Cite for anyone on this board saying anything close to that, please.
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.”
Sorry, I didn’t realize that listing possible alternatives constituted an accusation, but I will comply.
Thanks for the link. I wasn’t able to find it, so I’ll go back and refresh my memory of that as well.
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.
There is also Obama An Atheist? - YouTube as well which talks about his background, his inaugural address, science, etc.
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.
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.
Hey, it’s not just Dawkins. Newt says that Obama is waging a war on religion.
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.
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.
That would be crazy, how about if we just pass a bill that says no Federal money can be spent on cheddar?
Cite for where I claimed anyone on this board said it, please.
Regards,
Shodan
Cite for anyone saying it anywhere.
That is factually incorrect.
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.
dup
Well, I’ve never heard it.
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.