Obama, Religion and Politics -- stuck in neutral?
Recently Barack Obama had a sit down with a number of religious leaders. There were no cameras or reporters, so we're left to hear about it from participants. In a posting at the Pew Forum, we learn that much of the conversation was driven by conservative evangelical concerns about the big two -- abortion and gay rights. Some participants, apparently, wished that the conservative agenda hadn't dominated the discussion.
Most disturbing was news that Franklin Graham essentially tried to convert Obama -- questioning his faith and the fact that Obama's father was at least nominally Muslim. Graham also asked Obama whether Jesus was the only savior of the world. Apparently Obama answered -- appropriately -- "Jesus is the only way for me. I'm not in a position to judge other people."
That a forum such as this would be used for such questions is a bit odd, but perhaps there can be other conversations with a broader conversation. My sense, though, is that Franklin Graham might want to stay home!
But from all I've read, here and elsewhere, Obama handled himself and his questioners quite well!
Comments
These are not samples of "change we can believe in." It goes to show that all politicians must have their feet held to the fire.
The question presented was whether Jesus Christ is THE way or merely A way to salvation. Mr. Obama reportedly said “Jesus is the only way for me. I'm not in a position to judge other people." The clear implication of Mr. Obama’s answer is that Jesus may not be, or is not necessarily, the only way for the entire human race. And you find that appropriate?
That which Mr. Obama’s answer implies is fully confirmed as reported by CATHLEEN FALSANI , Sun-Times Columnist (April 5, 2004) who in an hour long interview with Mr. Obama reports that Mr. Obama stated the following:
"I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.”
[http://www.suntimes.com/news/falsani/726619,obamafalsani040504.article]
OK there you go – Jesus Christ is not the only way. That’s what the man believes.
Ostensibly both you and Mr. Obama believe the Bible is truth. If so, the Bible says at John 14:6 that Jesus Christ said:
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No man can come unto the Father but through me.”
John 14:6
Likewise, Acts 4:12 says:
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
So, Mr. Obama says there are “many paths to the same place”. Mr. Obama makes Jesus Christ a liar because Jesus Christ said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man can come unto the Father but through me.”
Mr. Obama refuses to acknowledge as true Jesus Christ’s claim that He is the only way to God and salvation for ~ not just Mr. Obama ~ but the entire human race. Pluralism repudiates truth is an absolute for all and embraces the notion that what is true for you need not be truth for someone else. Tolerance used to mean (and by my book still does) that one “puts up with” folks that don’t have it right. . . but now means (to many) that I must accept opposing views as equally valid as mine.
The keystone to Christianity and to the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ is the only way to God & Salvation for the ENTIRE human race. Everybody else is wrong and in need of Jesus Christ. Mr. Obama does not hold to this and is therefore not a Christian, as his belief falls outside the pale of Biblical orthodoxy i.e., his belief is heretical.
If the Holy Bible is not good enough for you, as a Pastor of a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) you are to “embody” the spirit of and “articulate” the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) authored “Design for the Christian Church”. You have agreed to the following commitment: “commit ourselves to one another and to God in adopting this Design for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in order that we may faithfully express the ministry of Christ.”
So what are you committed to? Just read the Design as set out below. You believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I note - not some of the world - but the world.
As members of the Christian Church,
We confess that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of the living God,
and proclaim Him Lord and Savior of the world.
(from The Design for the Christian Church)
http://www.disciples.org/TheDesign.pdf
Given the fact that mutuality exclusive tenets of world religions cannot both be true and given the fact that you believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world it seems you must repudiate Mr. Obama’s pluralistic view about how people are saved and how they get to God. As a pastor of a congregation you are to lead the congregation and the “Design” states that “individuals are brought to the saving grace of Christ” through the congregation. (See Para #8 - CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES). Hence you are to lead the congregation to bring the world (i.e., all individuals) to the saving grace of Jesus Christ who says there is no other way (which excludes Allah) and that Jesus is the only way.
I will admit that, to be consistent, President Bush is off base also and shares the same company as Mr. Obama. ABC's Charles Gibson interviewed President George W. Bush. Mr. Gibson asked the below questions and President Bush responded as indicated:
Q. "Do we all worship the same God, Christian and Muslim?"
A. "I think we do. We have different routes of getting to the Almighty."
Q. "Do Christians and non-Christians and Muslims go to heaven in your mind?"
A. "Yes they do. We have different routes of getting there."
I will note that President Bush did concede in the same interview that some believe in a false god: Q. Does bin Laden? Does Abu Musab al-Zarqawi pray to the same God that you and I do? A. I think they pray to a false god otherwise they wouldn't be killing innocent lives like they have been.
But President Bush’s confusion does not redeem Mr. Obama from the false statement that he is a Christian. In any event, if indeed President Bush and Mr. Obama both refuse to admit there is only one way for salvation for the entire human race than they don’t believe in the Bible and can’t claim to be Christians: they are non-Christian universalists.
I would rather we have a president, no matter which religon, that held to and practiced moral principles. I have not been impressed by President Bush or the past several so called Christian Presidents.
A candidates religion has no place in my deciding who to vote for. I decide by finding out as much as I can about their character as well as platform, but not how much of the Bible they know or don't know.