Obama on Faith - Dems must reachout to Evangelicals
There is a groundswell of support among liberal leaning clergy for the candidacy of Barack Obama. Consider this from Chuck Currie and from Aaron Krager, just to name a few fellow bloggers.
I will admit, one reason why this is true is that Obama has found a way to connect his faith to policy. He speaks eloquently of his faith and he's not afraid to speak of faith in public. I expect he makes some secularists nervous, but if you read and listen to what he says, he always makes it clear that any religious voice in the public square must come with humility and the recognition that we're a pluralistic nation, where religious and non-religious voices are welcome.
An article found in the Washington Post discusses Obama's very pointed statements about religion to his fellow Democrats. He told them that they must reach out to Evangelicals, among others. He said: "Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation. Context matters."
The article goes on to say:
An authentic voice in the public square, one that is respectful of differences, that's able to refrain from absolutist diatribes, can have a beneficial effect on public issues and should be welcomed -- both from the right and the left. So, I say, good job Barack!
I will admit, one reason why this is true is that Obama has found a way to connect his faith to policy. He speaks eloquently of his faith and he's not afraid to speak of faith in public. I expect he makes some secularists nervous, but if you read and listen to what he says, he always makes it clear that any religious voice in the public square must come with humility and the recognition that we're a pluralistic nation, where religious and non-religious voices are welcome.
An article found in the Washington Post discusses Obama's very pointed statements about religion to his fellow Democrats. He told them that they must reach out to Evangelicals, among others. He said: "Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation. Context matters."
The article goes on to say:
Obama said millions of Christians, Muslims and Jews have traveled similar religious paths, and that is why "we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse. ... In other words, if we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway."
Obama coupled his advice with a warning. "Nothing is more transparent than inauthentic expressions of faith: the politician who shows up at a black church around election time and claps _ off rhythm _ to the gospel choir."
At the same time, he said, "Secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering the public square."
An authentic voice in the public square, one that is respectful of differences, that's able to refrain from absolutist diatribes, can have a beneficial effect on public issues and should be welcomed -- both from the right and the left. So, I say, good job Barack!
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