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Actually Ed (NY) you're half right and half wrong about prayer in school being unconstitutional.

The Courts have said coerced prayer or school sponsered prayer is unconstitutional. Voluntary prayer by students is ok. However, most schools today (either from fear of lawsuits or rather taking the liberal view) refuse to even allow voluntary prayer.

The rights of students are being trampled by administrators, politicians, and atheists wanting to push their agenda to erase God from existence.

Again – hearing Obama speak about this would be intriguing. Would he pander to the far left ACLU types or remain balanced in his faith – recognizing individual rights?

"Faith and Family" need to be kept where they belong, in the home and out of politics. That this creature would pander to the christian segment of our population for votes is, again, disgusting.

OBAMA WILL DEFINATELY ,COMPLETELY DISSAPEAR FROM OUR REAL WORLD SHORTLY..............IDIOT

I do hope that Mr. Obama continues his bible study campaign after the elections if he is truly a man of God because this election belongs to Hilary Clinton

Joyangel123
http://joyangel123.blogspot.com

James,I'd like to know that too,prayer in schools is so unconstitutional,will he pander or punt.That would be a good litmus test.I hope he stands against the shredding of our constitution.

40 Days of Faith and Family?

Ask Barack if kids should be able to pray in school, high school football games, or other rallies. What will be his answer?

Ed,

That is better. Now that you have taken the total swipe away from anyone with faith and reduced it to those who are one neuron short of a synapse (many posters of various stripes on this board), we're in good shape.

I agree that my faith's name has been dragged through the mud in this country (as well as throughout history) in the name of conquest and power.

Do you think that a 'faith and family' approach is detrimental to society?

If our country simply followed at least 5 of the 7 commandments I mentioned in an earlier post, we'd be far better off.

Imagine picking up the newspaper for months at a time and not reading about a rape or a murder.

I believe that's where the right-wing wants to go, just using the wrong way to get there. They feel it's better to change LAWS on the national stage than use a local/neighborly approach and demonstrate love and compassion to those around you.

Have an enjoyable rest of the afternoon,

People, what's the matter with you? Obama isn't trying to shove religion down people's throats, he's trying to demonstrate that the values of the Democratic party are in line with the values of Christianity. While the 'Focus on the Family' people have been great about claiming that they are the true holders of the message, they overlook their own hypocrisy. The whole point of Obama's campaign is that all of us, no matter what we believe, can be better. Our country can be better. We can really show all those qualities we say we stand for, and for those Christian, you can really show the compassion and love that's supposed to be a part of Christianity – not the hate and venom that's so popular in mass market Christianity. While cynics say 'this is the way the world is, so we need to be too', Obama is saying, 'we need to have the courage to stand up and actually live our values, not just give lip service to them'.

If Obama can do half of what he wants, the world will be a better place.

I didn't mean to link that issue with Iran.I'm well aware of the bizarre dichotomy there.It's here where science is berated by these opportunists.Iran's scientists are left alone to quietly pursue their endeavors.And not all religious people are theocrats,just those that use religion and the promise of theocracy to curry favor in politics.As to the remark about all technology coming from athiests,I should have used a different term,perhaps people with fully functional neurological pathways between the amygdala and the temporal lobes of the brain, whether they choose to practice religion or not.Is that better?

If Obama was such a great person then why doesn't he spend 40 days and nights in a nursing home, home for the wayward, orphanage,etc. Many people are not religious and that is very uncalled for.

Posted By Coach Haughton : September 24, 2007 8:01 pm

Coach, many doesn't equal more. Using your numbers, 10% of 300 million people is "many people," unless you consider 30 million to be a small number.

If you're going to criticize someone, at least respond to what they wrote, not what you recreated it to be when you read it.

Ed of Ellenville,

I think the establishment clause of the first amendment takes care of banning theocracy. The authors of that document (most of them religious men looking for the liberty to worship as they please) fled a theocracy, first hand knowledge led to that provision. It must have been important too, since it is amendment #1.

The inverse of your opening comment is true, assuming that someone expressing their faith is promoting a theocracy is ignorant.

Not too sure about your claim that ALL technology flows from atheists, but thank you for all of your hard work.

As for science being called heresy and then saying taht "We are not Iran!", did you see Ahmadinejad's speech at Columbia in it's entirety? He would disagree soundly with you on that one. He sees advances in science and the furtherance of all knowledge as vital in the discovery of one's spiritual walk.

Maybe things aren't as divided as they seem?

Anyway, I hope you have a good day,

I like Obama and I understand why he's doing this.

That said, I absolutely hate that in this country where we're supposed to have a separation of church & state, our politicians are forced to inject religion into government in order to gain votes. It annoys me to no end that voters take this into consideration, as though a candidate's religion is a badge representing his or her values. As we see on a daily basis, being a person of faith doesn't necessarily mean that you're a moral person.

To say people who don't want theocracy are anti-religious is ignorant.Jesus himself was anti-theocratic.The religious conservatives endorse theocracy and pandering to them to get money on the cheap is simply immoral.I hope Obama has the guts to explain during his forty days that theocracy threatens religions more than the 15% of this country that is not afflicted with that syndrome.We are the ones who gave you all of your technology,now this technology shows the defective brains of these theocrats,and science gets attacked as heresy.Athiests are the best protectors of religious freedoms because we stand for equal treatment under the law.US news and world report is way off in their poll,probably because of right-wing pressure to skew the facts.Promoting theocracy is an establishment of religion,period.We are not Iran!So let's agree to ban theocracy to protect our nation from religious fanatics who would destroy it.Do all the praying you want,just don't force it on our country.When you do,you hasten the fall of your religious organization.Religion is not a weapon to be swung like a bat,it's not that strong.

If Obama was such a great person then why doesn't he spend 40 days and nights in a nursing home, home for the wayward, orphanage,etc. Many people are not religious and that is very uncalled for.

Posted By laurinda,ny

Obama went to Columbia and Harvard, and has spent the past 21 years in Civil service for the poor... What more do you want from the man? This man actually HAS dedicated his life to the greater good, and you are mad bc he is showing that he has faith? What is wrong with you?

This is DISGUSTING!! A Democrat trying to appeal to the thumpers. We dont want those people in our party. If Obama wants to attract those type of folks he needs to switch to the other side.

Posted By AJ; Montpelier, VT :

YOU are disgusting. Get off your high horse AJ. People of family and faith are not nessecarily thumpers. I great number of black southerners are VERY religious but you dont see them joining the right wing Focus on Family type groups. Infact a large majority vote consistantly democrat and you cant kick them out of the party bc they pray. These people understand the division BTW church and state. There is a difference.

You can't lump every person of faith into the same hypocritical box as the James Dobson Clan.

And not I'm not religious

A.J.,

Why such hate? I thought the Democratic party was the inclusive one, 'the big-tent', a bastion of tolerance. Yet, quite arguably the best candidate in the field uses the 'freedom OF religion' and 'freedom of speech' tenets of our Constitution and you say it is disgusting. Then you spew other-side rhetoric?

I got the following quote from an article on Salon.com,

"Americans are religious people. According to U.S. News & World Report, 96 percent of us believe in God. Fifty-four percent attend church at least once a week"

And you say that if Obama wants to attract 'those type of folks'...

If I were him, I'd love to attract 96% of the electorate. Perhaps the survey is outdated or the numbers slightly inaccurate, but to me it looks like a majority.

It's obvious by this, and other posts you've made, that you hate Christians at least, perhaps religion as a whole. So, let's look at the Ten Commandments that don't deal with a deity and you tell me which ones you disapprove of.

4. Remeber the Sabbath and keep it holy. Do you work 7 days a week, or do you take at least one day off?

5. Honor your mother and father. Not a bad idea.

6. Don't murder, I think most of us agree with that.

7. Don't commit adultery, while it may be fun for a few minutes, it is injurious to other parties involved at some point down the line.

8. Don't steal, another noble principle.

9. Don't lie, how many people are pissed at Dubya for this one, I think you're probably in that group.

10. Don't envy your neighbor's house or wife. Sort of ties in with #7.

If these are the principles of 'the other side' that you despise so much, I'm glad to be a part of it.

If what upsets you is people trying to use their faith for purely political gain or force certain aspects of it on an unwilling person, I am in agreement that it is wrong. Throughout history, people have misused the name of God as a rallying cry to conquer peoples, land and acquire resources. My understanding of the book is not that at all (even though it has happened) and it sickens me. The KKK and Arian movements in this country try to cloak themselves in religion to further their worldview, that is an abomination.

Martin Luther King was a Christian, was he a lunatic? What do you think of his biblical views? Bill Clinton (and every President beginning with Harry Truman) had frequent meetings with Billy Graham where they prayed together. All lunatics I guess, more of those-type people. Every candidate in the field, Democrat and Republican claims an affiliation with a church, are you going to stay home on election day?

Not everyone who is a believer is a "thumper".

Have a great Tuesday,

Wow, I was waiting for a looney left liberal to freak out about a democrat professing his faith in such an open way. Thank you AJ. You stand for your party to perfection.

So according to AJ from Montpelier, VT anyone who is of Christian faith is not welcome in the Democratic party. Wow, how close minded and bigoted can a person from a "progressive" party be?

Like it or not (I really don't care) the majority of Americans are people of faith and do a lot for their fellow man.

Even as a non-Democrat and a non-bible thumper, I applaud Obama for his effort here.

No problem promoting faith and family as the country could use a little more family unity nowadays.

I would imagine the usual suspects would be jumping all over this if it were a Republican as the actions of a few losers have obviously tarnished the party.

But the gist of your hammering usually entails the way the Republicans are shoving "faith and religioun" down peoples throats, why is this any different, is it because he is a Democrat?

The Democrats to their credit have started actually started using the "F" word (faith) on the campaign trail, with the main panderer using it down south and also using HER fake as hell accent.

Your a good man Obama and believable when you speak of faith.

This is DISGUSTING!! A Democrat trying to appeal to the thumpers. We dont want those people in our party. If Obama wants to attract those type of folks he needs to switch to the other side.

Obama gets it. Given enough time, maybe he can get around to Laurinda's pet projects!

Laurinda, NY asks: If Obama was such a great person then why doesn't he spend 40 days and nights in a nursing home, home for the wayward, orphanage,etc. Many people are not religious and that is very uncalled for.

For starters, he's a sitting Senator that happens to be running for President. He has done his time helping people out and you want MORE? Why is it uncalled for that he exercises his First Amendment rights? Do candidates lose that once they run for office?

Have you spent time at nursing homes, orpanages etc. When's the last time you helped out at a soup kitchen? Have you visited people in prison? Be honest, don't just say you have because we can't verify it and it looks as if you are on the high moral ground. If you have, I applaud you for your community service and hope you continue, but don't put your expectations on a candidate and then show religious bigotry because you may not agree with his faith.

I haven't done the nursing home or orphanage gig, but I have helped out at soup kitchens and on several occasions visited prisons to hang out with guys I don't even know. Let me tell you they really appreciate that. I don't expect anyone else to do these things but am appreciative if they do.

A great need in this country is for the citizens to get off of their duff and get involved, not sit at their computer and gripe because the politicians aren't out doing ALL of the community service because that's government's role.

That's become an increasingly huge problem with our society, we sit around EXPECTING government to do all of the dirty work and criticize them when they don't but expect nothing of ourselves. Then, when someone in the government does get involved, we complain about it and Monday morning quarterback it to death, "Well, I wouldn't have done it that way, or his charity is not acceptable because he only wants to help group A and not group B."

Have a great Tuesday!

Excuse me laurinda, But why would it be inappropriate to have a dialouge with people of faith if you are a Christian yourself? I'm not grasping the concept. He should only speak to atheists? Of course his religion will be questioned by the hypocrites of the right who seem to think they have a hotline to God. So be it, That approach has finally worn thin with the real voters of america, No more preaching under the bathroom stall, thanks.

Interesting... it doesn't mention what Mr. Obama's "faith" is...

This sounds like a bad idea that will backfire. Pandering to the nation's broadest bigot faction–evangelical Christianity–is another one of those political tricks that tend to hurt Democrats in the long run. Let us hope Obama can pull it off without making despicable promises to protect and uphold supremacist ideology.

I'd like to know what Mr. Obama has to offer us heathen-americans(special status IS worth free money, right?)
who would like to see a lot of these
organized religious institutions audited top-to-bottom for fraud, graft,
and larceny....we keep hearing so much of this 'family' garbage, I say earn enough to feed your own kids or keep it in your pants, welfare statism, sanctified or otherwise, is garbage.

This sort of thing is how our candidates should be using campaign money so it is not just another loss for the public to bare. We need news coverage of these events, lots of it and also Edwards's work for Katrina victims. As talk is cheep, the sweat on the brow will tell us who these politicians really are. It is very important that we have a true measure of what sort of person it is that we elect to occupy the Oval Office!

Kay, Las Vegas, NV

Cut the nonsense.
What are you implying? So if Hillary or Mitt Romney, or maybe Giuliani decided to do something like this, it would be okay right? It's okay for them to try to "appeal" to black voters, but he can't?

I've seen you on here before... talking about "Oprah endorsed Obama just because he is black", but you won't say the same about a prominent white figure endorsing a white candidate.

Call it both ways Kay. Contrary to popular belief, I think America sees through your type of hate... or at least I hope they do.

Wallace

This should rank right up there with some of the gems that Karl Rove has created as Saturday Night Live material. May-be church lady can moderate.

Obama is Muslim in his heart but he is acting as a christian; god save America!!!!

DON'T VOTE OBAMA; OSAMA HUSSEN!!! SAVE AMERICA

Why the catering to one particular race/belief? Obama's campaign states that it is, "an opportunity for people of faith to come together, across racial and denominational lines...," however, it also states, "the campaign hopes will help the senator appeal to black voters."

Perhaps someone should inform Obama that voters are made up of different races & beliefs, including atheist, agnostic, pagan, muslim, etc. Do they not count?

Yes youre right B -rock is trying to appeal to blacks, and all other faiths dummy.

A lot of news out of SC today, as it has become quite a hot contest. More on CampaignDiaries.com

There is nothing more disgusting than using the Lord to get votes. If Obama were a righteous man, he would not use religion as a tool to get elected. Only republican who is confused about the meaning of Christianity would do such a thing.

If Barack Obama can lead the country in prayer well then more power to him. As spiritual people we believe in the power of prayer and real leaders lead prayers, the world we live in as well as our country needs prayer to find the way to peace.

I think it's a great idea and it shows that Obama's campaign is sensitive to the values of the voters he's reaching out to.

Isn't any one else getting tired of politics?

"40 Days of Faith and Family," the latest come-on in grassroots ewfforts (everyone sick of that worn-out phrase as well?!)starring Barack Obama.

B.O., we don't need you or any other political candidate to organize our Bible studies and family time. Beleive it oir not, we've been able to take care of such matters all by ourselves, and have been doing so since long before you decided to start believing your own PR.

Neither faith or family should be fodder for poltical taglines. By adopting these concepts as his own to exploit, Obama is demonstrating just how little he understands of the American people.

Uh-oh! That doesn't sound good!The theocrats weren't supposed to flip to our side until a few years from now.We better start rooting for rudy,we might need him.And by rooting I mean praising as a thrice married,immoral liberal kook that all lefties would support.Let Obama take the godhead cash and go down with the ship like bush.

Enough with the mixing of religion and politics! Can we keep the elections secular?

The article outlines that the event will bring together people of faith across denominational lines; however, it also says it will organize Bible study programs and gospel concerts.

How is that interdenominational? Should there be study programs of the Koran and of Buddhist texts?

A better event for South Carolina would be "40 Days of Racial, Sexual and Religious Equality."

If Obama was such a great person then why doesn't he spend 40 days and nights in a nursing home, home for the wayward, orphanage,etc. Many people are not religious and that is very uncalled for.

Posted By laurinda,ny : September 24, 2007 7:23 pm

Most people are not religious?
90% of americans believe in god.
what a dumb statement.

And so it begins...imagine that, trying to "appeal" to black voters...

If Obama was such a great person then why doesn't he spend 40 days and nights in a nursing home, home for the wayward, orphanage,etc. Many people are not religious and that is very uncalled for.

I don't think this is just an appeal to black voters. Faith & family are also major themes among evangelicals of every race. (among all religions actually)

I do believe Obama understands the importance of faith and prayer and the difference it will make in his campaign.