Comments on: The Progressive Christian Case for Barack Obama http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/ by Hemant Mehta Sun, 27 May 2012 14:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Jillie http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127262 Jillie Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:12:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127262 I would love an atheist in the White house, however only someone very naive would believe he or she could become president this era without being some sort of christian. I have laughed and told my daughters, if you ever want to go into an elective office, you will have to join a church well before you do that. Barack Obama is very intelligent and obviously knows this. I do not question his intelligence, only that he is incredibly ambitious and we know very little about him. You may not be old enough to remember how good it was in those Clinton years. I can assure you, you would have been very happy. Bill Clinton had no backers from the old democrats...i.e Kerry and Kennedy. It makes me wonder if it really is going to be a change. It's the era of the American Idol and hence "We're in love with Obama.' I would love an atheist in the White house, however only someone very naive would believe he or she could become president this era without being some sort of christian. I have laughed and told my daughters, if you ever want to go into an elective office, you will have to join a church well before you do that. Barack Obama is very intelligent and obviously knows this.
I do not question his intelligence, only that he is incredibly ambitious and we know very little about him.
You may not be old enough to remember how good it was in those Clinton years. I can assure you, you would have been very happy. Bill Clinton had no backers from the old democrats…i.e Kerry and Kennedy. It makes me wonder if it really is going to be a change.
It’s the era of the American Idol and hence “We’re in love with Obama.’

]]> By: athenebelle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127211 athenebelle Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:57:56 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127211 If any of you have not read "Dreams of my Father" which was written long before he went into politics I suggest you do so in order to get an understanding of why he "converted" (i.e. became a member of Trinity UCC and a christian). You won't understand otherwise or see his conversion as anything but political posturing. If any of you have not read “Dreams of my Father” which was written long before he went into politics I suggest you do so in order to get an understanding of why he “converted” (i.e. became a member of Trinity UCC and a christian). You won’t understand otherwise or see his conversion as anything but political posturing.

]]> By: MikeClawson http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127190 MikeClawson Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:26:51 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127190 <blockquote>Obviously a very ambitious man, following a path to the highest office, would be a kiss of death if he was an atheist. His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc.</blockquote> If you're implying that he is pretending to be a Christian just to get elected, I think the timeline says differently. His conversion experience occurred well before he ran for public office.

Obviously a very ambitious man, following a path to the highest office, would be a kiss of death if he was an atheist.
His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc.

If you’re implying that he is pretending to be a Christian just to get elected, I think the timeline says differently. His conversion experience occurred well before he ran for public office.

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127162 Mriana Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:37:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127162 <blockquote>Jillie said, February 12, 2008 at 2:16 pm Dosen’t any of you wonder how Obama Barack can be a christian?</blockquote> No. Why? <blockquote>Having been brought up by an atheist mother, it would be peculular for a child to then follow a theist path. Granted a few do, but that is usually the ones that have had problems or an addiction to either drugs or alchohol.</blockquote> You haven't read his book, have you? Probably the 12 Step Program or some other deal many years ago, but that was years ago. However, he is very well aware of the verses that are inhumane and contribute to slavery and other human indignities. Even if it wasn't anything like that, it could very well be that he goes because his family does and if he is not a Christian, what of it? He seems to understand both sides or at least comprehend both sides, which is good IMO. IF it was some sort of 12-Step Program he went through years ago, so what? The Shrub is an alcoholic, but since there is no actual public evidence that he has gone back to drinking, only rumour, we cannot say that someone who use to do drugs is going to do it again, esp if we look at their most recent achievements. <blockquote>His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc.</blockquote> So what if he is an atheist (which I suspect he is) under the disguise of a family church? Is that a crime? I don't think it is, except to appeal to the religious. That is the only reason why it would be important. Whatever the case, he is a fence sitter, that much we can be sure of, which I can appreciate. It might be what is best for this country is a new generation with new and fresh ideas. The old ones aren't working, that is for sure. We won't know for sure unless we give him a chance and if our only reason not to give him a chance is experience, then look at what experience has done for our country already. Doesn't seem it's helped it much.

Jillie said,

February 12, 2008 at 2:16 pm

Dosen’t any of you wonder how Obama Barack can be a christian?

No. Why?

Having been brought up by an atheist mother, it would be peculular for a child to then follow a theist path. Granted a few do, but that is usually the ones that have had problems or an addiction to either drugs or alchohol.

You haven’t read his book, have you? Probably the 12 Step Program or some other deal many years ago, but that was years ago. However, he is very well aware of the verses that are inhumane and contribute to slavery and other human indignities. Even if it wasn’t anything like that, it could very well be that he goes because his family does and if he is not a Christian, what of it? He seems to understand both sides or at least comprehend both sides, which is good IMO.

IF it was some sort of 12-Step Program he went through years ago, so what? The Shrub is an alcoholic, but since there is no actual public evidence that he has gone back to drinking, only rumour, we cannot say that someone who use to do drugs is going to do it again, esp if we look at their most recent achievements.

His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc.

So what if he is an atheist (which I suspect he is) under the disguise of a family church? Is that a crime? I don’t think it is, except to appeal to the religious. That is the only reason why it would be important. Whatever the case, he is a fence sitter, that much we can be sure of, which I can appreciate.

It might be what is best for this country is a new generation with new and fresh ideas. The old ones aren’t working, that is for sure. We won’t know for sure unless we give him a chance and if our only reason not to give him a chance is experience, then look at what experience has done for our country already. Doesn’t seem it’s helped it much.

]]> By: Jillie http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127146 Jillie Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:16:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-127146 Dosen't any of you wonder how Obama Barack can be a christian? Having been brought up by an atheist mother, it would be peculular for a child to then follow a theist path. Granted a few do, but that is usually the ones that have had problems or an addiction to either drugs or alchohol. Obviously a very ambitious man, following a path to the highest office, would be a kiss of death if he was an atheist. His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc. I feel we need more time to really get to know this person before we vote him in as president. He reminds me a bit of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, how he seemed to fool so many to get his prize. I'm an atheist and a liberal, I just want what is best for our country. Dosen’t any of you wonder how Obama Barack can be a christian? Having been brought up by an atheist mother, it would be peculular for a child to then follow a theist path. Granted a few do, but that is usually the ones that have had problems or an addiction to either drugs or alchohol. Obviously a very ambitious man, following a path to the highest office, would be a kiss of death if he was an atheist.
His entire adult life has been carefully manipulating the system starting with him heading to Chicago, joining a black church etc. etc.
I feel we need more time to really get to know this person before we vote him in as president. He reminds me a bit of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, how he seemed to fool so many to get his prize. I’m an atheist and a liberal, I just want what is best for our country.

]]> By: Atheist: Bloggers Views on Obama | Basapa http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-126673 Atheist: Bloggers Views on Obama | Basapa Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:05:36 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-126673 [...] I’ve seen who can withstand a religious attack, and come out winning. I have to agree with Friendly Atheist that Obama is our best shot when it comes to issues we deeply care about. Many international [...] [...] I’ve seen who can withstand a religious attack, and come out winning. I have to agree with Friendly Atheist that Obama is our best shot when it comes to issues we deeply care about. Many international [...]

]]> By: Mriana http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123601 Mriana Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:16:17 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123601 <blockquote>Senator Obama, who is a devout member of the United Church of Christ” Well, he just lost my vote I don’t know if you were being sarcastic or not, just FYI, the UCC is the single most liberal Christian denomination out there (if you don’t consider the UU specifically “Christian”). If there is any Christian church that atheists ought to have the least objections to it should be the UCC.</blockquote> I think he was joking, but if he's not, who the heck will he vote for? They're all religious and go to church, but that doesn't mean if Obama wins he'll run the country by his religious beliefs. I truly think he will run it with hope, dignity, and concern for his fellow Americans. Ah, but don't listen to me, I only campaign for him and consider him my man, the man. :D Did you know that can go on your resume? I'm going COOL!

Senator Obama, who is a devout member of the United Church of Christ”

Well, he just lost my vote

I don’t know if you were being sarcastic or not, just FYI, the UCC is the single most liberal Christian denomination out there (if you don’t consider the UU specifically “Christian”). If there is any Christian church that atheists ought to have the least objections to it should be the UCC.

I think he was joking, but if he’s not, who the heck will he vote for? They’re all religious and go to church, but that doesn’t mean if Obama wins he’ll run the country by his religious beliefs. I truly think he will run it with hope, dignity, and concern for his fellow Americans. Ah, but don’t listen to me, I only campaign for him and consider him my man, the man. :D

Did you know that can go on your resume? I’m going COOL!

]]> By: athenebelle http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123558 athenebelle Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:31:10 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123558 <blockquote>I don’t know if you were being sarcastic or not, just FYI, the UCC is the single most liberal Christian denomination out there (if you don’t consider the UU specifically “Christian”). If there is any Christian church that atheists ought to have the least objections to it should be the UCC.</blockquote> That is very true but there are also moderate UCC churches and a few little more conservative/traditional ones. Now the particular church that he attends is more in line with your statement. Just not all of them. With that said, I agree with everything you've said. I can speak to this because I myself am also a member of the UCC. I remember seeing him at my churches national convention when I was a delegate. He had been asked to be the keynote speaker before he had created his exploratory committee. By the time the convention/General Synod he had an exploratory committee. His speech was loved by many, even the most conservative members within our broad denomination. Can you guess who's got my vote?

I don’t know if you were being sarcastic or not, just FYI, the UCC is the single most liberal Christian denomination out there (if you don’t consider the UU specifically “Christian”). If there is any Christian church that atheists ought to have the least objections to it should be the UCC.

That is very true but there are also moderate UCC churches and a few little more conservative/traditional ones. Now the particular church that he attends is more in line with your statement. Just not all of them. With that said, I agree with everything you’ve said. I can speak to this because I myself am also a member of the UCC. I remember seeing him at my churches national convention when I was a delegate. He had been asked to be the keynote speaker before he had created his exploratory committee. By the time the convention/General Synod he had an exploratory committee. His speech was loved by many, even the most conservative members within our broad denomination.

Can you guess who’s got my vote?

]]> By: HappyNat http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123358 HappyNat Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:20:23 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123358 Not a big fan of the NFL(National Football League), Scotty? :) Not a big fan of the NFL(National Football League), Scotty? :)

]]> By: Scotty B http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123347 Scotty B Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:52:45 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/02/02/the-progressive-christian-case-for-barack-obama/#comment-123347 Who's Tom Brady? Who’s Tom Brady?

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