of the family, greed, avarice, or if you wish the seven deadly sins. It takes time to deal with the causes but that is our challenge and I think Obama knows this.

I feel in tune with Obama and most people who may have realized the purpose of religion may fee in tune with him.

To be religious is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; that is indeed the purpose of religion, any religion.

Oneness of God is also expressed as oneness of the creation, oneness of the humanity and oneness of the people.

The phrase like God is one; world is one express Unity of the universe referred to as numerical number “one”. It is a large embrace of diverse people to live together without conflict, when you do that, you have embraced them all and a sense of oneness surfaces. A conflictless world is one.

If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge; peaceful co-existence.

One may wonder how each group praises the lord, to many it remains a myth as they are afraid to explore the truth; they have a sneaky suspicion that other ways of praising the divine is as legitimate as their own and erroneously believe that it would amount to infidelity to their own faith.

The guardians of the faith have a vested interest in promoting the idea that their faith is the best, and others are deficient, or even inferior or illegitimate. This protects their interests, but spiritually they are wrong, a majority of the people believe otherwise, they simply want to get along with others and do not believe for a moment that, their good friends who follow another faith will not receive God’s grace, they instinctively know that God will not cheat them.

When my daughter Mina was little, I took her and her brother Jeff to every place of worship… and then I would share the essence of what they pray or sing…One day, Mina’s excitement floored me; she exclaimed “Gee dad, it is cool that God can be worshipped in so many different ways.” Indeed, each way is beautiful to the believer. Like they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I would say “faith is in the heart of the believer”.

To be spiritual is to live in humility. Arrogance and spirituality are mutually exclusive or inversely proportional to each other; the greater the arrogance, lower the spirituality and vice versa. Claiming a faith to be superior is sheer arrogance as it knocks the humility and spirituality out, indeed, it is the source of conflict and puts one on missionizing exercises.

The goodness of one's faith does not hinge on the perceived or propagandized badness of other faiths, each faith is good and beautiful to the believer. When we can get to the point of appreciating every faith, it brings liberation to you from the binding emotions, and you achieve Nirvana, Moksha, Mukti, Nijaat or Salvation.

Mike Ghouse
www.Foundationforpluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.MikeGhouse.net

Turquoise, the key is to look at the Freedom of Choice act and Obama's pledge to sign it into law as "the first bill [he] signs into law"

This quote is from BarackObama.com I'll let him speak for himself:

"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president."

From Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Choice_Act)

"The Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 1964/S. 1173) is a bill in the United States Congress which, if enacted, would abolish all restrictions and limitations on the right of women in the United States to have an abortion prior to fetal viability, whether at the State or Federal level."

And here's a transcript of the bill from the Library of congress:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.2020:

This is as nice a manner as I can provide. I won't lecture on the contents of the Bill. I've linked to the bill, and provided Barack Obama's own words to describe it. The rest is up to you.

Demablogue

LIKE THE POPE SAID there wolfs in sheeps clothing__ it take a more then smart answers__ his actions will speak louder then words__

Links to Barack Obama's votes on IL's Born Alive Infant Protection Act

http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/02/links_to_barack.html

This interview with Obama comes in full text to us, only AFTER the election. If you are indeed open to alternative trains of thought, (as I have surmised from reading this board), this alone should raise your antennaes about his religious views, as well as his political aspirations.

Many people state religion and politics should be kept separate - and to a great extent, I agree. But it is a reality that anyone's views on religion, certainly enter in varying measures (depending on the extent of their religion and spirituality) into many areas of their life and their world views. I have to wonder why it is that this candid interview about his universalist views was not available in its full entirety, until now, after the election.

It appears to me that it was not made available, because it quite simply, would have turned off many conservative and moderate voters. And since he needed those votes, this candid interview was not fully available to the public. I am not certain whether it was the interviewer's decision, and/or Obama's, to not make the full extent of his spiritual views fully known until now - but whether it was him and/or the interviewer, I have to seriously question how religious or spiritual the person(s) are, who withheld this information.

Because you see, that is not only withholding with an underlying motive to covertly manipulate, it also smacks of deceit ... and I have yet to find any religion and/or spirituality, which upholds non-disclosure and/or deceit, as virtues.

It is true that Obama eluded to some of this in his election campaign, (so I am not completely surprised), however, he held out just how deep his universalist views really were. If he had a part in withholding the full extent of this interview until now, then I have great trouble with agreeing that he follows an internal moral compass.

Calling his views Christian, is not scripturally correct, as Christian tenets come from the Bible. It is impossible to embrace other religions, and also follow God and have that be a belief of Christianity, as Obama and many posters on this board, allege. Here's a bit of scripture on that: "I am the Lord your God, and there shall be no other Gods before me". And "you shall love thy God with all your heart, with all your mind and all your soul", and adds that this "Is the greatest commandment of all".

There is nowhere in the Christian bible where it even eludes to following other Gods and other religions, and/or being amenable to these, as being Christianity. And if you want to talk about Jesus, it is well-illustrated in the Bible that there were many in those times, following other religions, idols and false gods, and Jesus in no way welcomed or embraced these other religions or gods. Understanding that others are different than you, yes - for Jesus loved everyone (including those who treated him horribly) - but welcoming other religions with open arms like Obama does and believing that it is acceptable, no - that was not Jesus, and it is not God.

As for the paths that one poster talked about, and how it is okay to follow whatever spiritual path you wish (I remember Oprah claiming this, also), that doesn't follow Christianity, either - this is what Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life", John 14:6; and another scripture, that there is "only one way to get to the Father (God), through me (Jesus)". You can't get to Jesus, nor to God, if you embrace anything other than Christianity, or go down some other road or path. I'm sorry, but there is no other way.

It is that black-and-white and I hasten to say it, because so many people are led into the gray - and I realize that large mass of gray is very, very inviting - but this is scripturally true in Christianity, and it is very clear.

I did appreciate reading the full text of the interview, but sadly, it confirms that Obama does not understand Christianity.

I appreciate that people say not to judge Obama, but it seems sad to me that so many judge him in the same breath.

I find his words to be the most uniting, the most understanding of all faiths etc, of anyone I've ever heard speaking politically. I think that takes a great man and a great mind.

I think you would be hard pressed to find any Christian today who actually closely follows the scriptures and doesn't invent their own personal version of a personal God even going so far as to intentionally ignore whole uncomfortable swaths of scripture.

Faith is between a man and his god, a matter of personal conscience and I applaud Barack for being such a fine illustration of a faith that can be a uniting and not a dividing force in life.

Having been a Christian and a youth minister for decades, I applaud his courage to speak frankly about his personal faith, whether or not it would have self righteous Christians judging him for not being Christian enough. I thank heaven he's not the type of Christian many commenters here seem to be.

We should all be hoping and praying for the best from Obama in the coming years that our country might reap the rewards of such a bright, knowledgeable, charismatic and ambitious man leading us out of the dark times of the past 8 years. We should hope that he can rekindle the spirit of pride in this country, not only in some of the people here at home... but throughout the world. The world wants back the America it knew and loved and that is simply something we have not been as of late.

Bravo Barack Obama. Bravo.

Let's be clear about one thing: Barrack Obama does not subscribe to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and hence, is not a Christian. His views as gleaned from this interview are pluralistic in nature, embracing the "all roads, faiths, and religions ultimately lead to God" philosophy. In telling us he is a Christian, while at the same time downsizing Christ as a great teacher (and not God Incarnate), he leaves us no choice but to doubt his avowed Christian faith. As a Chrsitian, I can give Obama great latitude in his spiritual search for the truth, but there comes a time when I must separate truth from fiction. If indeed he has yet to find his faith - however defined - it is deceptive for him to claim the Chrsitian faith. This interview, along with the one at Saddleback (where he said the issue of abortion was above his pay grade) - reveals a man unable to categorically tell us exactly what he believes. With regard to abortion, it certainly wasn't above his pay grade to heartily support complex pro-abortion legislation time and time again. I am not so naive as to not realize that political posturing on the question of his faith was part and parcel of his presidential campaign. But we should not be fooled into thinking that, given this interview and the one at Saddleback, Obama believes that Christ is God, or that his faith is firmly grounded in the Chrsitian religion. I respect those with postings here that believe Obama's all-inclusiveness agenda will greatly help in mending this country's and this world's woes. Or that his election as President offers hope for a better future ahead. Those postings that defend Obama's pluralistic spiritual worldviews seem heartened that, finally, here is a leader who will be tolerant of all religious viewpoints, making for a better world where, absent partisan religious bickering, problems can finally be solved and we can live in a more peaceful world. To those I say the following: Never in the history of the world has "man" been able to bring about peace. Why? Because he is simply "man", who has sinned against God, and has lost his relationship with Him. Here is where Christianity and belief in Chrsit makes its profound impact. Chrsitians and non-Christians alike need only ask for forgiveness of sins and the connection with God is re-established. This is the power of God, through his Holy Spririt, enabling us once again to be in unision with Him. This is Christ's teachings. This is God's promise for those who believe. As a Chrsitian, I can attest to this God-power. I am not ashamed to dismiss the claims of other religions, to defend my own, nor do I struggle with the question of Absolute Truth. Religious pluralism is for those who continue the seach but have not yet found, who believe that man alone can solve the world's problems (mankind has yet do come close), and who believe more in the power of self than the power of God. Yet, I am not close-minded to those with different religious views. I respect the fact that they are seekers and, as a whole, aim to do good. There IS an answer. There IS a Truth. In large part, Obama seems to have won over those who profess allegiance to man rather than allegiance to God. Given his pronouncements, or lack thereof, I am one who does not put much faith in him. Why proclaim Christianity when his spiritual/religious worldview goes against its very tenets? We as Chrsitians are not deceived, and it is my hope that in the months and years ahead, the spiritual Obama will speak the truth. In today's world, when we seek more than ever to address the ever mounting problems of society, it is too easy to place blind faith on someone who inspires us, who tells us that change and renewed hope is coming. Let us not get too far ahead of the game. The truth shall set us free indeed. But whose truth are we more prepared to follow?

Just read the George ? comment. I am a stronger atheist for it. Thanks George.

The problem with George's possition and post is that he doesn't realize that he is not making claims for what he calls "Absolute truth," so much as he is making claims to be an absolute vessel. He is not claiming that his religion is perfect, so much as he is claiming that HIS articulation and HIS interpretation of it are perfect. This is nothing new in history, and it comes not from the perfection of his religion, but the perfection of his VANITY!____Compare:__"Lord,I thank you that I am not a sinner as other men are!"__With:__"Lord, be merciful unto me, a sinner!"____.... and you will begin to see the error of George's approach to religion.__

He was not hearing voices,Mr Your Name! "Internal monologue" is a literary term used over and over again by intellectuals like himself. It was first used by a writer called James Joyce who used the device in his book, "Ulysses". The addition of the word "dialogue" is again not original, but many commentators add that on to indicate the format which such a monologue usually takes.

Dear Mr/Ms "Your Name",____Really?! This is the best criticism you can come up with? Clearly your mission in commenting is to denegrate Obama in any way you can find, but your remarks are such a reach, I'm stunned that you're not falling all over yourself (maybe you do/are). ____Disgraceful!____"But the most disturbing thing in this interview is that Barack Obama hears an AUDIBLE VOICE guiding him. Besides the fact that if Sarah Palin had said that, she'd be thrown in a loony bin, this is extremely frightening to me because, if that AUDIBLE VOICE is not the voice of God -- and of course it's not ..."

I know that saying "everyone else does it" doesn't make it right, but take this posting from above:

"What is the difference between killing defenseless babies in the womb and Bin Laden killing people who are alive to achieve his aim?"

In place of Bin Laden you can insert the name of any US President that has claimed to be a Christian. I know the whole "Thou Shalt Not Kill" thing was in the Old Testament, but I can't be the only Christian that thinks it's also part of Jesus' teachings.

We expect, no, demand, that our President make the tough decision to order people to die and to kill. That would appear to be rather un-Christian.

It seems that we long ago decided that Christian love has no place in the White House, and we expect the President to be a Christian in name only.

George says that:__"Never in the history of the world has "man" been able to bring about peace."____Unfortunately, it would appear that neither has _____(non-man).____So much blood has been spilled in the name of God (and perhaps at God's direction - but, oh, how I hope that is not the case - but who am I to know).____And brisonc now suggests that Bush lived out Christ's command through killing.____I must be some kind of intolerant, dogmatic Christian because I cannot for the life of me comprehend how one reads the Gospel and comes to the conclusion that Jesus wants us to kill other people. ____Are they not children of God, no matter how lost or sinful? I, too, am lost and sinful. I guess I'm just lucky that my sins are more palatable to you, or you might see fit to kill me in Jesus' name as well.

Turquoise,

Thanks for the link, but let me point out two things. The link you provided is in reference to the Born Alive act. It also fails to refute the FACT that Obama voted against the bill in one instance, and present in another. The website attempts to justify his votes, but the voting record is still fact.

Two, I gave you Barack Obama's words about the Freedom of Choice Act. His words, not someone else, not a third party source. His goal is to preserve Roe vs Wade (as stated in the townhall debate with McCain) This is also stated on his website.

As abysmally small as his voting record is, it's 100% pro-(abortion)choice. You asked for sources, I gave them to you.

-Demablogue

thanks for bringing this interview forward at this time. obama doesn't talk much about his faith publicly (thank god for that), so it is wonderful to get this insight into his views. the fact that this interview was held long before the presidential race began make it, in my opinion, even more valuable. no one can accuse him of posturing or playing to the grandstand, because he didn't have this grandstand back then.

Dear Walker,____What absurdity. Bible is written by Humans with all their faults intact. If you read all the scriptures, only 2 of the religions have this dogma " You can reach God only thru Me". That's christianity and Islam. And this particular statement has been the cause of all religious wars. Before these religions came into this world, there was no war faught on the basis of religion. I am a christian and by reading Hinduism I clearly understand what Jesus meant. Hinduism says" All paths to reach God are true and wise men know it by different names". Jesus wanted His followers to be not wavering in their belief. That's why this statement from him. Lord Sri Krishna who lived 3000 years before Jesus Christ said the same lines in Bhagavad Gita. But He never said about rotting in hell if you do not follow. His message are one of love, compassion and the true way to attain God. No threats, no compulsions, no dogmas, no apostles' talking about hear-say 60 years after Jesus died. Got it??? Be open minded and all the ills of the world will vanish and there will be heaven on earth.

Very enlightening interview. This man is not Christian and does not confess Christ. The man says he has read the Bible but clearly is either lying or did not understand what he read. He, like millions of others in this country, have devised their own personal god and named him 'MY'.

Terrific! This is the kind of President we need in a diverse world. To the "real Christians": I should shudder at the idea of a President who honestly thinks that belief in Jesus is the single most important thing for everyone. Let's focus on feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and protecting the weak

Very reasonable, for a religionist. Nothing extreme. That's why I voted for him. I've never had the opportunity to vote for someone who ISN'T a religionist, much to my chagrin. Therefore, I'm forever simply choosing whichever seems the most reasonable, rational religionist. Cheers.

I was disappointed in some of his answers. Basically, in Obama's view of spirituality, the cross is essentially worthless. Why would we even need Jesus, if all it took for us to get to God was to "be a good person".

I also found his defintion of sin quite telling. Sin has nothing to do with my values. It is defined by what God values.

To everyone on here saying that we shouldn't be analyzing Barack Obama's faith, or criticizing him on theology or whatever other nonsense non-defense you can conceive, I say this.

No one on here is saying what Barack Obama SHOULD be. The person who brought religion, faith, and semantics into the debate is Barack Obama. By claiming to be a Christian, you open yourself up to scrutiny from other Christians.

If Barack Obama said he was anything other than Christian, people would be having the same discussion in different context.

Here's a scenario:

Barack Obama says, "I'm an atheist."

Interviewer, "So you believe in a humanistic approach based on compassions for others to relieve suffering on earth."

Barack Obama responds, "Pretty much, except I listen to the voice of almighty God for direction, because my own voice is inadequate."

Interviewer, "really? I thought you would derive your value system from the core ideals of atheism, self reliance and humanism?"

Barack Obama, "that's what I said, I am a teacher, a bridge to the core of humans, but I can't have all the answers. I must recognize that God is in control."

Thus I conclude my Bizarro version of this same conversation. He claims to be atheist, but then adheres to tenets of other faiths instead. It's the exact same argument. If you claim to be a Christian to win votes (let's face it) then be a Christian.

If you aren't Christian, who cares? Be honest about it. Being non-Christian doesn't mean he's going to axe-murder the White House staff. A president should have the integrity, and the courage, and the actual understanding of his spirituality. Barack Obama has demonstrated none of that simply because he decided to frame it as "Christian" to win votes.

He could have simply said he was deeply spiritual, and believed in God, but wasn't sure if man could adequately contain God in such restrictive terms as Christianity. At LEAST he would be honest then.

He framed the argument, he's still not a Christian, he's a liar at worst, he's ignorant of Christianity at best.

-Demablogue

It would have been far more helpful to the American voting public if this article had been released IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE the election, yes? You're a bit too late Cathleen....Why didn't you do this week ago??????

Interesting article. As an atheist, Sen. Obama's belief system is one I can appreciate. It is encouraging to see how many believers find his beliefs to be in accordance with their own.

To all the you True Christians (tm) posting on this thread, your posts demonstrate the perniciousness of overly dogmatic belief systems much better than anything someone like me could. Keep up the good work!

I wish everyone who thinks he is a Muslim would read this. I personaly don't have anything against the Muslim religion, but a lot of Americans immediatley think "terrorist" when they hear the world Muslim.

Re: Last post. I would say almost everyone here agrees with you on this. The debate centers on the veracity's of Obama's claim to be Chrsitian when all indications by his own words says he is not. If he is not - fine. Just don't claaim to be for poltical expediency.

President-elect Obama should reconsider his definition of sin. For him, sin is, "being out of alignment with my values." Since I'm pro-life, I'm in alignment with my values when I oppose the Freedom of Choice Act. Say that after the Freedom of Choice Act becomes a law, it forbids pro-lifers to publicly protest abortion. If I need to protest abortion to be in alignment with my pro-life values, then by Mr. Obama's definition of sin, to be in alignment with those values, I need to sin. Maybe sin is being out of alignment with God's values. If that's what sin is, and if my values are out of alignment with His values, I need to change my values to align them with His values.

I'm sorry, friends. I made a mistake in my previous note. My point was that by Obama's definition of sin, to obey the Freedom of Choice Act after it becomes a law, I'll need to be out of alignment with my values. By Obama's definition of sin, to obey the Freedom of Choice "law," I'll need to sin. But if a law requires me to sin, that law is immoral, isn't it? I believe that we sin when our behavior is out of alignment with God's values. So I need to value what he values, and he values the lives of unborn babies.

He is sensible only to the beguiled.

Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are FEROCIOUS WOLVES. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise evry good tree bears a good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and A Bad TREE CANNOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT. 19. Every tree that does not bear good truit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20.Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.____30. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord,Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'____above is from Matthew 7:15-23____Freedom of Choice Act is a bad fruit.____very bad fruit. stink fruit. obama is on utube saying to planned parenthood, the national abortion clinic: "the first thing i'd do as president is to sign the freedom of choice act." obama's "economic development" and "job security" for evil abortionists at the expense of babies, and women and fathers who would want to KEEP their babies. "the blood of the children"____where is it in the BIBLE about "the blood of the children" run across the nation? GOD doesn't put up with that. God HATES sacrificing children.

Obama is not a true Christian? Great! Thank God for secular government.

As much as I disagree with Christians fundamentalists, I think they have so-called "spiritual" Christians by the theological short and curlies. Come on people, you either believe the Bible is of divine origin or you do not. If what it says is true, most humans are going to Hell when they die. This includes Obama, non-Christians, liberal "Christians," and evil nonbelievers like me.

Yes, Jesus said some nice things, but you don't need to believe he was God in order to embrace his message of compassion and nonviolence. Besides, that's not all Jesus preached. Jesus was NOT a Universalist. Read the Bible! Read about the vipers, the goats and the sheep, the worm, the darkness, the firey furnace, the wide gate to death and destruction, etc. It is a distusting worldview, in my opinion, but that is what it says.

Yes, it is comforting to believe there is a loving Father looking after you, but when you get rid of the wrath and fury of God, whose name is Jealous, it is no longer Christianity that you practice.

Be honest, spiritual ones. Read Genesis and ask yourself if you really believe that stuff happened. Read Revelation and ask yourself if you really believe that stuff is going to happen. See if you really want to call yourself a Christian. I certainly do not. But if you still do, that's fine. In America, you have the freedom to believe in anthing you want, and worhip in anyway you want! That's why this counrty is so great! Even this heathen can see how much of a blessing that is.

George,

We both agree that people should be honest about what they believe. If one believes in universalism, why call oneself a Christian? I suspect most moderate Christians (or liberal or spiritual or whatever you may call them) simply do not know what the faith is all about. I would suggest they take the next logical step and get rid of the Christian label. Of course, this is going to go right over most people's heads. To be Christian is the norm in this counrty. People don't even think about it.

As for the rest of your comments, I appreciate the sincere and respectful tone. I do disagree with most of what you say though. I suggest that people read Genesis to see how myth-like it is, the age of the earth question did not actually occur to me. The age of Adam is what I would point people to. And the flood story is one of my favorites.

Recruiting Einstein as a Christian apologist is an unfair move, I think. I'm no scientist, but I have read some of his writings on religion. He did not believe in a personal God. There are some brillant scientists who are Christians (Francis Collins, for example), but Einstein was not one of them. And no, I'm pretty sure most physicists do not believe the earth is both 6,000 and 15 billion years old. But once again, I'm no scientist.

You incorrectly stated that the Bible's position is "that sinners (non-Christians) will fry in hell for all eternity." Sinner does not mean non-Christian. If it did, it would mean no one would be saved! No, the Bible says all humans are sinners. There are sinners who beleive in Christ, and thus are forgiven and saved, and there are sinners those who do not believe, and thus are condemned. But I'm sure you knew that already. I'm just pointing it out because many Christians seem to forget it.

The modern "separation from God" view of Hell- I didn't realize you were Catholic, ha ha. No, I would guess you are Born Again. I will further predict that you read alot of C.S. Lewis! There are some truly brillant Christian apologists/philosophers (I personally love Kierkegaard, and William Lane Craig can be very eloquent sometimes), but C.S. Lewis is not one of them. Hell in the Bible is clearly the experience of God's wrath and fury, the separation metaphor is quite a stretch.

Getting back to Obama- his Christianity may be lukewarm to some, laughable to others, but his message of tolerance is what is important. We should all stand together in support of religious freedom, and be thankful we live in a counrty where religion can flourish without government intervention, and citizens do not have to pay taxes for a State Church.

Wow, I have read all the proceeding comments and I am more than just a little overwhelmed. The deep convictions and enlightenment are all inspiring opinions based on limited knowledge. Please I don't presume to know the complete or even partial mind of God, however, I can only imagine the thoughts of the Son of God as he prepares for this next hour and reading your comments... "What?" ____I love pietas and bias but there is no time for such things. __Some of you will hear and some will not.

What a great interview. He was totally open and thoughtful, something we rarely allow politicians to be without paying a heavy price. He's obviously a very intelligent and deep person. I'm so very glad he's our president. I could care less if he passes the Christian test

The Bible is God's word. It is what He says about Himself and about man. Obama's read the Bible, but he doesn't believe it. The definition of Christian faith is believing God. Obama doesn't believe the Bible; he doesn't believe God. The Bible says nothing about many paths to the same place; it says no one comes to the Father except by Jesus. Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. The Bible doesn't say that all go to heaven. It says that God is sin is punished. The only way to escape that punishment is by placing your faith in Christ's redemption of those sins (not by placing faith in your own values, whatever that means). The Bible says that Christ bore the wrath and judgment due us; that by faith in Him we are saved.

Obama does not believe the Bible at what it plainly says. He doesn't believe the gospel. By definition, he cannot be a Christian. That's the plain truth.

It doesn't change the fact that we ought to pray for him, nor does it change the fact that he's really not all that different from presidents past. But this interview sheds light on where he is spiritually. He's lost. His religion is nothing more than his own opinion and experiences; it has nothing to do with Christ.

If this was a statement of faith by a baptismal candidate, I would advise re-reading the book of John, offer personal tutoring and fellowship,and advise waiting until the faith was clearer before moving forward. This is the testimony of a nice fellow, but not a committed Christian. Too often he leans on his own values and his own deeds instead of on the Lord's.

"I'm always stuck by how much common sense the American people have. They get confused sometimes, watch FoxNews or listen to talk radio. That's dangerous sometimes. "
i think that's my favorite quote...everything else is just depressing

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought" Basho

Belief is not experience, the path is not the goal. I am very comfortable with Obama's use of Christianity.

Your Name: I don't believe that being a Christian is required to run a government. Many would say that George Bush is a born again believer (to be honest, I have no idea). If he is, then he is proof that a born again believer can screw up the country just as well as an atheist. I know a lot of great Christians that I wouldn't vote to become mayor, much less president. In the same way I know a lot of non-Christians that would do a great job at such executive roles. Christ didn't preach political revolution, he preached a revolution of the soul. Therefore I think it is pretty naive to base a vote on who you think is the best Christian. I wouldn't say that McCain's testimony is all that strong either, he just happens to be a Republican, so I am not sure who you voted for :)

Lets face it he is a universalist and any attempt to do say otherwise is a lie. All politicians lie about their resume and character. Lets not kid ourselves. All of us do as well. It is just clear that after a personal conversation with Obama regarding faith you know that He is not a Christian. I mean he has no concept of true Christian faith. If you cast a broad enough net out there you will catch all the fish. that is simply what he has done.

Isn't it nice to hear an intelligent person like Obama articulate the American concept that both believers and freethinkers are welcomed in our nation?

Sounds like a secular humanist to me... using christian contextual vocabulary since 1. this is his cultural background 2. political expediency requires it. If Christianity could morph itself into what he describes I would not oppose it so stongly. So, for now, as a Secular Humanist / post-theist American, I can forgive him for his "Christianity". __PS: Check out a new ad on busses in Washington, DC: www.whybelieveinagod.org

Secularization would simple be the absence of religion... or at leaset its slow retreat in the political sphere. Less of "God bless America" at the end of every political speech. Less influence by religious leaders on political policies, Less pandering to the religious right, less budget for the Office of Faith Based Initiatives. More money for Science education, the office of Science and Technology. More science used to make policy decisions. ____See Obama's speech on religion at You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Kh-xzerjE

That's a possible problem here. His alledged inclusionary vision of society may very well come with strings (laws) attached. Given the secularization of society as a whole, Obama is in a position to quell religion as we know it!

Obama's views are very much in line with the church he belongs to, the United Church of Christ. His comments represent a wonderful trend in christianity. I am someone who was born in a very fundamentalist church in which judgements were constantly hurled in every direction. It was such a spiritually depressing and hurtful environment for me. I rebelled and rejected christianity for many years before re-reading the bible and realizing that there was nothing Jesus warned of more than judgement and intolerance. I find that most churches have long mangled god's message to suit their purpose. Gods words are there for everyone to read and the scriptures are living, meaning that you must read and re-read them yourself and pray and come up with your own version of what is right. If you just follow a set of rules provided by your church that is totally missing the point. The bible says that Gods laws are written in the hearts of all men. I truly believe this and it's why I don't require that someone else become christian to believe they will be rewarded in heaven. I also don't believe that church leaders are any more inspired in their reading of the bible than any ordinary man. Or that the boy in a village in africa cannot know of Jesus' love if he has never read the bible. That's the whole point - God's law is the truth and there is no escaping it. Everytime you are aligned with God's law you will feel him. That's what Obama is saying. And no one else can tell you exactly how to get to that place, even the bible does not tell you exactly what to do. You must ask God for guidance and then LISTEN, that's the most important part. Christians need to realize that dogma is the enemy. The bible says "there is no one Good but him... and that there is not one that is worthy". So let's get our off our high horses and remember how little we know and how small we are compared to God. We must consistantly pray and ask for God's guidance in every aspect of our lives. We pray that every moment, our actions are aligned with God's truths, but we can never claim to know how God might judge us or another. It's dangerously arrogant and blasphemous to believe that.

Your Name (1)
Perhaps religion as we know it is something that needs to be quelled?

Re: Previous post: very well said. The only thing I would add is that in addition to "The only way to "know" God is to listen to His word, which is Holy Scripture, the Bible", we also come to know Him in our hearts and in the subtleties of veryday life wherein He speaks to your heart, making us understand things that we might otherwise miss.

Great discussion everyone, and for the most part very sincere and without condescension. Nicely done.

I just want to offer that as a Christian, I have never felt it was about getting "God's man into the White House." Jesus entirely ignored the political events of his time, because God's goal is not to establish Christian government, it is to redeem the human race and bring us back into relationship with Himself.

To my knowledge, Church and State together has never been a good thing, so why strive for it in the half-measure of wanting the president to follow Jesus? In China the government is ruthlessly athiest, and weekly I hear stories of how the Chinese church is exploding in secret house churches all over the country. Faith thrives under hardship and falls asleep when generally culturally accepted.

You know the Chinese Church has been praying for years that Christians in the U.S. would come under hardship and struggle? Hardship wakes us up. The economy is tough right now, there are serious problems all around, the question is: are we looking to Jesus or Obama as our saviour?

Obama could be intelligently universal about his faith to gain the widest appeal. He could also very easily be the product of a cultural christianity that forgets Jesus said He was the one and only way. I'm not sure. But Obama will hopefully do a good job being a tolerant president that governs for the entire nation, no matter what their belief. Christians won't be locked up for not being pluralists, I will be able to debate and discuss and show people the love of God without worry. America is still a great place to live.

To summarize, I like Obama, regardless of whether his faith conforms to mine. As individual yes, I want him to know Jesus truly and follow him. But I do not require it of my president.

Ultimately, I don't believe that wanting the U.S. to be a Christian Nation with a Christian President is biblical or desirable. Faith can't be legislated. Jesus doesn't work from the top down, He works from the inside out. No government is even remotely near the center of Christ's focus, loving each and every human heart is.

In Obama's defense, which I never thought I'd be doing, Phil 4:8 says that we can and should find inspiration in other things in addition to the bible. Also, while I believe that no "truth" can contradict the Bible, I do believe that a person can learn about God simply by having his Spirit's guidance. If thats their only influence then their beliefs are going to be culturally influenced, but if they have Jesus as Savior and Lord than on some level they have truth. Paul, only having the OT, learned from Jesus without having any instruction from others. I believe that because the bible says Jesus is the only way that we should put our faith in this and act as if this is true, but I'm sure we will all be surprized on who we'll see in Heaven someday. And as to those who think we should oppose Obama, hes elected God to be his judge... we should follow Jesus' advice in Mark 9:38-41. And Jesus even advocated following the Pharisee's teaching as long as you didn't imitate their actions... give thanks for what good Obama brings and be aware that he is just a man and you'll go fine.

Great interview, disheartening comments as usual. I'd like to ofer that as God Incarnate myself, my brother Jesus would like you all to take him off the pedestal as some sacrifice for our sins. And no, I'm not being biblical, because the Bible is just a book of wisdom, not the Word of God. And yet, just like Jesus, the Father and I are One and our love for you is eternal and unconditional. I love you because Love is Who I AM. When you wake up to this truth, you can come to know Jesus as a reflection of our own Christness, not some otherworldly incarnation of God in a profane world. Your faith, sadly, blinds you to your Truth. Burn the bible, take Jesus down from the cross, and open your heart to the one and only thing that matters: Love and Compassion. Obama's intuition is taking him down this path and that is a wonderful thing.

Now, to prove my point, if what I just said upsets and offends you, why is that? Why should anything matter about what I say or do other than whether I love you and treat you with compassion. It doesn't, but your certainty in your faith has shacked you to one way of knowing good--whichever way you interpret your scripture of choice. God is great. God is infinite. And God is beyond the limits of your petty faith. If you could only truly see... but that would take an open mind and heart, and the willingness to educate oneself about such things as the historical Jesus, biblical exegesis, and world relgions. Are you willing to do this at risk of learning you are wrong about the big answers to life?

Your posts are all too sad...

I find this fascinating. Absolutely astounding that our clergy was either hushed or ignorant to this. If that had been a GOP he would have been dragged thru hell in public. Pitiful that the church cares more about tax free status than they do truth. Sickening that USA has lost it's moral compass. Because Obama's moral compass is obviously as fake as he is.

....so it would appear that he is in fact not born again at all.

If you need to know if Obama is REALLY an American citizen...go read The William Holmes Blog. There is proof, including his birth records there.

Oh and another thing...Obama is wrong anyway, as God did give room for
all others to be saved, as it is written in Acts 11:16..."John Baptized with
water, but you will be Baptized with The Holy Spirit." In that regards all that believe
in their God, in and of which is all our God and their God is a Ghost or Spirit, of course...Can be Baptized with The Holy Ghost and who is it that thinks they can oppose God, as it says in the Bible?

My mission from God is to one day soon prove to the whole world that we all
are a Living Ghost, as only I can and will because I believe also that these are our last days as we know them to be...the signs are all around us that it is.

Ron D. A Quantum Fundamental Spirit Force of The Great Fundamental Spirit Force = God on high, as the God of all.

PS...Must not have read his Bible as good as he thought he might have.

Since when is it a bad thing to express your own religious beliefs and values while still respecting the beliefs and values of others? I don't think Obama's religious views are jumbled at all; I think he's right on target. He clearly understands his own beliefs as something not to be ashamed of but to act on in a manner that both reflects what he holds close to himself as morally important to him, but also tolerates, understands, and respects others to have different religious beliefs that they hold just as dear to themselves. Obama is both unafraid to voice his views and also willing to listen and understand the views of others. He also isn't going to let his own, PERSONAL views affect his politics in any way other than to stand up for what he thinks is right; for example, unlike Bush, he won't try to make laws out of his beliefs or try to apply his religion to everyone who lives in the United States by trying to ban gay marriage or illegalize abortion. Bush takes his religious views and assumes that everyone else should think and believe exactly what Bush thinks and believes. Obama, on the other hand, believes something, but lets others believe what they believe in return. It's very refreshing that we have elected someone who can understand how to RELATE his own values and beliefs to his job, to this country, to his decision-making process without just APPLYING his values and beliefs to his job, to this country, to his decision-making process.

Anybody who can say anything less or more when nobody knows is at a loss?

SAY WHAT? That's exactly what evil wants you to think or ANYONE else.
You know and EVERYONE KNOWS what is right and what is wrong and if you
believe that you don't...you believe only what evil wants you to believe,
as it misleads you, creates doubt within you and misleads you to think
somehow you don't know...YEAH RIGHT! Look all around you and you can see
and hear evil everywhere, as people claim they don't know what's right
and what's wrong. When are we going to take a stand for what's right and
what's good and not act like we don't know? Give me a break!

I tell you the truth...Obama is and will be The Antichrist as he will turn
this world into a one banking system and New World Order. First thing
to look for is when he attacks Pakistan, as it seems he can't wait till he starts
his own war and then WW3 Armageddon...Mark my Words!

Florida WINS SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME in College Football and Tim Tebow,
Florida Gators QB...Says, "ALL THANKS TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS
CHRIST...and again on Nation TV "May God Bless!" as he is up for The
Heisman Trophy and looks like a shoe in. His mother and father are
Missionaries in Bangladesh, as the announcers reported that too on
National TV. This means more for our young adults, as to have faith
and believe in ones self...more than any other thing in modern times
could ever do....that is, as to all the vile things that are on TV
nowadays. All Glory be to God on high!

Just thought I would mention that and it is truly a great thing for
a Super Star in College Football to announce before all...his Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ron The Baptist, and A Quantum Fundamental Spirit Force in and of all
Nature, as He that is in me...it is I that is in Him! Believe!

Hey! I know...why not tell them what we did to the Indians when we came
here too and what was Columbus really looking for...maybe opium. Or how about
what the Brits did to China and their people when THEY DECIDED TO END THE SHIPMENTS
OF OPIUM and because the Brits didn't like that they started a war with them.

How about we just all lay down and take everything for granted as good for us all.

How about you maybe post your name or maybe you can tell us about what really happened
on 9-11? Sheesh guy I don't know where I would be without your so good advice.

Oh and how about you tell us all about Nixon and how of such a good guy he was too.

Or you could tell us all about the United States that wants to combine all 3 of North America as one and our next dollar will be called Amera-euro. You know...just like what Europe did and are now have the Euro's instead of The Pound and are called The European Union.

Yeah big man or whatever...tell us what is what and why and how we need to shut up.and just lay down and take it, as we have over and over again and again and again...since they started wars and the children couldn't wait to join the Army that killed their grandparents and bring home good money and wear them mighty fine medals. lol

NAH...I think I will keep my free speech.

The Bible defines sin succinctly in 1 John 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of the law.".

Dear Interviewer Did you have any such interview with so called reformed Christian Bush whose Charisma in action shows purely a devil. If you had any such interview with Bush, kindly let me know so that I would like to see how devils ont only claim themselves christians but prove themselves Chritians also.

Torin, on the 28th of November 2008: You mde an outstandingly marvellous comment! I agree with you 100%.

This is for all the true bilievers that knows what God has set forth, no man can change but only enhance it. With that spoken... their are many people who will seek there own agendas outside of the ability of a man who was blessed by God to assist this nation. It is history, you nor I can change..... I do believe that with this Great change America has "asked for forgiveness" in the many evils it has conducted over the past few centuries. No president has ever done that, Why? We must understand when there is are peole who dislikes of another person because of his/her or your beliefs are not christians. It's sad that we call ourselves christian when there's a hidden agenda...again, why?? Our Religion is our personal beliefs and not one that we shoud tag to a person as we were before asking forgivness ourselves and we still are sinners and none are perfect here on earth...As once stated" He who without sin, cast the first stone, president Obama has worked harder in 60 days than most had done their first year. I pray to God everyday that he gives him the strength to lead us out of this failure we are in and cast out the many ill wills who come aginst him and will use not their support but their desires and personal feelings to attempt to stop what God has put in place....We all have to be accountable at one or another... and what if you are wrong. May God have mercy on your soul...

Judging from the interview, Obama seems to be a person of faith but keeps his faith subordinate to reason. The more people of faith who followed his example, the more tolerant our world would be.

Obama's heart is seeking ultimate tolerance, love & peace, but not ultimate Truth. The previous comments made about thinking you know something about biology, or the like, but you don't go back and research the "studied standard" to get factual knowledge; or thinking you're a professional ballerina if you watch a performance and appreciate it's beauty, but you don't immerse yourself in the dance or study it in classes are good examples of how many people, including Obama seem to think they're Christian. It all depends on WHO your "Source of Truth" is. Sin is NOT about veering away from our values; Sin is about going against God and HIS values. The only nation who had a personal relationship totally with God and the only people who were totally governed by a theocracy (in difference to a monarchy or dictatorship, etc.) were the Israel nation of the Jewish people. And all their teachings of sacrifice & blessings and their history of prophesies & lineage as written for us in the Old Testament, all point to the Christ Jesus as the only True Son of God and Savior of the world. He became the ultimate and final "Sacrificial Lamb" substituting for us and taking all the punishment that we should be bearing for our sins and suffered & died in our place. THAT is the ultimate Truth and act of Love. All we need to do is acknowledge the Truth that we are sinners and have sinned,then come to the Cross of Jesus, accepting His free gift of Grace & Mercy that our sins are forgiven by the shedding of His blood.
Thankfully, Obama is open to all people to search for the Truth, let's pray he finds and acknowledges it.

Obama makes the following comment: I am a big believer in the separation of church and state. I am a big believer in our constitutional structure...I am a great admirer of our founding charter, and its resolve to prevent theocracies from forming, and its resolve to prevent disruptive strains of fundamentalism from taking root in this country." I don't recall any of the founding fathers talking like that, and there is no separation of church and state in the Constitution as our current society defines it. This is the government's way of trying to hush Christianity and force it to be something it is not. Mr. Obama would do well to read up on what the founding fathers really thought of religious freedom and remind himself of the price that people paid for that freedom.

Mr. Obama states: "I'm a big believer in tolerance. I think that religion at it's best comes with a big dose of doubt. I'm suspicious of too much certainty in the pursuit of understanding just because I think people are limited in their understanding." What religion on this earth leaves room for doubt or encourages it?? Yes we are limited in our understanding, but we don't, because of that, doubt. We pray for faith and trust God for the rest. I imagine that if you could poll those suffering in hell right now on how glad they are that there were those that were "tolerant" of them and their beliefs while on earth there would be a resounding groan. Actually I feel sorry for someone who can not confidently proclaim his faith in Christ and his assurance of salvation!!

Reading this makes me very sad. Not that we have to have a Christian president, but if one claims to be a Christian, a Born Again Christian he should be able to know what the Bible says on the most basic of questions. i.e, "I don't presume to have knowledge of what happens to us after we die" and "I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place If one is truly rooted in Christianity, one would know there is only ONE way to God, or heaven, Jesus said "I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life, and NO ONE, comes to the Father, except through me" Evidently that's one verse, one important verse, Barak Obama missed, while he was being rooted in Christianity. and his answer to "do you pray often?" Oh yeah, I guess I do" Hey, you either do or you don't, it's not something you guess at. God have mercy.

It's just as I believed when I read this interview: Obama does not understand the real tenets of the Christian faith. I didn't vote for him not because of race ( I'm of mixed race myself) however, I cannot agree with the issues of his party. Abortion is murder. Gay rights infringe upon my rights. (Would Obama consent to his children being taught "non- gender specificity" in school.) How "tolerant" can you be when children's lives and education are at stake. Those doctors who don't want to perform abortions or euthanisia - where are their rights? I could go on and on about the "Freedom Act" which allows gays rights and Christians none. You know, Obama's theology sounds like something he got from those talking heads on trash TV. "All paths lead to HELL" There is only one way to heaven: Jesus Christ. No, God would not send a Hindu child to hell. Children below the age of reason do not go to hell. Pagans who do not accept the gospel DO GO TO HELL. The Lord promises that he will give them a chance to hear and repent. People send themselves to hell NOT GOD.
Gandhi was a slick politician, and he slept with teenage virgins. As to the separation of church and state, Hitler said if you tell a lie long enough - no matter how big it is - the public will believe it! CHURCH FOLK FOUNDED THIS COUNTRY AND WROTE ITS CONSTITUTION.
Just what do they teach at Harvard anyway?! CHRISTIANS FOUNDED HARVARD - NOT THAT YOU'D KNOW THAT TODAY.Obama needs to study his Bible, and pray that the Lord will enlighten him. JOANNE

This is why evangelical Christians must intercede for President Obama -- not condemn him. Because he knows elements of the Christian faith, could he not be more receptive to the Truth if presented clearly? I think what Pastor Rick Warren could do is ask the President if he would have a 7-week study on John 1-3 with. The tradition of Trinity United Church of Christ may not believe the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. Once the President understands this is the pivot point of authentic Christian discipleship, he will have been presented with the ulitmate choice in his decision to follow Christ. Now, it may be that he has a personal saving faith in Christ, but gave a political answer in this interview to appeal to the most people in his quest for the presidenct. Lots to pray about -- right?

Hi,

Enclosed is a Bible study of the 7 Bible clues which reveal the identity of the coming antichrist of the Great Tribulation and could Obama possibly be the future False Prophet of 666. Jesus is our bestest Friend and only Jesus and His Father gives Endless Love. Hoping for your comments and feedback. My phone is 863-651-4426.

Your eternal friend in Jesus,

Richard

WHAT ARE THE 7 BIBLE CLUES WHICH REVEAL THE IDENTITY OF 666??

Revelation 13:17b,18: "The mark of the beast {Or antichrist}is the *NAME* of the Beast or the number of *HIS NAME*. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, *LET HIM* calculate the number of the Beast {Even in AD 96 when Revelation was written}, for it is a man's number {Or "Number of a MAN"}. *HIS* number is *666*." God has promised in the above inspired passage that any saint {Even in AD 96--which implies that the name was known in AD 96} with spiritual wisdom and insight may calculate the name of the beast which is a *MAN'S NAME* and adds up to 666.

In Thess 2:3 the Beast of the End-Times is called a "*MAN* of sin or lawlessness" or very SINFUL MAN and therefore the name of the Beast which adds up to 666 is a *MAN'S* name which is also confirmed in Rev 13:17b,18 above. Therefore, the NAME of the Beast which adds up to 666 is a sinful *MAN'S NAME* and could not be the name of a woman or a city, country, computer or Satan, etc..

Rev 13:16,17: "He {The False Prophet} forced everyone... to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead. No one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast {Nero Caesar??} or the number of his name {666}. The antichrist is called a "BEAST" 36 {6x6} times in Revelation and the BEAST is a much better name than antichrist since antichrist is mentioned 4 times in God's Word {I John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7} and each time the word encompasses all who are against Christ. I JOHN 2:18: "Even now many antichrists have come." Surely all who receive the mark of the Beast are antichrists.

666 is referred to in the MASCULINE gender 28 times and the Beast is never referred to in the feminine or neuter gender. It is interesting to note that if the Beast of the end-times will be a religious organization, country or city it would be referred to in the female or neuter gender!!! The masculine pronouns used for the Beast are "HIS" 11 times: Rev 13:1, 5,16b,18b; 14:9,11; 17:7b; 19:2; 20:4(2X) & Daniel 7:26. "HE" 10 times: Rev 13:1;6a,7a,7; 17:8b; 17:11; 2 Thess 2:6; Daniel 7:24,25 & Daniel 9:27. "HIM" 5 times: Rev 13:4b; 19:20; 2 Thess 2:6; Daniel 7:25 & Daniel 9:27. "HIMSELF" 2 times in 2 Thess 2:4.

Actually there are **7 BIBLE CLUES** that show who the BEAST of the future 1260-day Tribulation will be. By an amazing coincidence all 7 Bible clues can be applied to Nero Caesar!!

{{1}} The BEAST will be a "MAN OF SIN" or very sinful MAN as per 2 Thess 2:3 above.

{{2}} The number of this sinful man's name is 666 as per Rev 13:16-18. The Bible was written by 40 divinely inspired Hebrews in Hebrew and Greek so then it is highly probable that this man's name adds up to 666 in Hebrew or Greek. Nero Caesar's name adds up to 666 in Hebrew which we will show later in this Bible study.

{{3}} This sinful man whose name adds up to 666 DIED BEFORE AD 96 when Revelation was written.{See Rev 17:8 below} We will show later why Revelation was written between Sept AD 95 and Sept AD 96. Nero Caesar lived from December 15th, AD 37 to June 9th AD 68.

{{4}} This sinful man who was alive and then died before AD 96 was FATALLY WOUNDED by a sword wound to his head. Nero Caesar committed suicide with a sword wound to his head on June 9th, AD 68. {See Rev 13:3 and Rev 13:14 below}

{{5}} This very sinful man who died before AD 96 was a KING in the Roman Empire as per Daniel 7:24. There were 11 Roman Kings or Caesars who died before AD 96 including the 6th Caesar who killed Paul and Peter in AD 66; and whose name adds up to 666 in Hebrew. Domitian Caesar was the 12th Caesar who was alive when Revelation was written in AD 96.

{{6}} The beast is also called an 8th KING who ruled before AD 96 as one of 7 KINGS crowned by the city on 7 hills. {See Rev 17:9-11} The identity of these 8 KINGS will be discussed later in this article.

{{7}} This very sinful ROMAN KING whose name adds up to 666 and who was fatally wounded by a sword before AD 96, will "COME UP FROM THE *ABYSS* or *HELL* as per Rev 11:7 & Rev 17:8. We know that the ABYSS is HELL by comparing 2 Peter 2:4 with Luke 8:30b,31. We can be sure that Nero Caesar is now in the Abyss or Hell since he killed Paul and Peter and thousands of Christians and sent Vespasian {the father of Titus and Domitian Caesar} to kill the Jews and destroy their Temple. The MAN OF SIN or Nero also killed his own mother and killed his pregnant wife by kicking her in the stomach. Inscriptions have been found in Ephesus in which Nero is called "Almighty God" and "Savior. In Revelation 13:8a we learn that all the unsaved inhabitants of the world will worship the Beast. Nero and Caligula "abandoned all reserve" in promoting emperor worship - they were the only two Roman Caesars who demanded divine honors while still alive. Nero claimed to be the sun-god Apollo. In 2 Thess 2:4 we read that the "Man of Sin" will proclaim that he is God!

Revelation 17:8: The beast, which you saw, once was {alive}, Now {in AD 96} is not {alive} and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book life.. .. will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was {Before AD 96}, now {In AD 96} is not {Alive} and yet will come. Rev 13:14: He {The False Prophet} will order the inhabitants of the earth to set up an image in honor of the beast who was {FATALLY-Rev 13:3} wounded by the sword and yet lived." Rev 13:3: One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound. but the fatal wound had been HEALED!! The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

When I was a missionary in Israel I studied the Hebrew language. One of the first things that you learn when you study the OT Ancient Hebrew language {Which is also the language of Israel today!} is that the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet ALSO represent 22 numbers! When you read Psalm 119 you will note that the 176 sentences are divided into 22 sections; each section with 8 sentences or verses praising the Word of God. These 22 sections are each headed by one of the letters in the hebrew alphabet in the exact same order as shown below. The ancient Hebrew language {Which is exactly the same as the modern Hebrew language} frequently used the letters of their alphabet to designate NUMBERS IN THE OT as follows:

ALEPH=1. BETH=2. GIMEL=3. DALET=4. HE=5. VAV=6. ZAYIN=7. CHETH=8. TETH=9. YODH=10. KAPH=20. LAMED=30. MEM=40. NUN=50. SAMEKH=60. AYIN=70. PE=80. TSADHE=90. KOPH=100. RESH=200. SHIN=300. TAV=400.

NOTE: Most vowel sounds excpt "O" {VAV} are not used as letters in Hebrew. These vowel sounds are designated by dots and dashes under their *PRECEDING* consonants. In Hebrew "N" is added on the end of all foreign names ending in "O". Therefore, the foreign name of Nero would be "NERON" in Hebrew. The name Nero Caesar would be pronounced Neron Kaysar in Hebrew. The "E" in Neron and the 2 "A" sounds in Kaysar {There is no "C" in Hebrew} are designated by dots and dashes under their preceding consonants and therefore are not letters in the 22 letter Hebrew alphabet, and so have no numerical value.

Neron in Hebrew would use 4 letters with numerical value: N-R-O-N and Kaysar in Hebrew would use 3 letters with numerical value: K-S-R. There would be a dot under the first N to show the "E" sound in NEron There would also be 2 dots under the "K" to show the "AY" sound in KAYsar and a dash under the "S" to show the "AH" sound in KaySAHr. The 4 letters with numerical value in NERON would be {SEE TABLE ABOVE} N = 50; R = RESH = 200; O = VAV = 6; and N = NUN = 50 and 50+20+6+50 equals 306. The 3 letters with numerical value in "KAYSAR would be K = KOPH = 100; S = SAMEKH = 60; and R = RESH =200 and 100+60+200 equals 360. And so the numerical value of Nero in Hebrew is 306 and the numerical value of Caesar in Hebrew is 360, and therefore the numerical value of Nero Caesar is 306+360 or exactly *666*!

There is a very interesting footnote in the revised Standard Version concerning the number 666 which states that some ancient manuscripts have the number **616** which *DOUBLY* confirms that Nero Caesar may be the Anti-Christ!! You will note that the Hebrew language adds an "N" to all foreign names eding in "O". Now "N" or "NUN" in Hebrew has a numerical value of **50**!! and so if you decided not to add the last "N" in NERON then Nero Caesar would add up to exactly **616** in Hebrew. I think you will admit that this is an absolutely amazing coincidence!!

Any honest Hebrew language scholar will confirm that the letters of Nero Caesar's name add up to 666 in the Hebrew language whose 22 letters are also 22 numbers as shown above. Since all of the prophecies concerning the antichrist are written in OT Hebrew {Like Daniel 7:8-25} or NT Koine Greek it would then seem logical that God would use one of these 2 Bible languages to identify the Name of the Beast whose letters add up to 666. One of the problems of doing this in NT Koine Greek is that the letters of their alphabet are not also numbers. And therefore you can only assign a numerical value of 22 to the 22nd letter, etc.. Using this formula you could not get any name to add up to over 250, let alone 666. You have the same problem with English and all other languages other than the Hebrew language!

NOTE: The 3 different Greek words used in Revelation 13:18b to arrive at the number 666 are the 3 different Greek words for 600 and 60 and 6 and not 6 + 6 + 6.

Will the 6th Caesar {Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius & the *6th* is NERO who ordered the execution of Paul & Peter in AD *66*} be the Beast who comes up from the Abyss {Or Hell-See Rev 11:7 & Rev 17:8} in the coming Great Tribulation??

Rev 1:8,9: "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos beacuse of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus." We know that the island of Patmos was the site of a Roman prison in the first Century and that the Apostle John was suffering in this prison because of his religious beliefs. {As per Rev 1:8,9 above} The island of Patmos is about 30 miles from the port of Ephesus in Western Turkey. History tells us that the second huge Roman persecution of Christians {The first was NERO'S PERSECUTION OF AD 64-68} occurred in the last year of the reign of Domitian Caesar which would have been from September AD 95 to September AD 96. During the last year of his rule Domitian Caesar decreed that everyone in the Roman Empire must worship idols of former Roman Caesar's or else they would be killed or put in prison. Historical documents show us that the Apostle John lived to about AD 100 and therefore would have been alive during Domitian's evil decree of September AD 95 to September of AD 96. Since we can be sure that the Apostle John would never worship an idol of a Roman Caesar it is then highly probable that John was put in prison on Patmos Isle sometime during Domitian's evil decree from September AD 95 to September AD 96.

Rev 1:10,11: "On the Lord's Day I {John} was in the spirit and I heard a loud voice {Jesus} said, 'Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the 7 churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatria, Sardis, Philadelphis and Laodicea." The last 6 churches are all in Western Turkey within 77 miles of Ephesus. About 50 years earlier Paul had started churches in these 7 cities. Paul always had Jewish converts in the cities where he preached since he had the habit of teaching in Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath. It was then highly probable that all 7 of these chuches had Jewish believers who were very familiar with the Hebrew language and of course knew that the 22 letters of the Jewish alphabet are also 22 numbers and also remembered the first Roman persecution by Nero or the "MAN OF SIN" about 30 years earlier when Paul & Peter and thousands of Christians were martyred because of Nero Caesar. Nero also sent Vespasian, the father of Titus and Domitian; to kill the Jews and destroy their Temple. He also killed his mother and killed his pregnant wife by kicking her in the stomach. Christian writings in the early 2nd century AD show that many Christians at that time believed that Nero Caesar {Who adds up to 666 in Hebrew} would return as the BEAST of the End-Times.

Rev 13:18: "This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight {Even in AD 96}, let him {Even in AD 96} calculate the Beast, for it is a man's number. His {Nero Caesar's} number is 666!" And so the above Scripture absolutely guarantees that anyone with spiritual wisdom and insight could figure out who the BEAST of the End-Times would be even when Revelation was first given to the churches in AD 96, and that the number of his name adds up to 666. This would of course mean that the future BEAST must have been alive before AD 96 when this Scripture was given to the churches. Nero Caesar {Whose name adds up to 666 in Hebrew} certainly qualified since he lived from Dec 15th AD 37 to June 9th, AD 68 when he was fatally wounded by his own SWORD.

Revelation 17:8b: "Those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life will be astonished when they see the beast {666}, because he once was {Alive--AD 37-68} now in AD 96 is not {Alive}, and yet will come." {During the Great Tribulation} The Beast once was {Alive before AD 96} now is not {Alive in AD 96}, and will come out of the ABYSS {Or HELL} and go to his destruction." {On the last Day-See Rev 19:20b} The fact that the ABYSS is HELL is confirmed by comparing 2 Peter 2:4 with Luke 8:30b,31: 2 Peter 2:4: "God did not spare the angels when they sinned but sent them into HELL, putting them in gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment." Luke 8:30b,31: "Many demons {Or Hell's Angels} had gone into him {A demon-possessed man}. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them into the ABYSS! {Because they had already been in Hell or the ABYSS before!!} Also in Luke 16:22-24 we read that there was a rich man already in HELL at the time of Jesus. Now we can be absolutely certain that an evil Roman king from the city on 7 hills; who was fatally wounded by a sword *BEFORE* Revelation was written in AD 96; and whose name adds up to 666 is presently in this ABYSS or HELL!! All historical documents agree that Nero Caesar {The 6th Caesar who ordered the execution of Paul & Peter in AD 66 and whose name adds up to 666 in Hebrew} was fatally wounded by his own SWORD on June 9th AD 68. In Revelation 13:14b we learn that the False Prophet of 666 will order the building of a statue of 666 "Who was {FATALLY-See Rev 13:3} wounded by the SWORD and yet lived!" {AGAIN} Nero Caesar {Whose name adds up to 666 in Hebrew} again qualifies for this inspired clue as to the identity of the BEAST. Nero's 4-year Roman persecution began when he blamed the Christians for the burning of Rome in July, AD 64; and ended when Nero was fatally wounded by his own SWORD on June 9th, AD 68.

Almost all conservative Bible theologians agree that the 4th Beast of Daniel 7:7,19 is the *ROMAN* Empire. In Daniel 7:20,21 we learn that a little horn who is also called a *KING* in Daniel 7:24 willcome from this *ROMAN* Empire. Daniel 7:24b,25-27: “A *KING* {From the *ROMAN* Empire--Nero Caesar??} will arise…. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints. The saints will be handed over to him for a Time, Times and ½ a Time.” “But the court will sit, and his {666 or the Roman King or the Beast or Nero Caesar-See Rev 19:20,21 and 2 Thess 2:8} power will be taken away and completelydestroyed forever. *THEN* the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole Heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom.”

Revelation 6:7,8: When the Lamb opened the 4th seal, I heard the voice of the 4th living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death {666 who will cause the death of millions} and Hades {The False Prophet who will cause millions to go to Hades by receiving the mark of 666} was following close behind him. THEY {Nero Caesar and the False Prophet} were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Daniel 7:8,20,24 says that an evil Roman King will conquer 3 of the 10 kingdoms {which will cover one fourth of the earth??}--Russia {Combined with former Soviet Union}, China and India cover one fourth of the earth and have over one fourth of the world's population! These 3 kingdoms may object and become jealous of 666 and his False Prophet ruling every country in the world. It is also possible that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities which will precipitate World War III and Russia China and India will back Iran. The following 10 powerful nations have about 50% of the world's population and about 70 % of the world's military power and certainly have the military, political and "religious" power to control and rule all the nations of the world: #1. United States #2. Russia #3. China {1.3 Billion} #4. Great Britain #5. France #6. India {1.1 Billion} #7. Germany #8. Japan #9. Brazil #10. Egypt. Brazil borders every country in South America except Chile. Egypt is the university, intellectual and theological center of Islam. After appointing 10 kings who have never before ruled {See Rev 17:12,13} in these 10 nations 666 will then have "authority over every tribe, people, language and nation" as per Rev 13:7b, from his headquarters in Rome. 666 and his False prophet will then quickly gain complete control over the radio, tv, internet, newspaper, book and magazine medias. There are some who suggest that these 10 nations will all come from Europe and will not include Russia, China, India, Japan and the USA and will therefore only have about 5 % of the world's population and about 20% of the world's military power. Daniel 7:24 confirms that the 10 kings of a revived Roman Empire also mentioned in Rev 17:12 will help 666 rule the world. However to assume that the 10 kings of these 10 end-time kingdoms must come from Europe is a false assumption since a REVIVED Roman Empire could include the Major powers of the world of the future Great Tribulation. Revelation 13:4: Men worshipped the dragon {Satan}, and they also worshipped the beast {666 or Nero Caesar} and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?

The next 5 paragraphs are an interesting SPECULATION about what might happen at the beginning of the 1260-day Great Tribulation and who possibly may be the future False Prophet of 666. The False Prophet is referred to as "HE" {Masculine Gender} 9 times in Rev 13:11-16 & Rev 19:20. And "HE" was a very "DECEPTIVE" False Prophet as shown in Rev 13:11-16 & Rev 19:20.

And so Nero Caesar with the help of the armies of the False Prophet {Obama??} and other nations aligned with him will conquer 1/4 of the world {See Rev 6:8; 13:4b} and then 666 will appoint 10 kings over 10 kingdoms to rule the world who have never before ruled {see Rev 17:12-14} and who will then take orders from 666 and his False Prophet from their headquarters in the evil city on 7 HILLS or Rome.{See Rev 17:9} Revelation 6:6: "A quart of wheat for a day's wages!" This phrase can also be translated "A loaf of bread for a day's wages." This event will occur at the coming of the black horse rider {Rev 6:5} which will take place just before or at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Because of the world's present economic crises the majority of people in the 40 poorest counties now have to pay a full day's wages for a loaf of bread as per Rev 6:6. And if the world experiences a world-wide depression this event could occur in over 100 countries. The world economic crises is rapidly accelarating. Many countries are far worse off than people in the USA during the Great Depression when there was 20 % unemployment. The world economic crises is rapidly accelarating. There are now 40 countries with unemployment rates of over 30 % and this should rapidly increase. And then the world will certainly be looking for an Economic Savior such as 666 and his very deceptive False Prophet. They will be looking for someone who promises CHANGE!! If the Great Tribulation would begin in the near future is there a well-known, powerful world leader that may qualify to be the deceptive False Prophet of 666 who will promise CHANGE you can believe in!! Will this powerful world leader try to bankrupt the USA which will in turn cause a worldwide depression and cause the price of a loaf of bread to cost a full day's wages??? The False Prophet is featured in Revelation 13:11-17; 16:13 19:20 & 20:10.
Do Obama's religious beliefs qualify him as a False Prophet?? Some insight into Obama's "Christianity" comes from an interview he gave in 2004 to Chicago Sun-Times religion editor Cathleen Falsani for her book, "The God Factor: Inside the Spiritual Lives of Public People." "I'm rooted in the Christian tradition," said Obama. He then adds something most Christians will see as universalism: "I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people." Jesus says of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." That sounds exclusive, but Obama says it depends on how this verse is heard. According to Falsani, Obama thinks that "all people of faith -- Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, everyone -- know the same God. "Obama doesn't believe he, or anyone else, will go to hell. But he's not sure he'll be going to heaven, either." Obama told a crowd at Hocking College that he believes the Sermon on the Mount JUSTIFIES his support for legal recognoition of same-sex unions?? Obama approves of same sex romantic and sexual relationships as do his former church, his pastor, and his former (So-called} Christian denomination?? The False Prophet should be hugely popular world wide. Interesting fact: Obama has greater worldwide popularity than any leader in modern history, according to a recent poll in Reader's Digest. Jesus is our Messiah and is called the LAMB 27 times in the book of Revelation. The False Prophet is someone who is like a LAMB according to Rev 13:11b. People from all over the world have already given Obama this interesting nickname "THE MESSIAH"!! The False Prophet will certainly teach that you can have your cake and eat it too, and that you will not go to hell if you receive the Mark of the Beast; allowing you to buy or sell everything. However, Rev 14:9-11; 19:20 & 20:10 confirm that he and all who receive the Mark of the Beast will be tormented day and night for ever and ever in Hell!
NOTE: There are many statues of the exact likeness of Nero Caesar including a 151 foot statue in the "Golden House" in Rome. The statue of Liberty {Without pedestal} is also exactly 151 feet high... hmmm. At the beginning of Great Tribulation the False Prophet of 666, Rev 13:14: "Will order the people of the earth to set up a statue in honor of the beast who was wounded {Fatally-Rev 13:3} by the SWORD and yet lived!" {Again} This staue of the Beast will be the "exact likeness" of Nero Caesar and could possibly be seen on World Wide TV so that people of all nations will be able to worship this statue as per Rev 13:15b. Obama's Air Force 1 plane just had a photo op with the Statue of Liberty....Hmmm.... The face of the Statue of Liberty could easily be changed to look like Nero Caesar within a week!
666 is called a BEAST 36 {6X6 times in Revelation and the False Prophet is also called a "BEAST" in Rev 13:11. Obama has nicknamed his presidential limousine "THE BEAST"!! In Revelation 13:11 the False Prophet is called the BEAST of the {PRESENT} EARTH. Whereas all true Christians are looking forward to a new heaaven and NEW EARTH as per 2 Peter 3:13: "We are looking forward to a new heaven and a NEW EARTH the home of righteousness." {See Rev 21:1} Obama is the all-time world's greatest champion of EARTH day and saving the PRESENT EARTH from Global Warming, Geeenhouse gasses, coal buring and carbon emissions and he may bankrupt the world in trying to achieve these goals.
In Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15 666 is called an "ABOMINATION". In a recent Middle East tour Obama declared that the USA was "NOT a Christian nation!" I would tend to agree with Obama since with dominating majorities in the House, Senate and Supreme Court Obama is rapidly and surely turning this nation into an "OBAMANATION"!! WARNING: The possible identity of the future False Prophet of 666 is just an interesting SPECULATION.
" Revelation 7:9,14,4: "There before me was a great multitutude that no one could count, from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language {The Full number of Gentiles} standing before the throne in front of the Lamb....These are they who have come out of the Great Tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."....."Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 {Evangelists} from the 12 tribes of Israel. It is possible that only Jews will be saved during the last months of the Great Tribulation after the Full number of Gentiles has come in.

"Babylon" is called a CITY 7 times in Revelation, chapter 18, and a SEAPORT in Rev 18:17-19. Peter was inspired to call Rome "Babylon" in I Peter 5:13. Rome is a CITY and a SEAPORT built on 7 HILLS! Babylon and Jerusalem are not seaports and are not built on 7 hills!

Rev 13:14-17: The False Prophet deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was {FATALLY-Rev 13:3} wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast {666}, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast {NERO CAESAR} or the number of his name {666}. And God will supply all the needs of His faithful and corageous Tribulation saints just as He miraculously supplied all the needs of the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. {See Matt 6:31-34}

Rev 13:5-10: The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for 42 {30-day} months {Or 1260 days or time, times and 1/2 a time-See Dan 7:25 & Dan 12:1,2,6b,7b}..... He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb.... This call for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Matt 24:9-12...Matt 24:29-31: Jesus says, "Then {During the 42-month Great Tribulation} you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by ALL nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved... Immediately after the distress of those {1260} days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall from the sky.' At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the **CLOUDS**{See Rev 1:7; Mark 14:62 & I Thess 4:16,17} of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a loud **TRUMPET**{See Rev 10:7; 11:15-18; I Cor 15:51,52; I Thess 4:16} call, and they will gather His elect from the 4 winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." {Mark 13:27 adds, "From the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."

There will be 2 Comings of Jesus on the same Last Day: The first above was *FOR* His saints and then after the Marraige Feast of the Lamb Jesus will come *WITH* His saints as per Rev 19:6-8; 11,14,19-21: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns, Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the Wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready, fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear.... I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose Rider is called Faithful and True... The armies of Heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean... Then I saw a beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the Rider on the horse and His army {See Rev 17:14 & Jude 14,15}. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs and his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them were thrown ALIVE into the fiery lake of burning sulfur {See 2 Thess 2:8}. The rest of them were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of the Rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

WILL THE CITY ON 7 HILLS OR ROME BE THE END-TIME BABYLON?? AND WHO
ARE THE 7 KINGS FROM THE CITY BUILT ON 7 HILLS??

Most Bible scholars believe that the book of First Peter was written shortly after the beginning of Nero’s Roman persecution of Christians in AD 64 because of I Peter 4:12,13 & 5:8,9. We know that Peter and his wife were living in Rome at this time. Peter was inspired to write in I Peter 5:13: “She {Peter’s wife} who is in *BABYLON* {Nickname for *ROME*!} sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.” Apparently some Christians including Peter were inspired to call ROME “BABYLON” after Nero’s terrible persecution of Christians starting in AD 64. This is very interesting since the evil city of the End-Times is called “BABYLON” 6 times in Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21.

Ancient Babylon Had destroyed God's Holy Temple and God's Holy City, Jerusalem; and killed, exiled and persecuted God's people for 70 years. Actually all encyclopedias agree that Babylon was completely evacuated in 275 BC and completely destroyed by 141 BC. The Wikipedia encyclopedia states, "By 141 BC, when the Parthian Empire took over the region, Babylon was in complete desolation and obscurity." The only question that remains is: Was Babylon rebuilt so that there could be people living in Babylon around AD 65 when Peter wrote 1 Peter 5:13??? Which leads us to the promises of God in Jeremiah 50:1-3,13: This is the word the Lord spoke through Jeremiah concerning Babylon.."Babylon will be captured... A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both men and animals will flee away!" Jeremiah 52:52:61-64: When you get to Babylon, see that you read all these words aloud. Then say, "O Lord, you have said you will destroy this place, so that neither man nor animal will live in it; IT WILL BE DESOLATE FOREVER When you finish readiing this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates. Then say, "So will Babylon SINK TO RISE NO MORE because of the disaster I will bring upon her." And God ALWAYS keeps His promises. And God kept His promise for about 2284 years; since Babylon is still a pile of rubble to this very day, and will remain that way until the
Last Day of the Planet Earth; for God always keeps His promises.

“Babylon” {Nicknamed Rome by Peter} is a “GREAT SEAPORT” in Rev18:17-19; JUST LIKE ROME and UNLIKE Babylon whose ruins are NOW 4 miles from the very shallow Euphrates River; or Jerusalem which is2000 to 3000 feet above sea level and 35 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Babylon is also completely FLAT whereas the End-Time "Babylon" will be a city built on 7 Hills JUST LIKE ROME!! Rev 17:18: “The woman you saw {Rev 17:3--Who sits with the Beast with 7 heads} is the great *CITY* {Rome--nicknamed Babylon in I Peter 5:13--See Rev 17:5a} that will rule over the kings of the earth.” {During the Great Tribulation}

Rev 17:9-11: “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The 7 heads are 7 hills on which the woman {Or city of Rome} sits.” Rome is a city built on 7 HILLS!! They {The 7 Heads} are also 7 KINGS {From the city on 7 hills or Rome}. Five {Of these 7 KINGS} have fallen {Or died before AD 96}, one {the 6th KING} *IS* {Or reigning when Revelation was written in AD 96}, the other {or 7th KING} has not yet come, but when he {The 7th KING} does come, he must remain for for a little while. {Possibly the False Prophet of 666 {Or Black Horse Rider} who will be anointed by Satan just before the coming of the 8th KING {Or Pale Horse Rider} who ruled before as one of the 7 Kings} The beast {Nero Caesar who once was {Alive from
Dec 15, AD 37 to June 9, AD 68}, and NOW {In AD 96} is not {Alive} is an 8th KING. He belongs to the 7 {KINGS}, because He once was {Alive-AD 37-68} NOW {In AD 96} is not {Alive}, and yet will come {1260 days before the Last Day}."

WHO ARE OR WILL BE THE 8 KINGS OF REV 17:10,11??

ROME APPOINTED THE JEWISH KINGS AFTER THEY CONQUERED ISRAEL IN 63 BC AND THE 7 KINGS OF REV 13:1B all had "blasphemous names" so we can assume that they were evil kings who had killed or persecuted Jesus and His followers. And so the first 3 EVIL KINGS {Who are all called KINGS in God's Word{See Matt 2:1; Mark 6:25,26 & Acts 12:1} were all Israeli KINGS {who had killed or persecuted Jesus and His followers} appointed by the evil city on 7 hills or Rome.

AND SO THE 8 KINGS WERE OR WILL BE:

** {#1} ** Herod the Great who tried to kill the baby Jesus: Rev 12:3-5: "Another sign appeared in Heaven : An enormous red DRAGON {Or Satan-See Rev 12:9} with 7 heads {Or 7 KINGS-See Rev 17:10a}... and 7 crowns on his {7} heads {Satan crowns the 7 kings whereas 666 crowns the 10 horns}. The DRAGON {Or Satan} stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her Child the moment he was born {Thru his first evil king or Herod the Great as per Matt 2:13b,16!!} She gave birth to a Son {Jesus} a male Child, who will rule the nations with an iron scepter!!"

**{#2}** Herod who killed John the Baptist and ridiculed and tortured Jesus {See Matt 14:1-12; Luke 23:7-11}

**{#3}** Herod Antipas who killed the Apostle James and tried to kill Peter. {See Acts 12:1-5,19-23}

**{#4}** Nero Caesar who will come again as the 8th KING who will be the BEAST of the End-Times.

**{#5}** Titus Caesar who killed thousands of Christians when he destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. Titus is also mentioned as a "Prince" in Daniel 9:26. Titus Caesar was the oldest son of Vespasian Caesar who was Caesar from Dec AD 69 to AD 79; and therefore heir and Crown *PRINCE* to the throne in Rome and was Caesar from AD 79 to AD 81.

**{#6**}** Domitian Caesar the 6th KING {"NOW IS"} was ruling in AD 96, and decreed in the last year of his reign {Sept AD 95 to Sept AD 96} that everyone must worship former Roman Caesars {Like Nero} or be killed and put in prison.{Like the Apostle John who was living in Ephesus at that time.}

**{#7}** Possibly the False Prophet of 666 who will be crowned the 7th evil King of Rome by Satan shortly before the coming of the:

**{8th}** KING or Nero Caesar {The End-Time Beast or antichrist}; who ruled before as one of the **7 KINGS** The 4TH & 8TH KING will come up up from the Abyss or Hell exactly 1260 days before the last Day to rule from the evil city on 7 hills or Rome.

Rev 17:6: “The woman {ROME} will be drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bear testimony to Jesus.” While in Rev 13:7 we learn that the BEAST will be given “power to make war against the saints and to conquer them.” And in Rev 13:15b we read that 666 will “cause all who refuse to worship his statue to be killed.” We must therefore conclude that the evil city “on 7 hills” or Rome will be the HEADQUARTERS of 666 during the Great Tribulation.

The BEAST will very quickly conquer 1/4th of the world with many miracles {See Rev 6:8; 13:4} and will then appoint 10 Kings who have never before ruled over the 10 most powerful nations of the world {See Rev 17:12-14,17}. The following 10 powerful nations have about 50% of the world’s population and ABOUT 70% OF THE WORLD'S MILITARY POWER and certainly have the military, political and “religious” power to control and rule all the nations of the world: #1. United States #2. Russia #3. China {1.3 Billion} #4. Great Britain #5. France #6. India {1.1 Billion} #7. Germany #8. Japan #9. Brazil #10. Egypt. Brazil borders every nation in South America except for Chile. Egypt is the university, intellectual and theological center of Islam. And then 666 will have “authority over every tribe, people, language and nation” as per Rev 13:7b, from his headquarters in the evil city built on 7 hills or Rome.