Christian Right “hijacked” faith, says Obama
EmailABC News’ Lauren Sher Reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., criticized some religious conservatives for tainting and politicizing faith, in his speech to fellow members of the United Church of Christ in Hartford, Conn., Sunday.
"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked," presidential hopeful Obama said. "Part of it’s because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, who’ve been all too eager to exploit what divides us."
Obama expressed disapproval at the Right’s use of faith that he argues unfairly divides Republicans and Democrats on religious issues.
"At every opportunity, they’ve told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their Church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage; school prayer and intelligent design," he said.
Obama called upon church members and the nation to "rededicate ourselves to a new kind of politics – a politics of conscience," which engages values in government decision-making.
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Has Obama ever picked up a Bible? Issues such as abortion, not permitting prayer in school, and gay marriage are important to Christians because the book their faith is based on forbids murder, discrimination, and homosexuality. To be a Christian is to be divided; seperated from the world. Christianity wasnt hijacked by the Christian right, but is instead being corrupted by the “Christian left.”
Posted by: David | June 23, 2007, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm
yeah, but then again, the bible says all sorts of stuff that is strange and supernatural.
Posted by: Jonathan | June 24, 2007, 9:28 am 9:28 am
Obama is so right. It takes courage to openly go against the Christain right and he has it. WTG Obama!!!
Posted by: E. S. | June 24, 2007, 9:30 am 9:30 am
You know, I just might vote for you yet! I like Hillary, but she hasn’t had the gumption to face this clearly as you have. Thank you for your courage in the face of hate.
Posted by: steve skiffington | June 24, 2007, 10:04 am 10:04 am
In response to David’s post, to be a Christian certainly doesn’t mean to create a division among ourselves and others. To be a Christian means to live following the “Way” of Christ. The Jesus Christ I know came to teach of unity, charity, and above all else love. In the book of our faith, Christ teaches that to help those less fortunate, to work towards peace, and to love your neighbor as yourself. To say the key issues of in which Christians are concerned are abortion and homosexuality is certainly limiting our faith. Obama is certainly right in saying our faith has been used to divide instead of unite, and I truly believe it is because certain “leaders” of the Christian faith have used the Bible to fit their own personal agendas.
Posted by: M.Z. | June 24, 2007, 10:15 am 10:15 am
No way am I taking Obama or Clinton. They both preach anti war but neither act on it. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m going Ron Paul….who says religion is not the Fed’s business (point of this article) and he voted against the war (reserach it).
Posted by: Matt | June 24, 2007, 10:56 am 10:56 am
I think what he’s saying is that there shouldn’t be and Christian Right or Christian Left-just American Christians. Different faiths of Christianity have always been able to get along until now-that’s what seperates us from Muslims in the Middle East. You don’t see Christians killing each other over our slight differences in beliefs. Obama’s saying that we need to come together with common values when we apply them to government-not just make laws based on the evangelicals belief. The Right has exploited our faith and used the issues to divide instead of bring Americans together. Why do that when there are so many wonderful common values shared by Christians?
Posted by: Cat | June 24, 2007, 11:01 am 11:01 am
I go with David. Obama needs to read more than the Sermon on the Mount[which includes that true believers are the lights in a needy world]. The Bible tells us we are in the world but not of the world. The Bible teaches unity to THE Church not the local church that denies the authority of the Word of God. It takes a man of courage and grace to wage war with those who deny the Scriptures to be absolute truth. I would hope and pray that Obama would see the difference and come to FAITH IN Christ and not faith in one’s liberal relationship. We are instructed to separate ourselves from worldinessand worldly acts.
Posted by: Frank Chittock | June 24, 2007, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
I agree with Obama, the right has completely hijacked faith. If your against them then your against God. Which is total BULL. I always thought that religion was supposed to be about love. But I notice more hate than anything. It amazes me because most of the “Moral” majority. Are the biggest Hippocrates, crooks and liars around.
Posted by: Angela | June 24, 2007, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
I am Black, and proud of it.
Yet, I am a Christian and then takes precedence over all things; I feel closer to Christians than to Blacks.
With that said, please be advised that Obama, and many other candidates, is not a Christian (i.e., follower of Christ) from my observations. The things they say are what people, who do not actually know what the bible says, think. He sounds “religious” not Christian. Here is a simple example. This is what Jesus said in Luke 12:51-52
“51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.”
Jesus said this to teach that those who follow his actual words (only found in the bible) will often find themselves seperated from those (including family & friends) who do not follow his words. These people, by neccessity, must then create their own kind of religion that makes since to the natural mind.
I used to think that wisdom like Obama and others was also righteous sounding, until I actually picked up the bible myself and departed from ignorance– reading truth with my own eyes. Consider acquiring your own sincere relationship with Jesus Christ, who died for people (like me and you) who have lied, used God’s name in vain, stolen 1 or more thing in life (even if from mom), or lusted after another person. Merely believing that he died for your sins and is now your savior from ultimate judgement will save your life even as you read this blog (no church needed). This is why a bible-believer would listen to a person like Obama and instantly know he knows not the words of the bible. An unbeliever would think he sounded relgious. Please read this message with your heart, and not with your intellect, and check for yourself if the words I have written are true.
Posted by: CFH3 | June 24, 2007, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
I guess Obama is not intelligent design.
Posted by: sandra l | June 24, 2007, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
Obama is a typical of the political machine. When held up to the light of day they all get uncomfortable. They go to the attack
because everybody knows “the best
defense is a good offense.” Seems like these days it is fashionable to attack the so called religeous right. Better yet to paint them as extremist and out of the mainstream. The trick is that these that are attacked are the only ones speaking up. While the rest of the country follow like sheep or blow where the wind blows, there are some that will not go quietly. These few are the salvation of America.
Posted by: DAN | June 24, 2007, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Simply put in the words of Jesus. “He amongst us witout sin cast the first stone” The young man, Sen. Obama, is correct we “Conservative Christians” while well meaning have been used by right wing politicans (who certainly like liberal politicans are not without sin ), to cast the first stone. The root of my beleifs center around a fudemental principal. Love thy neighbor as thy would love thy self.The chruch should be a place where we can differ, have dialouge and respect differences. There are many liberal issue I do not agree with or understand. What is central I love my brothers and sister and pray for their souls as I hope they pray for mine.
Posted by: murl41 | June 24, 2007, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
Some of the posts in this blog are a perfect example of the useless divisions Obama is talking about. Apparently, some people believe there is only one interpretation of scripture (conveniently, their own interpretation), and they also seem to believe that the passages of scripture that support their viewpoint are the only ones relevant to the topic. Somehow, if you don’t agree with them and emphasize the same passages of scripture as they do, them you “haven’t read the Bible.” Obama could easily say at this point, “I rest my case.”
Posted by: REM | June 24, 2007, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Obama is a good Christian a sermon on the mount Christian! a peace maker, a uniter because Jesus said Turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. These concepts are alien to the Christian Right. Its about time that someone is calling these impostors on the right to return to the Lord and be peacemakers and mediators of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Posted by: gordon | June 24, 2007, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
Senator Obama: You could like him and you could hate him. Certainly he has spoken the truth. Whoever does not see this is not been truthful to themselves. Faith has been hijacked by many RIGHT WING LEADERS to satisfy their own greed. We have even forgotten how a model christain should be like. Today you just have to be against abortion, gay marriage and for tax cuts and it qualifies you as a christian.
Well i have this question for those wolves in sheep clothing. In Christian Bible book of Leviticus it is said that it is an abormination to eat shell fish. Have you proposed that the constitution be admended such that no body eats shell fish? It is same with eating pork. Now sit back and think. God is great; Jesus is king; now remember that the greatest commandment is that you love your neighbors as you love your self. Forgive 7777777…..x
Peace
Posted by: Eman | June 24, 2007, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
It takes courage to speak the truth and confront wrong. Senator Obama has taken a brave step by speaking truth.We need our religous leaders to bring us togehter not divide us.It is time for leaders both religous and secular to stop colluding with each other for personal gain or issue advantage. There is no moral threat that through others behavoir lessen my faith in God. We are taught that he is a forgiving god. I admire the Senator for having courage and for speaking out.
Posted by: murl41 | June 24, 2007, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
re:These concepts are alien to the Christian Right. Its about time that someone is calling these impostors on the right to return to the Lord and be peacemakers and mediators of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This sounds real good in print and in theory. The only problem is that secular side doesn’t appreciate this approach. It is percieved by them as an intellectual weakness to follow those guidelines especially if they involve a religous conviction. There are two choices. Either roll over and let them have their anything goes godless society or speak up for the original guiding principals that led to the creation of this great nation. And yes faith in G_D was a big part of it. For a people that are so obsessed with the so called “separation of church and state”, (when speaking to the secular)the polititions sure don’t mind using church to get into office. At some point you run out of cheeks to turn.
Posted by: dan | June 24, 2007, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
Obama hit the nail on the head with this one. Very astute and timely assessment of the American political state. The so-called “Christian Right” has very little to do with Christianity and has everything to do with power, political activism and self-righteous posturing.
Posted by: Chris | June 24, 2007, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
In response to CFH3′s post. I wonder how Christian it is to point out that you don’t consider Obama and other candidates real Christians. I think that the principles of Jesus were compassionate and were about acceptance and inclusion, not judgemental exclusion.
Posted by: Jeremiah | June 25, 2007, 1:55 am 1:55 am
What would the left and the Democrats know about faith? I think Senator Obama is looking the wrong way and pointing in the wrong direction.
Posted by: Kottaras | June 25, 2007, 2:59 am 2:59 am
i may agree with mr obama ,the political leaders thesedays have greatly underminded the church and its activits but only get involoves to church in matters like gay marriage,abortion,yet the church and politics has to be inseperable in the sence that no authority which doesnot come from God and one advises the other but thesedays the reverse is true.Mr obama is 100%true in his message ,that you may see the politicians thesedays associatng with the church leaders only in time of looking for votes but after that you won’t see any politician there.
lwanga fred eliazali junior
Posted by: lwanga | June 25, 2007, 3:54 am 3:54 am
Obama is saying to the Christian right “your father God is calling you go back to him and his ways” also he is calling for a new politic a new way. He is saying to all Americans from the bottom to the top “leave the cynicism, leave the intolerance and indifference and return to your country and countrymen” Amen Senator Obama.
Posted by: gordon | June 25, 2007, 7:24 am 7:24 am
Once again the neo con party speaks but doesn’t know what they are talking about. There lord Jesus and his father both have stated time and time again that wars would be fought in their name and for the ture believers in God they should avoid such things. The right wing as well as the left is a bunch of wing nuts that need to be shut down once and for all. I don’t just mean Christans I mean Jews, Musliums and every other religion on the face of this planet. They have done nothing for mankind except create wars and death over the ages. If a foundation in a building is bad you don’t try to fix the building you tear it down then start over again. This is what religion is bad rotten to the core.
Posted by: ant | June 25, 2007, 8:27 am 8:27 am
St. James in his epistle says “True Religion” is the visiting of widows and orphans in their affliction, Isaiah says do good, seek justice, uphold the rights of the orphan and defend the cause of the widow, one of the 5 tenants of Islam is to minister to the poor. I think Sen. Obama, Pastor Rick Warren, Rabbi Michael Lerner, James Zogby and Rev. Jim Wallis are all talking about St. James’ vision of Religion a return to the “True Religion” America has to answer this calling or as St. Luke says in Luke chapter 1 verse 17 “remember Lots wife” We have to look to the FUTURE with a new vision for America, a backwards looking nation will freeze up and die like Lots wife. Its time for all Americans to check in and help your country from the lowest to the greatest.
Posted by: gordon | June 25, 2007, 8:59 am 8:59 am
Excuse me thats Luke chapter 17 verse 32 about Lots wife, the quote from Isaiah is chapter 1 verse 17. 1000 pardons!
Posted by: gordon | June 25, 2007, 9:11 am 9:11 am
Wake up America another politician out there has gone on attack! This time he’s painting the Christian right with a broad brush stroke that try’s to divide Christians as a whole. The Christian religion is founded on the birth, life and death of Christ. Christians are admonished to look to the bible for instruction on how to proceed as “little Christ’s”, Christians! What non-Christians don’t understand is that our religion is all inclusive, we are inclusive of all people, but not all actions. Love the person not the sin! Obama has our respect but he shouldn’t be running his mouth off. There is a place for diversity of belief and the leaders on the Right picked the one’s that are most divisive at this point in time, is that wrong?
Can all things be brought down to a common denominator. If so where does it stop. As for ant’s comment in regards to Christianity’s rotten foundation . This is as far from the truth as can be. Christ is the foundation! Think of what was brought into the world, a diferent way. A way of love, tolerance and a moral code that was and is far above all other doctrine expounded this worlds religions. Christ didn’t expound war, but there is acknowledgement that differences exist and that there is good and evil in the world and that at some point war will happen between the two. Differences cause war, politicians, right or left, feed off of these differences! Politicians need to hold themselves to a higher standard then all things are equal! Mr. Obama does himself a disservice by even bringing this division to the forefront.
Posted by: sickofit | June 25, 2007, 10:06 am 10:06 am
Note to Obama: If the “Right” has hijacked Faith, then the “Left” has hijacked the Black Caucus, UAW, Hollywood, etc. Voters decide who to vote for, right or wrong, so blame them.
Posted by: Gary | June 25, 2007, 10:19 am 10:19 am
>”Has Obama ever picked up a Bible?”< David – have you ever picked up a newspaper? In 1985, Obama moved to Chicago to direct a non-profit project assisting local churches to organize job training programs. and he's a regular church attendee every sunday. Will you keep clinging to the right-wing, or are you going to finally ask yourself "what would jesus do"?? would jesus keep dividing the nation? would jesus bomb abortion clinics? would jesus beat up gays and deny them their rights? WHAT WOULD JESUS DO.
Posted by: jro | June 25, 2007, 10:23 am 10:23 am
We as Christians believe in the new law, the new wine “The Sermon on the Mount” Jesus says “you were once told but I tell you” of course Jesus was talking about the OLD LAW the ten commandments(you were once told) but I tell you(the new law, the new wine) an example is “you were once told do not kill, but I tell you anyone who is angry at his brother commits murder” Our Blessed Lord is calling us to a higher road or calling. This in my estimation is What Sen. Barak Obama is saying we need to drink the NEW WINE and abide by the NEW LAW. Jesus was an agent of CHANGE for good and SEN. BARAK OBAMA is like him he has charisma and a new politic that will change America for the better.
Posted by: gordon | June 25, 2007, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
Personally, I am tired of politicians talking religion. This country is supposed to have separation of church and state, and politicians need to keep their religious beliefs to themselves, and out of government.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | June 25, 2007, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Excellent for Obama. I have grown increasingly alienated towards the Christian Right who act as though they represent Christians in this country. In fact, they hate Catholics, they hate the Pope. They supported the Iraq War believing it has been prophacized in the Bible, while Pope John Paul was publicly denouncing it as immoral before we started dropping bombs. The Catholic Church does not see conflict in evolution and creationism, yet the fundamentalists promote that scientists are evil. You never see them acknowledging the Pope – the leader of the largest Christian Church in the world. They think most of the other protestant churches are secular and not true Christians. Yet when convienent to them to push their beliefs on everyone else using politicians to so accomplish, they take the high ground of representing Christians in this country. Yes, Obama was very dead right on this one.
Posted by: Sue | June 25, 2007, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
^5 sue the gates of hell shall not prevail! Obama is one of the beloved.
Posted by: gordon | June 25, 2007, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
Christian Left have hijacked Obama! Right?
Posted by: Kottaras | June 25, 2007, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
James Dobson, Tony Perkins and the rest of the ‘Christian Right’ PROFIT from creating the divides. They ARE NOT CHRISTIANS and use divisive issues to further their POLITICAL agendas and personal power. How Evans can be so blinded to not see this is beyond me. “Lay down your riches and follow me,” is the one verse you’ll never hear Dobson mutter.
Posted by: Bradley | June 26, 2007, 11:30 am 11:30 am
If Christians have hijacked the right then the left has been highjacked by far darker forces.
Less than 20% of the left has a positive view of religion…. They are guided by “man’s” idea of right and wrong where anything goes and that is a dangerous path.
I can’t remember the last time a politician on the right spoke in a church on politics – who is really using ‘religion’ to divide.
Posted by: Christian_Veteran | June 26, 2007, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Legislating law is to assert a morality. This is precisely what the left wants to do – LEGISLATE MORALITY. The left is legislating its morality on the right. The left is legislating for the morality of homosexual acceptance, the left is legislating for the morality of a woman having the right to murder a baby in the womb, the left is legislating for the morality of stem cell research with the embryos of murdered babies. Where does the left get the idea that somehow we are legislating our view of life on them? The right is defending what has been national tradition and law since our founding fathers (pilgrims and puritans) landed on these shores. Homosexuality was once a crime in this land. That stood for over 300 years. The taking of a defenseless life was a crime. Since the 60′s this has all been turned upside down. The left (democrats mainly) are the ones causing a moral revolution by legislating law in contradiction to the revealed will of God and nature. Our nation was built on these premises. From the Massachussetts Bay Colony, to the Articles of Confederation, the fundamental orders of connecticut, all the way to the US Constitution, our fouding body politics were based on Christianity. If senator Obama wants to say that the right has hijacked Faith I would say that democrats want to redefine it by eradicating it. How does a liberal-leftist-democrat reconcile the fact that the bible says that homosexuals will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10), that homosexuality is an abomination (Lev 18:22). Sentaor Obama has a problem with the Bible and therefore with those who follow its teachings. Senator Obama wants to hijack the Christian faith so that it can support his liberal policies and views. Illinois recently passed a “gay rights” bill SB-3186, and this bill sets another precedent that will affect all Americans, especially faith-based groups. It’s already against the law to say that homosexuality is wrong in Pennsylvania (as in Canada), where a pastor was locked up and charged with numerous counts of hate speech for stating the precept that homosexuality is wrong according to the Bible. Why not similarly lock up the non-Christians and “gays” who say that Christians are wrong? Not hate-speech in that case? Double standards abound. But somehow I am to believe that the right has hijacked faith. Senator Obama there is a culture war going on and you are on the side that wants to HIJACK faith for liberalism. The right will never give in on this.
Posted by: Eduardo | June 26, 2007, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
This is not about hijacking faith, as the Left would have us believe. It’s about legislating wrong behavior and forcing it down the mouths of everyday decent Americans. The right to pursue happiness is a right guaranteed to all, even for “gays,” but not if it infringes on the rights to happiness or the free speech of others. This recent Illinois law does just that. It seeks to impose (LEGISLATE) a humanistic morality—in effect, a secular ‘religion’—on all the citizens of Illinois. This is what the liberal agenda is about. This is truly hijacking a faith, legislatinig against it. My fellow Americans, wake up! If we allow our elected officials and unelected judges to legislate their concept of morality in stark opposition to the Constitution and the Founder’s intents, or against the wishes of the people’s majority, we’re on slippery ground. Alan Keyes was right on Senator Obama. Follow the Illinois debates between Obama and Keyes and hear it for yourself. Obama believes that truth is relative whereas Keyes believes that it is absolute. This belief has immense consequences for the way a senator leads and does his job. May God have mercy on senator Obama and the people who follow after him.
Posted by: eduardo | June 26, 2007, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
A posting on June 25 indicated that one of your commentors was tired of politicians “talking religion”. Pleas note that Politics IS the religion of politicians and if they stopped “talking religion” they would have nothing to say.
Posted by: M G Willis | June 28, 2007, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Jesus taught us many things, to love one another is one, but to condone wicked behavior is NOT one of his teachings. Jesus forgave many sinners, but he also OVERTURNED the tables of the money changers in the temple and HE UNLEASHED HIS STRONGEST REPRIMANDS on THE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL LEADERS WHO WERE MORALLY CORRUPT! (and they Crucifed him for it). So what would Jesus do? He would once again clean house in His Church, and he would again address our corrupt leaders as YOU SNAKES, YOU VIPERS, YOU HIPOCRITS. So what should we do? We all should live our lives like we will be judged for every word and deed…because we will!
Posted by: C. Pickens | October 7, 2007, 10:27 am 10:27 am
There are many religions in USA,I like to call myself a spiritualist. I have studied many religions and faiths. I come to the conclusion that I feel all the religions and faith have a common thread, only our cultures and difference in interpretations differ. Being Spiritual brings people together, religions divide. We have to come together to bring our country together. We cannot blame one religion for corruption without looking at our own religion. We can not blame others for things we are tempted to do ourselves. We are all human and all capable to temptation and to corruption. That is all part of our ego and we are more than that.
By keeping our faith simple, compassion towards others, keeping our thoughts towards healing our nation and by joining together with love and compassion can we put this country back together. By taking personal responsibility by voting for the representative of our choice, by researching their back ground, making sure, what they say is the truth. (not the news media (NBC ABC FOX etc) they are run by big business and very slanted! Our representatives are working for us, if you hire them to work for you, would you not check their resumes? We have no one to blame but ourselves, if we allow a dictator to come into power. We must be active in our role as a citizen and vote into power a moral leader, who is interested in less government and returning our freedoms back, and to lead our country with dignity and honor, only then will we come together as a strong nation. We have more knowledge available to us then ever before, books, we have the internet, CD’s books that we can listen to, they are all available to us. There is no excuse for not checking on our representatives and making sure that what they say is the truth. You need to ask yourself, how important is your freedom to you? Do you want to take responsibility for your future and the future of your country?
IT IS TIME FOR US TO STAND TOGETHER AND SAY NO MORE TO CORRUPTION, WE WANT TO BE HEARD! They work for us!!
Governments are suppose to be afraid of the people, people should not be afraid of their governments!
Posted by: Dan Dinsmore | December 11, 2007, 12:19 am 12:19 am
It’s interesting. This whole left right thing is implied. As soon as I speak my ProLife beliefs the person says “Oh your one of those right wingers”.
No, I’m just a person with personal beliefs.
And I’m sure people with opposite views get tired of being called “left wing”.
Who started this whole left, right thing anyway?
Mr Obama and other politicians, how about thinking outside the box and quit using tired old labels?
Posted by: Nikki Sullivan | January 13, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
does anyone know what religion Obama claims he follows? Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It’s the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting .can anyone confirm this info?
Posted by: mark | January 16, 2008, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
This is what Hitler used to say and look where they ended up. Everyone who is Christian should now start praying and never cease praying I think this man is truly evil and without God. No one would advocate partial birth abortion and leave a baby after being born to die as happened in Illinois his own State. Please listen talk to Our Lord and let the holy spirit speak to you. I beg you all to pray unceasingly.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES PROTECT US ALL.
JMJ PRAY FOR US.
Posted by: Bernadette Marie | October 4, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm