Of course, if his willingness to participate in worship is any indication, he isn’t what you could really call a very faithful Christian either. He seems instead to be one of those people who occupy the fringes of faith. Christianity is ok with him, but it isn’t worth much time, effort, energy, or commitment.
There are a lot of American’s who share the fringes of faith with Obama. The Easter and Christmas ‘Christians’ of course come right to mind. But the ‘Christians’ who dollop into worship every now and then when they have nothing better to do are of the same sort.
You know the type: they show up, they sit there a while, they never open their hymnals, never enter into prayer, pay scant attention to the sermon, drop perhaps a whole dollar in the offering plate, avoid Sunday School, and can be counted on to do absolutely nothing when the time comes for it.
Let’s just face it- 90% of those who call themselves Christians are Obama Christians. Christians for whom it just really doesn’t matter much at all. Christians who don’t aspire to be Christ like. Christians who pay no mind to the teaching of Scripture. Christians who don’t even know that as members of the body of Christ, they have obligations. Yes, obligations.
Obama isn’t a Muslim. But he’s not much of a Christian either. And neither are most.
Patricia
19/08/2010 at 11:04
Of course Obama isn’t a Muslim. Who, but some paranoid extreme right wing fundamentalist evangelicals in the USA, would suggest otherwise. Maybe he doesn’t attend Public Worship much but it would be a security nightmare. He seems to know the Bible quite well and appears to have a more functional family life than many previous US presidents, Republican and Democrat. One can hardly expect him to be teaching a Sunday School Class on top of all his national and international responsabilites.
Jim
19/08/2010 at 11:09
who said anything about teaching a SS class? one can expect him, however, to practice his faith instead of simply refer obliquely to it. and that can be said for everyone.
and finally, his first responsibility is to God. that too is true of every person.
irishanglican ~ Fr. Robert
19/08/2010 at 12:14
Though Obama is not perhaps a real Muslim, he is certainly Muslim friendly, but as you say, simply fully ignornant of historical Christianity, also. He is also not a good ammbassador for the history and consciousness of the classic Free Western World. This has become all too obvious when he stands and speaks to other Muslim countries, in the so-called name of the West and the classic idea of the Judeo-Christian reality.
Jim
19/08/2010 at 12:44
every christian is obliged to be friendly to muslims. hence, muslim friendly.
irishanglican ~ Fr. Robert
19/08/2010 at 13:40
Darn, I misspelled *ambassador on purpose! lol I am never going to be “Muslim” friendly, sorry. One must know their history, as a Christian, then they will know the score here. My thoughts at least, not hatred at all, but real historical, spiritual, ideological difference!
Jim
19/08/2010 at 13:41
then youve chosen to ignore jesus’ requirement that his people love. even enemies. and do them good.
irishanglican ~ Fr. Robert
19/08/2010 at 13:49
That’s really funny coming from you Jim, you who cherry pick your own Christian actions! With your judgment of both the South (Southen States), and Modern Israel, etc. And certain people who don’t fit you own scruples. Ouch, I think I gigged ya mate! lol
Jim
19/08/2010 at 13:53
gigged? whatever that means. so here’s your point- you are excused from the command of jesus because YOU think I should share YOUR views on Israel, sin, and culture. that’s quite a point… i’m sure on the day of judgment jesus will say to you ‘oh it’s ok then that you hated muslims. jim didn’t like promiscuity or adultery or homosexuality, or the mistreatment of the palestinians so of course that let’s you off the hook!’
Patricia
19/08/2010 at 16:27
BTW why is there an apostrophe in the word “American’s” in the original post?
Of course we are to love our enemies “irishanglican” otherwise we are not following Jesus’ teaching. Not that the majority of Muslims are my enemeies anyway. Not sure what the “classic free Western World” is…………………are they the folks who supported slavery and after the abolishment of slavery, had indentured labourers instead with few political or social rights?
Jim
19/08/2010 at 17:12
you’re more upset by an apostrophe than by two dead children?
irishanglican ~ Fr. Robert
19/08/2010 at 17:38
Patricia
The “classic” free Western world, are those countries (Great Britain – Canada, yes South Africa, those down under The Aussies, NZ), USA (and yes even those who were the Confederate States of America – Southern Christians by history), and the European’s that are or did practise historical Christianity. What we used to call the Judeo-Christian world-view. This is sadly disappearing however!
Jim
19/08/2010 at 17:48
dont worry pat, i hardly ever know what he means either.
irishanglican ~ Fr. Robert
19/08/2010 at 17:51
Pat, I am the elder around here at 60, I was raised in Dublin, Ireland and England, when Judeo-Christian meant something!