The Obama Family attends services at St. John's Episcopal Church -pics

[Kadie]

President Barack Obama has a word with Rev. Luis Leon as he leaves St. John's Episcopal Church after attending services in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)


President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama leave St. John's Episcopal Church as Rev. Luis Leon follows after services in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)


President Barack Obama, center, first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia, bottom right, and Sasha leave St. John's Episcopal Church after attending services in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)


U.S. President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia (L) and Sasha, walk back to the White House across Lafayette Park in Washington after attending Sunday service at St. John's Episcopal Church September 19, 2010.
REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS RELIGION)


President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia and Sasha, center right and left respectively, walk across Lafayette Park towards the White House in Washington after they leave St. John's Episcopal Church after attending services in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[onehandle]

2. Something he should have done more often since taking office.

Should have selected a permanent church quickly.

[ruggerson]

3. Why?

I like the fact that he hasn't been going to church.

[trumad]

5. Why? To satisfy Winger Christian fanatics?

[onehandle]

9. Because it would have been an easy way to quell doubts among regular people.

Now the number of Americans who aren't sure he's a Christian has more that doubled.

No, I'm not talking about the people who 'know' he's a Muslim.

[kenny blankenship]

10. Well, if you're going to be a cynical panderer

you should be an honest cynical panderer and start in with your pandering right away and keep to it religiously. Warren was a good start, but there was distinct lack of follow-through. If you open with an Inaugural prayer by Rick "the Homophobia Driven Life" Warren and you don't show up in church until the next election campaign is under way, people are going to think that your cynical pandering is lukewarm, and that your religion is a photo-op.

[davepc]

11. If you say you're a practicing Christian, which the President has said consistently...

then going to a church is part of the deal.

That whole actions/words thing.

[onehandle]

12. And even if you don't go regularly, belonging to one is common.

People would understand a President who doesn't go every Sunday, but to not even belong to a one?

That's unusual for a self described Christian.

[Dappleganger]

13. Many people who are christians don't go to church.

Sorry to burst your bubble there.

[davepc]

14. Considering that the president just attended services at an Episcopal Church

Then it seems the President is in fact a Christan who see's church attendance as an element of practicing his faith.

So your statement that "Many people who are christians don't go to church" has nothing to do with the President or his actions.

The President could of released a statement somewhere along the lines that while he is a practicing Christian he doesn't believe in organized services, but he never has.

Personally, I don't give a fuck what the President does or does not do on his Sunday mornings, but if you're going to profess a faith and publicly attended services then it behoves the President to do so in a fairly consistent manner.

The man has been in office over a year and this is the SIXTH time he's attended a service. That's not consistent. If he wants to convince people he's a practicing Christian then his actions will speak louder then his statements.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/09/for_fifth_time_obama_attends.html

For the sixth time since becoming president, President Obama attended church in Washington.

The First Family walked through Lafayette Square from the White House--no motorcade, it's just a block--to St. John's Episcopal Church. The family left at 8:49 a.m. for the 9 a.m. service. Obama was wearing a suit; First Lady Michelle, Sasha, and Malia in dresses.

For a President who's fighting off baseless accusations of being some sort of muslim/islamic sympathizer from spilling over from the right wing echo chamber into the mainstream he could be well served going to services enough that it's not a newsworthy event.

[onehandle]

21. Yep. It's 'unusual' and therefore 'newsworthy' when he goes to church.

At least now it is.

This could have been easily avoided.

[Dappleganger]

29. Why must the president be consistent in attending church

services to satisfy you? Surely being President of the United States of America is not a M-F, 9-5 job.

None of this should be newsworthy as a person's faith should be private.

[onehandle]

23. Yes, but most Christians at least belong to a church and a lot attend regularly.

If he had just chosen a church and attended one or two Sundays a month, we would not be having this conversation.

And the Muslim accusation would look crazy to more people.

[DevonRex]

25. What is your purpose in promoting this nonsense? nt

[Dappleganger]

30. I doubt it.

I saw someone post on a friend's FB account today that "Obama may believe in Christ but is Christ the Lord of his life?"

Seriously, what? There is no pleasing the judgmental haters.

[pnorman]

17. He hasn't stepped out for a pizza & suds all that often since he took offie either.

And from the standpoint of security and neighborhood disruption, a pizza parlor would have been a snap as compared to a major DC church.

On edit:

(Thanks for the loan of that graphic image!)

[onehandle]

26. Are you kidding? It seems like every week someone posts pic of Obama stepping out...

...for a burger or on the town with Michelle. (not just in DC, but wherever they happen to be)

And I'm not saying that's a bad thing.

DC is equipped... designed around the President's life.

[Lars39]

27. Maybe he didn't want to be a "stumbling block" with his presence.

[malaise]

4. What is that Communist, Socialist, Fascist

Hitlerite Muslim doing at St Johns?

[Dappleganger]

6. Why does this matter?

Why say he should have selected a church more quickly? Why is it anyone's business where he goes to church? It sickens me that Americans are so damned nosey about every little thing.

[old mark]

7. The supposedly "Godly" GW Bush lied to everyone for 8 years, and the RWers

still loved him...they think W was too liberal!

Obama could spend the whole week in church and they would still hate him...you pick the reason.

mark

[krispos42]

8. So where was the kaboom?

I've been led to believe that god hates muslims, communists, socialists, and fascists.... so where's the kaboom???

[undeterred]

15. Muslims going to church?

:sarcasm:

[davepc]

16. He has a special dispensation from the Muslim hardliners!

No Fatwa for being an apostate as long as he secretly is working with them!

[madrchsod]

18. rev.leon is a very interesting person.....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45722-2005Jan28.html

[PopSixSquish]

19. Since We're Quoting Bible Verses and Deciding What Amount of Church Going is Appropriate Today

I suggest all of you read Matthew Chapter 6, 1-18...

"Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward.

But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,
so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

"When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.'

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"Moreover when you fast, don't be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face;
so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.



FYI - My father was an Episcopal priest and I don't attend church regularly. So bring it...

[Dappleganger]

31. +10000

On just the title alone, but another 10000 upboats for you in the FYI parting shot. ;)

[blondeatlast]

32. The Right Wing Holy Bible from Thomas J. Nelson;

We've Conveniently Edited Out That Pesky Matthew!

[kestrel91316]

20. Where are his supposed fellow muslin terraist buddies now?

Shouldn't they be calling for a fatwa because he has "gone christian", which the RW tells me is reason for killing him according to Islam?

[hfojvt]

22. Episcopal? Episcopal? How UN-American!!!!1

Isn't that just another name for the Church of ENGLAND??? Why doesn't he goto an AMERICAN church?


Because he hates America, that's why!!!



Episcopal. :argh:





:sarcasm:

[WolverineDG]

24. Nice pictures of a family going home from church

I especially like the last one where Barack is holding Malia's hand. Reminds me of walking with my dad.

dg

[SmileyRose]

28. Aren't Poppy and Bab's episcopal?

:hide: