Full Article at NPR.com (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130197568)
When asked by a woman why he was Christian, Obama responded that "I'm a Christian by choice," and "I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead - being my brothers' and sisters' keeper, treating others as they would treat me," That is similar to the thinking Jefferson employed. Even though he didn't believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, he believed in his ethics.
But then Obama said this. "I think also understanding that Jesus Christ dying for my sins spoke to the humility we all have to have as human beings, that we're sinful and we're flawed and we make mistakes, and that we achieve salvation through the grace of God," (which definitely expresses belief in Christ's divinity). And this "But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people and do our best to help them find their own grace." and this "I think my public service is part of that effort to express my Christian faith."
I have always thought that he was probably a Christian, but I have entertained the thought that perhaps he was indeed a freethinker. I'm not so sure anymore. Does this sound like him confirming his Christianity or trying to ward off attacks that call him Muslim?
The latter.
He's a politician. My guess... he's saying what the polls say he should.
This was 100% Politics...
No other president would have had to assert their "Christianity" in this way.
Deep down i think he is indiffrent, or mayb agnostic, but has to play the game, and this only makes me respect his intelligence more...however politics demands that he pander
I agree that he is probably an atheist or agnostic. Sadly, with all the dirty tea raining down on him, he has to pander like this. It's sad, but the only true control the public has over the government is exactly this situation...so pointless.
What does it matter what god he prays to, if any?
Should not a guy be taken on merit alone..? What merit is there in having imaginary friends?
I think he's probably more of the Jeffersonian christian (which is essentially a humanist who may or may not believe in a deity) but is pandering to the "true believers" by making sure he gives a nod towards the dying for our sins stuff.
I just don't think there is enough evidence to think that he would be any more likely to be an atheist/agnostic than any other president who has come through office...really, Bill Clinton is a more likely suspect. All he has done is pointed out that atheists are citizens too...that doesn make him automatically a closeted freethinker.
Quote from: "Whitney"All he has done is pointed out that atheists are citizens too...that doesn make him automatically a closeted freethinker.
It might not be automatic, but given the normal ideas of christians, it sure makes him a likely suspect.
Quote from: "Whitney"All he has done is pointed out that atheists are citizens too...
I speculate that this is definitely(!) a political maneuver.
I hope Bristol Palin comes out as an atheist.
I don't think there is any actual reason to believe he is not a Christian. He is consistent enough and firm enough on what he claims to be his religious beliefs that there really isn't any reason to suspect that he is lying.
But then again he also claims he's not a socialist...
him saying he's a christian is the same as the kid at the grocery store saying "have a nice day"
he doesn't give a liquidy splattering shit about my day, but.......... niggas got bills to pay.
He's not a muslim, as many fallaciously claim.
Many people according to polls, don't know what his religion is. It is because he rarely mentions it.
He is claimed to be Christian, but I think that's nominal. He's a half-betting middlegrounder like most people.