During his recent trip to Europe and the Muslim nation of Turkey, President Barack Obama told the Europeans that the U.S. has been "arrogant, derisive and divisive." During an address to the Turkish Parliament, President Obama also said, "We [Americans] do not consider ourselves a Christian nation.... However, Obama does not speak for me. As a matter of fact I wish Obama would think about the words he chooses (or someone chooses) before he spews them out, insulting and belittling Americans"
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND Action, Inc., released the following statement responding to the President's remarks:
"President Obama is mis-characterizing America's great history as a force for good which is a direct result of our nations Judeo-Christian values. It's disturbing that just days before Easter, Obama would go to a predominantly Muslim nation and deny the truth about our Christian identity.
"Mr. President, your apology tour will not deter al-Qaeda. You are weakening this country and inviting our enemies to attack. Obama's comments degrading America sounds like a page out of Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.'s black liberation theology. It's now clearly apparent that Obama's mentors Rev. Wright, Saul Olinsky and other godless American haters have profoundly influenced Mr. Obama's opinion of this country.
"It's troubling that the President is uttering these lies about a nation he has sworn to lead and protect. Barack Obama's recent remarks coupled with his actions over the past two months leave no doubt that it is he who is arrogant and derisive, not the American people."
Rev. Peterson, it's more than disturbing. The person whom we call president says we are not a Christian nation when 93% of the people in this country claim Christianity as their faith, and 63% of Americans say they are born again! What European country can claim that. None! To put it bluntly, Obama is using Social Engineering on the European Continent to gain a win for his side here at home.
Comments
The Bush administration was "arrogant, derisive and divisive", and since the Bush administration represented America, so was America. I'm sorry, but Bush was really one of the worst presidents in US history.
And much as you don't like it, the US has a secular constitution. Furthermore, more than a quarter of the US population are not Christian.
Jake Jones, your arrogance is astounding.
The United States of America was founded on the principles of Freedom of Religion and Human Rights- NOT on Christianity.
It's founding was the very OPPOSITION to the nations of Europe, which were controlled by Religion.
Just as Obama said, this is NOT a Christian nation, no mater how much you theocratic fundamentalists want it to be; and thank GOD for that.
To know our President is kissing up to other countries leaders is disgusting. Apologizing to who? People who would care less if the USA survives or not. Why doesn't Obama just crawl like a dog, whimper, then lay on his back for the EU, and terrorist! I don't think Bush was the worse president we have had Mr. J.
Heather, why do you think the US is rich and powerful? It's not because we have the biggest bombs (the USSR had bigger bombs than us). It's because people around the world generally like us and trust us. Yes, they still do. Bush damaged those relationships. The way to restore them is to be particularly nice again to other nations.
RE: HeatherRoss;
Heather, you have hit the nail squarely on the head. You, 'are one of the few' that have ever commented on any of my articles who truly understands the situation.
Those who lean left (actually falling left) are only subverting our sovereignty by listening to the drivel that Obama slings. What's worse, they ask for a second helping!
Being nice to one's allies has nothing to do with "leaning left". The wealth and power of our nation depends on our reputation and the degree to which other nations trust us. Bush destroyed that reputation and trust, and Obama is trying to restore it. You'd think that evangelicals of all people should understand giving and being nice to others, but you display pride, anger, and greed towards other nations.
Jake: Look up the term "soft power." That's what Obama is practicing.
Also, if you listen to the rest of the speech, he goes on to criticize anti-Americanism in Europe. The basic message is "let's stop badmouthing each other and start killing terrorists."
We NEED allies in order to fight a global war on terror.
Taking the stuff out of context and content does not the writer make. Poor excuse for an article but great sensationalism. Trash pile.
Amethyst...you said that the US was founded on the principles of freedom of religion, yet you proceed to state that you thank GOD for believing Pres Obama's statment that we are not a Christian nation. The Christians in this nation believe that to be incorrect.
And what part of our nation's right to freedom of religion was written in your statement if you are so critical of our right to practice our religion? Whether you believe Obama or not, respect our right to practice Christianity.
TJ...buh-bye.
B: I think Amethyst's point in ending with "thank GOD" is that everybody, including devout Christians, should be grateful for the separation of church and state and that the US is not a "Christian nation". Europe tried mixing government and Christianity for nearly a millennium and the result was the Dark Ages; it was a disaster for both government and Christianity. Our Christian ancestors in the US founded a secular nation because of the experience in Europe. Christianity has flourished in the US because of our choice of secular government; secular government is good for Christianity.
Rev. Peterson is wrong. None of President Obama's statements are factually incorrect. If Rev. Peterson chooses to be "insulted and belittled", well, that's his choice.
It's true that the majority of the population of the US labels themselves as Christian, but the US itself is not, and has not ever been, a "Christian Nation".
Similarly, Turkey is not a "Muslim country". Islam is by far the predominant religion, but the Turkish government itself is secular.
"As the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion..."
-Treaty of Tripoli, signed by founding fater John Adams
Also, your statistics are wrong. According to the federal census in 2008, roughly 76% of the US is Christian; about half of those are "born again."
I'm not sure where you got your statistics, or your idea that this country was founded on Christianity.
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