http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/19/AR2008081902396.html?referrer=emailarticle

Thought some of you might enjoy it

It’s really simple:

His thinking is not contradictory because he has two categories of “views:” political views, and personal/religious views. He tries not to let the latter “dominate or determine” the former; like thinking that men shouldn’t marry men (personal view), but not trying to stop two men from marrying (political view).

He’s not hypocritical because that would mean he is saying one thing and thinking or doing its opposite; like saying men shouldn’t marry men (personal view), and then marrying one himself (personal action).

Are we clear now?

Oh, I completely agree. The reality is that all candidates HAVE to pander to the religious majority. It’s as sickeningly simple as that.

But that doesn’t mean that Obama’s statement(s) about marriage/faith wasn’t contradictory.

I just hope that all of this isn’t how he really feels and will get into office and do what needs to be done to clean this Bush mess up.

I remember liking him so much in 2000… it would be interesting to know exactly what has happened to him in the meantime.

I rather liked him back then as well. I wanted a Democrat (I was very impressed with Bradley at the time; whatever happened to him?), but I recall telling a conservative friend (I had one back then; no longer!) that I could live with McCain. I think he’s just wanted so badly to be President, for so long, that he’ll say pretty much anything at this point to get it. I don’t think he’s insincere; I think he’s convinced himself (he really has gone over to the Dark Side!) – and, as I said, I think the rubber band has stretched too far to return to where it was before.

Obama just needs to convince them he is a reasonably good guy who isn’t out to get them… I think Obama did what he needed to do, while McCain did not.

I didn’t come away with that impression at all. From the way Hemant is describing it, he appears to have come off quite well. Life begins at conception, FBO’s can discriminate, doesn’t approve of the “liberal” Supreme Court Justices… he told them precisely what they wanted to hear. Frankly, I’m surprised he said that states should have the right to define marriage.

I’m not concerned about Obama’s response concerning the latter. I agree with Darryl; he’s entitled to a faith-informed opinion, as long as he doesn’t try to legislate it. And, if it was pandering – he was surrounded by the enemy. What else could he have said? Doesn’t bother me.

Why state that you don’t like your religious views to determine your political views, and then, in the same breath say “my religious beliefs say…..”?

What, exactly, ISN’T contradictory about that?

“although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views….my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”

Axegrrl, this idea is not contradictory and hypocritical, but the stance that most politicians and Christians used to take. This is the stance of many Catholic politicians on abortion: they are personally opposed to abortion, but don’t believe their view ought to be forced on other citizens who think differently.

If one thinks that their views on these social issues (the fundies would call them moral issues) are determined by their faith, and they believe that any faith shouldn’t be forced on others by legislation, then one may take such a position.

In other words, with few and notable exceptions (where compelling arguments justify them), in matters of opinion (especially religious opinion), where there is no unanimity among citizens, and serious controversy, no federal law should be made.

And I’d like to think that some of Obama’s answers (like his definition of marriage) were just pandering to his audience. Still, I can’t help like him just a little bit less.

me too Especially that cop-out/weasely response about marriage

His stance is contradictory and hypocritical. As he said before: “although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views….my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”

Uhm, what?