Obama Takes on Question of Faith

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Associated Press

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — Barack Obama is stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he's a Muslim now that the presidential campaign has hit the Bible Belt.
At a rally to kick off a weeklong campaign for the South Carolina primary, Obama tried to set the record straight from an attack circulating widely on the Internet that is designed to play into prejudices against Muslims and fears of terrorism.

"I've been to the same church — the same Christian church — for almost 20 years," Obama said, stressing the word Christian and drawing cheers from the faithful in reply. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. So if you get some silly e-mail ... send it back to whoever sent it and tell them this is all crazy. Educate."

Obama is referring to a debunked chain e-mail circulating widely on the Internet that suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots and may be a terrorist in disguise. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge.

-snip-
But they are stepping up the effort now that the campaign has hit South Carolina and soon turns to other southern states where religion is so important to voters. The campaign distributed an open letter from seven Jewish senators this weekend condemning the attacks; aides are planning an event this week to respond directly to the e-mails; and campaign representatives blanketed South Carolina churches Sunday with literature that touted Obama's Christian faith.




Read more: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1705555,00.html

[krabigirl]

1. That this is even an issue makes me want to puke.

[rodeodance]

3. yes, I agree--and its linkage to terriorism is beyond the pale. Obams should

Loudly stepped up his critism a long long time ago. going to south as the article says and then stepping up the critism implys it is only a faith issue--.

[sellitman]

2. This is as stupid as the Edwards haircut issue.

In other words this should be a non-issue because it has nothing to do with anything but Rovian tactics.

[plantwomyn]

4. Too bad

Barack Obama isn't stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he's a homophobe. If it is a misconception.

[flaminbats]

5. yikes..this thread is hard to follow!

too many voters have accepted myths and lies as reality. but Obama's religion is part of his message. part of Obama's message is that Christianity isn't a thorn in the side of liberalism, but another way for us to help the poor and feed the hungry.

Republicans are always shocked when I tell them the truth, that Obama isn't Muslim. When I tell them Obama is a protestant Christian, a member of the United Church of Christ, they claim "you don't know the facts!"

then I ask them, "why does it matter what denomination Obama is in?", I never get an answer. it makes me think of what another person posted at DU. this person has an Obama bumper sticker on their car, and some lifeless Republican redneck threatened to hunt that person down if "that dirty Muslim is elected President!" :crazy:

The more I listen to Republicans, the more I want to vote for Obama. These Republican hypocrites have already started another Civil War in this country, and now we have to win it!