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[url=http://youtu.be/_q-_T87j1MY]President Obama's Complete Speech at Vigil in Newtown, Connecticut - YouTube[/url]
Obama used quotes from the Christian Bible, and specifically mentioned quotes of what Jesus said at a PUBLIC Memorial event. He also said "God Bless", "Pray for the victims", "Jesus said this and that", etc.
I thought we have separation of church and state?! What if one of the victims family were nonbelievers or non-Christians?
Obama used quotes from the Christian Bible, and specifically mentioned quotes of what Jesus said at a PUBLIC Memorial event. He also said "God Bless", "Pray for the victims", "Jesus said this and that", etc.
I thought we have separation of church and state?! What if one of the victims family were nonbelievers or non-Christians?
"Separation of Religion and State" is a legalistic term and applies to the writing of laws and policy. Nothing prevents a president or other public government officiald from expressing their own views about non-legal matters. It may cause them to gain or loose public popularity, but it is not illegal.
Nothing prevents a public figure from expressing his own beliefs. Mr. Obama is a Christian and is allowed his own expression of belief in his speeches.
Nothing prevents a public figure from expressing his own beliefs. Mr. Obama is a Christian and is allowed his own expression of belief in his speeches.
Mr. Obama says he's a Christian, but I would be shocked if he weren't actually an atheist/agnostic.
Either way, I think Mr. Smash could use a primer on basic constitutional law.
Mr. Obama says he's a Christian, but I would be shocked if he weren't actually an atheist/agnostic.
Either way, I think Mr. Smash could use a primer on basic constitutional law.
It's been speculated on and you may be right, but Mr. Obama certainly portrays himself as a Protestant and behaves publicly in a manner that is in accordance with that. I think that it's entirely possible the man is in fact a theist, but I do not think it likely that he's a particularly radical or activist one. Religion seems like a private matter to him.
It's both legal and acceptable for him to quote scripture at a funeral, and if it was my child I'd take the words in the spirit in which they were given. Indeed, I think that the poetry in some of the passages he mentioned are rather moving in context, and I've always enjoyed Ecclesiastes in particular for its poetry and philosophical spirituality (ashes to ashes dust to dust etc). Scripture can be used for tribalism, religious intolerance, and plain deluding yourself, but when someone uses those words in an earnest and heartfelt way when trying to connect with you on a human level using something that has a lot of meaning to them, I can put aside my misgivings about it and appreciate the beauty in what they're trying to communicate if its something honest, something true.
It's been speculated on and you may be right, but Mr. Obama certainly portrays himself as a Protestant and behaves publicly in a manner that is in accordance with that. I think that it's entirely possible the man is in fact a theist, but I do not think it likely that he's a particularly radical or activist one. Religion seems like a private matter to him.
It's both legal and acceptable for him to quote scripture at a funeral and if it was my child I'd take the words in the spirit in which they were given. Indeed, I think that the poetry in some of the passages he mentioned are rather moving in context, and I've always enjoyed Ecclesiastes for its poetry and philosophical spirituality (ashes to ashes dust to dust etc). The scripture can be used for tribalism, religious intolerance, and plain deluding yourself, but when someone uses those words in an earnest and heartfelt way when trying to connect with you on a human level using something that has a lot of meaning to them, I can put aside my misgivings about it and appreciate the beauty in that.
Religion is a necessary part of American politics. Obama could very easily be talking the talk, just as other presidents like Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower did (the latter two weren't necessary atheists, but they are far less religious than their public statements would lead one to believe).
I noticed that too, I thought it was out of place and thought maybe he was just saying that because he thought the majority wanted to hear that....after talking to the families, maybe they all asked about god and so on or he asked about their religions?...it could be it was in agreement
Religion is a necessary part of American politics. Obama could very easily be talking the talk, just as other presidents like Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower did (the latter two weren't necessary atheists, but they are far less religious than their public statements would lead one to believe).
This is true, I am not an American and do not always understand the nuances of the relationship between religion and politics in your country.
There is nothing wrong with quoting something from the bible, it's literature afterall. As far as saying people should pray for the victims, that's a pretty customary thing to say given the scope of the tragedy and the the sheer number of people involved in the memorial. It's bound to resonate with some of the survivors and is offered up for comforts sake.
I'm as "church and state seperation" as they come but I'm not concerned with this sort of thing since it's not out of place. Everything is situational.
I am an Atheist who does not like the Jerimiah-Wright-hugging Obama one bit, but I think it very appropriate for him to include his religious comments when he gives a speech.
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