McCain, Obama, and God on NPR
Saturday August 23, 2008
Today's edition of Tell Me More on NPR features a conversation about faith, God, and presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. Hosted by Lynn Neary, the discussion included Beliefnet's Dan Gilgoff and yours truly. And it was fascinating. Not...
Filed Under: casting stones, christianity, christians, dan gilgoff, faith and politics, lynn neary, mccain, npr, obama, politcs and religion, tell me more
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Advertisement
Advertisement
Search This Blog
Subscribe
About Windows & Doors
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of You Don’t Have To Be Wrong For Me To Be Right: Finding Faith Without Fanaticism. Listed as one of the nation’s 50 most influential rabbis in Newsweek, and a regular commentator on Court TV, he is the creator of the popular series, Building Bridges, airing on Bridges TV, and the co-host of the weekly radio show, Hirschfield and Kula. More About Brad
 IntelligentTalkRadio.com |  clal.org |
  |  |
Recent Posts
Blogs Worth Reading
Top Features
- Seven Patron Saints for Healing and Comfort
- 10 Law of Attraction Lessons in Film
- Famous Scientology Couples
- Love Is a Many Splendored Thing
- A Prayer for Children Going to School
- Accidental Blessings
- Inspiring Barack Obama Inauguration Quotes
- Don t Take Away My Coffee
- Other People s Beds
- Top 10 Movies About Love
Brad -
Thank you for a very right and "to the point" post. Countries become great because of the "faith of their fathers" and then stumble over "religion" for exactly the reason you bring forth. Anytime we start using it as a tool to support our position rather than taking a position supporting it we place ourselves as being higher than the God we profess to believe in. As a Christian I have to say we are particularly bad at this - as an American I have to say we have exchanged the worship of God for the use of God and we are treading in very dangerous territory here whether Jew or Gentile.
Yes, political figures claiming and espousing a religion of any kind should be questioned and held to the tenets of that religion - if they do not value and know what they claim as their basic beliefs then I certainly wouldn't want to trust them to keep my freedom to worship as I choose intact. And if they adhere to something they don't even bother to examine deeply and call that commitment - how committed would they likely be to anything else? Such as selflessly leading our country - an idea which appears to have been lost a while back!
Jeremiah Price
I was taught, as I read the writings of Paul, that when I joined the faith of Christ, I stopped being a gentile but was adopted into the family of Abraham. So in a sense, I became a Jew.
While most of the Evangelicals and Jews do not accept that view, I regard those of the Faith of the Hebrews my brothers. Because of that I respect them and their views and have learned much of God's mercy and Judgment form Jewish teachings and it has made me a better Christian.
I agree, her shock at your query was a key issue in this exchange. Maybe you should ask her the reason for her surprise, and report on her response.
Maybe Miss Neary was sadly revealing some of her own prejudices and leanings. Perhaps she herself is not so interested in Jewish points of view; thus her shock at an observant Jew being interested in what a self-proclaimed devout Christian has to say. Someone open minded should not be surprised to find that aspect in someone else.
As Jews, I should think we'd be profoundly interested in what Christians find most important to them regarding Jesus's teachings, especially if those Christians are front-runners for POTUS.
I think her response meant both a little less and little more than you did. On the one hand, her response sounds to me like simple surprise that a Rabbi would be interested in a teaching of Jesus, even to a Christian. That's a little less meaning than you gave it. On the other hand, that assumption, rather than the assumption you suggested that you would not be so interested in expressions of faith in the political sphere, implies a more profound disconnect. Her assumption, as I read it, was that there is such a strong sense of suspicion and distrust between religions that the idea that a Jew may want to know what makes Jesus important to an individual, in this case a U.S. President, was totally unthinkable.
I am reminded of the tale of the Baal Shem Tov, who told the Polish Nobleman to fire his coachman. When the Nobleman asked why, the Rabbi responded "When your coachman drove by the Churchm he did not cross himself. What kind of servant can he be, what kind of person can he be, if he has no fear of God?"
There are many paths to God, and just because any one of us chooses a particular path does not mean that the relationship of others to their path should be of no interest to us.
You are a journalist on here so why did you not do what one would expect and ask the host why she was surprised that you would care?
I gather you explained why and did not just let her hang-you do not say!
Hmmmmmmm. I find THAT PART kinda strange!
Anyway in reality we know that politicians have been doing that for hundreds of years. By that I mean "using" their faith. Maybe thousands.
Are we REALLY sure why King David sat down and took the time to write all the psalms in the Bible. I mean the man was an adulterer among other things and the fact that he was supposed to be so religous otherwise is very very suspect. Plus with all his family troubles and leading a nation you would think he would be too busy. Could it possibly be because it made him LOOK good?
To be sure that G-d was on their side they would have a religous leader bless everything including when they went to war. Supposidly it was to protect and keep safe the warriors but it also was good for the political leaders to have this done and have their people know about this.
Today as soon as somebody is running for an office they go to the religous house of their choice on their Sabbath. Now I am not saying they do not and would not go anyway but gee it sure looks good when they see you and what family you may have in there!!
Last of all all these politicians who have all kinds of personal and political scandals look nice and pious to us when they have a religous leader pray at the start of their work day. Not that it harms them but they know darn well it is not really politcally correct but it sure is polittically helpful. Same as when they bluster about family values and how we need G-d we trust on our money-you think that there are no political motives for using any of this?
I think only the politically inocent among us believe that politics are not used by Jewish and Christian and other polititions here and all over the world to their advantage. Sure it can be genuine but you are better off being careful what you expect from someone who chooses to stay in politics. Even if they are good ones.
I understand your point. For some people, stating they are Christians is about the same as statin they have brown eyes or blond hair. Others use that label like a shield, as if excuses all the ignorant, stupid or hurtful things they do. Some use it prop up themselves and to santify their bigotries. And some take their Christianity to heart and to soul, and use it as Jesus and G-d intended, as guidance and inspiration to bring healing to the world.
The Bible verses the politicians choose to share could certainly help define how their faith guides their actions. Yes, I would love to hear the answer to that question.
I am not an American but I completely agree with your position. Your wisdom is far reaching and has implications for leadership of the future. A guiding principle of any faith is always connected and applicable with the concepts and teachings of the whole faith. Each candidates discuss will definitely elicit the abundance within. Political theory and promises can be manipulated. Faith concepts are particularly expository. I sincerely wish this could be practiced in Nigeria my country and worlwide. Then we would likely choose correct leaders.
Rabbi Hirschfield, It is a shame that you and Ms. Neary did not elaborate more on the subject of Obama and McCain discussing their favorite Bible passage or any other interesting comment pertaining to Jesus and their Christianity. Yes, I do agree with you that this is not an off the wall question no matter what religion an individual practices. To me, it would have been very interesting to hear Sen. Obama's answer or answerers to the such a question. The more I learn about him and the bills he has voted on, I really wonder if he is a true Christian. However, as I am sure you are aware of Rabbi, one could be very knowledgeable regarding the bible and other sources of Christianity, Judaism, and etc., but it is their life's practices and their overall behavior which will ultimately reflect their true character and if they are, indeed, possessing the qualities and are of the caliber one desires to hold the highest office in our precious land. May God guide and inspire all of our politicians, so that this Great Country will remain "GREAT." Thank you.
S.S.
I think your question was terrific. But, OTOH, I have read the various surveys on the relationship between Christian religious commitment and anti-semitism, and whether you and I like it or not, to a considerable extent,the data indicate that we can be safe and free in the practice of our religion only to the degree that our neighbors are lukewarm in the practice of theirs.
Marian,
I believe your last statement is both true and scary.
> I think social responsibility requires a person to say, explain, and tell beliefs, as all beliefs
>affect each other (every other person on planet earth): What will happen if people avoid the
>issues of life, housing, economy, culture, war and peace, budgeting priorities (What issues of life are >important) when considering making or passing a budget for all persons affected/or to be affected
>by a passed or proposed budget? How will your beliefs affect my view of life or of you? How will my
>beliefs affect your view of life of me or others? How will we know that we can be safe and free in the >practice of our religion? To what degree do we know that we have common values or not, if we do
>not hear others give their take on common words and concepts spoken? Will we be :( or :), or show
>courtesy, respect, care, or will we be selfish, only thinking ourselves and our wants and desires?
What has stunned me in this election cycle is the negative judgemental remarks of so called christians towards the presidential candidates. These are men and I do think they believe in God. Whether they have a personal relationship with HIM is another matter. According to the media Evangelicals consistently vote Republican. Yet this is a party that continuously have demoralizing scandals for the last 8 years. You have a candidate in McCain who has cheated on his wife and dishonors his POW experience by using it as a crutch to avoid answering questions. He is using Karl Rove's smear attacks on Obama when he stated he would run a clean straight forward campaign. Many unbelievers are turned off from christianity because they are selective in which sins are the worse. Christ said hate the sin not the sinner. Prevent abortions provide solutions to avoid pregnancy not attack women who are so desperate they seek abortions. Brarack Obama has consistently run the campaign he said he will run and despite untrue rumors that he is a militant muslim he is a good family man and a man who loves his country. Christians should pray for both these men that they will allow God to lead them always.
Obama is for abortion and has voted for every abortion bill that has come his way.If a person does not stand up for the unborn and defend them then that person does not respect human life.If Obama does not respect the unborn then what makes you think he will respect any other life.Obama has also said that if it comes down to a choice between the muslums and Israel that he is going to stand on the side of the muslums.Considering all the other things he stands for that should make the jews and everybody else very nervous.Obama wants to give the abortionist the right to kill a baby if it survives an abortion attempt.He said if he becomes president that this bill is going to be the first thing he signs into law.That type of person is very wicked.I believe "Gods" word and God pronounces a double woe on anybody who kills an innocent life.When the unborn are murdered how long can we ask god to bless us as a nation.I have heard numerous times that the jews are afraid of christians and that is really sad because a lot of christians love the jews.I love the jews for the kind of people they are and the Lord wants us to do that because we are brothers and sisters in Christ.My Lord Jesus Christ was a jew.But then why do any peolpe have to hate each other?It must grieve God so much.The Lord is coming again and the bible askes if he will find faith on the earth.I hope he finds more than we have now.I have been asked why I am not going to vote for Obama.My answer is:I cannot vote for somebody who stands for the things that he stands for.I have to stand before my Lord someday and whether you believe it or not you will be held accountable for the kind of person you put in office.you can beleive that or not.It`s your choice.Sincerely Debra.
I am sorry i do NOT believe that Judiasm can only be safe if Christianity is weak. BOTH religins are based in the same basic princples--and the ruje of loving the nieghbor.Only fanaticcs (of any religion) think that G-d wishes them to police the practices of brethren.
Concerning abortions.....I feel that for those who think of abortions as repugnant, then by all means regardless of the circumstances, don't have one.
However there are those who have found or find themselves in a situation in which abortion for them is the only way to deal with an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, then that option should be available to them. No one should be forced to bring a child into this world that they have indicated they don't want. A child, even a protential one deseves better.
When I head of all of the babies born that have been killed or maimed by the parents or boyfiends or girlfriends or relatives of that child, I literally cry for those babies. Just because a person has the right equipment for producing a child, doesn't mean they should be parents of a even a goldfish, let alone a child.
I read recently of a woman who put her child in the microwave and 'cooked it' rather than it be found that the child wasn't her boyfriends'. I heard of people who beat a baby, a baby mind you, to death because the baby was crying to much and it got on his nerve. I've read the horror stories of babies being dicarded like garage, starved to death, abandoned, and this is in the USA. Please forgive me but I'd rather know that a woman aborted a child she didn't want rather than kill it, or torture it later.
If someone is saying that THEY don't want to give birth, it takes approxiately 8 to 9 months for a child to develop safely in the womb before it can be expected to successfully survive in our enviroment. If the host is saying no, then hell, by all means, don't force it upon her. After all this is a protential child we are taking about, and it would have enough to deal with in our world then to be born to a mother that hates it. Please, that option should never be taken off the table for THOSE WHO WANT IT.
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.