Obama: Religion should play role in climate change

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: October 14, 2007
Obama: Religion should play role in climate change

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."...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/14/obama-religion-should-play-role-in-climate-change/

[Demeter]

1. I'm Insisting on My First Amendment Rights Not To Be Battered With Such Bilge

Gah!

[wtmusic]

2. "Our faith" informs our values

Xcuse me, Barack, but faith plays no part in my values.

I want to toss all these clowns out the door. Gore '08.

[emilyg]

3. I'll help you.

[Colobo]

5. I don't think the poster likes Hillary very much either.

[emilyg]

8. That's OK. I still agree with the poster.

[jefferson_dem]

21. Does this also offend?

:shrug:

After a glancing shot at Republican "pharisees," Clinton explained that, of course, her "very serious" grounding in faith had helped her weather the affair. But she had also relied on the "extended faith family" that came to her aid, "people whom I knew who were literally praying for me in prayer chains, who were prayer warriors for me."

Such references to spiritual warfare—prayer as battle against Satan, evil, and sin—might seem like heavy evangelical rhetoric for the senator from New York, but they went over well with the Sojourners audience, as did her call to "inject faith into policy." It was language that recalled Clinton's Jesus moment a year earlier, when she'd summoned the Bible to decry a Republican anti-immigrant initiative that she said would "criminalize the good Samaritan...and even Jesus himself." Liberal Christians crowed ("Hillary Clinton Shows the Way Democrats Can Use the Bible," declared a blogger at TPMCafe) while conservative pundits cried foul, accusing Clinton of scoring points with a faith not really her own.

In fact, Clinton's God talk is more complicated—and more deeply rooted—than either fans or foes would have it, a revelation not just of her determination to out-Jesus the gop, but of the powerful religious strand in her own politics. Over the past year, we've interviewed dozens of Clinton's friends, mentors, and pastors about her faith, her politics, and how each shapes the other. And while media reports tend to characterize Clinton's subtle recalibration of tone and style as part of the Democrats' broader move to recapture the terrain of "moral values," those who know her say there's far more to it than that.

Through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as the Fellowship. Her collaborations with right-wingers such as Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) grow in part from that connection. "A lot of evangelicals would see that as just cynical exploitation," says the Reverend Rob Schenck, a former leader of the militant anti-abortion group Operation Rescue who now ministers to decision makers in Washington. "I don't....there is a real good that is infected in people when they are around Jesus talk, and open Bibles, and prayer."

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

[wtmusic]

53. You bet

Inject faith into policy? Thanks Hill, but I'm off the stuff.

[LittleClarkie]

48. The "we" applied to his audience - an interfaith forum in Des Moines, Iowa on Sunday.

Hence, the "we" was appropriate in context.

[LittleClarkie]

47. You have a first amendment right not to hear?

I've never heard that before. Isn't usually about what people say and not about what they don't want to hear?

[Demeter]

54. Freedom of Religion, Pal. Freedom From Religion, Even.

[silverweb]

4. For the religious, of course it should.

Since Obama was speaking to an interfaith assembly of religious people, it's entirely appropriate that he should use the language of faith.

If he's addressing a group of nurses, do you think he's going to be using agricultural analogies? If he's addressing a group of scientists, do you think he's going to use religious references?

I really do not understand the people who just don't get this.

Obama's whole approach is to emphasize the things that unite us. Obviously, the most effective way to do that is to address our commonalities in the language of each particular group that he's addressing to attract them into the process.

It is perfectly obvious and reasonable.

[Seabiscuit]

12. So why should he waste his time addressing religious groups? This is state business, not religious

business. He's running for President of the United States, not for Pastor of some local fundie church.

Fuck the friggin' moronic Fundie KKKristians with a CAPITAL "F".

[silverweb]

13. In case you still don't get it...

I'll repeat myself: Obama's whole approach is to emphasize the things that unite us. Obviously, the most effective way to do that is to address our commonalities in the language of each particular group that he's addressing to attract them into the process.

[Indenturedebtor]

16. Talk of faith in any political sphere

Makes me more than a little angry... but I find nothing wrong with his speech here. As has been said he was speaking to a religious group. These Spaghetti Monster Disciples need to be brought into the fold on the issues that matter.

Would you rather he show up and tell them that they're all morons for being religious, or to try to get them on our side of things issues wise?

They can't be excluded from the polls folks.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

28. eyes rolling

[LanternWaste]

38. I think environmentalism is humanity's business

I disagree. I think environmentalism is humanity's business, in addition to state business... and in addition to religious business... and in addition to community business... and in addition to market business... and in addition to even my business.

It would seem to me the height of hubris to proclaim there's only one entity or group of entities that have "business" in environmentalism (which is, I believe the newer word for the same old meaning-- the classical one being "steward of the planet").

Illustrating this topic to as many disparate interests can only be a good thing. And wanting someone to be quiet about it in front of one group or another sounds rather exclusionary to me...

[illinoisprogressive]

6. good. Obama is trying to make the religious look to real issues and not wedge ones.

[youthere]

26. I like that...

that (to me) is what separates Obama's "religion" from that of GW's. Bush has for the last six year to create animosity between the religious right and the secular, and even create animosity between the religious right, and the religious left by exploiting and magnifying the wedge issues. Obama seems to be focusing on an issue that can bring us together. If he has to address it in religious terms to religious people...so be it. I noticed he also addresses it in secular terms to secular audiences.
And for the record..I'm not an Obama supporter...although he is one of the candidates I'm looking closely at.

[calteacherguy]

7. K&R. I like the way Obama frames this issue. nt

[Kiouni]

9. He gave this speech to a Christian Org.

I read this in another article that stated where he was at.

[JDPriestly]

10. Obama is speaking to religious voters.

Obviously, those who are not religious have other reasons to support good policy on the environment -- like rational thought. But, Obama is absolutely right in calling on religious people to protect the environment as a matter of religious duty, of faith.

[Seabiscuit]

11. Obama shouldn't be pandering to the religious right.

Some of his words come across as pure B.S.

[silverweb]

14. In case you STILL don't get it...

I'll repeat myself yet again: Obama's whole approach is to emphasize the things that unite us. Obviously, the most effective way to do that is to address our commonalities in the language of each particular group that he's addressing to attract them into the process.

That, my friend, is not "pandering."

pander: To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses: "He refused to pander to nostalgia and escapism" (New York Times).
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pandering

[PurityOfEssence]

17. Talking about religion only unites those who like religion

You can sway them without calling up the big whoseywhatzit, and if you can't, then the issue doesn't have merit on its own.

Putting out feelers and speaking to these blocs is fine, but he really strays over the line with the language of "we all know" and none too subtle evocations of the FACT of the supernatural. Sure, he says we heathens have a rightful place along with our betters, but it's just out of place.

The tacit acceptance that religion is not only really welcome in the political sphere but NECESSARY is one that makes me all itchy.

[Demeter]

55. Amen, Brother!

Oops, and me an atheist, too.

[Seabiscuit]

25. Oh, I got it, all right. He's PANDERING!

He's mixing politics with religion by "catering to the lower tastes and desires of others (the stupid superstitions of KKKristian groups) or exploit their weaknesses" (trying to get them to award him their votes in exchange for some superficial "faith" talk linking their superstitions to his political concerns).

Nice try at playing word police. Not.

I'm sick and tired of Dems who think they have to appeal to the Christian right (who will never vote for them) just as I'm sick and tired of Dems who are so afraid of being accused by the right of "not supporting our troops" that they think they have to begin every speech about the war with all this kissy-feely-bullshit glorification of the killer grunts in uniform.

[Capn Sunshine]

35. NO you most assuredly "DON'T" get it.

IF the man was just a pimp , or used his religion to define his enemies, THEN he would be pandering. The fact that Obama is a man of faith who refuses to cede the religious vote to those whores on the right should make you happy.

It's YOU who have problems with religion; not the other way around. Don't bring your smelly baggage into every reference to religion in a campaign.

In case you hadn't noticed, the Democratic core values of helping the less fortunate, care for the least among us, these are very compatible with religious beliefs.

Maybe you're not a churchgoer, but Obama is, and he was talking to a religious group and putting the global warming debate into that context.

Why get so pissy about it?

[Seabiscuit]

39. "Why get so pissy about it?"

I'm not the one saying things like "your smelly baggage". That's pretty damned "pissy" if you ask me.

So fu2, you flaming hypocrite.

[Apollo11]

19. Not pandering, but reaching out to Christian voters (and after all - Obama is also a Christian).

Obama is a Christian and there is no reason why he should not be bringing the Liberal Gospel to other Christians across America.

Let's not forget - most voters in this country call themselves Christian (even if I don't).

[nvme]

50. Pandering to the religious

I am always willing to listen to someone who is "pandering" to me in church or at a religious gathering. I hear some pretty far out things. But if you look at what he said you will see that those of us who have these beliefs also have votes and also can make a difference by looking at what we have in common ie the upcoming climate crisis. Many christian teachings are shown throughtout our party. charity, compassion, integrity to name a few not all of us christians are inbred rightwing hacks. many of us exhibit sensitivity perhaps that might be warranted here.

[Yukari Yakumo]

15. ... what? {nt}

uguu

[Apollo11]

18. Like most Americans, Obama is a person of faith.

Do I share Barack Obama's faith? No I do not. I am an atheist and a humanist.

Do I mind him talking about faith and values? Absolutely not.

Barack Obama is a Christian. Something like 80% of American voters call themselves Christian.

For the past 50 years the right-wing has been telling Christian Americans that God is a Conservative.

I think it is great when Liberal Christians are willing to stand up and put their side of the case.

[jefferson_dem]

20. Bravo Obama!

I'm inspired by his message of inclusiveness and unity around progressive ideals. :applause:

[Dawgs]

22. Good for Obama.

I'm personally not religious, but I like the way he uses his faith to focus on what is really important.

[Odin2005]

23. I'm disappointed in the reactions of my fellow non-religious to this.

There are a lot of evangelicals becoming concerned about climate change and think about in religious terms. Tossing insults at them and insulting Obama for talking to them is stupid.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

29. Thank you.

There are a lot of evangelicals who are very concerned about social justice and climate change. Unfortunately, they don't get the media attention.

[trotsky]

31. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Odin.

But ANYONE who says the words "The Bible tells us that when God created the earth..." with a straight face concerns me.

That a candidate for president is saying them is even more troubling. Just because a Democrat is the one saying them (for once!) instead of a Republican doesn't make them any more palatable. Oh, I'm glad that the minority (80%+) Christians in this country "finally" have a politician who "speaks their faith values." But having seen this movie before, forgive me for not lining up to praise him.

Maybe Obama would be better at running the DNC than running for prez. Or have I missed his special meetings with Jews and non-believers where he uses their "language" to include them, too?

[hatrack]

24. Two recommended words ; "Pray HARDER!"

[redqueen]

27. I think it's more of a way to encourage those who haven't taken it seriously yet...

to do so now, as opposed to a call to deal with climate change through prayer.

[hatrack]

30. I'm about as far from an evangelical as you can get, but if it means another oar in the water, great

I don't mean anything invidious by this comparison, but as Churchill said when Hitler invaded Russia, "If Hitler were to invade Hell, I would at the very least make favorable mention of the Devil in the House of Commons."

[redqueen]

33. Hehehehehe... nice.

We can only hope as to the outcome...

*tips hat*

[cobalt1999]

32. Okay, he is losing me now.

"faith informs politics" - No it doesn't. You may keep your fantasy gods and opinions to yourself, but don't for one second start applying imaginary belief systems to policies of government.

Obama you were my clost #2 choice, but you're starting to drop like a rock.

[Cameron27]

34. "Faith informs politics,"

and his referring to himself "as an instrument of God" in another speech, are absolutely not what I want to hear from a presidential candidate.

[incapsulated]

36. Except that isn't what he said

"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.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

37. Yes, faith does inform politics

Faith, philosophy, morals, convictions, principles, loyalty - all of these inform one's politics.

And there's not a damn thing anyone can do about as long as the constitution and the bill of rights are being followed. The problem lies in how one interprets those, and that's why elections are important.

[MalloyLiberal]

40. More religoius shit from him..another reason I cant support him

[Didereaux]

41. I'll let this speak for itself......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12461951@N03/

[Tellurian]

45. Yep, when the Evangelicals start telling you what to do

mandating you buy your bottled water from them because of it's purity. Or tell you, you must send your children to an environmentally safe school. Or purchase your automobile from a licensed GREEN representative for Tax Credits...This is just another ploy for CONTROL!

If people haven't LEARNED how detrimental RELIGION is when mixed in government YET; then I suggest you read from the beginning of time how much War and death has followed Religious mandates because people chose to be independent and free to be themselves!

[AnnieBW]

42. Pagans - the Original Faith Based Environmentalists

Hey, Obama.... how about looking at the ORIGINAL faith-based environmentalists - the Pagans. You know, the people that worship the Earth as our Mother? You monotheists are a bunch of Johnny-come-latelies. :D

[AtomicKitten]

43. Shifting the debate off politics is an excellent move.

And even though I'm an agnostic, I believe Obama is right-on in tying environmentalism to man's stewardship of the earth.

[Cha]

44. I don't do dogma and

these statements from Obama to the interfaith forum does not offend me.

I know what I believe and I don't care what others do as long as it isn't hypocritical and/or killing off our Planet.

Obama's working on a Big Tent but it's not coming from pandering, bobbing, weaving, and triangulating with fascists..it's coming from his basic principles.

[More Than A Feeling]

46. Considering that faith is ultimately arbitrary, wouldn't it make more

sense for him to just skip directly to the values?

[eridani]

49. So? My lack of faith informs the exact same values.

Why aren't we talking about ethics (which unites) as opposed to faith (which divides)? And he wants to Unify America, yet.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

51. Likely due to the fact he spoke to

a religious gathering when saying that, as such speaking about problems in a way they are more likely to approve of and understand is a good thing(and i'm glad he speaks about his faith in a sensible manner).

Now if he were to address a group of atheists or scientists or most other groups i think you would notice a strong reduction if not removal of said religion when discussing the same topic as those other groups gather/gain their strength from another source.

He seems to include those not religious in his speeches from time to time as well (something i seldom see other politicians do)

[eridani]

52. I can see someone who is being slimed as a "radical Muslim"--

--wanting to burnish his Christian credentials. However, even among Christians, faith is divisive by its very nature. Some Protestant sects think that the Pope is an agent of Satan, whereas Catholics think he is the representative of God on earth. Needless to say, it is impossible to hold both of these items of faith at the same time. Focus on the things that unite Christians, and it all comes down to ethiccs. And those same ethical standards (which have caused theologians of various stripes who observed that people who were infidels from their standpoint were actually pretty well-behaved to postulate the existence of "natural law"), unite Christians with other faith traditions and with people of no faith.