Obama said "My mother was a Christian from Kansas, and they married and then divorced. I was raised by my mother. So, I've always been a Christian." from msnbc interview
Anybody that knows anything about his mother knows she was an athiest, an agnostic at best.
Synopsis:
Can a modern small business survive in a small town today by running a youth center and repairing computers and electronics? Why is a youth center needed? Are we doing a good enough job keeping religion out of the schools or is it just God we want out?
For the full story check the Extended Post Text.
BBC has got a Muslim trying to rewrite historic Jewish Jesus from Judea (attempting — to no avail — to “Arabize” & confuse JUDEA with Arabia…).
Accompanied with a typical Islamic-bigotry’s bombarding propaganda of the “bad” Israelis that dare to try fight (with security checkpoints) the Arab Muslim (invaders) that terrorize the Jews.
Just another typical biased BBC’s blend of radical Islamism & Arabism re-”view” of true facts, in Islamic culture there’s a word for it: Taqiyya (http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/018169.php#c451487) - an intentional planned lying to and deceit of the infidel, it’s encouraged, as long as the infidel “buys” it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7784227.stm - BBC’s Aleem Maqbool: The road to Bethlehem
As a grad student at a Pentecostal University and an Assemblies of God minister, my support (rather vocal, at that) for Obama has made me the target for quite the number of email forwards, personal notes, phone calls, Facebook posts and messages, and, of course, the occasional sarcastic comment. Inevitably, these concerned friend, University officials, and random acquaintances all have the same primary complaints: Abortion, gay rights, and the faith of Obama himself.
Conservatism is the most Christian of movements. At its core is the belief in the better angels of our nature. It approaches society from an optimist's perspective. It believes that people do not need the government as an intercessor for their interactions. In it, we find all manner of personal freedoms and individual liberties. However, this is simply the ideal. Unfortunately, the movement has been hijacked by the tyranny of the wicked and corrupt; men and women who seek their own vainglory at the expense of those who they should sheperd.
The dawning of a new day is here, both for America as a whole and for those who call ourselves "compassionate conservatives," a code name for politically active Christians.
It's a time when our nation has the opportunity to break from the tradition of the past--from racial and class division, from partisan politics, from us against them--and to ride into a bright, new future of unified effort for the good of all Americans, truly non-partisan policy making and cooperation in Washington.
The undeclared but clearly evident leader of this new effort is Barack Obama, an American of mixed racial background (half white, and half black), and of mixed socio-economic background, a recent graduate from the struggling middle class to the echelons of upper class America. He is the leader we need right now not just because of superior intellect, highly effective communication skills, and his high level of educational attainment, but also because of the character and the temperament with which he has been divinely blessed. Character he has demonstrated in this election in quite distinct contrast to his Republican contender, John McCain.
It is for this reason that I, a social activist at heart for the poor and for the good of all men, and a Christian conservative as it relates to the two most pivotal moral issues of our time--abortion and homosexuality--have decided to vote for Senator Barack Obama to become the next president of the United States.
Though the Republican party may attempt to portray it--God is not the God of one political party. He is not more concerned about small government than he is about helping those in need. He did not only send His Son to die for upper class and upper middle class whites. He does not want us to lock-up first time, young non-violent offenders for most of their young adult lives and throw away the keys. He does not want us to ignore the social causes of crime. He does want his people involved with both parties so that both parties ultimately represent His interests, which are the best interests of us all.
This is our opportunity. In this election, we have the ability to show the rest of America that "conservative Christians" can make a balanced, intellectual, and still spiritual choice for President. We can choose to vote for Barack Obama, not because we agree with him on every issue, but because we agree with him on many. And we can make our voices heard during his administration to affect the way he governs on issues with which we do disagree.
Make the change. Take the leap. Make a new choice, and encourage other like minded people to make this choice as well--praying all the way for Christ to grant Sen. Obama the wisdom to make the right decisions at the right time, not swayed by what's popular, but based on the right foundation--God's Word--at "such a time as this" in our nation's and the world's history.
--Pat Perry
Copy of a letter sent to the editors of the Denver Post. It can also be found at http://tamethemonkeymind.blogspot.com/2008/10/bodhisattva-voting.html
I have been watching the anger that emanates from the McCain campaign and some conservatives. In turn, I am feeling angry, myself, over the turn the election has taken. The epitaphs that have issued from Palin and McCain supporters are very disturbing. There have been ugly racial words used. Someone shouted “Kill Him!” at a Palin rally while Senator Obama – a sitting United States Senator – has been labeled a “terrorist” and a “traitor” at these rallies.
In an online discussion of the escalating poverty in Douglas County, Colorado, where I live, there were some posts that both blamed the victims of the economy, and advocated that we simply not help them. As a society, these folks argued, we should simply allow these people to become homeless and starve.
In the meantime, the global financial system continues to spin out of control and the United States is ensnared in two wars. The killing will continue, though I expect one candidate will bring it to a close faster then the other. The economic pain will continue, and the resulting layoffs and unemployment will be with us well into the next administration.
This is a spiritual blog, so I want to approach the election from just that perspective. Every religion has a core value of compassion. In Christianity it is the value of caritas that is one of the three great theological virtues. In Islam, Zakat is obligatory for all believers. The Talmud commands that all Jews are to be “rachmanim b’nei rachmanim” (compassionate children of compassionate ancestors). In Buddhism, the ideal of generosity or of loving kindness is one of the virtues practiced by any aspiring bodhisattva. So, if we are to be true to our faith, we must approach our votes with the universal values of compassion, wisdom and equanimity; values shared by all faiths.
Our votes, therefore, should be an exercise in compassion and generosity, not exercises in fear, pettiness or covetousness. We should not be voting based on “everyone’s favorite radio station WII FM” or “What’s In It For Me” as a salesperson I once knew would say. I may get a slightly lower tax bill under one candidate or another, but that should not be my primary consideration.
For my vote, I consider first how my vote will exercise compassion and ease suffering in the world. Which candidate do I expect to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan faster? Which candidate espouses policies that will reduce the suffering of the poor and the sick? Which candidate, in short, will lead us to a more compassionate society?
By that standard, beyond question, the candidates who will get my votes are Barack Obama for president and Mark Udall for United States Senate. While space here is too short for a complete analysis, some points do stand out.
First, the health care proposals of Mr. Obama will certainly provide for superior coverage for the poor and the sick. This will allow people to seek care before they are seriously ill or forced to go to an emergency room, easing their pain. Care will be less expensive for us all, easing some of our economic anxiety, another form of suffering.
The proposals for care for the environment from both Mr. Udall and Mr. Obama will ease pollution and global warming, while opening new, ecologically friendly industries such as solar and wind power and the manufacturing plants needed to support that infrastructure. This will ease global warming as well as preserve space we need to ease our minds and be a peace – places like the Rockies and the seashore.
Most important, the plans proposed by Mr. Obama for ending the Iraq war have already been received favorably. We must end that suffering.
I encourage you all to contemplate carefully your vote and use it as a way to help all beings find peace.
OHIO - A CRUCIAL STATE IN THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:BLACK GOSPEL CHOIR'S SPIRITUALS MAKE A WHITE COLUMBUS, OHIO MAN WISH HE BELIEVED ...
A WHITE FAIRFIELD, OHIO MAN HANGS AN EFFIGY OF OBAMA FROM A TREE!
HE DOES NOT WANT AN AFRICAN AMERICAN AS PRESIDENT - "THE UNITED STATES IS "A WHITE CHRISTIAN NATION"! - NEIGHBORS DISAGREE
RELIGION - CHRISTIANITY - FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIANS - "THE UNITED STATES IS A WHITE CHRISTIAN NATION" - CHURCH INFLUENCE ON "POLITICS"!
http://lc5827.spaces.live.com/
CHECK IT OUT!
To view this blog post with music and Barack Obama messages taped on his podcast in the past access this link
By Daniel Kurtzman, About.com
"They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.'" (Watch video
********************************
'Eye Without A Face' by Mark Bellinghaus, Copyright 2008
Life is all about signs...seeing the signs....understanding the signs...acting upon the signs
--Mark Bellinghaus
Extract & Photo caption/description posted on OUR MARILYN BLOG - you can find the entire blog article here: blog.ourmarilyn.com/2008/08/31/marilyn-monroe-would-have-voted-f .. and also here: my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/markbellinghaus/gG5W75 Ella Fitzgerald & Marilyn Monroe, in 1955 (above) and in 1962, (below), the year Marilyn Monroe passed away. In 1955, when racism was still a big issue in the United States of America, Ella Fitzgerald became the first African-American to perform at the Mocambo, after Marilyn Monroe had lobbied the owner for the booking. The booking was instrumental in Fitzgerald's career. Marilyn would promise the owner that she would appear every night (and be on time), and this way also fill the house--and she did, she was there every night, and she filled the house and: she was always on time! Their close friendship lasted for many years and Ella would sing Marilyn Monroe's famous 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' in honor of her wonderful friend Marilyn Monroe, who died almost 34 years before she passed on in 1996, at age 79. Barack Obama Quotes: 'They say I need to be seasoned; they say I need to be stewed. They say, 'We need to boil all the hope out of him -- like us -- and then he'll be ready.' 'I have nothing to hide, I enjoy being myself. I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween." -appearing as himself on Saturday Night Live as part of a skit that featured Hillary Clinton dressed as a witch at a Halloween party * 'It's like I was shot out of a cannon. I'm so overexposed that I make Paris Hilton look like a recluse.' 'Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare 'Mission Accomplished' a little too soon.' Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy, who was a Democrat
I don't use this word lightly. This pastor really was stupid. But he's not someone to make fun of, because the hate-mongering he used to prep the crowd for McCain is terrifying indeed.Earlier today, before McCain arrived at the rally, a pastor gave an opening prayer, astounding in it's mixture of religion and politics, lack of basic understanding of other faiths, lack of basic understanding of Christian theology, and level of hate.The pastor, Arnold Conrad, "prayed":
There are millions of people around this world praying to their god — whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah — that his [McCain’s] opponent wins, for a variety of reasons
And what if the non-Christians do pray for "the other guy"? Since when did that mean God wouldn't listen to them? If they are more in line with the values of the Kingdom than the so-called followers of Jesus, why wouldn't Jesus listen to their prayers instead? Or do we have a God so foolish that he says, "I know you guys aren't praying for what I want to happen. But since you claim my name, I'm going to subvert my entire process and the future of the planet, just because you signed up on a dotted line."? God hears all prayers. He cares about the Kingdom, and not just the Church. And he offers the Grace to extend a listening ear and answering hand, even while we were yet sinners.
And Lord, I pray that you would guard your own reputation because they’re going to think that their god is bigger than you if that happens. So I pray that you will step forward and honor your own name in all that happens between now and Election Day.
Before I even get started, let me say that I am and always have been a christian and I plan to stay that way. Lots of people might see this as believing in myths or superstitions, but either my life has had an amazing number of incredible coincidences, or God has been actively answering my prayers on a regular basis.
Sure, non-believers will criticize my beliefs. Unlike many christians, however, that doesn't bother me at all. You see, I have an open mind and don't mind looking at things from other people's points of view. I try to live my life by following one of the bible's most important, and yet grossly neglected morals: judge not, lest ye be judged.
Now, don't get me wrong. Not all christians are close-minded people with a stubborn insistence to ignore every possibility except for their own tunnel-visioned views. However, a surprisingly and unnervingly large group of them are, and they're increasing every day.
This whole post began forming a few days ago, when I saw the news footage of a Sarah Palin rally in which one audience member couldbe clearly heard to yell, "Kill him!"
Check out this discussion blog among Christians.
http://2008election-christiansbothsides.blogspot.com/
The "Welcome Statement":
We only ask that you not feel the need to be clever or to respond at length (despite the perhaps irresponsible length of some of our postings)—and that you refrain from name calling or harsh language. The point of this blog, this conversation, is not just to disagree, but to educate one another. If you disagree with anything you read here—from the right or the left—tell us why, and explain why you think differently. That’s what we want to hear. What we all need to hear in these next few months.
Go to: http://2008election-christiansbothsides.blogspot.com/ for more
Saturday September 13th the News and Observer will be distributing a DVD to their 160,000 subscribers entitled "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" If anyone hasn't heard about this movie you can view the trailer here.
I don't know about you but I do not remember any other time where a news paper has ever sent out a DVD let alone one that his very biased and portrays Islam as an extremist religion!!!!!!!
I find it quite appaling that this type of garbage would be sent out to further instill fear into the public. It again puts innocent Muslims on the defensive and makes them worry about backlash.
http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/trailer.php
In a speech he gave on June 28, 2006 at the Call to Renewal's Building a Covenant for a New America conference, Barack Obama made the following observations about faith in the public square:
"There are some liberals who dismiss religion in the public square as inherently irrational or intolerant, insisting on a caricature of religious Americans that paints them as fanatical, or thinking that the very word "Christian" describes one's political opponents, not people of faith . . . Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation - context matters. It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase "under God." I didn't. Having voluntary student prayer groups use school property to meet should not be a threat, any more than its use by the High School Republicans should threaten Democrats."
This a re-post of a blog originally appearing as a post on my official site on June 16th. Partially inspired by the infamous "Who is Barack Obama?" chain letter, I thought some of you may enjoy it. There's also a section covering some of my personal views on several hot-button issues, so you'll get to know me a little better.
6.16.2008 "Patriotic" Propaganda and the Ignorance of America...
Last night I was checking my email when one arrived from a cousin of mine. "Maxine" was the title, and the contents were just enough to prompt a response.
I get a lot of the "forwards", the "chain emails", etc. I've always hated them, and usually just delete them without opening. For the most part it's not the contents of said emails that bugs me (I usually just don't care), but the fact that the senders usually forget a little something called the"BCC" - Blind Carbon Copy. Due to that little error, my email ends up publicly displayed to an onslaught of recipients that I don't even know. Factor in a few of them with trojans or spyware on their machines, and the next thing I know there's a few thousand more unsolicted "Spam" emails heading straight to my inbox.
I should've known better than to open the email last evening, but coming from a cousin - I did. The first thing that caught me was that she did indeed omit the use of BCC, and in scrolling though it realized that several prior senders had done the same. I now had email addresses for a couple hundred people that I didn't know. In turn, they had mine. That irritation aside, the email itself was the latest in a long line of what I like to call "Rah Rah Patriotic Bullshit."
Around six months ago, in the midst of planning a family reunion (which actually takes place next weekend) a cousin-by-marriage of mine managed to forward a copy of the now-famous "Who is Barack Obama?" email to all members of the extended family and beyond. If you haven't seen it for yourself, it's the one that rants about Obama being "a Muslim" and questions whether someone bearing the middlename "Hussein" should be our next President. Snopes.com did an excellent piece that debunks it in full. Regardless, the individuals that forward such a message (cousin included) are the prime examples of what's wrong with this Country.
That email prompted another cousin of mine to send a reply to the entire list of recipients. A former member of the United States Army, and having served around the Globe as a Military Police Officer in war-torn regions including Iraq and Afghanistan - he took offense not to the blatant attacks on Obama himself - but to the underlying message of hatred to those who are not American, White, Christians (I'll get into that later). His lengthy retort sent shockwaves through the family, for no reason other than the inability to acknowledge their own ignorance. His response eloquently described his experience discovering other cultures abroad, and learning to respect his fellow man regardless of their differences. Within a short period of time (and a few angry response later), my Christian-raised cousin announced that he and his Jewish wife and child would not be attending the reunion.
The email tonight was supposed to be a "Support our Troops" type of affair, but the message was diluted by childish jabs at our neighbors to the south. I have no problems with "supporting" our troops - but I refuse to do it at the expense of someone else. While I chose to write this blog, my sister surprisingly took it upon herself to send a retort covering much of the same material. It should be interesting to see how much hatred is sent back in her direction. Q: If members of the same (very large) extended family cannot get along, how can we expect Nations to peacefully co-exist? A: We can't. Peaceful co-existence will never be 100% possible. Human Beings are animals by nature - albeit evolved (some would dispute that as well), and have primal instincts that can only be supressed so much. Many forget that The United States of America is a Nation that was born with blood on it's hands. A simple history lesson would do wonders for some people but here are a couple cold, hard, facts.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The email tonight specifically targeted "illegal border-jumping Mexicans" in it's text, further stating that they should not be allowed into our country - nor provided the same rights as their "American" counterparts.
But what makes an American? For me, a true American is one who is born on American soil. I am an American of German descent - but I would never call myself a "German", nor a "German-American." I was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois. I am an American. Once again, I have relatives that commonly refer to themselves as "German, but have never stepped foot on German soil. I'd like to challenge them to visit Germany and proclaim themselves "German." I'm sure the folks living their would find at least a little amusement in the claims of the "stupid American."
We were all spawned from people that were at one time immigrants. Legal or otherwise, unless you're a Native American - your ancestry can be traced to a location somewhere else on the Globe. As for the hatred spewed forth toward those "illegal immigrants" and their children? I've got news for you - If those kids were born on American soil - they are 100% American. If you'd like to dispute that, I'd like to direct you to the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Granted, there is a process to achieve "Citizen" Status - and those that wish to live here should take the steps to make that happen - but sometimes the "proper" option isn't an option at the time. For some, fleeing into a foreign land is the immediate response to a life of despair. Who are we to close our borders to immigrants, when our Nation was born of them? Instead we immediately raise a call to arms to defend our land from outsiders - much like the Native Americans whose land was stolen from them and turned into the "United States" by our White, Christian, ancestors. President Thomas Jefferson once said that the "Indians" could stay living amongst the colonies if they would become "civilized." In those days that meant speaking English and adopting Christianity.
And we wonder why people still say things like that? There is no official religion or language in the United States of America.
I could go on for days about my thoughts and feelings on the "State of the Union" but I won't. What I will do is leave you with a few bulletpoints on some issues that always come up and where I stand.
And with that, I'll close this one out. Just remember next time you're at Wal-mart picking up the latest Toby Keith CD and admiring that rack of $9.99 "American Flag" t-shirts that there's likely a child somewhere in China, Tawain, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, or some other "foreign" land making those shirts for about .07 a day so that you can proudly display just how "free" you are. Remember that we all have roots outside America - and that all people deserve to be treated with respect - even when their thoughts and beliefs differ from that of your own. Remember that your definition of "right" is another man's "wrong". Remember that generations of Hatred and Fear-mongering can only lead to more of it. It's up to all of us to change that. If we don't start to make things better on our own - who will? And the next time you get one of those forwarded "chain emails?" Think before you click.
Onward,
James
http://www.jameszahn.com
http://www.myspace.com/jameszahn
* If you want to confront this so called Christian radio station personality who has over 10,000 listeners a day who are African American, here is his email: Frank@KKLA.com
To Frank Pastore, 99.5 KKLA
I am a 35 year old, ex cop and mom of five. I now am an award winning filmmaker. I have not missed a single moment of the DNC on CSPAN.
I have been a Republican since my forefather, Richard Stockton signed the declaration of Independence. And for the FIRST TIME, I am voting
Democratic as loud as I can.
I happened on your show in the car, and my sixteen year old son listened to me fight you on the radio. And I so wanted to call in.
You have taken smears, stories and twisted them to fit your agenda. You took African American caller 'David' who represented himself as a retiree
just fine, and made YOU look like the fool with your statement, "Your the racist"...because he is voting for Barack.
You tried to twist his words.
Your representation of the Republican stance is exactly why I left the party. And my many blogs came with me.
I have heard less rhetoric with the Democrats than I hear with McCain and his camp.
The amount of smearing, and lies coming from the right has only made Republicans look worse and worse and worse.
You said that "it's all feelings and no meat." You say that Obama has not spoken about any policy's. I have heard enough about
where he stands on policy's, his character, his belief system, his person, his family, his campaign strategy that he won won me over hands down.
Not only that, he will win the Presidency-just like Clinton did; and you are all scared stiff, grasping, reaching and fighting for ANYTHING you can find to
bring him down. Now, the latest: That his relationship with William Ayers is questionable, and we cannot trust him. This is taken a direct quote from Obama on that topic.
When Barack Obama was asked about his longtime association with Weather Underground bomber William Ayers he said:
If you’re one of the nearly 40 million American citizens who are not Christian, how did you feel when McCain was telling his "cross" Vietnam story on the Rev. Warren “Civil Forum?” The moral of McCain’s story was that non-Christians are suspect, only a true Christian would have been so kind as to help a suffering prisoner. I didn't know we lived in a theocracy, where if you don’t believe what the majority believes, you're not in the right club. I thought America was founded on the principle that whatever your religion, that you're viewed the same. I guess we have a long way to go in that regard.
• 79.8% of our country is Christian
• 5.2% are other religions
• 8.4%, no religion, atheists or agnostics
Combine other and no and you get 13.6% of the U.S or about 38,273,380 people, which approximately equals the population of Arizona and California combined! That's nearly FOURTY MILLION PEOPLE who were told that they are lesser people by the fact that this forum represented Christians only. FOURTY MILLION PEOPLE who were told by McCain that since they would not have “drawn a cross in the sand" they could not be compassionate people.
How has it become acceptable to be so bigoted as to openly ignore FOURTY MILLION AMERICAN CITIZENS and their right to have a differing view and not be considered lesser, less morale or less religious?
Barack Obama is religious, as McCain is, but he’s clearly more sincere. I’ve read his books, I know where he’s coming from. He doesn't suddenly well up with tears while telling a war story (that McCain has told on the stump thousands of times) to gain votes and sympathy. Is it really reasonable to assume that after someone’s told this same pseudo religious parable a thousand times that he would happen to well up with tears on the night of a forum on religion? Stump speeches do not create spontaneous emotion. Fakery does. Obama is religious simply because it is in his culture. That’s the Black Christian culture by the way, not the Muslim culture in case those 12% of Americans who still are naïve enough to believe the smears that he’s a Muslim weren’t listening.
Our country needs someone who is sincere. It'll be many years, maybe never, before we get someone who is an atheist, Jewish or certainly Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist as our President, so until then, why not elect Barack Obama, who is at least actually tells the truth?
