Comments on: Obama and Faith http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/ Atheism with Positivity Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:13:37 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sloan Bashinsky http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-155265 Sloan Bashinsky Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:47:07 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-155265 I recently was told to write "Jimmy Carter for President" on my ballot. There was an "or else" attached to what I was told. I did not percieve that I would like the "or else." I will do what I was told. Besides, I think Carter is the best candidate, even if he isn't running. I recently was told to write “Jimmy Carter for President” on my ballot. There was an “or else” attached to what I was told. I did not percieve that I would like the “or else.” I will do what I was told. Besides, I think Carter is the best candidate, even if he isn’t running.

]]> By: Sloan Bashinsky http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-140921 Sloan Bashinsky Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:13:21 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-140921 Gosh, Darryl. People who swoon over Obama scare me. And over Hillary and McCain. And over George W. People who support them, even though they don't swoon over them, also scare me. But what really scares me is me. Screwing up. Doing the opposite of what God wants me to do. That really scares me. On election day, I'll do what God tells me to do, therefore. Gosh, Darryl. People who swoon over Obama scare me. And over Hillary and McCain. And over George W. People who support them, even though they don’t swoon over them, also scare me. But what really scares me is me. Screwing up. Doing the opposite of what God wants me to do. That really scares me. On election day, I’ll do what God tells me to do, therefore.

]]> By: Darryl http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-140767 Darryl Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:19:26 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-140767 Sloan, you scare me. Do us a favor--stay home on election day. Sloan, you scare me. Do us a favor–stay home on election day.

]]> By: Sloan Bashinsky http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-140749 Sloan Bashinsky Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:04:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-140749 About six weeks ago maybe, I wrote some more about Barack Obama. Unfavorably. I get my information in ways he might understand, might not. I get it from angels assigned to look and keep after me. These angels are not like the nice sweet angels I heard about in Sunday school as a boy. They are like Navy SEALS, but a lot tougher. I get information in other ways, too. In Obama's case, I developed a staphylococcus boil in my right ear. Right side, for me, represents male. I was writing about Obama. This was something in him, coming at me, being absorbed by me, to give me a read on what's inside of him. I was convinced then, albeit not happy about it, that there is more to him than is being seen. I also was convinced he has some sort of conscious or subconscious hynotic gift, which has a great deal to do with his phenomenal move into the political stratosphere. And that many people are under that hypnotic effect unawares. I believe I used the word cult to try to explain it. I said I would not vote for Obama. Nor for Hillary Clinton, who might be more benign but is not fit to be President. Nor for John McCain, who's still fighting the Vietnam War, and, I suppose, will continue to fight it until he perceives that America has won a war, somewhere. I said I may just vote No on my ballot, in ink pen, just to vote something. I'm still inclined in that direction, even as I hope something will change, like Jimmy Carter decides to run. The angels told me in 2004, and again this year, that he is God's choice for President. A one-term president, he can run again. I'd vote for him, if he was on the ballot. About six weeks ago maybe, I wrote some more about Barack Obama. Unfavorably. I get my information in ways he might understand, might not. I get it from angels assigned to look and keep after me. These angels are not like the nice sweet angels I heard about in Sunday school as a boy. They are like Navy SEALS, but a lot tougher. I get information in other ways, too. In Obama’s case, I developed a staphylococcus boil in my right ear. Right side, for me, represents male. I was writing about Obama. This was something in him, coming at me, being absorbed by me, to give me a read on what’s inside of him. I was convinced then, albeit not happy about it, that there is more to him than is being seen. I also was convinced he has some sort of conscious or subconscious hynotic gift, which has a great deal to do with his phenomenal move into the political stratosphere. And that many people are under that hypnotic effect unawares. I believe I used the word cult to try to explain it. I said I would not vote for Obama. Nor for Hillary Clinton, who might be more benign but is not fit to be President. Nor for John McCain, who’s still fighting the Vietnam War, and, I suppose, will continue to fight it until he perceives that America has won a war, somewhere. I said I may just vote No on my ballot, in ink pen, just to vote something. I’m still inclined in that direction, even as I hope something will change, like Jimmy Carter decides to run. The angels told me in 2004, and again this year, that he is God’s choice for President. A one-term president, he can run again. I’d vote for him, if he was on the ballot.

]]> By: Darryl http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-140745 Darryl Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:42:34 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-140745 Our chief worry for the next president is not how religious he/she is, or what kind of religion he/she believes. Our concern ought to be what political philosophy the next president will hold, and what intelligence and wisdom he/she will have. Will he/she be a tyrant as Bush has been; ignoring laws passed by Congress; lying to us for partisan gain? Will the next president understand what course our nation should take? Will the next president be able to lead a reunification of the country? I have no idea if any of the candidates will have what it takes. But, time will make it clear. I think we're in for a bumpy ride. Our chief worry for the next president is not how religious he/she is, or what kind of religion he/she believes. Our concern ought to be what political philosophy the next president will hold, and what intelligence and wisdom he/she will have. Will he/she be a tyrant as Bush has been; ignoring laws passed by Congress; lying to us for partisan gain? Will the next president understand what course our nation should take? Will the next president be able to lead a reunification of the country?

I have no idea if any of the candidates will have what it takes. But, time will make it clear. I think we’re in for a bumpy ride.

]]> By: Elise in NH http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-140731 Elise in NH Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:08:47 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-140731 As an atheist, I have absolutely no problem supporting Obama --- a devout Christian. Why? He understands the constitution, and acts on that understanding. Here's a letter to the editor I wrote to most of the larger newspapers in New Hampshire back in December: ~~~~~ I write in support for Senator Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy. Almost any Democratic candidate’s stance on religion would represent an improvement over the faith-based blurring of our precious, unique Constitution which we’ve had to endure for the last seven years. But as a committed agnostic, I was still concerned about Obama’s views on faith in relation to government. Finally, I found a speech he gave last year on just that topic: “I think it’s time that we join a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern pluralistic society. If we’re going to do that, then we first need to understand that Americans are a religious people. 90% of us believe in God; 70% affiliate themselves with an organized religion; 38% call themselves committed Christians”. Very true. Then he went on to say: “Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation; at least, not just. We are also a Jewish, a Muslim, a Buddhist, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers”. At this point, my heart leapt. As an agnostic, I am used to having my views be completely brushed aside by politicians who seem to forget that freedom of religion must also mean freedom FROM religion, for those of us who so choose, in order for it to have any meaning at all. He continued: “Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the USA, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools? Would it be James Dobson’s, or Al Sharpton’s? Which scripture should guide our public policy? Leviticus, which suggests that slavery is OK, and that eating shellfish is an abomination? Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith? Or the Sermon on the Mount, a passage that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own defense department would survive its application?”. I see Obama as standing head and shoulders over the rest of the pack, who seem to be falling all over themselves in an unseemly attempt to be “holier than thou”. It’s all particularly ironic these days, when we see a clear example of what happens when religion and government are allowed to freely intermix: Saudi Arabia. Jefferson, and other patriotic Deists in the history of our great nation, have supported a clear wall between church and state. I feel that Obama would support me when I say “Mr. Jefferson: build up that wall”. He has my vote, my donations, my shoe leather in canvassing, and my sincerest thanks. As an atheist, I have absolutely no problem supporting Obama — a devout Christian. Why? He understands the constitution, and acts on that understanding. Here’s a letter to the editor I wrote to most of the larger newspapers in New Hampshire back in December:

~~~~~

I write in support for Senator Barack Obama’s presidential candidacy. Almost any Democratic candidate’s stance on religion would represent an improvement over the faith-based blurring of our precious, unique Constitution which we’ve had to endure for the last seven years. But as a committed agnostic, I was still concerned about Obama’s views on faith in relation to government.

Finally, I found a speech he gave last year on just that topic:

“I think it’s time that we join a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern pluralistic society. If we’re going to do that, then we first need to understand that Americans are a religious people. 90% of us believe in God; 70% affiliate themselves with an organized religion; 38% call themselves committed Christians”.

Very true. Then he went on to say:

“Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation; at least, not just. We are also a Jewish, a Muslim, a Buddhist, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers”.

At this point, my heart leapt. As an agnostic, I am used to having my views be completely brushed aside by politicians who seem to forget that freedom of religion must also mean freedom FROM religion, for those of us who so choose, in order for it to have any meaning at all. He continued:

“Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the USA, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools? Would it be James Dobson’s, or Al Sharpton’s? Which scripture should guide our public policy? Leviticus, which suggests that slavery is OK, and that eating shellfish is an abomination? Deuteronomy, which suggests stoning your child if he strays from the faith? Or the Sermon on the Mount, a passage that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own defense department would survive its application?”.

I see Obama as standing head and shoulders over the rest of the pack, who seem to be falling all over themselves in an unseemly attempt to be “holier than thou”. It’s all particularly ironic these days, when we see a clear example of what happens when religion and government are allowed to freely intermix: Saudi Arabia.

Jefferson, and other patriotic Deists in the history of our great nation, have supported a clear wall between church and state. I feel that Obama would support me when I say “Mr. Jefferson: build up that wall”. He has my vote, my donations, my shoe leather in canvassing, and my sincerest thanks.

]]> By: Sloan Bashinsky http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-26202 Sloan Bashinsky Wed, 09 May 2007 13:33:02 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-26202 From : sloan bashinsky Sent : Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:31 AM To : no-reply@barackobama.com Subject : early retirement, RE-ELECT NO ONE Dear Mr. Obama, This email from you below looks like a form letter to me. It does not appear in it that you read anything I have written to you, as late as yesterday even. In that missive, I asked that you not send me anything else to read until you had responded personally to what I was sending to you, because I was being told by your and my Creator in dreams to send it to you. Each time I replied to something you sent to me, I got an email back saying no one was reading those emails and to send my thoughts through another Internet method provided in the reply email. When I did that, I got form emails back. I’m going to send this email now, to see if I get the same response. Meanwhile, and this may just be me talking and have nothing to do with God, but I found myself thinking this morning that I was moved by God to contribute $2,300 to your campaign so I could see what kind of reponses would be coming back (this is the second form thank you letter I’ve received for the donation), and give me standing to pop off in this way. Initially, and I told a lot of other people this, I felt my being moved in dreams to contribute to your campaign and share that news with other people as indicating you were God’s favored candidate. That, too, I found myself beginning to doubt this morning. Maybe God has no favored candidate, is what I’m driving at. Maybe God wants the public to boycott the polls altogether. What do I know? Maybe that would be the strongest possible message Americans could send to their national, state and local governments. Certainly, declining to return anyone to elected office would be a powerful message. You are in elected state office now, as is Hillary Clinton. Maybe it’s time you both retired from politics and found something more to God’s liking for you both to do? You, and every other elected official in America? Maybe I should send you and Hilary some RE-ELECT NO ONE bumper stickers? Maybe I would, if I knew you and Hillary would actually see them. Ciao, Sloan Bashinsky Key West, Florida From : Sent : Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:31 AM To : sloanbashinsky@hotmail.com Subject : Delivery Status Notification (Failure) This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification. Delivery to the following recipients failed. no-reply@barackobama.com From: “Obama for America” Reply-To: “Obama for America” To: sloanbashinsky@hotmail.com Subject: Response to Your Message to Senator Obama Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 23:36:20 -0500 (CDT) Dear Friend, Thank you for your kind message and generous donation. My family and I have been touched by the outpouring of support we have received since announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. As I traveled the country last year campaigning for Senate and House candidates, I spoke to people of diverse backgrounds from Rhode Island to Missouri to Washington state. I heard the same message in Omaha, Nebraska, that I heard in Orlando, Florida. The American people want a new kind of politics that replaces partisan name calling with honest conversation that seeks constructive change. The cards, messages, calls and donations I have received from supporters like you reaffirm my belief that America is ready to put the era of bitter partisanship and the politics of division behind us, and that 2008 can be a watershed election for a new politics of principled, passionate, and civil debate about the future course of our country. As we begin this movement for change, please bookmark http://my.barackobama.com and visit often. Want to get involved right now? We’ve built a set of easy-to-use web tools that empower you. At My.BarackObama.com you can: - build your own profile and connect with supporters near you - find or create your own local or national group - create your own personal fundraising page and track your progress - find events near you or plan your own - chronicle your campaign experience on your own blog And there will be much more to come in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you again for contacting me. Sincerely, Barack Obama ———– Join the team: http://my.barackobama.com ————————————— |Paid for by Obama for America.| From : sloan bashinsky
Sent : Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:31 AM
To : no-reply@barackobama.com
Subject : early retirement, RE-ELECT NO ONE

Dear Mr. Obama,

This email from you below looks like a form letter to me. It does not appear in it that you read anything I have written to you, as late as yesterday even. In that missive, I asked that you not send me anything else to read until you had responded personally to what I was sending to you, because I was being told by your and my Creator in dreams to send it to you. Each time I replied to something you sent to me, I got an email back saying no one was reading those emails and to send my thoughts through another Internet method provided in the reply email. When I did that, I got form emails back. I’m going to send this email now, to see if I get the same response.

Meanwhile, and this may just be me talking and have nothing to do with God, but I found myself thinking this morning that I was moved by God to contribute $2,300 to your campaign so I could see what kind of reponses would be coming back (this is the second form thank you letter I’ve received for the donation), and give me standing to pop off in this way. Initially, and I told a lot of other people this, I felt my being moved in dreams to contribute to your campaign and share that news with other people as indicating you were God’s favored candidate. That, too, I found myself beginning to doubt this morning.

Maybe God has no favored candidate, is what I’m driving at. Maybe God wants the public to boycott the polls altogether. What do I know? Maybe that would be the strongest possible message Americans could send to their national, state and local governments. Certainly, declining to return anyone to elected office would be a powerful message. You are in elected state office now, as is Hillary Clinton. Maybe it’s time you both retired from politics and found something more to God’s liking for you both to do? You, and every other elected official in America? Maybe I should send you and Hilary some RE-ELECT NO ONE bumper stickers? Maybe I would, if I knew you and Hillary would actually see them.

Ciao,

Sloan Bashinsky
Key West, Florida

From :
Sent : Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:31 AM
To : sloanbashinsky@hotmail.com
Subject : Delivery Status Notification (Failure)

This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

no-reply@barackobama.com

From: “Obama for America”
Reply-To: “Obama for America”
To: sloanbashinsky@hotmail.com
Subject: Response to Your Message to Senator Obama
Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 23:36:20 -0500 (CDT)

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your kind message and generous donation. My family and I have been touched by the outpouring of support we have received since announcing my candidacy for President of the United States.

As I traveled the country last year campaigning for Senate and House candidates, I spoke to people of diverse backgrounds from Rhode Island to Missouri to Washington state. I heard the same message in Omaha, Nebraska, that I heard in Orlando, Florida. The American people want a new kind of politics that replaces partisan name calling with honest conversation that seeks constructive change.

The cards, messages, calls and donations I have received from supporters like you reaffirm my belief that America is ready to put the era of bitter partisanship and the politics of division behind us, and that 2008 can be a watershed election for a new politics of principled, passionate, and civil debate about the future course of our country.

As we begin this movement for change, please bookmark http://my.barackobama.com and visit often. Want to get involved right now? We’ve built a set of easy-to-use web tools that empower you. At My.BarackObama.com you can:

- build your own profile and connect with supporters near you
- find or create your own local or national group
- create your own personal fundraising page and track your progress
- find events near you or plan your own
- chronicle your campaign experience on your own blog

And there will be much more to come in the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
———–
Join the team: http://my.barackobama.com
—————————————
|Paid for by Obama for America.|

]]> By: R. Hoeppner http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-24668 R. Hoeppner Tue, 01 May 2007 20:55:49 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-24668 I do vote, but now I'm wondering, not only when voting for the presidency but also for Congress and the Senate; who is really trustworthy? I'm seeing so much hypocrisy in both political camps. You have guys like Al Gore who talks a good environmental game but whose home uses twenty times the energy of the average American home. You've got Nancy Pelosi who's campaign was financed largely by unions but refuses to hire union workers for her winery--or any of her other big business ventures. And the latest scandal is the DC Madam, (Debora Jeane Palfrey) who's releasing names of Government officials that used her "escort services." So far as a result Randall Tobias of the State Department has resigned, and Harlan Ullman (of Shock and Awe fame) is on the hot seat. Who knows who else appears in Palfrey's little black book? The skeletons are coming out of the closet! And who can forget Congressman Wm. Jefferson's cold cash ($90,000.00 in his freezer)? Just when you think you have a great man or woman to vote for--look out. "There is none righteous--no not one!" (the Bible) I do vote, but now I’m wondering, not only when voting for the presidency but also for Congress and the Senate; who is really trustworthy? I’m seeing so much hypocrisy in both political camps. You have guys like Al Gore who talks a good environmental game but whose home uses twenty times the energy of the average American home. You’ve got Nancy Pelosi who’s campaign was financed largely by unions but refuses to hire union workers for her winery–or any of her other big business ventures.
And the latest scandal is the DC Madam, (Debora Jeane Palfrey) who’s releasing names of Government officials that used her “escort services.” So far as a result Randall Tobias of the State Department has resigned, and Harlan Ullman (of Shock and Awe fame) is on the hot seat. Who knows who else appears in Palfrey’s little black book?
The skeletons are coming out of the closet! And who can forget Congressman Wm. Jefferson’s cold cash ($90,000.00 in his freezer)? Just when you think you have a great man or woman to vote for–look out.
“There is none righteous–no not one!” (the Bible)

]]> By: vjack http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-24589 vjack Tue, 01 May 2007 10:46:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-24589 I agree that it probably doesn't make sense to criticize him on the grounds that he is too religious. Of course, I believe that there are many other valid grounds on which he can and should be criticized that have nothing to do with religion. I tend to think that he could be a fantastic president someday but that he is insufficiently experienced to win my support at this point. I agree that it probably doesn’t make sense to criticize him on the grounds that he is too religious. Of course, I believe that there are many other valid grounds on which he can and should be criticized that have nothing to do with religion. I tend to think that he could be a fantastic president someday but that he is insufficiently experienced to win my support at this point.

]]> By: R. Hoeppner http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-24567 R. Hoeppner Tue, 01 May 2007 06:21:46 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/04/30/obama-and-faith/#comment-24567 <strong>Brian</strong>, thanks for visiting my blog. I'll look up PZ Meyer as you suggest. <strong>Hemant</strong>, Saw you on Life Today. You are the friendly atheist. That's pretty refreshing and totally different from most of my atheist encounters. <strong>About Obama</strong>- To me he's an unknown quantity. I do know Hillary and pray (can I say that on an atheist blog?) that she won't be our next president. Obama is interesting, but can he escape the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? They both use the title Reverend--Did either graduate from a Bible College? We certainly don't need a president who'll dance to their tune. We need a president for all the people. <strong>The President</strong>: Think about this...who in their right mind would want to be president at this juncture of history? I'll list my 7 predictions. See if you agree-some of them are no brainers--others...? 1. The next president will be forced to deal with an increasing illegal alien problem. (no brainer) 2. The next president will be forced to handle a mega terror attack in the USA which could also precipitate an economic disaster unparalelled in history. 3. The next president will have to deal with an increasing number of (Katrina style) natural disasters. 4. The next president will have to initiate a military draft. (that will make him/her popular, right?). 5. The next president will have to deal with a looming economic crisis greater than the 1929 stock market crash even if there is no terror attack. 6. The next president will have to handle an increasing number of South American countries going Marxist like Venezuela. 7. The next president will face a growing nuclear third world. (no brainer). We'll all look back on these days as the 'good old days.' The economy is booming, joblessness is virtually non-existent, more people are home owners both in percentage and actual ownership than any time in US history, even though we had a 911 and a Katrina, (and don't forget the four hurricanes that hit Florida the year before Katrina). Yeah, we have a war but it's not a world war. God bless the USA Brian, thanks for visiting my blog. I’ll look up PZ Meyer as you suggest.

Hemant, Saw you on Life Today. You are the friendly atheist. That’s pretty refreshing and totally different from most of my atheist encounters.

About Obama-
To me he’s an unknown quantity. I do know Hillary and pray (can I say that on an atheist blog?) that she won’t be our next president. Obama is interesting, but can he escape the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? They both use the title Reverend–Did either graduate from a Bible College?
We certainly don’t need a president who’ll dance to their tune. We need a president for all the people.

The President: Think about this…who in their right mind would want to be president at this juncture of history? I’ll list my 7 predictions.

See if you agree-some of them are no brainers–others…?

1. The next president will be forced to deal with an increasing illegal alien problem. (no brainer)

2. The next president will be forced to handle a mega terror attack in the USA which could also precipitate an economic disaster unparalelled in history.

3. The next president will have to deal with an increasing number of (Katrina style) natural disasters.

4. The next president will have to initiate a military draft. (that will make him/her popular, right?).

5. The next president will have to deal with a looming economic crisis greater than the 1929 stock market crash even if there is no terror attack.

6. The next president will have to handle an increasing number of South American countries going Marxist like Venezuela.

7. The next president will face a growing nuclear third world. (no brainer).

We’ll all look back on these days as the ‘good old days.’ The economy is booming, joblessness is virtually non-existent, more people are home owners both in percentage and actual ownership than any time in US history, even though we had a 911 and a Katrina, (and don’t forget the four hurricanes that hit Florida the year before Katrina). Yeah, we have a war but it’s not a world war.

God bless the USA

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