October 14, 2007
Posted: 01:27 PM ET

Obama spoke at an interfaith forum in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said Sunday that the separation of church and state should not force the people of the United States to "leave [their] religion at the door before entering the public square" and that, indirectly, faith informs politics.

"Our faith informs our values, and I think we'd all agree that our values inform our politics more than they have over the last six years," the Illinois senator said at an interfaith forum in downtown Des Moines.

Obama said that too often religious leaders use faith to "exploit what divides us" by saying that the only issues that matter are abortion, gay marriage, school prayer, and intelligent design.

"Everyone in this room knows that's not true," Obama said.

He said there are other challenges that can unite people of faith, one of them being the issue of climate change.

"The bible tells us that when God created the earth, he entrusted us with the responsibility to take care of that earth," he said. "It is a responsibility to ensure that this planet remains clean and safe and livable for our children, and for all of God's children."

"Science has made it undeniably clear that our generation is not living up to this responsibility."

Obama also took a moment to praise former vice president and recent Nobel Prize-winner Al Gore for his work on global warming.

"I think all of us give great thanks to him for his extraordinary dedication, his extraordinary service, [and] his grace after a bitter defeat to rise up and actually transcend and do even more than one could have ever imagined to help highlight this issue."

Click here to see CNN's new political portal: CNNPolitics.com

-CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch

Filed under: Al Gore • Barack Obama • Global Warming • Iowa • Race to '08 • South Carolina


Mr. Common Sense   January 29th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

I can't believe how stupid the American people are. Blame George W Bush and his pals for creating this situation. I'ts their fault that America is going to elect a president that is all sizzle and no steak. Barack Obama. He's got a big smile and a good personality but absolutely no qualifications to run this country yet. Maybe in another four to eight years. He seems like a good guy; however, we need someone who is qualified and unfortunetly the most qualified are not going to get elected. Hillary is not my choice either. Hopefully John Edwards will pull a rabbit out of his hat in the next couple of weeks. If not I'm voting Republican. With the exception of Mitt Romney who is a total nitwit, they are all better.

Magda P.   January 5th, 2008 4:20 am ET

Em, excuse me you guys, can you honestly tell me that one of the other candidates is more suitable for the Presidency than Obama? Should we not be focusing on the impact his policies will have not only on the USA, but the World itself, rather than his color or his religion? THIS IS the 2008 you know!

Steven, Ridgecrest CA   November 14th, 2007 12:25 am ET

I bought into Obama until I learned about who he calls his "sounding board", "spiritual adviser" and "long time friend", Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

This "Reverend" justifies all of his hate because this is , "the United States of white America", and we deserved 9/11 because this corrupt country was founded on racism.

All this garbage comes out of the mouth of this 'reverend' without Obama upholding the values he preaches all around the country in his campaign. All this one America stuff? This is total hypocrisy, reguardless of how good or bad Bush is doing thing, or all this 'issues'. All of this stuff is irrelevant if he has a man like this in his live, who he calls a spiritual mentor.

Even more he said he would distance himself from this man because it might hurt his campaign. This obviously means he will still be onboard with the reverends hate agenda, only put on a different face in public.

The New York Times quoted Wright as saying:

"If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me. I said this to Barack personally, and he said: 'Yeah, that might have to happen.'"

This guy is smooth talking, but underneath it all is utter ruin. Don't look at all the distractions, if you are considering supporting this man first look into this "reverend" yourself!

A page that has a good article about his seems not be working for some reason, but if you want some more info check out google's cache of http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58150

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:ALlHfHirBQIJ:www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp%3FARTICLE_ID%3D58150+obama+%22racist+pastor%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Don't be taken in by all the charisma!

Robert/ Cuyahoga Falls Ohio   November 12th, 2007 7:02 pm ET

Obama,is only half right about the Bible, in Matthew 6:33and Matthew 6:9-10- After this matter therefore prayye; Our Father which which art in Heaven,hallow (holy) is they name. Thy kingdom come,thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. KJames Version

poysfxom, Seattle Wa   October 25th, 2007 12:43 pm ET

This guy sounds like Ronnie Raygun- says alot without saying anything at all! Best doublespeak award!

Greg   October 17th, 2007 9:53 pm ET

Obama leave the Church nonsense out…your way from it..if your supporters think a modern day kennedy.To address fears that his Catholicism would impact his decision-making, he famously told the Greater Houston Ministerial Association on September 12, 1960, "I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who also happens to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my Church on public matters — and the Church does not speak for me."[14] Kennedy also brought up the point of whether one-quarter of Americans were relegated to second-class citizenship just because they were Catholic.

KyleL   October 17th, 2007 9:09 pm ET

Bucnh of garbage he throws out his mouth..is to close to being a republican.and his repetive religious crap ..he join the church in chicago 3 months before he annouced.. hes a phony

Mike, IC IA   October 17th, 2007 3:49 am ET

Of course religion (God) plays a role in absolutely everything and Obama understands this. Russia and Iran are now shaking hands while were disputing with both of them. If we touch Iran we got Russia to deal with. We need to resolve some issues fast

Linda - Albany, NY   October 16th, 2007 5:53 pm ET

"This doesn't have anything to do with Obama, so please give him credit where it is due.

With that said,
God will judge and destroy you all. You cowards live your lives serving money and immorality. I've been guilty of it too. Very soon we'll feel the pain of our ways and it will be too late to turn back. Repent to God, come home to your brothers and sisters."

Posted By Harry D, FL

Oh, geez, here we go again - another fundamentalist on a soapbox, spewing self-righteous judgements and claiming justfication.

How about taking responsibility for the part we all have in destroying our earth on a daily basis, rather than point the finger at others and screaming "God's revenge is at hand," crap!

This is exactly the kind of garbage that gets us nowhere fast.

Oh, and separation of church and state is still a great idea.

TJ WILLIAMS, LA, CA   October 16th, 2007 5:39 pm ET

I'm a non-believer…but I trust Barack Obama to believe and UNDERSTAND the CONSTITUTION. He has a firm grip on seperation of church and state so I have no fear of his PERSONAL beleifs. (that's why he's pro-choice). He's the best candidate we've seen in a long time and he's perfect for America RIGHT NOW!

BARACK THE VOTE!!!

Obama, '08   October 16th, 2007 9:28 am ET

ok people, here's the thing… although it may seem like all Obama is talking about is religion; that is far from the truth. Only CNN and other news outlets decide to report on his religious "mumbo jumbo." Each candidate talks about religion daily (Yes, Clinton lovers, even Hillary talks about religion… maybe she's not so cold-hearted. eh, I dont care.) Do research, people, he's the only democratic candidate with substance, fresh ideas, and good leadership for this country.

Angie, West Des Moines IA   October 16th, 2007 12:16 am ET

I really like this guy. I was at this particular speech, not as a supporter but as a voter trying to be informed, and I never felt like he was playing a religion card. One of the intro speakers that morning was a Buddhist woman, so this was really an interfaith forum.

I'm just so thankful to hear a Democrat who is not afraid to pretend he has faith in a higher power. People of Christian faith have long been led to believe that they were "supposed" to vote Republican… I've been in that camp, and I used to identify myself as a Republican… but now that I've actually started to think through some of the issues without being force-fed my beliefs by the religious powers-that-be, wow, there truly are valid reasons why a Christian could choose to vote for a Democrat. Thank you, Mr. Obama, for reinforcing what I already knew in my heart. That being "pro-life" could and should really encompass a bigger picture, including being against unjust wars, and being for the alleviation of hunger and poverty, and working for the protection of our environment.

Carly, Madison WI   October 15th, 2007 9:26 pm ET

Today Obama came to Madison, Wisconsin, and I was truly inspired after hearing what this man had to say–and I was not alone. People of all different religions, race, backgrounds, and ages came together to hear this "new face of hope" after six years of mounting frustrations caused by the current administration. Republicans claim that this self-proclaimed slogan is too naive to live in Washington, yet I can tell you that he is truly living up to this. I am never the one to get caught up in ultra-optimistic attitudes, yet as this man stood before me with such charisma, tears were soon flooding my eyes. Over 2,000 students were in attendance, which is quite remarkable considering the election is over a year away.

And as for the comment where he is being compared to Bush… maybe you should brush up on your research.

Mrs. America   October 15th, 2007 4:56 pm ET

People cannot have evolved from something which lives today. Evolve means to change, as in from one thing to another. Whatever we evolved from no longer exists. The closest extant animal to us is the chimpanzee.

Mrs. America   October 15th, 2007 4:46 pm ET

The longer Obama keeps up the religious rantings, the more he looks like King George. Fake. Wonder if he realizes that. Not good.

Jeff, Houston, Texas   October 15th, 2007 2:49 pm ET

Mr. Obama: If you do not drop all of this religous mumbo jumbo, I will be forced to place you in the paddcok with the other beleivers in the tooth fairy. Pull your head out sir! We need fresh ideas, not old supersition!

Ayyub, Richmond   October 15th, 2007 2:28 pm ET

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21116732

I incourage you all to go to this website to see the different issues and views of all of the presidetial candidates not just Democrate but also Republican.

joseph, austin, tx   October 15th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

Thank God hes not a republican or you libs would have chewed him up, its amazing how he gets a free pass but God forbid GWB says he uses faith in his politics. I get it he's talking about claimate change the choosen religion of the left so everything is ok.

Angela, WPB, FL   October 15th, 2007 2:00 pm ET

so …Mr Courtland…… are you saying that our contribution to global Warming is contributory but not significant compared to the other climatological/atmospheric systems, but we still can, to some extent, by our activities and choices have a positive effect on our environmental future?

And thank you for responding, you're really fascinating. Honestly.

Jim Hall, Jacksonville FL   October 15th, 2007 1:33 pm ET

"Science has made it undeniably clear that our generation is not living up to this responsibility."…a false statement. We are all waiting for that one scientific report that shows us what is going on with this issue and that it is disproven/proven that this is not just another one of earth's natural cycles.

Coach Haughton NH   October 15th, 2007 1:26 pm ET

Any political candidate has to understand that there are some religious americans and some non-religious americans. Just like political affliliation, someone is going to disagree with any religious affiliation.

Political candidates not only have the right to discuss their faith, they have the duty to do so. How else can we make an accurate judgement of their character?

I'm not republican but I don't think all or even most republican's are stupid. Half the country is republican. Who am I to judge them? More that half of the country is Christian and their voice deserves to be heard. I don't believe we've elected a non-christian president yet.

Liberals should be overjoyed that someone out there is reaching across the aisle to get something done. He is simply telling people that our mission to make the planet better for ALL people is not much different from theirs. No political party can get anything done without support from christians, because this is a democracy. Majority rules is one of the pillars of democracy.

Whats wrong with that?

Eric, from THE Republic of Texas   October 15th, 2007 1:13 pm ET

Obama: Religion should play a role in climate change

Uh, it already does. That's exactly what "man-made global climate change" is all about… it's religion for people who claim to hate religion. You know, like "Faith for the Faithless."

Linda - Albany, NY   October 15th, 2007 1:04 pm ET

I must respectfully disagree with Obama on this, yet again. While religion/spirituality are important to a great number of people, Mr. Obama seems to be forgetting that we are not all of the same faith/beliefs. Some things are better left in your home and/or church, period.

I am not Christian, however, I also respect my Christian friends by not wearing symbols of my beliefs around them. They in turn, do not attempt to force-feed me their views. This has NOT hindered/altered either of our beliefs. It is a simple matter of tolerance and respect and the sooner people practice those simple considerations, the sooner the "religion wars" will end.

Separation of Church and State.

Ayyub, Richmond   October 15th, 2007 12:58 pm ET

Days after the story about Obauma's racist pastor surface he is telling us great things about his religion and how it needs to be a bigger facet in society? Two-year Senator lacking expereince.

Posted By Wayne, Detroit MI : October 15, 2007 12:29 pm

Your pastor doesn't make your religion and beliefs you do. That's why Obama got away from his pastor.

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 15th, 2007 12:33 pm ET

another example of the "more you talk…the less I like" - he has lost me….Giuliani for president!! (and will will win….the only moderate running)

Wayne, Detroit MI   October 15th, 2007 12:29 pm ET

Days after the story about Obauma's racist pastor surface he is telling us great things about his religion and how it needs to be a bigger facet in society? Two-year Senator lacking expereince.

Joe Clinton, Los Angeles, Calii   October 15th, 2007 12:20 pm ET

Thank you Ayyub for giving me more reasons to support Barack Obama for president.

GoBAMA 08!

Zizi Khalifati, NY, NY   October 15th, 2007 12:11 pm ET

Obama ruins his credibility just talking about climate change. Of course the climate changes; It's only gone warmer by a few degrees - I'd say that's a good thing; politicians think they're experts on the environment now, too?!

Posted By Cary - Lowell, IN : October 15, 2007 12:04 pm

Cary, Hillary just said on the view that if she becomes president she would use Al Gore to help her end global warming. It looks like all of the candidates believe in Global Warm not just Obama and the majority of Democrates believe in it anyway.

Zizi out

Cary - Lowell, IN   October 15th, 2007 12:04 pm ET

Obama ruins his credibility just talking about climate change. Of course the climate changes; It's only gone warmer by a few degrees - I'd say that's a good thing; politicians think they're experts on the environment now, too?!

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 15th, 2007 11:41 am ET

So the real point is Governor Richardson needs to convert ocean waters to fresh to save the planet. This water reclamation wouldn't hurt Australia or Egypt either.

Global warming is due to the water transfer cycle, while pollution relates mostly to a poisoning effect.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 15th, 2007 11:28 am ET

Angela, of Florida

The point is we are intelligent enough to alter the atmosphere and shift land masses.

The climate will always change, and in truth our pollution, while toxic and contributing to molecular conversion carbon, does not contribute in mass to the greenhouse effect so much as the loss of land locked fresh bodies of water do; this is seen in the Caspian and Aral Seas, and the growing Sahara.

We as a sapient species, must convert salt water to fresh and work to replace the lost fresh water sources and inland seas. With a great increase in global humidity: glaciers will reform and the ice-caps will gain precipitation. With that water evaporate, heavy atmosphere hurricanes will have a harder time forming in the rising oceans. Yes, oceans are rising and will continue too as the ice melts and as we drain ground water sources into them; water is not easily release from such a deep cold and churning mass body. Shallow inland seas feed the weather cycle, but without the environmental contribution of water to the atmosphere heat retention is reduced so it gets colder faster…

Jim Bremer   October 15th, 2007 10:41 am ET

Barak Hussein Obama is scary. No, not in terms of winning the race. Scary in terms of his behavior and the loopy things he says.

The only way Dems can lose this race now is to make Barak Hussein the Dem candidate.

You really think the Republican attack machine will leave Barak Hussein alone ? They'll bring out an attack on his middle name that'll make the "Swift Boat Veterans" look like a picnic. Who knows what skelteons are in Barak's cupboard from his time at a madrassa in Indonesia. Jehadi ties maybe ?

Think ! Don't be fooled by the Politics of False Hope !

Ryan Indianapolis   October 15th, 2007 10:21 am ET

Dude you are nuts…Flat out if Bush would say something like this he would be critized for years,,,oh yea I forgot he is not matter what he says by you left wing nut jobs.

Alona, Idaho   October 15th, 2007 9:58 am ET

CAN I GET AN OH?!#$^@&*#$^@#*()!

Chris, Dallas   October 15th, 2007 9:47 am ET

This doesn't have anything to do with Obama, so please give him credit where it is due.

With that said,
God will judge and destroy you all. You cowards live your lives serving money and immorality. I've been guilty of it too. Very soon we'll feel the pain of our ways and it will be too late to turn back. Repent to God, come home to your brothers and sisters.

Posted By Harry D, FL : October 15, 2007 9:38 am

I resect religion, but please don't go to far to telling atheist to repent. You'll seem crazy. This is about the enviroment and whether faith should play a role in. I think it should, all people, black, white, asian, arab, indian, religious, atheist, non-religious, democrate and republican, liberal and conservative, all people should play a role in protect our planet.

Obama, Bravo, Bravo. Thank you for help bring up the issue of Global Warming in this race. I hope more candidates bring it up soon. And thank to Al Gore for making this an issue in this election!

therealist   October 15th, 2007 9:45 am ET

No way your going to win the dem nomination talking about religion. Sorry Obama, sounds like your on the wrong team..

Harry D, FL   October 15th, 2007 9:38 am ET

This doesn't have anything to do with Obama, so please give him credit where it is due.

With that said,
God will judge and destroy you all. You cowards live your lives serving money and immorality. I've been guilty of it too. Very soon we'll feel the pain of our ways and it will be too late to turn back. Repent to God, come home to your brothers and sisters.

Ayyub, Richmond   October 15th, 2007 9:31 am ET

Obama would make a terrible president. He is a front for one of the middle eastern nations. Something is wrong with him. I think he has mania. Up, down. Now he is up and thinks he's Martin Luther King. I will vote for who I want. Hillary is the best candidate for the job. After Bush, no one will ever want a Republican.

Let me remind Hillary Supports that Hillary has a religion as well and so do the other candidates. If Obama talks about religion that means that, unlike Hillary, he will say what he truly believes. Hillary on the other hand will say anything to get a vote. She's a robot.

Dave Wimberly, Pittsfield, MA   October 15th, 2007 9:11 am ET

It is sad that we have to rely on fairy tales to realize we are destroying the planet. Makes sense coming from someone who thinks faith informs our values. This atheist wants nothing to do with the type of values faith forces on us, and I certainly will not vote for a leader that is so naive about science as to continue to claim that god waived his magic wand and created all this.

What we need is a leader that is not so arrogant as to accept religion's view of our significance in the world. Statements like "God gave us dominion over animals" and "God created woman for man to have a servant" remind us of the arrogance that has created religion. How about a leader that simply accepts we exist, does not need a reason for it and therefore works to improve the here and now?

AJ; Montpelier, VT   October 15th, 2007 8:19 am ET

Why dont we just skip the middle man and put God on the Ballot, perhaps with Jesus as his running mate? Isnt anyone sick of this religous mumbo-jumbo yet? Obama is just another religous kook who belongs in the Republican party.

laurinda,ny   October 15th, 2007 8:13 am ET

Obama would make a terrible president. He is a front for one of the middle eastern nations. Something is wrong with him. I think he has mania. Up, down. Now he is up and thinks he's Martin Luther King. I will vote for who I want. Hillary is the best candidate for the job. After Bush, no one will ever want a Republican.

Shawn Aramin   October 15th, 2007 8:04 am ET

If my fellow Hillary support think that our party should hate religious people and treat them like they aren't part of this great nation. I'm just gonna have ta say (sorry Hill). I can't support you anymore if you attact people who like our great nation turning a blind eye to a large set of this nations population. It's sad to see y'all like this. Atheist should still want to unite this country across partisan lines and belief.

Sorry Hillary, but I will not be voting for you this year.

Shawn Aramin

Mike, TX   October 15th, 2007 7:57 am ET

CNN covers Barack on the environment when he mentions religion in the same sentence, trying to bring people together. CNN HARDLY covers Barack a week ago when he actually released his REAL energy -plan-. Curious indeed…

ThirstyJon, Adelaide, SA, Australia   October 15th, 2007 6:46 am ET

A 'liberal' socialistic agenda is making a religion out of climate change by asserting that global warming is caused by humans and condemning all doubters as heretics. 'Alleged' human caused global warming will not convince me to set aside concrete moral crisis such as the wholesale slaughter of innocent human beings through abortion.

Sorry Obama. I'm not buying it.

ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com

Robert Rochester, MN   October 15th, 2007 6:27 am ET

I don't want faith, which is inherently irrational, "informing" my candidate's politics. I want a candidate whose politics are based in fact, not superstition.

deroy, w. palm, FL   October 15th, 2007 3:42 am ET

what is "an interfaith" forum.

sounds like people who believe in nothing.

obama is the male version of oprah.
oprah is a cult leader. so that makes obama?

clinton is the DEM niminee. that is a given.

non-debatable. keep sending those $10's&$20's to obama.

hillary is getting millions from lobbyists.

it's done and over.

deroy. w. palm, FL   October 15th, 2007 3:30 am ET

science?

what does obama know about science?

Observer   October 15th, 2007 2:22 am ET

He was speaking at a religious event you morons, that's why religion is on the agenda.

Jeez no wonder Americans are the ridicule of the world - they can't even put simple things into perspective.

ronnie - knoxville   October 15th, 2007 1:23 am ET

sorry all, Obama might be the feel-good , spiritual medicine man, new-agey male version of Oprah but he's even more left-wing than Hillary Rotten, who at least would give our military a little raise and kick a** over in Iran . Obama as commander of our military is the most unlikely image one could conjure up.

This isn't LaLa Land .. we need Patton, we need Churchill , we need a man who isn't afraid of what some socialist European country "thinks" of us! We need to take off the gloves and go whole hog in Iraq before we have to change our nameplate to "United States of Muslim"

John Adkisson, Sacramento, California   October 15th, 2007 12:35 am ET

Even as an agnostic I can get behind Obama's spiritual message of stewardship.

ronnie - knoxville   October 15th, 2007 12:32 am ET

Jeff Morgan in Tx - I thought you Texans were sensible .. maybe you 're too close to austin for your own good.

the only global warming goin' on in this great nation of ours is the increasingly hot air comin out Al Gore's increasingly big mouth

MIKE , ATLANTA , GA   October 15th, 2007 12:12 am ET

Barack Obama will become the next president of this great nation…

The clinton political machine's undeniable power can't stop destiny.He is a man of destiny.. Read the story of DAID VERSUS GOLIATH…

OBAMA IS A MAN OF DESTINY… HE IS A UNITER AND FRESH OF BREATH AIR FROM THE SKY..NEW BEGINNING FOR THE WORLD OF DIVERSITY AND PROSPERITY..GO PRESIDENT OBAMA..DISREGARD THE TALKING HEADS..

mike, atlanta GA   October 15th, 2007 12:11 am ET

Barack Obama will become the next president of this great nation…

The clinton political machine's undeniable power can't stop destiny.He is a man of destiny.. Read the story of DAID VERSUS GOLIATH…

OBAMA IS A MAN OF DESTINY… HE IS A UNITER AND FRESH OF BREATH AIR FROM THE SKY..NEW BEGINNING FOR THE WORLD OF DIVERSITY AND PROSPERITY..GO PRESIDENT OBAMA..DISREGARD THE TALKING HEADS..

Anonymous   October 15th, 2007 12:05 am ET

Barack Obama will become the next president of this great nation…

The clinton political machine is undeniable can stop destiny he is a man of destiny.. Read the story of DAID VERSUS GOLIATH…

OBAMA IS A MAN OF DESTINY… HE IS A UNITER AND FRESH OF BREATH AIR FROM THE SKY..NEW BEGINNING FOR THE WORLD OF DIVERSITY AND PROSPERITY..GO PRESIDENT OBAMA..DISREGARD THE TALKING HEADS

KMK, Chicago, Illinois   October 14th, 2007 11:53 pm ET

I don't have any worries about Obama using "a totaly different deadly book," or participating in any other such nonsense, but I do have concern about people like Jim Bremer who either (1) is completely unreasonable in his line of thinking, or (2) he is trying to use people's fear of a terrorist attack to stop people from voting for Obama, even though he himself doesn't believe what he's saying. Either way, he's the dangerous one.

Also I don't understand what all the fuss is about with respect to Obama talking about faith/religion, especially when he's talking at an interfaith forum. Most politicians on both sides of the aisle talk about it - it seems to be a pretty standard part of the campaigning process. The President of the United States is supposed to represent all of the people in this country — not just you individually. People who think religion is important have a right to hear about the candidates' religious views and how they shape their political views.

Gary, Orlando Florida   October 14th, 2007 11:34 pm ET

To correct bad html coding in my link above:
Creation I Care site

Also, here's another good reference:
Evangelical Climate Initiative

It's a shame that Obama gets any ridicule over this point of view; it's a very theologically correct one, and one that is growing in prominence. I know that CNN has interviewed Dr. Joel Hunter of Northland Church on this issue, and he is a very credible spokesperson.

Jeff Morgan, TX   October 14th, 2007 11:25 pm ET

dont scare the liberals, barack, with your religious babblin' . They like their Presidents stone cold atheists
Posted By ronnie - knoxville, tn. : October 14, 2007 8:59 pm

Well I am proud to be one of those stone cold atheists, and I approve Obama's message. For those who like facts, he's been doing this since before he was running for president.

Why do I support his religious message? Obama has the ability to turn back the tide of religious extremism greater than any other candidate, and we can stop fighting over sex, and starting fighting to end global warming.

There is a huge difference between mixing religion and politics, and mixing religion and policy. He's trying to get religious people on-board with climate change, and we're complaining?!

Gary, Orlando Florida   October 14th, 2007 11:24 pm ET

Actually, Obama is exactly correct. The Bible does instruct believers to take care of creation, and even many conservative evangelical Christians are coming to this point of view.

For reference, see the website for The Evangelical Environmental Network
or
<a href="http://www.creationicare.net/"Creation, I Care

Obama is at the leading edge of a new religious movement, and one that is long overdue. He is exactly correct in that this is one movement that can unite all people. Bravo to Obama!

sj, new jersey   October 14th, 2007 10:53 pm ET

Id like to ask 'Jim Bremer' and anyone else who isn't tolerant of George Bush being a Christian, what has Pres. Bush ever done to you that imposed his religion on you; and what have you been stopped from doing in this country because of Pres. Bush's religion?

PA   October 14th, 2007 10:47 pm ET

Obama is a leader with charisma and fresh ideas.

Hillary is a leader, yes, but a conventional leader with no new legitimate ideas. She says what the people want to hear and that is all. She needs to learn to think outside the box. Honestly, I believe Obama would give the RNC a run for their money rather than Hillary. If Hillary wins the primary, Republicans will come out of the woodwork and vote against her regardless of who the Republican candidate is.

I will be one of them. If Hillary wins the primary, I will be voting FOR whoever runs against her. So please, Iowa, NH, SC, and other early primary states, allow us to vote for the best candidate too - Barack Obama.

WE LIKE CAPS IN, PA   October 14th, 2007 10:39 pm ET

ANYONE BUT HILLARY '08

Rex, Toledo, Ohio   October 14th, 2007 10:30 pm ET

American paranoia is more frightening than what Americans are paranoid about.

Ron, TX   October 14th, 2007 10:14 pm ET

Someone said " Bush uses his Bible like a Rule Book for running America and Obama will too"

The unspoken worry of many people is that Barak Hussein Obama will use a book alright, it may not be the Bible - but a totally different deadly book

Posted By Jim Bremer : October 14, 2007 9:34 pm

Yeah. The deadly book is called the Constitution. Obama is a COnstitutional lawyer and has represented small-time people against big-time foes for most of his life. Heaven forbid a politician try to bring people of all religions and all views together on a subject like the environment. Of course, the NEWS headline is only trying to CREATE a NEWS story- no accurate reporting here. A few days ago, Obama released a COMPREHENSIVE energy plan pertaining to the environment, detailed and well-laid out. Where is Hillary's energy plan? "Invade Iran"?

josh   October 14th, 2007 9:56 pm ET

Religion should play a role… unless, of course, you are a republican… Then there should be seperation of church and state.

Arshad, Newburgh, NY   October 14th, 2007 9:55 pm ET

Bremer,
This kind of nasty propaganda was tried against Obama during his Senate race in 2004. Guess what he was elected with the highest margin in the history is senate.

So keep trying nasty game. You guys are hard core, biased Clinton supporters. You guys have lost your perspective, logic is not working in your head anymore so you need nasty name calling and perversion of truth. But the fact remains you have only one vote and your truth twisting is visible to voters who take voting seriously. At the end you are helping him. You so called liberal activists or pundits don't undertsnad ordinary Americans are faithful people and Democrats have been pushing them away just by not relating to the people of faith. A president should not impose his religious belief on people. But there are a few things that are common for all religion and reflection of those in public policy to promote common good does not mean mixing state and church.

Maria, Houston   October 14th, 2007 9:48 pm ET

Evan Esteves in Boca,

ignorance and stupidity is bi-partisan. After reading blogs for a while I came to conclusion that our current political parties and their platforms do not represent our society adequately. There should be following parties:

a/ Open minded
b/ Idiots

The party affiliation should be based on a fundamental reading comprehension test, 5th grade level.

I agree with you, it is depressing to think that some of these people will vote and therefore have impact on our children's future. I hope that our young generation will realise what's in stake and come out and vote for Barack, the only candidate who truly has their best interest in mind.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   October 14th, 2007 9:47 pm ET

ALl of youse guys should keep your silly-arse religion to yourselves.

Jim Bremer   October 14th, 2007 9:34 pm ET

Someone said " Bush uses his Bible like a Rule Book for running America and Obama will too"

The unspoken worry of many people is that Barak Hussein Obama will use a book alright, it may not be the Bible - but a totally different deadly book

Jim Bremer   October 14th, 2007 9:31 pm ET

Barack Hussein has done it again. Being who he is, it's very hard to keep religion away for long. Soon he will start quoting verses from the Koran, such as " It's your duty to do Jehad "

This guy's Islamic streak is beginning to show.

Angela, WPB FL   October 14th, 2007 9:20 pm ET

Hmmm. …Mr. Courtland
In amongst the windy, punctuationally challenged and disjointed basic Earth Science lesson there must have been an idea or key piece of information that you were so cryptically trying to convey to us of much less intellectual stature than yourself.

What was it??????

Arshad, Newburgh, NY   October 14th, 2007 9:15 pm ET

There is a difference between being educated and being enlightened by education. Like wise there is a difference between being religious and having a reflection of values & teaching of religion in one's living his life.

Obama is saying that abortion and gay marriage are not the only moral issues as Repiblican present them in front of people are serious about faith. The issues of poverty, giving every one a fair opportunity to have a decent shot at life, helping each other in community in the time of need, and being responsible to protect the planet are also moral issues. People who are serious about faith should also consider these issues as moral issues and politicians as well as public policies should reflect these issue.
By the way, Obama support reducing late stage abortion, education & awareness building to reduce early pregnancy to reduce abortion in first place. He also belive a woman, her faith and judgment, have the final say on the issue based on her health condition and her physician's suggestion. He supports civil union for gay people and he is against gay marriage.

Some people here are too worried about the preservation of a collection of human cells during early pregnancy. But every day sufferings of living human being who are in pverty or without job/home or without a hope for a better life seems does not have an appeal to them. I simply don't understand your love for human life and humanity when you are too worried about life at inception or conception and don't care about real, living, full blown human lives.

ronnie - knoxville, tn.   October 14th, 2007 8:59 pm ET

dont scare the liberals, barack, with your religious babblin' . They like their Presidents stone cold atheists

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky   October 14th, 2007 8:48 pm ET

David, CA, I think you are right. Obama should become a preacher or moral leader for black American people. Black youngsters just need him more than ever. Louis, St. Louis, it is good question. "I am God, Joshua, Lincoln, JFK and would like to be Al Gore", then what is Obama's true color and true character? I don't think Obama could answer this doubt.

Jon, Grand Junction Colorado   October 14th, 2007 8:42 pm ET

Surly we need to be concerned with our enviroment, but I don't want our politacal leaders being involved with what our churches should be preaching. What would be next?

Louis, St. Louis, MO   October 14th, 2007 8:12 pm ET

I am God;
I am Joshua;
I am Lincoln;
I am JFK;
(I am a hypocrite);
I would like to be Al Gore too(to receive some prize money is not bad!)
I know everything;
You folks know nothing;

So vote for me, please please please!!!

DSF, Courtenay, BC   October 14th, 2007 8:10 pm ET

REPLT TO: iuer, KY : October 14, 2007 2:16 pm

Yes, I am Canadian…one who has family and friends in the USA and who realizes the President of your country impacts my own country and life…so before you say 'butt out', I respectfully decline. Nowhere did I state that Obama will shove religion down peoples throats or 'turn them into Catholics' etc…What I said was, and believe still, is that GW Bush and Obama both preach their religious views like they are standing at a pulpit. Bush uses his Bible like a Rule Book for running America and Obama will too…and that is just plain scary. You say 'everyone knows he won't': how trusting you are…or should I say naive. History is full of leaders who have interpreted the bible in their own way to gain and weild self-righteous power. Please dont elect ANOTHER one!

sonya, atlanta, ga   October 14th, 2007 8:09 pm ET

lets see no preacher as president- well take off-George Washington at the end of the revoluationary war-"God saved the union",Lincoln-"the better angels of our union", Teddy Roosevelt on saving the environment-very bully pulpit, FDR and the great society-"we are our brothers keeper. JFK's inaguration speach is full of values and faith-culumination in the famous phrase "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".

If you know your history, the Presidency is part legislator, part executive chief, part commander in chief and a whole lot of bully puplit preacher- that's where his leadership comes from- leading americans in a direction sometimes they don't want to go. Out of slavery, out of isolationism during WWII, etc. They use their values, faith and universal symbolisms to keep the people moving forward. Sortof a Moses with out the burning bush. So when the next president is sworn in, why don't stop having him take the oath of office with his hand on the bible. Please people get a grip. I don't like how the reglious right have used religion to demonize people but faith and values are not evil. So when Americans heard the whole FDR The only thing they have to fear is fear itself. Values and faith had nothing to do with his fireside chat. Please. Also, Bobby Kennedy the greatest president we didnt have spoke about the poor and hungry children in the appalichan mountains-faith and values didn't guide him. And of course Martin Luther Kings whole existence which changed american forever had nothing to do with faith and values. If that so we would have voter rights, hate crime legislation, the pieces of affirmative action that is left nor equal education protection. You Hillary supports have no clue, that most americans like a canidate who can talk honestly about their faith and values as long as they arent hearing voices from God like George Bush. And this is another reason why HRC won't win, because she has no faith nor values except power, greed and ambition. So cast stones at Obama all you want, because you can't stand on what HRC says, because she stand for everything and nothing all at the same time.

Dave, Cheverly, MD   October 14th, 2007 8:02 pm ET

HISTORY LESSON:
The power and importance of Polls. This is not to compare any candidate to Dean. But you have to ask of todays polls. WHO are they polling. These poll numbers were the same 2 weeks before Iowa 2004.

SEPT – DEC 2003 IOWA Poll:

Dean polls 38%
Kerry 17%.
Edwards 12%

Kerry WINS IOWA 38%
Dean Iowa 18%

SEPT – DEC 2003 NEW HAMPSHIRE poll:

Dean Poll 45%
Kerry 20%.
Edwards 2%

Kerry WINS NH 39%
Howard Dean 12%
Edwards 32%

NO Campaign should be celebrating yet.

mark basniewicz, new orleans, la.   October 14th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

Barack Hussein Obama is 'feel-good' candidate and is smart, but in the face of terrors such as the WTC attacks and the USS Cole bombing, we need a President who's wise, and has convictions, not just a 'feel good' 'new age' guy who wants to tax others to placate those who aren't motivated to improve their own lives. His mentioning Al Gore puts Obama down a notch, since the Nobel Prize is simply a popular liberal award and a total POLITICAL tool- not a scientific or peace-keeping award anymore.

xtina - chicago IL   October 14th, 2007 7:54 pm ET

What has Obama accomplished? Obama campaigns on vague promises for future programs and ideas, but how can you hire someone on that basis? If you're 'interviewing ' someone you want to know what they have done, not what they 'would' do.

Gov. Romney reduced taxes and was responsible for taking a bankrupt organization (the Olympic operation in SLC) and in doing so showed great business mgmnt. Guiliani reduced crime in NY and made it safer. Obama only found new ways to tax us in Illinois. He has no executive experience or business smarts, nor does he understand or express passion for protecting Americans from radial Islam enemies.

Bethany, St. Lousi, MO   October 14th, 2007 7:35 pm ET

Obama isn't talking about mixing politics and religion people, he's talking about the environment.

Wake up and do your homework, Obama is our man!

OBAMA IN '08

Ayveel, Dallas, TX   October 14th, 2007 7:14 pm ET

Obama needs to get real. He believes in abortion on demand likeone poster said and he thinks climate change is a moral issue. Trying killing innocent babies.

He is a political genius with his statements making those who believe in science feel good about showing up Christians for not taking care of the environment.

And Obama does think that his religion is better than others. Just like any other person of religious faith. Why would you become part of something if it was not better and correct in your eyes?

He is trying to push interfaith, but is he interfaith?

You can't seperate religion and politics because 99% of politicians design programs and legislation that relfects a religious viewpoint. If you don't, then how religious are you?

If you are a Christian, how can you not claim you don't believe in Jesus? If you believe in Jesus, why leave him out of your life when you enter a certain arena (politics). Oh, that must be the convenient Jesus that everybody leaves alone to enter politics.

Everybody makes a decision based on something. Whatever you base it on, people might not call it religion, but it probably is. Whether it is CHristianity, Islam, Judaism, or SELF? Self-Religion is the most mainstream religion. Nobody acknowledges it, but it exists in its biggest form. If you ask the politician what is legislation based on, they might say public opinion or public progession; just another form of religion.

josphine,ks, mo   October 14th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

True true true, we need you now Obama. We need you now we are hurting..

Angela, WPB, FL   October 14th, 2007 7:09 pm ET

Mr Courtland, are you trying to make a point with your post:

orange fringe
orange flange
orange range

Po-tateo Po-tatoh
Posted By William Courtland,

It so, please clarify.. seriously I am interested.

Roberta, Sarasota FL   October 14th, 2007 6:53 pm ET

I am amazed at how many people will just lap up everything Obama says, like kittens with a plate of milk, even though he has strayed WAY too far in this effort to blend politics and religion. He's just not ready for prime time.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 6:47 pm ET

As the world turns: the land masses floating on a sea of magma, and existing of a different density to that of water with the pressure of the outward centrifugal force those continental land masses will attempt to enter into a balance. Water should in a far future cover the entire earth when gravitation and this centrifugal force win out over the mountains so giving a shallow region near the equator and an endless sea between the poles. Amongst the tectonic shifts and volcanic activities water is exchanged in an endless cycle of melt, evaporation, and liquefaction from the sun’s energy. As the world’s land masses dry and evaporation is reduced the air will lose its heat retention capabilities, it will get colder faster, it will get hotter faster, and water will evaporate at an increased rate, and this loss of heat retention as atmospheric water loss will also affect the barometric pressures. The location of the globes masses will determine if the entire earth will shift on its axes again; polar relocation is one of the greater changes the world can endure.

The body of the earth would have been extremely round in the beginning until our moon struck it.

We do pollute the environment; we displace the elemental gasses higher as we increase the oxidized carbonation level of the lower atmosphere, so increasing the diameter of the earth and thus absorbing more solar energy: so increasing the greenhouse effect and the evaporation rate. But, we as a species can attempt to control our outputs or with a greater understanding: move the masses ourselves, and wet the world in answer to the need for rain; the plant life that converts that free carbon will grow under such watering, and we can reclaim regions lost to now barren deserts.

A tree exists in the Sahara; it possesses a tap root nearly a mile deep; it reaches the ground water table well below the sand. The tree is small on the surface in comparison to others of its type; desert sands have easily covered that tree long ago; it thousands of years old; existing from a time when the Sahara was part of the great northern reaches of an African forest, it a living tree that could hold the residing sol of an man named God who died so long ago, it living from the time he passed; or possibly the sol of his mother Maya might reside there.

Water is trapped in the sea, the sun can not release it but in storms of destructive power. What is salt good for, what elements does that sea water contain in solution? What does it take but solar power to evaporate that water when it is placed in small amounts onto the land? What would it take to condense that evaporate back into the consumer state? Does it take a governor, a company president, or a national assembly to achieve this?

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 6:43 pm ET

Poe-taught-oh
Poe-tate-oh

Toe-maught-oh
Toe-mate-oh

But one presets the mind for orange to be in opposition to a rhyme.

Shawn   October 14th, 2007 6:34 pm ET

with faith and the environment,your nutty.i want no preacher for president.

Hillary you won my vote,

Evan Esteves, Boca Raton FL   October 14th, 2007 6:34 pm ET

I'm disappointed in my fellow democrats that post completely idiotic statements about another democrat on these articles…You all sound more like Republicans than anything else…

Tyler, Westport CT   October 14th, 2007 6:22 pm ET

If anyone's got the time check out this video on Obama's believes of faith and politics. It's an amazing speech and one that will be def looked at as a landmark address down the line.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid463869411/bclid463916082/bctid416343938

ROBH   October 14th, 2007 6:16 pm ET

,once islam is in ya, its hard not to preach,loopy,scary,go find a preacher position,you are defenitely not ready to lead this country

HIllary 08 i appreciate her vision On America ,with answers plans,and a thought at process of how we can get back to Normal.this guy offers none of that.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 6:09 pm ET

orange fringe
orange flange
orange range

Po-tateo Po-tatoh

THOMAS BILLIS las vegas nv   October 14th, 2007 5:47 pm ET

The same old tired arguement to pander for votes.No one drops their religion when they enter the town square.It is if religion dominates the town square.We are living in a theocracy now and what we do not need is to encourage these religious zealots to enter politics to force their religion on the rest of us.Jimmy Carter is as religious a man as has ever been President but he understood the difference between the bible and the Constitution.If your religion presents an obstacle to adherence to the Constitution participation in politics should be discouraged not encouraged and religious tolerance of your position should be encouraged.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 5:42 pm ET

When in a world balanced with seas of fresh water, we will keep our heads and homes above water, and the top soil placed on a base of Salt.

Ayyub, Richmond   October 14th, 2007 5:18 pm ET

I don't interpret any of those comments as "mixing religion and politics". He was pointing out religious leaders use issues like aborion to divide people, as if the bible doesn't also call for people to care for the earth and protect the environment. I know that democrats are often turned off by religious talk because it can sound a bit extreme to us. I think that encouraging anyone religious or not to participate in global climate change can only be a good thing.

Posted By Voice for the Uniter : October 14, 2007 4:52 pm

You got it right and thank you for reading the ticker.

OBAMA 08!
I hope hillary supports don't like the nation being divided all the time.

Jean, New York   October 14th, 2007 5:17 pm ET

I think we already know who the next president is going to be, Obama would make a GREAT VICE !

http://surftofind.com/president

Armin Baur   October 14th, 2007 5:15 pm ET

Right on OBAMA,

Don't be shy and tell Hillary that she is a flip flap politician. Her expereince from the White House days is worth nothing. Hillar has a big problem and that is: she is not telling the truth and Americans across sthe coun try are getting it. So, OBMA please tell her that the American people want a President who is telling the truth, has a good family record and certain we do not need an ex-president as first lady!!!

monica, rochester new york   October 14th, 2007 5:15 pm ET

I'm a non-religious person, but Obama offers leadership that respects everyone's views without abandoning his own. He's a constitutional law expert folks, he constantly reiterates the importance of the separation of church and state. One time he said that religious people can do more to respect and value that and secular people can do more to respect and value the role religion plays in the lives of others. He wants us to value each others points of view. I know that's hard for some people to do, but for the sake of our country I hope more of us try to do it.

Ayyub, Richmond   October 14th, 2007 5:15 pm ET

I was an Obama fan, but I am starting to give up on him. I have heard him speak and he has a great message. But in the last couple weeks he has started to self-destruct in my opinion. He is putting way to much focus on combining faith and politics. I want to hear his views on real world issues, not about all the churches he has been to.

Posted By Mike Omaha,NE : October 14, 2007 4:48 pm

Mike if you ever supported Obama you would have read the ticker and saw that he's telling religious people to get involved in protecting the Earth. He's not talking about politics but values.

I hope this clears things up for you.
OBAMA 08!

Dan   October 14th, 2007 5:14 pm ET

Some great week-end news as well for House Democrats, with the Republican incumbent in Alaska trailing his Democratic challenger in a new poll out today.

Pete, Arlington, TX   October 14th, 2007 5:08 pm ET

You've really put your foot in it this time Mr. Obama. There is now not a chance in your superstitious hell that I'll ever vote for you. I expect there are millions of other potential votes you've just lost as well.

Steve, Portland, OR   October 14th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

Seems to me just the other day the political ticker had John Edwards talking about Senator Clinton's flipflops on her policies she would impliment. For all who think Obama is such a threat to this country you'd better wake up and realize when we end up with a congress and President both in Democratic hands we need someone new or we are all in trouble with more big business as usual lead by our lobbiest loving Senator Clinton. They may raise taxes for sure, but we seem to be in for more of the same under her leadership from what I've seen and heard.

Peter   October 14th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

The original headline from AP was
"Obama links faith and environmental protection"

And CNN's version

"Obama: Religion should play a role in climate change"

CNN what are you trying to do here at the Clinton News Network, create a false image maybe?

David, Roseburg OR   October 14th, 2007 4:58 pm ET

as to " I had been an Obama supporter till now. primitive superstition is not something government policy should be based on.
Posted By sean metamora,IL : October 14, 2007 3:19 pm"

I so totally agree, as long as anyone uses a pulp fiction book written by Kings to control their subjects we will never find a better world. Just what are we fighting for in Iraq, why that would be to give them western religion in the guise of democracy. Plus those groups over in Iraq are fighting each other over religion too. Seems to be a trend here. Once we throw away the "religious" pulp fiction books we just might move on to become true friends on many levels.

Voice for the Uniter   October 14th, 2007 4:52 pm ET

I don't interpret any of those comments as "mixing religion and politics". He was pointing out religious leaders use issues like aborion to divide people, as if the bible doesn't also call for people to care for the earth and protect the environment. I know that democrats are often turned off by religious talk because it can sound a bit extreme to us. I think that encouraging anyone religious or not to participate in global climate change can only be a good thing.

Mike Omaha,NE   October 14th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

I was an Obama fan, but I am starting to give up on him. I have heard him speak and he has a great message. But in the last couple weeks he has started to self-destruct in my opinion. He is putting way to much focus on combining faith and politics. I want to hear his views on real world issues, not about all the churches he has been to.

Greg, Clearwater, FL   October 14th, 2007 4:46 pm ET

"For all of God's children?" Except the ones you want to kill, sir.

Wong   October 14th, 2007 4:43 pm ET

To the hypocrits who are saying that god should be left out of politics, lets remember that George Bush's GOD drives every decision that he makes. Lets pray that GOD blesses the USA while we drop bombs all over the world.
Right?

Gabriel   October 14th, 2007 4:40 pm ET

This is a shot at right wing fundamentalist freaks who have OWNED the religion card in politics. Here is his quote
"by saying that the only issues that matter are abortion, gay marriage, school prayer, and intelligent design.

"Everyone in this room knows that's not true,"

What he saying is that its time to end the reign of the hypocritical right wing bible thumping war mongers!

He is offering up things that every politician is afraid to touch with a 10 ft pole, that the Bible says other things than what is shoved down our throats by 'conservative christians'.
Beyond 'pro-death, gay, god in school' etc. That we are in fact connected to this earth we stand on and not seperate from it. That we have a responsibility to not pass on to our children a world that is unlivable.

No other politician could possibly be this brave. Go! Go! Obama!

Let those who have eyes, see. Let those who have ears, hear.

Steve, Lovelock, Nevada   October 14th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

Obama is trying to woo the bible belt voters so that Hillary will nominate him as the VP candidate so that he can peel away Christian voters from the Republicans.

Duh.

pl. at the UN for a while.   October 14th, 2007 4:35 pm ET

Aaah?
God created; fine. But Mr Barak Hussein Obama linking hands with Mr Al Gore? I don't get it.
The candidate obviously hasn't been reading the comments against Mr Gore's politizising of the climate.
And such a simplistic preK-G view of things–nop, I definitely don't get that one.

Joe O'Hara, Akron,PA   October 14th, 2007 4:33 pm ET

I would say to Mr.Obama that it is clear to all that he is attacking conservative Christian leaders by misrepresenting the truth. They care about a wider spectrum of issues but the issues you mentioned are especially important because abortion is the termination of innocent human life, gay marriage is unnatural according to God's word, school prayer gave youth a reason to exercise their conscience and intelligent design simply states that God owns the patents on His creation. Perhaps everyone in the room agrees with you because they intend to vote for you but the greater Christian community knows that he who puts the above in a 'lesser value category' is not a candidate to worthy of the presidency.

Bill Tate DeLand FL   October 14th, 2007 4:29 pm ET

I have read in the bible "Thou shalt not kil" I have not read "Thou shall not produce greenhouse gasses" His view on abortion is of greater threat to our children than the current environmental trends.

Alexa, Annandale VA   October 14th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Obama isn't pandering to religious groups by saying this- he's saying what he believes. He's also speaking at an INTERFAITH forum, so if you expect him to not say anything about religion ever you need to pay a bit more attention. What Obama is here demonstrating is not that religion should dictate politics- he doesn't want to impose his faith on anyone. But that one's individual faith affects one's individual beliefs, and that you need to stand up for those. There is no reason for that to be an indictment on him. Please read closely, without preconceptions, and listen to the sense this man makes.

Ayyub, Richmond   October 14th, 2007 4:07 pm ET

So now, Obama is pandering to religious groups … he is turning out to be a very confusing candidate.

Posted By Jackson, Palm Desert, CA : October 14, 2007 3:50 pm

No, He's not confusing. He's a liberal with the values to unite America. That's why I'm voting for him.

GOBAMA 08!

Pulse, all of the candidates talk at churches to religious people. Like I said you can't be discriminate in politics if you want to unite America across party lines.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Correction:

Entered into conflict with. War is a place, a zone afflicted.

Julie Novak, Colorado Springs, CO   October 14th, 2007 4:04 pm ET

The title of the article clearly misleads the reader. Obama said that "We" are responsible for improving the environment not God or religion. Shame on you.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 3:59 pm ET

Religion verse government.

How are the two different beyond the fact that religion has lost the power over the people to government because government exists and covers a larger area and is required to delegate authority over those from many religions. Religion was a centralized ideal, beginning in one area and spreading with migration; government is the response to govern in places of religious warfare and strife.

Climate change is a problem for science; science a new faction in the world political order. Science and its method breach the gaps between governments, but science is set against religion due to the inability to prove the moral conscience of humanity. Without proof: the impartiality of science will not be invested, but without the moral conscience’s involvement science can too easily be used to commit wrongs.

Scientific investigation has always been seen as a corruption of religion: Astrology, alchemy, medicine, and other origins of science have commonly been condemned by religious leaders, yet mathematics was embraced along with architecture and exploration. Religion created the need for government for religious institution furthers exploration, government allows the abilities of universal sciences; is another political faction required, or will it now as Barack wishes come full circle, to prove moral conscience, and allow greater humanity as a scientific right.

Emily of Minnesota.

The Missing link was found in the fossil record. Even though Humanus can not easily defeat a great ape (gorilla), for they have a strength that we can not overcome and live in regions that civilization until recently avoided a region which societies now destroy; monkeys are primates, and it is suggested that we evolved from an early common ancestor. Monkeys however stayed up in the trees, so were safe from the early proto-human competitions found as violence. While God is a male of the past who taught a valuable lesson and so his name was granted to us for reference, no one can with proof, name what force created the universe, and it is foolish to believe it could be pronounced by any advanced primate or that it would exist and be recorded on earth for a humanity to easily find.

Human is a word derived from the word Humanus. Humanus was the term for common people of an ancient Rome, and Christ was by definition a greater humanitarian.

A force did create this earth, and a force of life is still required to imprint a method to evolve up into a sentient being, so to understand it thinks, and so spreading further; with this conscious of self becoming greater, and with the heightened sapient ability to plan we can colonize space so seek the answer of what that force, with proof: was.

The missing link as a ‘Bigfoot’ would be another common ancestor; this ‘cousin’ would have never hunted, and in moving away from the competition of slaughter, would not have adorned the skin of animal in coverings. It an omnivore feeding on lower life forms such as bugs and plant life, a faith is required to believe this creature exists and avoids civilization. It would mistrust us, as we even in an advancing society would have gone to war with it in attempts to extinguish the species.

Jackson, Palm Desert, CA   October 14th, 2007 3:50 pm ET

So now, Obama is pandering to religious groups … he is turning out to be a very confusing candidate.

Bradley Schaubs, Greeley, CO   October 14th, 2007 3:46 pm ET

A short list of reasons why to vote Obama in 2008:

-He's got a clear plan for the future and has clear intentions.
-He has not lied or used intimidation to get where he is today.
-Unlike Clinton, he does not flip-flop on ideas, nor does he brainwash people.
-Obama opposes conflict of any sort that is not necessary or in the best interest of the people. Rather, he will create peace by diplomatic negotiations with nations such as Iran and N. Korea.
-Being an African-American, Obama has shown much courage to be in this race. This is a sharp contrast to Bush, who has since come to rely on his paranoia.
-Obama is running on faith and tolerance, whereas his peers are running on either business or religious perfectionism.

This list is just icing on this already sweet cake. I could ramble on all day about how much Obama is worthy of the title of president of the United States of America. And, as I read the Ticker, I see some of you are concerned about Obama's faith and politics in general. Let me tell you that Obama chose to be a Christian, but religion is trivial to who is best qualified to be in the WH. Also note that Obama is NOT forcing relgion on us, nor is he saying Christianity is better than any other religion (*cough*John McCain*cough*Ann Coulter*cough*).

OBAMA '08!

sonya, atlanta, ga   October 14th, 2007 3:42 pm ET

Gore links global warming as a moral issue. Moral issues come from your values, alot of Americans believe their values come from the Bible. So what. So what. The bible has universal principle that all men can live buy but it's not going to be ratified into law. Party of the Presidency is about using the bully pulpit as they call it to urge americans to do better. You think this man will subvert the consitution, for goodness sake he was a constitutional professor and civil rights attorney. God is incorporated all over our government. Look at your money and the language of the constitution. What the religious right has done is misuse religion to say people are wrong if they are gave or have an abortion and they should be stopped. But I see nothing wrong with Thou should not commit murder or our country should help the poor or honour are mothers and fathers buy making Social Security solvent, stablized retirements and reform healthcare. I come from a tradition of spirtualism but am very wary of organized religion no matter what demonination.

Christian, Tampa FL   October 14th, 2007 3:42 pm ET

There is no excuse for America to make environmentalism a partisan issue. In an ideal world, there should be 100% agreement that taking care of the earth should be a top priority and that we have a responsibility to try and live in harmony with nature, rather than conflicting with and fighting it.

Many groups of people, including Native Americans and indigenous peoples across the globe, have long known that the Western drive to conquer and exploit nature would have serious consequences in the future. It is about time that all Americans agree to the reality that we must make sacrifices and make substantial changes if we are to continue as a global civilization.

Dan, 0swego,NY   October 14th, 2007 3:27 pm ET

Obama is a fraud on the environment. He refused to take a side when BP wanted to destroy Chicago's great lakes region.Maybe if he stopped being such a politician and sitting in nthe middle he might slide up in the polls.
ps. stand up for your constituents!

Ayyub, Richmond   October 14th, 2007 3:24 pm ET

Did anybody even take the time to READ THE TICKER! Man, so we should keep the enviroment and religion seperate? He's not saying he wants to mix Politics with Religion (plus, all of the candidates including Hillary campaign and give a message at churches) and he can't do that by law anyway. He's saying (IF YOU READ THE TICKER) that if the Bible tells people to take care of the Earth why aren't we doing so, we should be protect our planet and trying to slow down Globe Warming. Clinton Bedroom Supports are starting to sound desperate to spin something and ignore anything that doesn't help you candidate and has nothing to do with your candidate. It's truly sick to me. The Democratic Party can't turn it's back on a group of people that's discrimination. Obama is living up as the man who will reunite America! I support him but unlike Hillary Supports I'm not brainwashed by him. If he does something wrong I'll speak out against it.

Joe, Florida   October 14th, 2007 3:21 pm ET

Obama shouldn't dwell much into religion. He should be cautious

sean metamora,IL   October 14th, 2007 3:19 pm ET

I had been an Obama suporter till now.
primitive superstition is not something government policy should be based on.