I'm sure the FLAME WARS will begin with this one, but I'm just curious. We all know (or at least most of us) that Barack Hussein Obama was brought up a Muslim and even attended a Muslim school in Indonesia. Just wondering what others thoughts were on this and how it will play out in the election. So far Obama has downplayed his background and tried to leverage it to his advantage. He even joined a Christian church not too long ago. Some say it is to appeal to the Christian majority in this country. This post in no way necessarily reflects my personal opinions, just wanted to see what others had to say on the issue. Do you think he is a underground Muslim? What effect do you think this would have on the presidency if he was elected? I can see it being his greatest weakness (for appealing to voters on both sides) and greatest strength (international relations). Some conspiracists even go as far as to say the Islamic world has planted him in America since they have always said they will destroy America from the inside out.

Thoughts?

a few weeks ago, i was curious about these things myself. here's some of what i found...

false. none of his parents were extremely religious.

true... this was not a madrassa, however, and he also attended a catholic school while in indonesia.

false. obama has attended trinity united church of christ in chicago since the 80's.

people say the darndest things. -M

(info from snopes, urbanlegends, etc.)

The truth shall set you free.

-- more bile from the Clinton machine, no doubt.

__________________
It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

He joined the Trinity United Church of Christ in 1988. Given that he was born in 1961, this means that he spent 27 years before baptism and 20 since. I would say that qualifies in his life as more than "not too long ago."

You can say that you don't want to fan the flames after each sentence ten times and it doesn't change the importance of each word in your message.

Obama, in fact, was not "raised" as a Muslim, as you contend. Obama has described his Kenyan father as "raised a Muslim," but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his Indonesian stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." (Wikipedia) His father was only in his life until he was 2.

Spend some time doing your research at snopes.com or at a reputable site before retreading (albeit in kinder, gentler, seemingly apologetic words) the hate mail that most of us have already seen.

There isn't much point in breaking down the rest of your post. I suspect you will enjoy the tit-for-tat that ensues but before you get too excited, you should look up calumny in the dictionary. As a fellow Christian, I suspect you will find it is considered as much of a sin in your church, as it is in mine.

If Obama says he's a Christian, then why shouldn't we believe him? There have been plenty of Presidents who were raised Christian who didn't always act like one. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on this one. Regardless, it's not the Muslim religion I object to, so much as the behavior of some people who call themselves Muslims.

So true. As also is the behavior of some people who call themselves Christians. I think he is well rounded on religion and that may be an advantage.

At least Obama attends church regularly and is open about his membership with the United Church of Christ, for over 20 years.

On the otherhand, John Sidney McCain III, can't make up his mind what he believes. Several months ago, he told reporters he was a "non-practicing Episcopalian." Then in South Carolina he claimed he was a member of a Baptist Church in Phoenix.

And, I find it interesting that Republicans like to pick on Bill Clinton for his infidelity. If you know anything about John McCain, you'll know that his first marriage ended due to his numerous extramarital affairs.

Why does it matter if our possible future president is even religious? I don't get why that's even a big deal.

__________________
Still corrupting young minds

Christianists care a lot.

__________________
It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

A lot of conservatives put a lot of emphasis on religion, and thus having a Christian candidate means a great deal to them. A Christian candidate typically supports their conservative Christian viewpoints, and generally is pro-life.

Which is the only reason that a former Arkansas governor named Huckabee is even considered in this race.

So is he Episcopalian or Baptist?
McCain: I'm Baptist, Not Episcopalian | Christianpost.com

Okay, I understand all that...I guess my question was more rhetorical than anything.

If a candidate is a good person, then what does it matter if they believe in God, or any god, for that matter? Moral people don't have to be Christians. And Christians don't have to be moral people. Well, they're supposed to, but I think you get my drift.

ETA: Atheists, at least those that I have encountered, care about this country, as well, including its leadership.

__________________
Still corrupting young minds

He's attended North Phoenix Baptist Church for over 15 years. He grew up Episcopalian. But he stresses that all that is important is that he's Christian.

Political Radar: John (McCain) the Baptist?

FOXNews.com - McCain Identifies Himself as a Baptist - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

In some places he says he's Baptist, other say Episcopalian. Neither is a lie. I'm sure Obama likewise would downplay his membership in the UCC (a gay-affirming church) in front of more conservative audiences.

From reading this, it almost seems that Obama's church is a tad bit closed off to white folks...they're pretty focused on being a "black church." Since when did Christianity become just a religion for black folks?

Trinity United Church of Christ

that's very interesting.

Many UCC churches have similar language about being LGBT friendly. The "gay" seems almost more important than the "christian".

It never says it is a black church. It is African centered. Big difference. Have you ever been to a church like that? I have. Also been to a Buddhist temple. Experiencing all religions really opens your mind to allow you to choose whole heartedly which is right for you to follow.

Here's the entire quote from their webpage:

So, I guess all they have is a black worship service? They don't allow whites? I guess they don't care if white people are saved or not. All they care about is race.

I don't think you can be much clearer than this:
"We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black "

OMG. Why is it always about race and religion?? Drives me insane. You are really turning it into a position of Obama might be racist?? Because the idea of him being the first black candidate in the year 2008 surely wouldn't show a history of racism on the white man's part. And yes I said man because look who his competition happens to be...a woman. The only way a woman or a black man would ever win is if they were the only 2 options. Do you think that might have been planned??
And the people who have been appointed into leadership positions in the past by presidents haven't necessarily been that great to begin with. How many of them were not white men?? How many of them had a religion other than Baptist or Catholic too? That would be interesting.

No where does it say white people are not allowed. I can't speak for his church specifically, but the church I attended welcomed me and I felt very comfortable.

Race or gender don't really matter to me.

As for your comment about qualifications....well, Bill Clinton nominated some women to his cabinet, simply because they were women, and not because they were qualified. And they (Janet Reno and Madelyn Albright) were some of the worst people we've ever had in a presidential cabinet. That's nothing against the gender. There are some really intelligent women out there.....I actually think Hillary Clinton is a pretty smart lady. But, I just think people should be chosen on the basis of their merits, and not on the basis of the color of their skin or their gender. Unfortuantely, discrimination still exists, and always will in an unperfect society.

Bad blood runs deep.

__________________
Still corrupting young minds

Why do they even have to make the issue of race to begin with? What issue does race play in religion? Any mention of one race just excludes other races. It's serves as an issue of division.....something we desparately need to escape in the Christian ranks.

Go to any white church in Oklahoma City, and you won't find comments about how they're "unashamedly white," how they're focused on the fighting off the persecution of their European counterparts during the 1700's, or how they have a "white religious service."

I think any issues of race or gender preferences only serves to divide us.