Posted on 10/06/2004 7:08:03 AM PDT by SJackson
NAPERVILLE, Ill. - In a U.S. Senate race that looks increasingly like a grand philosophical debate about religion and government, Democrat Barack Obama stood before a packed church Tuesday and argued the case for keeping the two separate.
As Exhibit A, he held up his Republican opponent: "It's not clear to me that I want Alan Keyes telling me what it means to be a Christian," Obama said.
Obama, currently a state senator representing a Chicago district, and Keyes, a conservative activist recruited from Maryland by the Illinois GOP, are vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill.
It's a contest that that has veered from Illinois' generally secular approach to politics, due mostly to Keyes' openly Christian-based campaign. Keyes kicked off his candidacy in August with a speech promising a "victory . . . for God" and has since focused on quasi-religious issues like opposition to abortion rights and gay marriage.
Obama's campaign has been mostly focused on more pragmatic issues like health care and education reform. But on Tuesday, at an interfaith forum on "faith and public policy" in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, Obama turned to more divine topics.
"My Christianity has been challenged," said Obama, referring to Keyes and other conservative critics who allege Obama "hasn't taken the appropriate stances on a woman's right to choose . . . or gays and lesbians."
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
In a U.S. Senate race that looks increasingly like a grand philosophical debate about religion and government, Democrat Barack Obama stood before a packed church Tuesday and argued the case for keeping the two separate.
Explain that one on Judgement Day.
I thought Obama was a Muslim.
A lot of people think that. I can only wonder why.
In the article, Obama states that he is a member of the United Church of Christ. As it happens, their HQ is on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. They are non-orthodox when it comes to homosexuals, female clergy, etc.
Barack is either an Arabic or Hebrew name. I don't think he's an Ethiopian Jew....
That rumor is frequently propogated on FR. I've seen no evidence.
I have to admit that, as an electoral issue, the fact that Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ and Keye's is a "cradle Catholic" isn't particularly important.
Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ, a liberal branch of Christianity that ordains women, gays and lesbians. "I am a Christian," Obama told the Naperville gathering, but added he wasn't raised in a religious household. "I came to Christ late in my life."
Keyes is "Roman-Catholic born," said Hair, his spokeswoman. "He's a 'cradle-Catholic.' "
Obama himself can clarifty the matter. And yes, after 9/11, I am somewhat prejudicial in these matters. My liberal credentials will be taken away, except for the fact THAT I NEVER HAD ANY!
Still not a reason not to vote for him.
I'll check it out.
God is against the 1st Amendment?
Can you provide the least shred of evidence that Obama is a closet Muslim?
Do you know anything about his religious background at all?
His name is from the Swahili language.
What I meant is you can't claim to be a Christian and turn your head to abortion, homosexuality, etc. Read your bible. You will have to answer for that on judgement day. If you believe God thinks you can turn your head fine but I don't believe that to be the case.
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