Obama says some have 'hijacked' faith

HARTFORD, Conn. - Sen. Barack Obama told a church convention Saturday that some right-wing evangelical leaders have exploited and politicized religious beliefs in an effort to sow division.

"Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and faith started being used to drive us apart," the Democratic presidential candidate said in a 30-minute speech before the national meeting of the United Church of Christ.

"Faith got hijacked, partly because of the so-called leaders of the Christian Right, all too eager to exploit what divides us," the Illinois senator said.

"At every opportunity, they've told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage, school prayer and intelligent design," according to an advance copy of his speech.

"There was even a time when the Christian Coalition determined that its number one legislative priority was tax cuts for the rich," Obama said. "I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version."

A call to the Washington, D.C.-based Christian Coalition of America seeking comment was not immediately returned Saturday.

Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ, a church of about 1.2 million members that is considered one the most liberal of the mainline Protestant groups.

In 1972, the church was the first to ordain an openly gay man. Two years ago, the church endorsed same-sex marriage, the largest Christian denomination to do so. Obama believes that states should decide whether to allow gay marriage, and he opposes a constitutional amendment against it.

Conservative Christian bloggers have linked Obama to what they call the "unbiblical" teachings of his church. Theological conservatives believe gay relationships violate Scripture, while more liberal Christians emphasize the Bible's social justice teachings.

Obama trails Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York by 33 percent to 21 percent in the most recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll among Democrats and those leaning toward the party.

UCC is liberal? hmm...

Obama is by far...very Liberal. He mentioned the bible we go by is the one he doesn't follow. Mr. Obama sir. The one WE follow is THEE word. You, not the WORD is defective.

 Let's take a look at the faiths that have been hijacked.

1. The no. one denomination that most of us think that is hijacked is Islam. In reality Islam has never been hijacked. Only just within the last 20 years or so, that the reality of Islam is finally beginning to emerge. FOX and all the other news networks along with evangelist Jack Van Impe thinks it is and must be shown the truth and fast.

2. Another denomination that is in a way is hijacking THE CHURCH is catholicism. I have proof that catholicism is a cult.

a. The Holy Rosary- Saying Hail Mary vaults her above God and that is very dangerous. It's also idol worship.

b. Communion- The Catholic Cult uses wafers that have the symbol- IHS on it which means Isis, Horace and Seth-they are three false gods.

c. They also worship another false god called Baal- the so-called god of the sun and storms. This I believe is unintentional and most Catholics don't know it. That's sad.

d. Confession- Catholics confess their sins by going to a priest in a very small room. Sins are really forgivin through normal prayer to God Himself. This confession does nothing and sins continue to build.

 That's part of the solid proof I have. Oh, and statues are seen all over the place in and around a Catholic Cult Center. Get rid of them.

See, I say this to make you catholics aware of the tremendous sins you are committing. Please realise this and leave as soon as possible and join a real church like a baptist or pentacostal church. You'll be very glad you did. You are always welcome.

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Maha Rushie -

You spelled Horace incorrectly... its Horus.

Don't look into his life, it might unravel your whole world. 

I would guess Obama owns a Bible...it seems to be the "in" thing to flash around during a campaign stop, but owning the book, and 'owning' its truths are two different things. Reading it would serve Obama and everyone else well. If Christianity has been hijacked, it is not Bible-believing followers of Christ who are guilty.

I actually read my Bible daily, and haven't found any contradictions with its truths, and my pro-life, anti-gay marriage, prayer in school, intelligent design (creationism) beliefs.

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people often accuse "right wing" christians to focus only on abortion and gay marriage issue while ignore the social, environmental and the Iraq war

I think we can do all the topics, just that certain people purposely avoid those sensative issues that they know they are going to lose if they touch them, so they do the usual stategy - either do a distraction, or say christian oppose women's and gays right.

you'll find this funny...

looks like Obama is the one Hijacking Christians Faith with more deception... looks like Obama was raised a Muslim :)

Whoooops!  

http://www.isic-centre.org/

superHarry14...  *lol*  Obama.....BUSTED!

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"Danger, Will Robinson!" 

"Warning! Warning!  Conservatives thinking candidate's religion matters!" 

"Warning, Warning!  Conservative exposing sinfulness of well-established christian church denomination practicing false doctrines.  Pope is upset by such hate language!" 

"Warning! Warning!  Someone actually reads their Bible and believes what is written therein!" 

"Warning! Warning!  Popular use of Bible flashing during political campaigning exposed!"

"Warning! Warning!  Some conservatives avoid sensitive issues dealt with in Bible for political convenience and expediency!"

"Warning! Warning!  Conservatives call Obama's religion unbiblical!  The nerve of some conservatives!"

"Warning! Warning!  Alien spacecraft approaching carrying onboard an unschooled, unread, non-Christian religious nutwing sentimentalist soon to arrive to explain that it all melts away in that very popular and easily said love your neighbor like yourself bit and that the Bible's firm teachings are no longer binding if you understand words of that Christian Apostle, John Lennon, 'All We Need Is Love.'!" 

 

MahaRushie37, Everything you wrote about Catholicism was incorrect in some way. Please refrain from attacking a religion when you don't know much about it.

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MahaRushie: Actually, every church claiming to be Christian other than the Catholic Church hijacked the faith.

Catholics don't "vault Mary above God."

Catholics don't use a "wafer that has a symbol - IHS - on it.

Catholics don't "worship a god named Baal".

Catholics don't "confess their sins to a priest in a very small room".

You certainly have been told some severe lies by someone.

Every Protestant denomination (and non-denominational) is a spinoff of something from the Catholic Church since the Catholic Church was the one founded by Christ's apostles and the only Christian Church that existed for over 1500 years prior to the revolt by Luther, Calvin and others who corrupted the true faith and began a religion based on their individual ideas rather than on what Christ actually taught and handed down through His apostles.

Each of these revolters made up their own "christian" religion using the Bible (which came from the Catholic Church) as their source and the interpretation of the individual revolter as that denomination's doctrines.

The United Church of Christ didn't even exist until 1957 and combined four different faith groups. A very modern way of creating a religion you can accept.

 

"Danger, Will Robinson!  Offense taken at perceived 'attack' upon Roman Catholicism (which thinks it successfully hijacked Christianity about three centuries after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection and ascension), even though the 'offender' spoke truthfully."

"Warning!  Warning!  Hurt feelings may follow!" 

Who cares?  I don't.

Actually, does not the Catholic religion deem it necessary to use a priest to have their sins resolved, to go to confession? Jesus's death on the cross had already put sin to death and it is up to us to acknowledge that and to ask him into our lives. I do think that there are a lot of Catholics (especially in places like Mexico) that do pray to Mary, "Hail Mary, full of grace..." but is it scripturally correct?  Only Jesus was sinless and went to the cross to put sin to death and only through him can we come to the Father, Mary was not sinless. Only Jesus/God can answer our prayers. Jesus told us the way to pray to our Father "Our Father, who art in heaven..." and even when a young man referred to Jesus as "Good Master" Jesus said that there was only one good master, God. (Matthew 19:16-17)

That is why the Holy Spirit came, to convict hearts to the ways of sin and to also reside in us when when we accept Jesus's gift. Thus we are able to come before the Father and pray, to ask for forgiveness... 

But I do believe there are those out there using the title "Reverend" who have used their label to sway and to force issues their way, such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.  

 

 

Oh my!  Another poster posting truthful comments which are fully in keeping and accordance with Holy Scripture.  What is happening here? Silencing time?  Ban time?

having been a catholic i know what they believe( pretty much anyway). and they believe they have to confess to a priest to get sins forgiven and the pope is the highest authority on earth, not the bible. for many years priests were the second or third son of a noble and they wanted to live high on the hog just like thier brothers, so they turned the church into thier own personal fiefdom. luther and others left the catholic church cus its vow of poverty was a lie. leading people to the lord took a back seat to political power and wealth. its why i left to........ now, back to barack obama, the empty suit.  he is not a real christian anyway. never has been. you can't be a christian and a democrat at the same time. the dem party stands against everything the bible stands for. the bible says  homosexuality is wrong. you dont like it; to bad so sad, go start your own religion. oh, thats right he did.

Obama's middle name is ...  Hussein !

did we just get rid of one of those :) 

Obama is wrong--they do disrespect our religion--they also disrespect the boy scouts, traditional marriage and pro-life.  we are called "fundies," as a word for people they loath.  Why do they loath us?  Because we know right from wrong and say so. 

Obama is a dangerous liberal, as dangerous as Mrs. Bill Clinton. 

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marc t, I was raised a catholic and you are right. That church also has used its power and influence in time past and is now too, too sway people politically one way or another. During the past wars they stood with nazi germany and were silent to the suffering of jews and christians in the camps. Now they are trying to sway their people to stand for illegals appearing to be merciful, when it will actually destroy the country. Thats not merciful at all. I know many catholics that are not happy with this. I might add, there are some in every religion and walk of life that God has marked out to come out and be part of His system. You never know who youre talking to. To tell people the truth in love was never a bad idea at all.....Thanks Jesus.

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I know there is so much out there. I have met Obama (2) times and he prays and has displays good family ideals. I like him...I don't agree with everything (especially his view on illegal immigration) ...but I like him.

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