President Obama: Faith Keeps Me Calm in Hard Times

[bigtree]

President Barack Obama speaks during church services at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church Washington Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010. (Photo: AP Images / Pablo Martinez Monsivais)


ON the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Obama spoke to nearly 300 people gathered at the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church – founded by former slaves in 1866 – in Washington, D.C., about King who inspired his generation and those after him to advocate for civil rights, especially racial equality.

Obama, the first African-American U.S. president, called King and those who worked with him in the civil rights movement the “Moses generation.” He called on attendees, whom he called the “Joshua generation,” to return to basics as the country faces the challenges of a “new age.”

“He (King) had faith that God would make a way out of no way,” Obama said. “Folks ask me sometimes, ‘Why do you look so calm?’"

“I have a confession to make,” he said. “There are times when I am not so calm. There are times when progress seems too slow. There are times when the words spoken about me hurt. There are times when the barbs sting. There are times when it feels like all these efforts are for not, that change is so painfully slow in coming and I have to confront my own doubt. During those times it is faith that keeps me calm.”

“Yes, we’re passing through a hard winter – it’s the hardest in some time,” Obama said referring to the economy. “But let’s always remember that, as a people, the American people, we’ve weathered some hard winters before.”


read: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100118/obama-faith-keeps-me-calm-in-hard-times/

[Name removed]

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[FrenchieCat]

4. That's insulting.

And if that's what you aim to do,
you have done it.

As a person of faith, if you think that you are better than me
simply because I believe in something that you don't,
than it is you who are unyielding, inflexible, closed minded,
arrogant and offensive.

Freedom of religion means that those who believe should be able to,
without being diminished, by those who believe themselves superior
because they only believe in themselves.

[Oregone]

11. Strawman

I never argued I was better than you because I don't believe in fairy tales. Though, I would assert Im not as much as an idiot. Now, if idiocy is your benchmark that you measure human worth by, then that is a problem you have to sort through yourself.


"Freedom of religion means that those who believe should be able to, without being diminished, by those who believe themselves superior because they only believe in themselves."

That couldn't be more incorrect. Rather, its about not having an authority force a religion upon its subjects. Look, everyone is free to believe whatever garbage you want (as long as it doesn't physically manifest in a way that infringes on others rights). Just as such, everyone is free to look at anyone else and call them an idiot because of what they believe.

[Fire1]

22. I suspect you have "authority" issues. n/t

[Oregone]

24. Why?

[ElmoBlatz]

37. "i never argued that i was better than you

because i don't believe in fairy tales". Such artful wording. VERY condescending without appearing so. Congrats!!

[Oregone]

41. Welcome

Its a gift I guess...from who, you be the judge. :)

[FrenchieCat]

45. So calling MLK an idiot makes you feel better about yourself?

Kewl!

[Fire1]

15. Gotcha back, Frenchie. Ignorance knows no boundaries. n/t

[goclark]

33. Got your back Frenchie ~

I have a Dream that one day ~~~~~~~

:loveya:

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. +1 nt

[proteus_lives]

7. As always, eye-roll worthy.

:eyes:

Billions of intelligent, productive humans have faith in something.

[MineralMan]

8. Another gratuitous Obama-bashing, eh?

The man made a speech on Martin Luther King, Jr. day and you just had to step in and piss on him....again.

I'm disgusted by this display of ugliness.

[treestar]

13. You know, that's a good point

Even about an event commemorating MLK day. There is no line for some people.

[Oregone]

14. I was talking less about Obama and more about the state of culture, religion and politics.

I'm not the first one to make such a general observation. Rational intelligent people like Bill Moyers and Jimmy Carter also display such a striking paradox.

[gratuitous]

9. Yeah, the whole "serve one another in love" nonsense

What a bunch of idiocy! Hard to believe anyone with any intellectual capacity at all would subscribe to that, much less base policy on it.

[Oregone]

16. "much less base policy on it"

I would hope no policy is based on religious teachings whatsoever. There are other foundations for the same sound policy beyond what God told us to do thousands of years ago.

[gratuitous]

31. Thanks; can you provide a list of acceptable policies?

Because I'd hate to take care of the poor because that's mentioned in Isaiah. Or have consideration for the stranger and the orphaned. That fucker Micah makes that out of bounds. The widowed? Let 'em hang or be suspected of listening to that fraud Jeremiah. Eschewing envy or pride? Up against the wall, you goddam Paulist!

So, what policies will meet with approval, free of any basis in religious teachings whatsoever?

[Oregone]

34. "There are other foundations for the same sound policy beyond what God told us to do thousands of"..

Did you miss that?

Did you know that feeding and housing homeless people actually costs a municipality less money than letting people's condition deteriorate (Vancouver study I think)? Did you know Universal health care in most countries cost less than 60% of what it costs in the US for shitty private care (UN stats)?

You don't need Jesus to justify policy. You need common sense, some research, and political philosophy to go on (which is the foundation of the constitution, not God).

[gratuitous]

39. Oh, but how do you separate them?

Some fucking theist might sneak in, and start enacting policies from impure or mixed motives that include religion. Horrors! We must be ever vigilant against these stealthy subverters, so that no religion whatsoever taints our public sphere! Because it's idiocy!

I have all this on the best authority. Don't go all wishy-washy on me now.

On the other hand, who in this thread said that God is the foundation of the constitution? Or are you setting up more imaginary straw men to ferret out the people who might see things that aren't there? In which case, good double blind comrade. Unless of course, you're now seeing things that aren't there. Report to the appropriate ministry for immediate questioning on conjuring up chimeras. We cannot be too careful, or let our vigilance slip even a little, if we are to protect our Republic from the scourge of any religion whatsoever. I'm sure you understand.

[Oregone]

No, I don't understand at all.

Pass on the brown acid

[treestar]

12. You don't live in the right country

to think your opinion is mainstream.

[Oregone]

20. Then what country should I move to?

:)

This is an interesting article:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/9016/worlds-apart-religion-canada-britain-us.aspx

Ive already moved once. Maybe I need to head for Britian next, eh?

[treestar]

49. You don't have to move

But may as well not speak as if your view of religion were mainstream.

I have views I know aren't mainstream. I'm not going to pretend they are.

[bigtree]

17. he's talking about faith, not belief

I believe that our nation has the capacity to change for the better. I have faith that (through our efforts) we can make that happen. I think that's what the president is talking about. Different folks around the country and the world find inspiration to persevere against adversity in different spiritual teachings. This president chooses Christianity as his spiritual guide. I don't believe that Christianity, if adopted as an inspiration, is as frivolous and one-dimensional as most fairy tales. It is through our actions, not mere belief, that whatever faith we adopt (from whatever source or inspiration) is vindicated. I think this president has demonstrated that he intends to be a catalyst to the effecting of those vindicating actions.

[Oregone]

23. Faith == Belief in that which cannot be proven

Here is an interesting article about beliefs, with some political overtones (which suggests that when people with power believe, it is certainly not benign and perhaps malignant):
http://www.peirce.org/writings/p107.html

[bigtree]

27. the president was speaking of our capacity and potential

. . . to effect change. He wasn't speaking to the deeper questions about the existence of God or the validity of the bible. He was talking about our capacity to do the things which will ultimately enhance our lives and sustain us. It really doesn't matter where we find the strength to persevere - whether it's in religion, politics, or our own ego - the president was expressing that he was imbued with the faith that we will overcome and succeed.

The rest that you're trying to paint him with is just nonsense. Would you have the same admonition for Rev. King as he practiced his vital and transforming politics?

[Oregone]

32. Its a very complicated question you ask

The one about King. You know, he used the church structure to organize, inspire and educate, whether by purpose or happenstance; the church & religion became catalytic tools in that fight. To be honest, he had little to no other options to organize that many people and spearhead the movement. In the wake of the struggle, invaluable civil rights were established (not some ingrained systematic church structure). So while I am not a fan of King's medium, I understand that by any means necessary (even by violent revolution), those rights needed to be bestowed on African-Americans. I admire his courage and ability to inspire the population (despite when he did it religiously) and I see his place in history as overwhelmingly beneficial for the human condition

[bigtree]

35. Martin on Audacious Faith

Martin Luther King Jr.
The Nobel Peace Prize 1964


I accept this award today with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind. I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts him. I refuse to accept the idea that man is mere flotsom and jetsom in the river of life, unable to influence the unfolding events which surround him. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.

I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today's mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. "And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid." I still believe that We Shall overcome!

This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born.


read: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-acceptance.html

[Oregone]

40. Ive read this

I still view his greatness as what he did socially and politically, not what he believed (even if it was influential). A ton of people have faith, from the lunatics to the leaders. But I see it as but an aspect of his personality and a tool that he used while attempting to accomplish a greater and tangible feat. Belief made him no more great than the common schizo street beggar with delusions of grandeur. There is more to the picture.

[frebrd]

25. "Its disturbing that someone who is supposed to be so smart is comforted by fairy tales"

It is disturbing, but it explains why he has no interest in restoring the separation between religion and government!

:(

[Fire1]

26. From where I sit, you just implied that anyone who believes in

God is stupid or an idiot. Thanks for the notice, asswipe. Ignore.

[Don Caballero]

3. He inspires me.

Perhaps the most inspiring figure of our time.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Aye......

One day, in retrospect, some will be pulling their heads out of their asses,
realizing that this man ended up doing as he promised.

Kind of like the folks that didn't start listening to Motown,
till Motown closed its doors for business....and yet pretend to have
been there listening all along, when they were really listening to Pat Boone.

More often than not, the greats don't become so until the veil of subjectivity and selfishness
is lifted....and that usually takes a bit of time.

[MineralMan]

10. Thanks for posting. I'm an atheist, but for Obama to speak

this way honors Martin Luther King, Jr. I'm sorry so many feel they have to come to your thread and bash Obama once again. Shame on such people!

[DelPotro]

18. Social control

Organized religion is one of the most effective forms of social control. Keep the masses calm as they live in a system of oppression. It's a great PR trick. Manage the outrage and you avoid dealing with the systemic causes. To that end The Church serves The State quite well.

[MineralMan]

21. Yeah, Dr. King was sure into perpetuating oppression...

That was his thing, for sure. :sarcasm:

[madrchsod]

28. along with Gandhi,Desmond Tutu,and Nelson Mandala....

..."when i was a child i spoke as a child....."

[MineralMan]

30. Yah, all those people duped by their faith.

Yes, indeed. None accomplished anything...yeah, that's the ticket...

[frebrd]

29. "Social Control" Well said! Welcome to DU! eom

[coti]

48. Sky Cake

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h1FO8V_3w

[izquierdista]

19. I knew a girl named Faith

She kept me hard in calm times. :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Hannah Bell]

36. i wish politicians would just shut up about their "faith".

[bigtree]

38. that might make sense

. . . if there was just the one pernicious, sinister interpretation of 'faith' that you seem to be ascribing to his statement. Read in context, the president was referring to what millions of us employ to motivate us through hardship and adversity. He wasn't advocating any particular religion, he was expressing his commitment and speaking of his inner strength that enables him to persevere. I thought it was a revealing and humbling affirmation of his resolve, rather than a mere advocating of religion.

[Hannah Bell]

43. "obama" is nowhere in my post.

[bigtree]

50. silly me

I thought you were responding to the op which has the president as the subject speaking for himself (not other politicians).

[Hannah Bell]

51. my comment, however, was about politicians in general. that includes obama,

but isn't about him specifically.

[happy_liberal]

42. God works through people

The American people had Faith in you Obama, that is how you were elected. Now is the time for action. We are all counting on you.

[Odin2005]

44. I wish politicians would shut up about religion.

[DelPotro]

46. This kinda thing always bothers me

Conditioning people to expect an alien "higher power" to come and look after our problems achieves two things for the current establishment.

Firstly, it stops people worrying too much about what is going wrong in the world at the moment. Global warming is out of control? ... Don't worry about it, g_d is going to fix it. World hunger is a problem? ... We don't have to pressure government about it, g_d is going to look after everybody. We can sit on our asses self-righteously congratulating ourselves for recognizing the "truth" while bad governments continue to govern badly.

Secondly, if people believe in this g_d, then any power-group is free to take the authority of this g_d and have them say whatever suits that group, knowing that as long as it's couched in suitably spiritual terminology, we will rush to obey.

"Deus ex machina" made a nice ending to old Greek plays, when the playwright had written himself into such a corner that he could see no natural way to fix things. We humans are writing ourselves into an equally impossible corner, but if we are to be extricated from our mounting global problems, we are going to have to do it all ourselves.

[bigwillq]

47. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi: