In the crazy world of American politics, it should come as no surprise when a fast-talking presidential candidate attempts, yet again, to redefine Christianity.
This time around, we have Barack Obama and his cohort of political reformationists nailing their 95 Theses smack dab in the middle of our foreheads.“I am a Christian!” Obama proclaims from rooftops all over America as swooning women breathe his name like a prayer.The junior Senator from Illinois has become the messiah of millions: Obama will cure what ails American society and—yes—the world.Change We Can Believe In is his mantra, ringing like a funeral dirge to the few who remember that change is not always good.
Barack Obama aka Barry Soetoro (his name throughout his Muslim youth) claims to be a “committed Christian” and yet the emerging truth about him is a study in contradiction and frankly, alarming: I am a Christian (but I was a devout Muslim); I am a Christian (but I never renounced Islam); I am a Christian (but there is more than one way to God). [1]Add to this the fact that Barack Obama flatly denies his Muslim roots, even labeling the word Muslim a “smear,” and suddenly the question of integritypops into the picture.Who is telling the truth: Barack Obama aka Barry Soetoro or his relatives, teachers, and childhood friends?
Eyewitness testimony, reported on credible websites, reveals that Barack Obama was raised Muslim and was, in fact, quite devout throughout his youth. [2] Today, Senator Obama states that his “Christian” faith is not the only way to God, and he rejects Christian positions on key moral issues.Finally, he never formally renounced the Islamic faith he followed until he met his wife, Michelle. [3]
So who, exactly, is Barack Obama?It’s only fair to let the man speak for himself:
The Gospel According to Barack Obama
1.God/Jesus:
“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.”
“Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.” [4]
2.Heaven:
“What I believe in is that if I live my life as well as I can, that I will be rewarded. I don’t presume to have knowledge of what happens after I die.” [5]
3.Hell:
“I find it hard to believe that my God would consign four-fifths of the world to hell.I can’t imagine that my God would allow some little Hindu kid in India who never interacts with the Christian faith to somehow burn for all eternity.That’s just not part of my religious makeup.” [6]
4.Sin:
What is sin?
“Being out of alignment with my values.” [7]
5. Salvation - The Born AgainExperience:
“I’m not somebody who is always comfortable with language that implies I’ve got a monopoly on the truth, or that my faith is automatically transferable to others.
I’m a big believer in tolerance. I think that religion at its best comes with a big dose of doubt.” [8]
“If all it took was someone proclaiming I believe Jesus Christ and that he died for my sins, and that was all there was to it, people wouldn’t have to keep coming to church, would they.” [9]
6.Doctrine:
“Obviously as an African American politician rooted in the African American community, I spend a lot of time in the black church. . . . Rarely in those settings do people come up to me and say, what are your beliefs. They are going to presume, and rightly so. Although they may presumea set of doctrines that I subscribe to that I don’t necessarily subscribe to.” [10]
7.Abstinence and Abortion:
“Look, I've got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals.But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at the age of 16.” [11]
“I think women, in consultation with their pastors and their doctors and their families are in a better position to make these decisions than some bureaucrat in Washington. That's my view.Again, I respect people who may disagree, but I certainly don't think it makes me less Christian.” [12]
8.Same-sex marriage
“As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples—whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage.” [13]
9.Fundamentalism:
“I am a great admirer of our founding charter, and its resolve to prevent theocracies from forming, and its resolve to prevent disruptive strains of fundamentalism from taking root in this country. . . . As I said before, in my own public policy, I’m very suspicious of religious certainty expressing itself in politics.” [14]
10. Faith and Life Role Model:
“I think Gandhi is a great example of a profoundly spiritual man who acted and risked everything on behalf of those values but never slipped into intolerance or dogma.He seemed to always maintain an air of doubt about him.
I think Dr. King, and Lincoln.Those three are good examples for me of people who applied their faith to a larger canvas without allowing that faith to metastasize into something that is hurtful.” [15]
And so, my friends and associates, that is the gospel according to Barack Obama.Senator Obama believes you can be a Christian and not believe in the biblical Jesus Christ.He believes you can support homosexuality—including civil marriages and adoptions—and still be a follower of Jesus Christ.Barack Obama believes the taking of innocent life in the form of an unborn child is acceptable under most circumstances.He believes there is more than one way to God.He has never publicly renounced the Prophet Mohammed.This is the “Christianity” of Barack Obama, who seems to think he can take historic theology and spin it like cotton candy.
But the bottom line in life is that words have specific meanings.A heart is a heart—it can never be a lung.Definition is the foundation of logic, and logic fuels a rational society.Barack Obama may use and abuse the name “Christian,” but as long as he rejects the biblical definition of Christianity, he can never be one.
For information on the cults and the occult, and a free listening library, visit WalterMartin.com.
[1] Reuven Koret,“Is Barack Obama a Muslim wolf in Christian wool?” Israel Insider, http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/12745.htm (accessed June 23, 2008).For further analyses see “Obama: Sermon on Mount Justifies Same-Sex Unions,” CNS News, http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200803/POL20080303b.html, and “Obama was ‘quite religious in Islam,’ WorldNet Daily, http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=60559.
[2] Koret, Is Barack Obama a Muslim wolf in Christian wool?Koret documents the fact that Barack Obama took “mengaji” classes (Koran recitation)—at his Muslim school.“To put it quite simply, ‘mengaji classes’ are not something that a non practicing or so-called moderate Muslim family would ever send their child to. To put this in a Christian context, this is something above and beyond simply enrolling your child in Sunday school classes.”
“The fact that Obama had attended mengaji classes is well known in Indonesia and has left many there wondering just when Obama is going to come out of the closet.”
[3] Koret, Is Barack Obama a Muslim wolf in Christian wool?Senator Obama’s church did not require him to renounce his Muslim beliefs in order to embrace Christianity.Koret writes, “On Feb 15/08, Usama K. Dakdok, President of The Straight Way of Grace Ministry called Obama’s Church and reported the following conversation: “I then asked the person who answered what I needed to do to join. She told me that I needed to attend two Sunday School classes in a row and then I would walk the aisle. I replied, “That sounds easy. One last question please. If I am Muslim and I believe in the Prophet Mohammed, peace be unto him and I also believe in Jesus, peace be unto him, do I have to give up my Islamic faith to be a member in your church? She answered: “No, we have many Muslim members in our church.”
[4] Cathleen Falsani,“Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript,”http://falsani.blogspot.com/2008/04/barack-obama-2004-god-factor-interview.html (accessed June 24, 2008). Falsani says of Obama:“It's perhaps an unlikely theological position for someone who places his faith squarely at the feet of Jesus to take, saying essentially that all people of faith—Christians, Jews, Muslims, animists, everyone—a know the same God.”
[5] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
[6] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
Falsani says of Obama:“Obama doesn’t believe he or anyone else, will go to hell.
But he’s not sure if he’ll be going to heaven, either.”
[7] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
[8] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
[9] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
[10] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
[11] CNN, “Ballot Bowl 2008,” http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/29/bb.01.html, (accessed July 6, 2008).
[12] Barack Obama Rally at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sunday, March 2, 2008.Transcript available at http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/16161977.html. (Hear audio from WTAP-TV)
See also, “Reaction to Obama -- babies are God’s gift, not a ‘punishment’,” One News Now, http://www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.aspx?id=74609 (accessed June 24, 2008).
[13] Barack Obama.com, Open Letter “Equality is a Moral Imperative.” http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome,Obama states, “We also need a president who’s willing to confront the stigma—too often tied to homophobia—that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren’s SaddlebackChurch, and will continue to speak out as president.”
[14] Barack Obama, Open Letter, “Equality is a Moral Imperative,” http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/alexokrent/gGggJS (accessed July 6, 2008).
[15] Falsani, Barack Obama: The 2004 ‘God Factor’ Interview Transcript.
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Just a Question: Since when can someone be more of a Christian than someone else? One is either saved or not saved. One either believes that Jesus is the son of God or does not believe. One either gives his or her life to Christ totally or doesn't. There are no levels of Christianity . . . only levels of obedience. One is either a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ (and therefore, a Christian) or one is not (and therefore, a non-believer or at the very least, severely backslidden with need of repentance). If a candidate, such as BO, claims to be a Christian, then there will be outward evidence, such as belief in God's Word and his commands. No outward evidence, then not a fully devoted follower. . . period! Click here to reply to this post
Who cares?
Posted On: 07/10/08 06:51:54 PM
Age 50, WA
Who cares about his religion? What's next--whether he wears boxers or briefs? The issue is how well he would be president, not how well he would be pope. Wondering about his morals makes sense; wondering about his religion doesn't.
The Constitution prohibits a religious test for public office. It'd be nice if the American voter was equally unconcerned about a candidate's religion. Click here to reply to this post
who cares
Posted On: 09/21/08 03:51:38 AM
Age 75, FL
I think we should all care if the candidate we are considering to be our president belongs/subscribes to a religion/doctrine, whos basic tenent is to kill all who do not believe as they do. I, for one, will never vote for a professed muslim whos followers strap bombs on to their children to kill innocent people. Click here to reply to this post
BO
Posted On: 07/12/08 11:43:25 AM
Age 64, OH
Well how would BO do as President. BO claims to be an agent of change and says he is willing and able to change this nation. BO sat is a church that had a Black Nazi for a preacher and BO sat in a pew and said nothing. BO was not willing to change that church or was not able to change that church. I do not not see either as a good thing, do you. The constitution does not speak against the Christian religion. Read the orders of George Washington to his troops and you will see that he ordered his troops to attend Christian services every week. He ordered his troops to have a day to humble themselves before God and fast and pray every April. GW gave credit to Jesus for every victory in written orders to his troops. GW said in writing to his whole army, that the outcome of this war depended on their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He asked congress and they approved for a Christian Chaplin for every regiment. They tried one for every two, but it did not work. The regiments were from different local areas and of different Christian denominations. It is clear that the fathers of our nation founded a nation for Christians and it was to be Christian. The no religious test simply means that no specific doctrine of Christianity would be forced on any candidate. Lou Click here to reply to this post
(reply to BO post)
Posted On: 07/21/08 03:26:48 PM
Age 50, WA
Sure, Obama’s following a nutjob pastor is a problem to me. McCain has his own problems with Hagee and Parsley. What’s the lesson here? I dunno—maybe to avoid getting too close to religion?
You say that “the fathers of our nation founded a nation for Christians and it was to be Christian”? Read the Constitution and think again. The Constitution is secular—end of story.
It baffles me why Christians would want it any other way. Do you really want a theocracy? Maybe you want a theocracy lite? Seems to me that the status quo is about as good as it gets: you can think and believe and attend church as you want. You can proselytize from the street corner. Churches get tax breaks. And (bonus!) you can send your kid to public school and know that they’re not going to get preached at by a Muslim or a Wiccan or a Mormon or a Hindu. Sounds like a pretty good deal, no? Maybe keeping religion out of the government isn't such a bad idea after all! Click here to reply to this post
THIS NATION WAS CHRISTIAN
Posted On: 07/22/08 12:43:18 PM
Age 64, OH
The framers of the Constitution were very clear that they intended this nation to be a Christian nation with laws that agreed with the Bible. Read some of the writings of these men and see what they said about this issue. George Washington ORDERED the entire Army to attend worship services every Sunday. Every regiment had a paid Chaplin who preached and taught every regiment in their own denomination. The regiments where from a certain town which tended to be of one denomination. The entire Army had a day of humbling themselves before God and fasting and praying to seek Jesus Christ. The entire Army gave thanks to The Lord Jesus when a victory came. The entire Army was ordered not to use the Name of our Lord In vain and the officers were ordered to punish those who broke this rule with any regularity. Washington also made it very clear who the God they worshiped was, The Lord Jesus Christ. After the first inauguration the whole congress and court attended a CHRISTIAN SERVICE. This nation was not set up as Mormon it did not exist then. It was not set up for Muslims, as they shed no blood, sweat or tears to fight for it. It was founded by Christians for Christians. They were generous and let others in to their nation and then these people wanted to come to this land and then make it like the terrible land that they wanted to leave. If the Muslims want a Muslim land with Muslim laws, go back to the land of their birth, it was Muslim. They did not like that land, then want to come to this nation and make it like the evil place that they left. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Obama:An Icon for Deception
Posted On: 07/10/08 03:11:29 PM
Age 56, LA
Amen, brother about the church. That is exactly why we have "come out from among them, and be seperate, or you will share in it's plagues." We can't afford to be associated with an organizational system who is so closely tied to the world's ways which are being held sway under the evil one. Who we are joined to, we will be judged with suggests the Lord. The church system no longer loves the truth, so the remnant has to leave it. Click here to reply to this post
The 'other' white meat!
Posted On: 07/10/08 09:17:20 AM
Age 47, MO
The problem is NOT Barack redefining Christianity but rather Christians not defending true faith. Today 'Christian' means 'other': other than Muslim, other than JW, Mormon, Hindu, Pagan, etc. Christianity has become a generic term to mean "nice spirituality." So if you believe in a higher power who blesses his followers- you are now a Christian. True Christianity however, is not about us, is not a self help program, and is not an alternative lifestyle. Christianity is death of self. John Click here to reply to this post
WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR LIFE TO JESUS
Posted On: 07/10/08 12:58:05 PM
Age 64, OH
I always read your comments John. And you are correct if you say that true Christianity involves death of self. But just death of self does not make one a Christian. If we give our life to someone other than Jesus Christ it will all be in vain, as I am sure you will agree. Lou Click here to reply to this post
There is a truth that has been made apparent during this upcoming election; “As goes the Church, so goes the nation”. Truth used to be modeled by the Church and its preachers whether it was popular to society or not. Many preachers in America no longer consider themselves accountable to God, but only to those who hire them. They no longer listen to the Spirit of truth considering themselves to be as wise as God, but due to their foolish heart being darkened by sin, have quit preaching the truth, or, are preaching some deluded form of it, denying its power. Consequently people in churches across America no longer know or discern who or what the truth is. This is why you have people calling good what God has called evil, or calling evil what God has called good, and why you have man following man instead of following God. 20 years ago, people in this nation would’ve flat out rejected the gospel according to Barack Obama. But today many in America act like they don’t even know the difference. In his gospel he exchanges the Word of God for his own version of the truth, a lie. Now he holds up his gospel, which radically differs from God‘s own Word, and wants you and me to believe in, and accept his gospel over the True Gospel. I say with Paul, “anathema”! (Gal.1:6-9). Jesus said in Mark 3:26,27, “a nation divided against itself, cannot stand”. Basically said, when people in a nation are in revolt, because they can no longer agree with what or who is the truth, that nation will become divided and cease to exist. He said the same thing about a home, or individual. So is Barack Obama the savior that will come to save the nation? Or will he further divide the nation with his form of the truth and bring it closer to the end, if not thee end? Could the gospel according to Barack Obama be one of the strong delusions talked about in 2 Thess. 2:10-12? America as a nation and all its “politically correct” leaders, for the most part, have rejected God, turned from the love of the Truth to the pleasure of lawlessness and sin. Jesus said in John 12:48, “…the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in the last day.” In the day of judgment when Barack Obama stands before Jehovah God to give an account, I want to hear him explain to God his statements, as quoted from his speeches, why he preached another gospel other than the true gospel. Remember what he preached here on earth, if it’s not repented of, is the same thing he’ll have to stand by when he appears before Christ in the day of judgment. If what he has esteemed as truth and preached as greater than God’s own Word was not truth, it will not save him in that day, but will only condemn. Truth according to Christ will save and excuse in that day! But truth according to Barack Obama will enslave and accuse in that day! Wake up America! Repent and quit being deceived. Click here to reply to this post
Well state Jill
Posted On: 07/09/08 09:48:00 PM
Age 46, AZ
You have really nailed it Jill. I haven't seen anyone so clearly illustrate that this guy is a FRAUD.
He's not a Christian.
He's not a Patriot.
He's not a leader.
He's not in any way presidential material.
He may be a Muslim, at the very least a very confused agnostic.
He is a socialist and may in fact harbor communist feelings. (see William Ayres)
He is leading people around like zombies and no matter what he says, he can't shake his following. This is a very scary time for America. WE in the Christian community must continue to sound the alarm.
To the Methodist in Canada...God help you, I will pray that you find the REAL Jesus. Click here to reply to this post
Just a minute
Posted On: 07/09/08 07:34:11 PM
Age 60, CANADA
I recognize that Obama may not be your kind of Christian, but don't forget that the remarks you have quoted fit very well with most main line Christian traditions (they certainly wouldn't be out of place in my Methodist church).
Not all Christians are literalists, and many Christians have become Christians after switching from another faith (or no faith), which we should celebrate.
Without commenting at all on their policies, I would have to say that, as far as I'm concerned, Obama exemplifies more of a Christian life than McCain does. Click here to reply to this post
YOUR OWN GOD?
Posted On: 07/10/08 09:40:51 AM
Age 51, MI
I am a great golfer. I can shoot 59 anytime I want. If I loose my ball, I simply hit another one without penalty. When I am on the green, it is as good as in. You see, I have my own idea of how golf should be played. Therefore, I am a great golfer.
Now you may say that I am cheating because I am not following the written rules (the word) of golf.
When you pick and choose anything that suits you from the bible, this makes you a great christian...but does it? You may call me a literalist, but I say you are trying to be your own god. Click here to reply to this post
Bravo, Bravo...
Posted On: 07/10/08 07:54:00 AM
Age 35, MI
Look at the lifestyle of the candidates and where they came from and it is quite clear Obama is more of a christian than McCain. Click here to reply to this post
IF YOU WANT TO LIVE DO NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA
Posted On: 07/10/08 01:18:45 PM
Age 64, OH
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. Obama supports partial birth abortion. That means Obama supports the piercing of the scull of a baby that has its head out of the womb. I helped to deliver my youngest son. When he had just his eyes out of the womb, I said, "hi Isaac, I am your daddy, and I love you". I will never forget the look he gave me. You see I knew he was a son and his name was to be Isaac because God had promised him to me. He said he is a child late in life and a child of promise, so call him Isaac. I find it IMPOSSIBLE to believe that if I would have taken a sharp instrument and pierced the scull of that poor little innocent baby, while he was looking at me, that Jesus would have been pleased. A true Christian does not support the killing of the most helpless and innocent of humans. Obama says he is for the poor. He is a liar. If he was for the poor, who is more poor than these babies. Even their mother wants to kill them. Obama is for the mother who wants to kill her own child, because the mother can vote and the child can not. That is simply being selfish and has nothing to do with helping the poor. When you are old and unable to get to the poles to vote; Obama will treat you the same as he does these babies. He will leave others kill you if they are able to vote. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Question
Posted On: 07/09/08 05:34:40 PM
Age 77, WI
This is not for publication, but I have a question on this article I'd like an answer for.
First, I definitely am not an Obama fan but I tried to go to some of the places mentioned in the article and while I am not real computer smart, I think I should be able to access the links but, in no way was I able to do so.
I feel the article would be better at convincing a skeptic if one were able to really see where the info comes from. None of the named sources were done as links so I could not see/access any of them.
Thank you and god bless. Click here to reply to this post
Try this link again--I got there
Posted On: 07/12/08 11:48:57 PM
Age 48, IL
http://falsani.blogspot.com/2008/04/barack-obama-2004-god-factor-interview.html
also--go to www.snopes.com and enter in his name -- you'll get so many links it will make you're head swim...I like to use snopes to debunk all kinds of urban myths.
while you're doing websites, go to McCain's own website (just put in the search) I know McCain was standing up for Christianity in the form of Jesus as his Savior at cost of his personal health, in the worst possible circumstances, as a P.O.W. Look him up in Snopes, too. The information is plenty available. I might also suggest you use the google "goodsearch" search engine, which pays your charity for the research you do through it. You have to add it through Google. Click here to reply to this post
DOES OBAMA BRING ABOUT CHANGE
Posted On: 07/09/08 10:40:30 AM
Age 64, OH
Obama claims to be an agent of change that we can trust in. If he is an agent of change and did not agree with the racial hatred that was preached in his church for over 20 years, then why did he not change that racial hatred. Obama is either lying and did not disagree with the racial hatred OR Obama would not or could not bring about any change. We do want need a liar or an impotent man who claims change but does nothing. We can see what kind of a President Obama would be by the change he brought about in his church. Lou Click here to reply to this post
I Agree,Obama's faith is in himself
Posted On: 07/09/08 09:51:08 AM
Age 50, TN
Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey both have expressed their belief that there are many paths to God. No wonder Oprah is a big supporter of Obama. As I heard a pastor say once, "If all roads leads to salvation then why the cross? Why would Jesus suffer and die?" Those who say there are many roads to heaven must either not know the Bible or believe Jesus is a liar when he said in John 14:6, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." Augustine said, "If you can believe in the gospel what you like, and reject what you don't like, it's not the gospel you believe but yourself!" Obama also says he rejects some passages in Romans. Some Christians who know Obama's stand on the issues call him the "Obamanation of desolation." People say I am narrow minded because I stand by what the Bible teaches, that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus alone. I just thank them because the Bible says, "narrow is the way!" Click here to reply to this post
The WAY never changes
Posted On: 07/09/08 12:33:50 PM
Age 81, NC
BO claims to be the"change we can believe in".MAN!he has changed what being a Christian is all about.I have pondered for such along time.Can a person be a true Born Again Christian and support abortion the way he does,or anyone else for that matter?The same would be true concerning approving same sex marriages and homosexuality life style.I believe humans that have never heard the gospel know it is wrong to destroy an unborn child.I know God forgives when we confess our sins.in fact they are already forgiven.HE paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross.I pray BO will honestly turn to Jesus and God will open his eyes to his sinfull condition.The
scriptures tell us people like BO's eyes are blinded by sin.I also pray for Christians who vote for him for what ever the reason.He is a very charismatic personand many will be led down the wrong way.When we have ungodly leaders;CAn God bless American? Click here to reply to this post
