# Think Only Right-Wing Christians Doubt Obama's Professed Religion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 31, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351 "2012-01-31T22:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/61 "2012-02-01T16:08:10Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > “Compelling”? Bullshit. > > Fundamentalist atheists are as gullible as any other kind of fundamentalist. “Dawkins said it; I believe it: that settles it”. > > Regards, > Shodan Cite for _anyone_ on this board saying anything close to that, please. ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/62 "2012-02-01T16:12:54Z")
A president professes to be a Christian to help him get elected in America, when it’s doubtful he is one? It’s not like he’s the first to have done so. I think his mom’s atheistic beliefs had more influence on him than what he can admit in public. Not saying one way or the other, only he knows for certain, but I have my doubts. Besides professing to be a liberal Christian can mean anything. There isn’t a minimum requirement of beliefs you have to have to subscribe to it. Just profess to be one, and that’s good enough. I’ve run across a few Christians (including some Unitarians) who also described themselves as atheists. If running for the POTUS, just don’t dare to profess to the latter. It wouldn’t be smart. On a youtube clip, the late Christopher Hitchens had his reasons for doubting Obama was a Christian. I think he’s a Christian for the window dressing alone, nothing more. My aunt loaned me a book from his some years back, where I remember he relates to his daughter when she asks him what happens to someone when they die, and the best I recall from that exchange is him saying to her, “I don’t know.” He left it at that, and didn’t elaborate. I thought to myself, now would be a good time to tell your daughter, “Well honey, we go to heaven, meet Jesus who died for our sins, and there we will live forever, have eternal good health and happiness.” ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/63 "2012-02-01T16:14:29Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Accusations of lying aren’t appropriate for this forum. Please don’t do this again. Sorry, I didn’t realize that listing possible alternatives constituted an accusation, but I will comply. ---
**Author:** ![FixMyIgnorance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/64 "2012-02-01T16:15:03Z")
> [@razncain](#): > > On a youtube clip, the late Christopher Hitchens had his reasons for doubting Obama was a Christian. I think he’s a Christian for the window dressing alone, nothing more. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ITsYUjv_aEA/hqdefault.jpg "Barack Obama is not a believer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITsYUjv_aEA) ---
**Author:** ![Razncain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/65 "2012-02-01T16:18:06Z")
> [@FixMyIgnorance](#): > > [www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITsYUjv\_aEA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITsYUjv_aEA) Thanks for the link. I wasn’t able to find it, so I’ll go back and refresh my memory of that as well. ---
**Author:** ![Enlightening\_Meditation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecc23a/32.png) [@Enlightening\_Meditation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enlightening_Meditation)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/66 "2012-02-01T16:22:04Z")
I think Obama went to church initially because his wife is Christian. Later, this fit in well with political aspirations. I think the Pres is likely agnostic. ---
**Author:** ![FixMyIgnorance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/67 "2012-02-01T16:22:24Z")
There is also [Obama An Atheist? - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY4Eah-J7ts) as well which talks about his background, his inaugural address, science, etc. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/68 "2012-02-01T16:22:54Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I think there is zero case for Obama being an atheist. He says he is a Christian, treats people like a Christian is supposed to treat people, and goes to church. Really? Those Jews are awful to other people aren’t they? Not to mention the Buddhists. But those Hindus are the worst; well, except for the Atheists: they have no morals at all. I mean how are you supposed to know whether it is OK to steal or murder unless you can look it up in a book? That’s why Japan has such a high crime rate. I’ve read all those Swedish murder mysteries. They are a bunch of Atheists up there so it’s not surprising they have a murder rather higher than a more devout country like the US. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/69 "2012-02-01T16:23:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > “Compelling”? Bullshit. I agree - although it’s not true that people believe this just because Dawkins said something. It’s been a topic of discussion for years. Regardless, there’s nothing compelling about this case. It’s supported by a combination of suppositions, assumptions, and wishful thinking. It’s not impossible that Obama is making the whole thing up because we can’t know what he believes in private, but based on what he does in public there’s no actual evidence he is anything other that what he says he is. I think even devout presidents make a point of playing up their faith in certain contexts, but that doesn’t mean anybody’s faking the entire thing. On the other hand I do think it’s annoying that they’re expected to play it up to such a great extent these days and I’m glad Obama does a bit less of that. ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/70 "2012-02-01T16:26:08Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > “Compelling”? Bullshit. > > Fundamentalist atheists are as gullible as any other kind of fundamentalist. “Dawkins said it; I believe it: that settles it”. Hey, it’s not just Dawkins. Newt says that Obama is waging a war on religion. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/71 "2012-02-01T16:26:17Z")
> [@razncain](#): > > My aunt loaned me a book from his some years back, where I remember he relates to his daughter when she asks him what happens to someone when they die, and the best I recall from that exchange is him saying to her, “I don’t know.” He left it at that, and didn’t elaborate. I thought to myself, now would be a good time to tell your daughter, “Well honey, we go to heaven, meet Jesus who died for our sins, and there we will live forever, have eternal good health and happiness.” That would have been sweet. Especially the part where you explain to your daughter that she is a sinner, and that her brother who died hours after childbirth was a sinner too. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/72 "2012-02-01T16:29:31Z")
The question of whether Obama is a secret atheist pretending to be a Christian can be answered very easily. Obama converted to Christianity in his twenties and was baptized and an active church member starting then. According to both his books and all other evidence we have, he had no inkling of running for President at that time. Therefore he did not pretend to convert to Christianity in order to bolster his Presidential run. Dawkins and those who agree with him on this issue are just being silly. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/73 "2012-02-01T16:31:19Z")
> [@FixMyIgnorance](#): > > I’m also going to throw a bunch of money behind politicians who advocate the Mighty Plan of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and will do his bidding, for they hear and understand Him. BTW since it says in his Holy Grater of Parmesan that cheddar cheese is the cheese of the devil, so I’m going to lobby for a nationwide ban of cheddar. That would be crazy, how about if we just pass a bill that says no Federal money can be spent on cheddar? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/74 "2012-02-01T16:32:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Cite for _anyone_ on this board saying anything close to that, please. Cite for where I claimed anyone on this board said it, please. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/75 "2012-02-01T16:36:22Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Cite for where I claimed anyone on this board said it, please. > > Regards, > Shodan Cite for anyone saying it anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/76 "2012-02-01T16:36:26Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Dude doesn’t even go to church. He’s never, as far as I remember, made God a big deal in any of his speeches besides the obligatory “God bless America” at the end. So there are two “shreds” of evidence that he’s an atheist. That is factually incorrect. > [@](#): > > “The Bible tells us, ‘Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning,’” President Obama said Sunday, Sept 11, 2011, a speech at ‘A Concert for Hope.’ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/77 "2012-02-01T16:40:31Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > According to both his books and all other evidence we have, he had no inkling of running for President at that time. I agree he didn’t join a church just to improve his chances of getting elected president decades later, but it’s not quite true that he had no inkling of running for president at that time. He was certainly considering a career in politics. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/78 "2012-02-01T16:51:06Z")
dup ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/79 "2012-02-01T17:00:39Z")
> [@FixMyIgnorance](#): > > Well, this isn’t true. There’s a compelling case to be made that he’s actually an atheist. Well, I’ve never heard it. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351/80 "2012-02-01T17:00:56Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#): > > That is factually incorrect. > > > [@](#): > > > > “The Bible tells us, ‘Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning,’” President Obama said Sunday, Sept 11, 2011, a speech at ‘A Concert for Hope.’ Quoting the Bible is not “making God a big deal.” Even I quote the Bible, and I’m one of those frothing-at-the-mouth fundamentalist atheists. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-only-right-wing-christians-doubt-obamas-professed-religion/611351.md?page=5)