Obama tells crowd that right-wing evangelical leaders have 'hijacked' Faith

[TeamJordan23]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070623/ap_on_el_pr/obama_religion_6

Obama says some have 'hijacked' faith
By STEPHEN SINGER, Associated Press Writer


Sen. Barack Obama told a church convention Saturday that some right-wing evangelical leaders have exploited and politicized religious beliefs in an effort to sow division.

"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and faith started being used to drive us apart," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a 30-minute speech before the national meeting of the United Church of Christ.

"Faith got hijacked, partly because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, all too eager to exploit what divides us," the Illinois senator said.

"At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage, school prayer and intelligent design," according to an advance copy of his speech.

"There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich," Obama said. "I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version."

[Radical Activist]

1. I remember months ago when Obama first talked about appealing to Christians.

Some on DU were crying and moaning that it meant Obama was going conservative. Maybe now they'll understand what he was getting at.

You can appeal to religious voters based on progressive values. That doesn't mean you're caving into the religious rights' agenda. Obama is showing Democrats exactly what we need to do to win back Christian voters without compromising our agenda.

[TeamJordan23]

3. Yeah, and don't forget faith covers things like poverty, AIDS, civil rights, etc

Don't let the media fool you that Dems cannot be strong in Faith. We need to embrace these issues and make it better known to most of Americans.

[SaveElmer]

2. He's right...

And I hope some who were dissing him a few months ago for talking about religion in politics will listen to him...he was right then and he is right now...

[rocktivity]

4. It's taken a year and a half, but I'm glad SOMEONE on the Dem side

FINALLY gets it!

More

:headbang:
rocknation

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Nice to hear that

[jimlup]

6. A sensible comment

Obama at least makes sense but the dangers of religion are always present as I'm sure Dawkin's and that drunk Hitchen's can atest.

[Morgana LaFey]

7. I'm sorry, I do NOT want religion or faith brought into the public sphere

and especially not in any governmental or political meeting or event. Not by Obama, not by Howard Dean, not by a pandering Hillary, not by anyone, anywhere.

When I grew up, not only was it considered impolite to discuss "politics or religion" in public, but one's religion and faith were intensely PRIVATE matters, not something you acted like booster club members over. Not something you lorded over others, or forced others to hear about and participate in your public displays of. Ewwwwwww. Sickening.

And that's from someone who fully supports people HAVING faith and religion if they so choose. But these days it's used like an elite club, the "in crowd" and there's eroding respect for the FACT that not all of us are Christians, and not all of us who ARE Christians want public displays of our faith -- like the Pharisees. Like I said: Ewwwwwwww.

[More Than A Feeling]

12. He was addressing his Church's general synod, and the meeting wasn't for the general public.

I think what he did fits even your bill.

[maximusveritas]

17. It's too late

Religion has already been brought into the public sphere by the Religious Right. For too long, we've let them do their dirty work without challenging them because we were too uncomfortable about bringing religious talk into public political debate. As a result, they only got stronger. What Dean, Obama and other moderate/liberal Christians have realized is that we need to take on the Religious Right if we want to stem their growing influence on the political debate.

[sandrakae]

8. Did he think we didn't know this already?

Why doesn't he tell us how he plans on getting us out of Iraq? If he wants my vote he is going to have to tell us something we don't already no about.

[NYCGirl]

9. Because when you're addressing a church convention, you talk about faith? NT

[Radical Activist]

14. He already has told us how he would get us out of Iraq.

The argument he's making here is very important for the long term success of the Democratic Party.

[Kingstree]

16. He has already told us how to get out of Iraq.

He is right about faith. Dems should not have allowed the right wing to high jack religion. We are just as religious or more than the right wing.

Also, He was the First to step up to the plate and said it was the wrong war. He did not do any flip/flopping on this issue. He was straight to the point.

[GeorgeGist]

10. Hijacking faith

What a naive delusion.

[OHdem10]

11. Thanks Obama---I hae been so tired of the Right calling

people like me Godless. Practicing Liberal Catholic.

You speak truth--just please do not back down when the
Fox comes at you with guns ablazing.

[Radical Activist]

13. This is important

kick

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

15. Every Democratic candidate needs to repeat this message...

As should every Democrat.

[bunnies]

18. I dont support anyone advocating the mingling of church & state.

Period. And frankly... some other things he said in that speech really freaked me out. Such as:

"Doing the Lord's work is a thread that runs through our politics since the very beginning,"

"And it puts the lie to the notion that separation of church and state in America means somehow that faith should have no role in public life,"

"My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work,"

Obama pretty much sealed his fate with me as far as the primaries go. For me, religion has no place in politics... regardless of the guise.

[Ethelk2044]

19. Every Dem should talk about Faith.

We should talk about what we believe in.

[OHdem10]

20. I understand your concern re church and state

There is a difference in letting one party GOP claim they
have the corner on faith and morals and get elected because
of this----while the other party slinks shamefacedly into
hiding because they are afraid to discuss their faith.

You can keep Religion out of Government processes but
most people in this country n practice some form of
spirituality. A good leader can believe in God and
at the same time take care that no religion feels slighted;
no non believer feels attacked.