Some voters say they are not sure of candidate's faithPATRICK, S.C. - Barack Obama has proclaimed his Christianity on national television. His campaign has sent out mailers that show him praying and declare him a "Committed Christian" to refute false e-mail chain letters that claim Obama is a Muslim.
"You get one of those e-mails, don't believe it," Obama told more than 1,800 people at North Charleston High School on Thursday. "I've been a member of the same church for 20 years, and I praise an awesome God."
But in interviews in several rural South Carolina communities this week, a number of voters said they believed that Obama is, or was at one time, a Muslim, and some said it could influence their votes.
"He's acknowledged he was raised up Muslim, he says now he's changed," said Glenn McLain, 72, who owns a car lot and body shop in Patrick, a tiny town northeast of Columbia, S.C. "With ties like that, I don't think it would be good for our country."
McLain said he heard Obama had grown up Muslim on television, but he could not be more specific about when or on what program. McLain, who said he would probably vote for John Edwards, said he would not consider voting for Obama mainly because he is inexperienced, but also partly because of his religious beliefs.
Jackie Blanton, 78, a retired schoolteacher who lives in Gaffney, said she had heard Obama would not take his oath of office as a new senator in the traditional way.
"He did not want to use the Holy Bible, he wanted to use the Koran, and I resent that," she said...
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/26/obama_fighting_false_e_mail_rumors_in_south_carolina/
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