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Finding His Faith

So much has been made about Barack Obama's religion. But what does he believe, and how did he arrive at those beliefs?

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  • Posted By: mahalapril @ 08/18/2009 5:26:57 PM

    How was his life in Boston. All that was mention is he attended Harvard Law School. Where did Obama spend his nights out in Boston. Where are his classmates. I have never seen on TV or write in newspapers any single classmate brag about being a classmate of Obama at Harvard Law School. Why is nothing written about his adventures in Boston and why Obama sealed his academic and birth certificate . It doesn't make any sense.

  • Posted By: jmejiagomez @ 07/24/2009 6:15:36 PM

    Unbelievers are right in most of their thinking

    You might be one for whom religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. You might be right: myths and a religious fantasy have influenced human minds with larger strength than reality, and the ???God??? of main line traditions simply does not exist. Most people don???t dare to confront their religious beliefs, opt for the status quo, or become marginalized.

    Bishop John Shelby Spong says that ???Christianity Reformed From its Roots ??? A Life Centered in God??? ???rightly points out that those who seek to defend Christianity???s past are also killing Christianity???s future.??? I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by Gnostics and atheists: the Existence! Eminent philosophers and thinkers might give you an idea if this book might be an insightful reading for you (links below). You may look also at excerpts at Amazon.com.

    Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
    Retired Episcopal Priest
    Carmel Valley, California

    http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
    http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm

  • Posted By: jmejiagomez @ 07/24/2009 6:15:13 PM

    Unbelievers are right in most of their thinking

    You might be one for whom religious beliefs are not just irrelevant, but baseless. You might be right: myths and a religious fantasy have influenced human minds with larger strength than reality, and the ???God??? of main line traditions simply does not exist. Most people don???t dare to confront their religious beliefs, opt for the status quo, or become marginalized.

    Bishop John Shelby Spong says that ???Christianity Reformed From its Roots ??? A Life Centered in God??? ???rightly points out that those who seek to defend Christianity???s past are also killing Christianity???s future.??? I accepted the challenge of finding the One who may be recognized even by Gnostics and atheists: the Existence! Eminent philosophers and thinkers might give you an idea if this book might be an insightful reading for you (links below). You may look also at excerpts at Amazon.com.

    Jairo Mejia, M. Psych., Santa Clara University
    Retired Episcopal Priest
    Carmel Valley, California

    http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Grudzen.htm
    http://www.mbay.net/~jmejia/Churcher.htm

  • Posted By: Bompins @ 06/03/2009 10:31:19 AM

    Obama's obvious arrogance casts serious doubt on his claims of being a Christian. Where is the humility that Christians are supposed to display? He has none.

  • Posted By: NWaff @ 01/20/2009 12:52:14 AM

    Considering how much Obama has strayed from the teaching in the Bible, he fits the description provided by the apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy. Paul says "men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." Obama???s position on abortion, homosexuality and other issues (and his own mocking of the Bible), fits the description. And Pauls calls these people "evil men and impostors."

    Spurgeon wrote "It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout 'Well done' to the Christian man."

  • Posted By: NWaff @ 01/20/2009 12:51:22 AM

    Considering how much Obama has strayed from the teaching in the Bible, he fits the description provided by the apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy. Paul says "men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." Obama???s position on abortion, homosexuality and other issues (and his own mocking of the Bible), fits the description. And Pauls calls these people "evil men and impostors."

    Spurgeon wrote "It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout 'Well done' to the Christian man."

  • Posted By: rain39 @ 01/14/2009 9:22:31 AM

    Obama's search is the search of millions of other people in the universe! I get very annoyed when others judge the quality of his spirituality. Have they forgotten "Judge not lest ye be judged". He would fit very nicely in the Unitarian church were seekers of all religions, including Christianity come together with great respect for each other to search for their truth within their own dogma or a joined belief. Some even have awesome Christmas services and Passover ritual. It depends on the congregation.

  • Posted By: michaelawells @ 12/07/2008 7:29:07 PM

    he could call himself christian but not a deciple of jesus. a follower of jesus would be certain he has the one and only living god with him. and would want to tell everyone the good news jesus is alive the fat little budist dude is dead. also no follower of jesus would support partial birth abortion. if you think im wrong research the whole proceedure and see if you could live with yourself if you preformed one

  • Posted By: michaelawells @ 12/07/2008 7:21:22 PM

    i say he is a christian thats the problem 90% of us say we are christians but a believer in jesus would never doubt if he is following the right god. afollower of jesus would tell everyone he could about jesus and life with him and gods grace and promises. and i know no matter what the circumstances, a true christian would never vote for partial birth abortion, or deny medical attention to a surviving baby of partial birth abortion. look up the whole partial birth abortion proceedure and see if you could live with yourself after preforming one

  • Posted By: Clearlake @ 12/02/2008 1:21:49 AM

    Obama is a Muslim his facking anythng else. He is not a nautral born citizen of the USA. HE is a foreign induvial and canot be Presient. There are 15 lawsuits in headed to the Supreme Court and 2 or on docket "Berg and Donofrio. He is not our Presient he is a fraud and all of you kow it yet you ignored it and let it go thinking the voters will not know. We Know and we are figithing mad. He is trying to change the 2nd artical saying it is prejudiced again Naturalized citizens. This is America we want our constitution to stay the same with no changes. It has stood us in good stead for generations and no one is going to change it.

    I am mad a hell about this situation adn all the media is to blame. You do not report the news you give us fluff.

  • Posted By: Displaced Cannuck @ 11/09/2008 6:01:08 AM

    The only thing that matters in Mr. Obama's "Christian" life is who does he say Jesus Christ is? The Son of God and Saviour of mankind or just another good pilgrim on the road to eternity.

  • Posted By: sherikam @ 11/06/2008 5:41:18 PM

    One of the ideas this country is founded on is Freedom of Religion. Hello? This is NOT the Curch of USA! Each person is in charge of their own sprituality. I am so very greatful for a Predident who has the mind to think and to search! Praise who/what you praise!

  • Posted By: raerenee3 @ 11/05/2008 3:25:25 PM

    In regards to these comments: 1) Life issue--- both agree to Pro-life
    2.)Traditional marriage-- both will not steal the copyright from the Creatorby choosing same gender
    marriage and call it 'free-thinking'. Free thinking will never cancel the Creator's first choice, and though God is precious and merciful, I cringe to go to my pillow knowing that we would support someone who will give the State the chief justices for their own power in this matter.
    3.) Decisions on most economic issues are Christian based, though they contest unwittingly in this contest.

    i believe that the laws should not be based off any specific religion. this is a country that accepts people from many different cultures which makes us a country of many religions. therefore, all u.s. citizens should not have to follow any single group's religious beliefs. for example on your beliefs on pro-life, roe v. wade allows EVERYONE to make their own decision, including you. You can keep your baby, while somebody else that may not have the same faith may choose to have an abortion. It's not hurting you, they made the choice for themselves and their own faith whatever that may be. they have a right just like you have a right to choose to be prolife.

  • Posted By: brenda_dupont21 @ 11/05/2008 2:47:00 PM

    i think that u should not have one because we should be doing what our lord god in heaven would want and mccain would have done that for us no im not predgudece and i congradulate u for winning but please pray ask for forgivness of your sins and see what the lord would have you do please our world is messed up enough please fix it for us im a 24 year old single mother of 2 and i pray to our father in heaven that he will help you and do what he would have for u to do in our world good luck in the years to come and i wish u the bext god bless you your sister in christ

  • Posted By: DianneBee @ 11/02/2008 2:12:25 PM

    never made a nose nor created an orderly universe so there is no longer a reason to believe there is no God. If we get up in the morning it is because we were GIVEN a morning to do something fruitful, so that strikes out faithlessness. I say this with kindness.

    *Grant it, I do not like the contesting and discrediting platforms to win votes. It embarrasses our society and each of us personally.*

    Those of us who are decision makers usually have someone to hold us accountable. Therefore, by moral issue on the biblical world view, I have no choice but to choose someone who is claiming the truths of Jesus Christ and that of creation's purposes.
    McCain/Palin
    1) Life issue--- both agree to Pro-life
    2.)Traditional marriage-- both will not steal the copyright from the Creatorby choosing same gender
    marriage and call it 'free-thinking'. Free thinking will never cancel the Creator's first choice, and though God is precious and merciful, I cringe to go to my pillow knowing that we would support someone who will give the State the chief justices for their own power in this matter.
    3.) Decisions on most economic issues are Christian based, though they contest unwittingly in this contest.

  • Posted By: DianneBee @ 11/02/2008 2:11:42 PM

    I never made a nose nor created an orderly universe so there is no longer a reason to believe there is no God. If we get up in the morning it is because we were GIVEN a morning to do something fruitful, so that strikes out faithlessness. I say this with kindness.

    *Grant it, I do not like the contesting and discrediting platforms to win votes. It embarrasses our society and each of us personally.*

    Those of us who are decision makers usually have someone to hold us accountable. Therefore, by moral issue on the biblical world view, I have no choice but to choose someone who is claiming the truths of Jesus Christ and that of creation's purposes.
    McCain/Palin
    1) Life issue--- both agree to Pro-life
    2.)Traditional marriage-- both will not steal the copyright from the Creatorby choosing same gender
    marriage and call it 'free-thinking'. Free thinking will never cancel the Creator's first choice, and though God is precious and merciful, I cringe to go to my pillow knowing that we would support someone who will give the State the chief justices for their own power in this matter.
    3.) Decisions are Christian based, though they contest unwittingly in this contest.

  • Posted By: bakerle @ 11/01/2008 5:33:48 AM

    To Obama beliefs i have also struggled with religion and I defenitly understand his struggles. Church & Religion was hard to obtain but I am a believer in Jesus Christ and know instead of Baptist I am none denomintial.I know a lot of people that are voting for Mccain just because he states hes a Christian . Which I would have done when I was inmature in the Lord now that I have understanding , I now know that we are accountable for ourselves and our morals start at home. That we cant base our lives on how our neighbors or co-workers or family members decided to live there life. Gays,abortions doesnt change my life. War, white collar crooks, energy prices going higher,food prices going up My son being sent to a war that has a hidden agenda never catching the people that attacked us during 911 DOES . I see why Obama doesnt speak on his religion that much because your faith doesnt make you qualified to be a president look at Busch.

  • Posted By: Nins @ 10/15/2008 3:48:34 PM

    Vinmano, I am sorry to say that just about everything you have written is false. Maybe you absorb too much right wing media, and actually believe these lies? In any case, here are the facts:

    You say "The issue is not whether he's a Muslim, the issue is whether or not he's a socialist, and that he has not denied." Facts: In his book Audacity of Hope, Obama writes at length about the FAILURE of SOCIALISM and communism. He enthusiastically states that American democracy is the greatest political system on earth. Obama is not a socialist, and he does not admire socialism.

    You say "Obama is not a Christian, he's Catholic." Facts: Firstly, Catholics are Christians. Secondly, Obama is not Catholic, although he is a Christian. He belongs to the United Church of Christ, an Evangelical and Reformed Church. UCC's membership is overwhelmingly white, by the way. Their website is http://www.ucc.org in case any reader would like to find out more about Obama's church.

    You say "According to the Koran, a Muslim is allowed to tell a lie to further the cause of Islam. Tell us again Obama that you are not a Muslim." Of all you comments, this is the nuttiest. Firstly, in your other post you claim Obama is a Catholic. Now you claim he is a Muslim. Make up your mind. Secondly, I would like to see a chapter and verse citation referencing where the Koran says it is okay to lie. I'm sure you can't provide that. Thirdly, your premise is all wet. In old Salem an accused witch was dunked underwater. If they came up for air, this was seen as proving they were a witch. If they stayed under and drowned, it proved their innocence. Obviously this test only separated those who could swim from those who could not.

    You say: "What about women who are raped, why don't we abort the rapist and not the baby? Oh I forgot the left wing loonies are against capital punishment." Aside from the obvious logical inconsistencies of this statement, you seem not to know that Obama is IN FAVOR of capital punishment.

    Vinmano, your blogs are remarkably ignorant. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you just don't know the truth. But you need to get your facts straight before you continue blogging. If you continue to post this nonsense then we will all have to assume that you are just another Karl Rove operative trying to spread lies as part of a smear campaign. Good luck with that on November 4th. America is tired of lies and deceit.

    Obama 2008

    • Posted By: Sara Sota @ 10/28/2008 11:35:53 PM

      The only real church is the Body of Christ, salvation thorugh Christ . There is no other way, politcs can appease is all, that is all Vinn is saying though he has some false ideas attached untto his faith. But that is just the thing, we are that depraved and flawed , even Obama accepts that in this article. So if he is a borna gain Christian or a saved one or both however you want ot define it, then he should say so. There is no religon in salvation really unless you actually "follow' Christ which would ,mean you would dig deeper and all, and attend services. But the reall message i thnk Vin is trying to convey is that you need saved, and the fact Obama says he is imperfect and broken and all admits he needs saved, if Christ is the way to salvation then he is the ONe Way to The Father. Period. Catholics are considered Chrisitians as with many traditional churches but salvation is the only way , the only reall church are the people who accept Christ, without ritual, without pre requisites and admit they are sinners and need Him . No one is righteous , we need saved. That is the Body of Christ. ( read The bIble, the guy next to Jesus on the cross that knew who he was, that is all you need to go to paradise, the rest of religon and especially Christian antics in America is add on)

  • Posted By: davewrite @ 07/17/2008 3:42:44 PM

    Outside of clear Machiavellian tendencies, what troubles me most about Obama is his religious claims. A black Chicago doctor and high school friend of mine (in band together) claims to have been good friends with Obama. He assured me that Obama was no more religious than we (we're both atheists) . I argued with him bitterly over this, unable to believe that Obama could or would lie that well. That he buys into so much religious nonsense disturbs me; if he's lying about his beliefs, that troubles me even more.

    Most Americans are Christians and consider it treasonous (even though we brag about not judging people by race, color, or creed) for a politician to be anything but Christian. So politicans must at least claim deep belief, but it does not bode well for their character, honesty, or moral compass.

    • Posted By: olderwiser @ 07/17/2008 3:47:24 PM

      I agree that you should have studied whether this man is your friend or not, considering what he said about another person who he claimed was his friend. I wonder what he told Obama about you. Maybe about your sheer lack of Machiavellian tendencies.

      • Posted By: Sara Sota @ 10/28/2008 11:22:10 PM

        That is just what will be said when thye take over our governmet who cannot govern its free passivist people anymore as they refuse to contribute , and as they take you away becasue you do not belive in anything, but there is no God so it wont matter much will it?

      • Posted By: davewrite @ 07/17/2008 3:56:20 PM

        It would be a compliment if he siad I dd not have Machiavellian tendencies. I don't. As for my friend (in 1956) being truthful, I have no idea. I'm assuming that Obama is telling the truth about his religious conversion -- even though it's a negative by my lights.

        • Posted By: olderwiser @ 07/17/2008 4:32:40 PM

          Well, davewrite, don't let me get in your way disliking Obama because he's not really religious, any more than you want to get in my way claiming that Mc Cain is not really a hero. He's just an angry old codger who wants to be president, and his chance just came too late. Thanks to the job that Rove did on him in the primaries in 2000.

  • Posted By: lil_angel00 @ 07/18/2008 2:34:54 PM

    If you were religious or had any faith at all you would realize how important someones faith really is. Being whatever religion you are is not just what you do on Sunday morning or( Saturday evening if you're catholic). Now we know that no one is perfect but different faiths bring about the way you live or the way you strive to live. This includes views on abortion, definition of marriage, whether you have God on your side as president or not. I don't want to live in a country where the leader is anti-God. For those of you who don't believe in God you don't realize how much power and authority he has. Why do you think America has been as prosperous as it has been?? Because it was founded on God, just look at the pledge of allegiance, "One nation under GOD."

    • Posted By: heavilymedicated @ 07/18/2008 4:21:51 PM

      "One Nation Under God" wasn't in the original pledge. It was added by the Knights of Columbus (go go Catholic secret societies) who felt that there needed to be some reference to God in the pledge. It wasn't officially picked up until around the time of the Communist witch hunts as a form of psychologically differentiating us from our "godless" enemies.

      • Posted By: Sara Sota @ 10/28/2008 11:18:52 PM

        It does not mean anything added later. Every president but a few are of Christian denomination , and the ones that were not were Unitarians. Today people are making up God what they want it to be, you have choice, and god can mean a lot ot a lot of deifferent people, that is where we are today in the uSA. However, specifically Obama declares he needed salvation which makes him a Christ follower and in The Body of Christ (the real church beyond congregations and denominations) . And in that acceptance he accepted Yahwah, Yeshua, the ONe True God. America had freedom of religons specifically so government could not control the "church ' we went to and make its citizens go to. We have freedoms here and everyoneis aloowed to go to church or deny it, say what they want, make up ther own opinion, even sleep with whoever despite the consequences, as well as re define what mating is and what marriage is. And they all do it in fairness, and kindness and generosity to all beliefs becasue they have made up a cosmic "perfect" Daddy in the sky who forgives us everything as we do what we want. Only they deny the One sent who actually doid that and the doctrine He represents to develop the faith .

    • Posted By: heavilymedicated @ 07/18/2008 4:21:19 PM

      "One Nation Under God" wasn't in the original pledge. It was added by the Knights of Columbus (go go Catholic secret societies) who felt that there needed to be some reference to God in the pledge. It wasn't officially picked up until around the time of the Communist witch hunts as a form of psychologically differentiating us from our "godless" enemies.

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