Faith and Politics

admin · 11-08-2008, 02:09 AM

Reconciling Faith and Politics

“(Obama's speech on faith) may be the most important pronouncement by a Democrat on faith and politics since John F. Kennedy's Houston speech in 1960 declaring his independence from the Vatican...Obama offers the first faith testimony I have heard from any politician that speaks honestly about the uncertainties of belief.”
— E.J. Dionne, Op-Ed., Washington Post, June 30, 2006

In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.

Senator Obama also laid down principles for how to discuss faith in a pluralistic society, including the need for religious people to translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values during public debate. In December, 2006, Senator Obama discussed the importance of faith in the global battle against AIDS.

2008 · 11-08-2008, 09:32 PM

Without a doubt religion still influences politics, however I'm not necessarily too happy about that.

It's good for that he stepped up to it though as most politicians just side with one particular religion while Obama addressed the issue that this method is not too efficient. As for AIDS, people need to stop blaming certain groups and instead focus on solving the problem. This is another big issue that has to be resolved.

scout swimmer · 11-08-2008, 10:51 PM

This election we really only had two choices, John McCain (faults obvious) and Barak Obama, both mixed bags. If one chooses environmental responsibility, interactive diplomacy, restrained use of force, educational development, energy option development, etc. we also get abortion rights, gay pride, distribution of wealth as a principle. Although this nation was founded on a Judeo-Christian foundation, while providing for the practice of all religions, we have diluted the foundational relationship that has guided this country through the 2+ centuries. We continue to discount this relationship at our peril. Being inclusive has been confused with everything is all relative and equally valid.

Redbird · 11-10-2008, 01:57 AM

My homework for the new administration is a book titled "The Family" by Jeff Sharlet. It is an interesting study of the conflation of faith and power. What seems to be lost in the last few years in religious discourse is that in America everything is a two way street. Those who don't want their taxes to go to abortions or stem cell research need to understand that I don't want my dollars going to Guantanamo, a missile defense shield, blanket government wire tapping, etc. We have just experienced this with Prop 8 (the anti gay marriage ban) in California. One sector of society wants to define how everyone should behave. We have forgotten that democracy is majority rule BUT with protection for the minority. Mormons were the major backers of the Prop 8. They seem to have forgotten they are a minority, so we have one minority trying to limit the freedoms of another minority. Ultimately it as Booker T. Washington said, "You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." Beyond using social issues a wedges to keep us divided and weak the last couple decades have sorely used people of faith to further ambitions of power.

Lex · 11-10-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2008

Without a doubt religion still influences politics, however I'm not necessarily too happy about that.

Very true, although technically it's not supposed to, if a leader is a followed of a certain religion he will definitely make decisions based on his faith.

With a growing atheist group in the country, it's probably best that religion be kept out of politics, especially considering the religious thing might not always be the best thing for the country.

oo1987 · 11-11-2008, 09:54 PM

I don't think we will ever get to a place in America where faith does not in some way dictate a certain level of politics. We have a very religious driven country, and people's morals are so often linked irrevocably with their religion. Not that that is exclusive. I myself am not religious, and my morals are more ethically based.

I think that if people want to base their view on their faith, it's fine, but it should be about how they relate to policies, not politicians. So many people voted for Bush because he was a "good Christian man", and look where it got us.

swetha · 11-12-2008, 02:03 AM

well religion has an impact on the politics. As Obama want's all the religions hsould translate into universal. But, few of the religious people doens't agree with it. They want their religion in the they were worshipping from along time.Every one in America has an faith in Obama as an president .

11-08-2008, 02:09 AM	#1
admin Administrator Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 21	Faith and Politics Reconciling Faith and Politics “(Obama's speech on faith) may be the most important pronouncement by a Democrat on faith and politics since John F. Kennedy's Houston speech in 1960 declaring his independence from the Vatican...Obama offers the first faith testimony I have heard from any politician that speaks honestly about the uncertainties of belief.” — E.J. Dionne, Op-Ed., Washington Post, June 30, 2006 In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life. Senator Obama also laid down principles for how to discuss faith in a pluralistic society, including the need for religious people to translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values during public debate. In December, 2006, Senator Obama discussed the importance of faith in the global battle against AIDS.

11-08-2008, 10:51 PM	#3
scout swimmer Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 32	Is the God of the Founding Fathers Judeo-Christian or is he bigger than that (irony). This election we really only had two choices, John McCain (faults obvious) and Barak Obama, both mixed bags. If one chooses environmental responsibility, interactive diplomacy, restrained use of force, educational development, energy option development, etc. we also get abortion rights, gay pride, distribution of wealth as a principle. Although this nation was founded on a Judeo-Christian foundation, while providing for the practice of all religions, we have diluted the foundational relationship that has guided this country through the 2+ centuries. We continue to discount this relationship at our peril. Being inclusive has been confused with everything is all relative and equally valid. Last edited by scout swimmer; 11-10-2008 at 02:23 AM.

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11-08-2008, 09:32 PM	#2
2008 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 51	Without a doubt religion still influences politics, however I'm not necessarily too happy about that. It's good for that he stepped up to it though as most politicians just side with one particular religion while Obama addressed the issue that this method is not too efficient. As for AIDS, people need to stop blaming certain groups and instead focus on solving the problem. This is another big issue that has to be resolved.

11-10-2008, 01:57 AM	#4
Redbird Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 4	My homework for the new administration is a book titled "The Family" by Jeff Sharlet. It is an interesting study of the conflation of faith and power. What seems to be lost in the last few years in religious discourse is that in America everything is a two way street. Those who don't want their taxes to go to abortions or stem cell research need to understand that I don't want my dollars going to Guantanamo, a missile defense shield, blanket government wire tapping, etc. We have just experienced this with Prop 8 (the anti gay marriage ban) in California. One sector of society wants to define how everyone should behave. We have forgotten that democracy is majority rule BUT with protection for the minority. Mormons were the major backers of the Prop 8. They seem to have forgotten they are a minority, so we have one minority trying to limit the freedoms of another minority. Ultimately it as Booker T. Washington said, "You can't hold a man down without staying down with him." Beyond using social issues a wedges to keep us divided and weak the last couple decades have sorely used people of faith to further ambitions of power.

11-11-2008, 09:54 PM	#6
oo1987 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UT, USA Posts: 55	I don't think we will ever get to a place in America where faith does not in some way dictate a certain level of politics. We have a very religious driven country, and people's morals are so often linked irrevocably with their religion. Not that that is exclusive. I myself am not religious, and my morals are more ethically based. I think that if people want to base their view on their faith, it's fine, but it should be about how they relate to policies, not politicians. So many people voted for Bush because he was a "good Christian man", and look where it got us.

11-12-2008, 02:03 AM	#7
swetha Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 24	well religion has an impact on the politics. As Obama want's all the religions hsould translate into universal. But, few of the religious people doens't agree with it. They want their religion in the they were worshipping from along time.Every one in America has an faith in Obama as an president .