Barack Obama on Religion, Atheism, Secularism: What Does Obama Believe
Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama has made a number of comments about secularism, church/state separation, religion, and the role of religion in the public square. Unfortunately, some of these comments have been contradictory - one time he'll say something which appears to support strict separation and secular government, then he'll turn around and say something which supports weak separation and weakened secularism. What does Barack Obama believe, and why?
Barack Obama's Religious Beliefs & Background: What Does Barack Obama Believe?
Barack Obama's religious background is more diverse than that of most prominent politicians, but it may prove to be representative of future generations of Americans who grow up in an increasingly diverse America. His mother was raised by non-practicing Christians; his father was raised a Muslim but was an atheist by the time he had married Obama's mother. Neither Obama nor his mother were ever atheists, but she raised him in a relatively secular household where he learned about religion.
Barack Obama's religious background is more diverse than that of most prominent politicians, but it may prove to be representative of future generations of Americans who grow up in an increasingly diverse America. His mother was raised by non-practicing Christians; his father was raised a Muslim but was an atheist by the time he had married Obama's mother. Neither Obama nor his mother were ever atheists, but she raised him in a relatively secular household where he learned about religion.
Barack Obama on the Nature of Religious Faith: A Force for Good or Evil?
Debates about the role of religion in government and culture invariably require debates about the nature of religion itself. Both conservative and liberal religious believers who want to see more of their own religion involved in public policies invariably make the argument that only their religion is 'legitimate' and 'true' while the others are following some sort of 'false' or 'hijacked' religious faith. Barack Obama is, sadly, no exception.
Debates about the role of religion in government and culture invariably require debates about the nature of religion itself. Both conservative and liberal religious believers who want to see more of their own religion involved in public policies invariably make the argument that only their religion is 'legitimate' and 'true' while the others are following some sort of 'false' or 'hijacked' religious faith. Barack Obama is, sadly, no exception.
Barack Obama on the Separation of Church & State: Support or Misinformation?
Barack Obama does not appear to believe in a strict separation of church an state, which is a shame because opposition to church/state separation is a keystone in the Christian Right's assault on modernity and the Enlightenment. Barack Obama does not come out to openly deny that church and state should be separated, of course, but he liberally uses Christian Right rhetoric, misinformation, and even lies in a way that would tend to undermine confidence in and support for separation.
Barack Obama does not appear to believe in a strict separation of church an state, which is a shame because opposition to church/state separation is a keystone in the Christian Right's assault on modernity and the Enlightenment. Barack Obama does not come out to openly deny that church and state should be separated, of course, but he liberally uses Christian Right rhetoric, misinformation, and even lies in a way that would tend to undermine confidence in and support for separation.
Barack Obama on Secularism: Does Barack Obama Believe in a Secular Government?
Barack Obama's real opinions about secularism are either confused or simply unknown — he has expressed both sentiments which can be construed as pro-secularist and sentiments which can be construed as anti-secularist. These contradictions might charitably be interpreted as typical political posturing: telling everyone what they want to hear in order to avoid offending anyone. On the other hand, maybe he himself is sincerely confused due to conflicting impulses.
Barack Obama's real opinions about secularism are either confused or simply unknown — he has expressed both sentiments which can be construed as pro-secularist and sentiments which can be construed as anti-secularist. These contradictions might charitably be interpreted as typical political posturing: telling everyone what they want to hear in order to avoid offending anyone. On the other hand, maybe he himself is sincerely confused due to conflicting impulses.
Barack Obama on Injecting Religion into Politics: What Role for Religion?
Barack Obama has declared that his religion has an important place in politics - but apparently only on his terms and in the way he wants. As has become common with the so-called 'Religious Left,' religion used the way he wants is good; religion used differently is not. According to Barack Obama, religious faith must be used to 'tackle moral problems' but not 'divide the nation.' Since when have 'moral problems' not divided the nation?
Barack Obama has declared that his religion has an important place in politics - but apparently only on his terms and in the way he wants. As has become common with the so-called 'Religious Left,' religion used the way he wants is good; religion used differently is not. According to Barack Obama, religious faith must be used to 'tackle moral problems' but not 'divide the nation.' Since when have 'moral problems' not divided the nation?
Barack Obama on the Pledge of Allegiance: Equality vs. Privilege in School
One of the issues where religious believers have the least sympathy for atheists and church/state separation is the Pledge of Allegiance. This isn't hard to understand because it's one of the most prominent forms of religious privilege, but it's also one of the starkest ways in which anti-atheist bigotry is both promoted and accepted in American society. Every day children recite a religious oath which devalues the patriotism and equality of atheists. Barack Obama supports this completely.
One of the issues where religious believers have the least sympathy for atheists and church/state separation is the Pledge of Allegiance. This isn't hard to understand because it's one of the most prominent forms of religious privilege, but it's also one of the starkest ways in which anti-atheist bigotry is both promoted and accepted in American society. Every day children recite a religious oath which devalues the patriotism and equality of atheists. Barack Obama supports this completely.
Barack Obama on Secular Atheists: Does Obama View Atheists a
If Barack Obama's position on secularism and church/state separation is confused at best, what does he think about secular atheists? We've already seen him willing and able to attribute falsehoods to "secularists" — the same falsehoods that are so popular with the Christian Right — so what will stop him from attributing common misrepresentations to atheists?
If Barack Obama's position on secularism and church/state separation is confused at best, what does he think about secular atheists? We've already seen him willing and able to attribute falsehoods to "secularists" — the same falsehoods that are so popular with the Christian Right — so what will stop him from attributing common misrepresentations to atheists?
Barack Obama on Reproductive Rights, Sex Education, and Abortion
The Christian Right has fought hard to deny women the ability to make reproductive choices through restrictions on abortion, sex education, emergency contraception, and contraception generally. Barack Obama supports reproductive liberty and reproductive choices for women. He supports a woman's right to choose, even when it comes to late term abortions, and he supports federal funding of both contraceptives and sex education for teenagers.
The Christian Right has fought hard to deny women the ability to make reproductive choices through restrictions on abortion, sex education, emergency contraception, and contraception generally. Barack Obama supports reproductive liberty and reproductive choices for women. He supports a woman's right to choose, even when it comes to late term abortions, and he supports federal funding of both contraceptives and sex education for teenagers.
Barack Obama on Religion, Atheism, and Secularism
Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama has made a number of comments about secularism, church/state separation, religion, and the role of religion in the public square. Unfortunately, some of these comments have been contradictory — one time he'll say something which appears to support strict separation and secular government, then he'll turn around and say somet…
Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama has made a number of comments about secularism, church/state separation, religion, and the role of religion in the public square. Unfortunately, some of these comments have been contradictory — one time he'll say something which appears to support strict separation and secular government, then he'll turn around and say somet…