There are really two issues that I want to address concerning this week’s Washington Post’s “On Faith” topic. First, I want to address the issue of whether the President’s religion does actually matter and second, I want to address Glenn Beck’s claim that Obama has “perverted” Christianity. Here is the “On Faith” topic: Does Obama's religion matter?
“In the wake of his weekend rally, Glenn Beck kept up the drumbeat of criticism about President Obama's religion, calling it a "perversion" and saying that America "isn't recognizing his version of Christianity," which Beck characterized as "liberation theology." Despite critique of Obama's Christianity, a recent poll showed that nearly 20% of Americans believe falsely that the president is Muslim. Why is there so much attention on Obama's religion? Does it matter what religion the president is?”
So, does the President’s religion matter? YES! I know it is not politically correct to say that, but what delusion the leader of our nation embraces does actually affect what that leader does and where his priorities lie. The fact is that our President opposes gay marriage purely for religious reasons. For the most part he is a pretty secular president and that is great, but anyone who claims that any president’s deeply held belief in ancient supernatural stories has no bearing on how they lead is delusional. George W. Bush is a good example and if Sarah Palin does decide to run for President, that would be an even better example.
Yes, beliefs do matter! The more ridiculous the beliefs and the more deeply held those beliefs are, the more dangerous people become. If a president had deeply held belief in some other ideology like white supremacy for example, no one would be asking if such a belief mattered. The answer would be obvious, of course it would matter. So why is a belief that the Bible is the word of God, Jesus is the son of God, and only those who believe in him are allowed entrance into Heaven while everyone else burns in eternal torture any different? Religion seems to get a pass from other deeply held believes and it shouldn’t.
Now, Glenn Beck claims that Obama’s version of Christianity is a perversion of the true gospel message. Funny thing is that I am sure Obama could claim the same about Beck’s view of Christianity. But since going into a garage doesn’t make one a car, we should go to the Bible and see who is really perverting Christianity, Beck or Obama. As it turns out, both are perverting Christianity. In fact, there is not a single Christian today who is not perverting Christianity. The Bible clearly states that adulterers, gays, atheists, disobedient children, women who are not virgins on their wedding night and many other people ought to be stoned to death.
Jesus advocated plucking out eyes and cutting off hands in order to prevent people from sinning. He advocated giving away all one’s possessions in order to get into Heaven. He also preached that those who don’t follow him will and ought to be tortured for all eternity. In addition to all that, the Bible also preaches about false prophets and yet Beck is out there leading his followers wearing his magic underpants. Any real Christian should follow the Bible and stone him to death. Of course, that would be ridiculous, immoral, and illegal. As a humanistic atheist, I have to make it clear that I don’t think anyone should stone Glenn Beck no matter how ridiculous he is. The point is that no one follows the Bible, no one is a real Christian and that is a good thing.
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Comments
Well Nobody is a Christian I'm not for Sure But My point is I don't have be a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist, a Secualrist, an atheist, this is by choice If majority of Americans can not choice wisely and have a Patteren following the same Self Destructive Lead America will go down to the Graves, and Other Americans Should be Hating or Harming or Hurting Other Peopel who are Different American Society is Mulitcultural all of us need to stand up and explain Who we are Human Beings.
Your post was very difficult to read. Please use punctuation (periods) and please don't use capital letters where they don't belong.
Those Christian nuts who are running around telling everyone that America was founded on Christian principles and that the founding fathers were all devout Christians are very dangerous.
Hi Stax - You're kind of missing the point of what Christ said with regard to plucking out one's eyes or getting rid of one's possessions. But that's okay. As an Atheist, I wouldn't expect you to "get it".
You mean the character of Jesus was NOT advocating giving away ALL of one's possessions? Because is states that he was advocating exactly that multiple times. So I really don't know how you could possibly read that he meant the exact opposite of what he actually said.
As for plucking out one's eyes and cutting off one's hands, the context of the verse makes it absolutely clear that is exactly what he meant. This also fits perfectly in the context of what Jesus is all about in the Gospels. Jesus view is that one need not actually commit adultery to be an adulterer. If one looks upon a woman with lust, one is sinning in one's heart. Plucking out one's eye prevents one from sinning in one's heart for it is better to lose an eye than to lose one's eternal soul. That is the message here Scott. I think I "get it" just fine. How is it that you think Jesus means something different from what he is obviously stating? You do you twist this to mean anything other than that? Please enlighten me.
It is a metaphor I believe. As a said down the list a little.
What exactly is a a metaphor for? Seems pretty straight forward to me, how can you tell when the Bible is talking in metaphors and when God is being serious? Was he serious when he ordered mass rape and genocide? Maybe the whole thing is a metaphor and God is imaginary.
Mormons like Glenn Blech believe there was no "true" Christian church for nearly 1,400 years, from the death of the last Book of Mormon scribe until the calling of Joseph Smith. Jesus Christ's Gospel was first lost and then perverted by heretics during this time -- until the restoration the His church by the Latter Day Saints. Most of them still regard other Christians as heretics, and most mainstream Christians view Mormons the same way. The Mormon "scriptures" have been dismissed as works of fiction by all reputable archaeologists. Need I say more?
Mr. Rosch, I see a few flaws in the text above that I would like to point out. A country's leader's religion does matter. Based on what you believe in, your beliefs will effect how you run the country.
Obama's "version" of Christianity is very perverted. When Beck says that, I think he means that what Obama actually believes (not how he acts because all of us are perverted there) is perverted. Obama believes in abortion which is murder. There are other things but that is just one.
Bush did a better job than what Obama has done. In my opinion at least. And Sarah Palin could probably do better than Obama as well.
*Correction* Christianity is more of a lifestyle than it is a religion, as GOD works actively in our lives and it really matters in how we live our lives.
The stoning and all was before Christ came. Jesus had not yet taken the punishment for our sins yet so there were punishments.
And the plucking out eyes and stuff is actually more of a metaphor. He is trying to point out the seriousness of sin.
The giving away of possessions in order to get into heaven is a metaphor of how hard it is to get into heaven. everything that we have belongs to GOD and HE can give more to us or take away from us.
And who is "following" Glen Beck!?!? That is a little bit of a strange comment.
Actually many people are "real" Christians. If you know what it means to be a Christian, then you would know that there are many.
Two questions: First, as an Atheist, why should you care who is perverting Christianity? And two, the Catholic Church teaches very clearly that you don't have to believe in Christ as Lord in order to gain Heaven. Anyone who does good is doing God's work, and all such are welcome in the Kingdom.
Why do I care? Please read the corresponding article in my Atheism 101 series.
Your claim that the Catholic Church does not believe in John 3:16 is ridiculous. As far as I know, that is the fundamental teaching of all Christians sects. I actually think that the Pope even stated that all non-Catholics are doomed to Hell, If I recall correctly, he even took some heat over that one.
I shall indeed read your article, although I am disappointed that you felt the need to sidestep my question without even a cursory direct answer here.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear that non-Catholics may achieve Salvation. See CCC 846 and 847 for a direct reference, and the Encyclical Lumen Gentium for the specifics. But essentially, she teaches that non-Catholics can be saved through the doctrines of baptism by desire or baptism by blood. They are expressed in Catechism thus: "Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, are saved even if they have not been baptized" (CCC 1281; the salvation of unbaptized infants is also possible under this system; cf. CCC 1260–1, 1283).
I absolutely cannot see how you believe that I claim the Church does not accept John 3:16. My inference is simply that one does not have to know Christ by name to know him in heart.
I would be very interested in a citation of the Pope's comments. That is a rather vague accusation.
[you said] "Yes, beliefs do matter! The more ridiculous the beliefs and the more deeply held those beliefs are, the more dangerous people become."
I agree that beliefs do matter. But are you suggesting than ANY kind of deeply held beliefs are dangerous? Christian, atheist, buddhist etc?
Also, while your "overview" of the Bible is quite compelling and agreeable to someone who shares either (a) your beliefs or (b) a hatred/suspicion of Christianity...I have never met or read a Christian in my 30yrs of Christianity who actually believes that to "be a real Christian" is to act as you suggest.
And while I sympathise with your desire to get ur hitcount up...you are merely playing of peoples naivety of the Bible...and I think you are aware of that :)
@danharding
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