I notice something among some Obama supporters.

[AGirl]

Many of them seems to mention God and about having faith and having hope. Now I understand why Obama wants to reach out the evangelical voters, I also understand why so many GLBT people perfer Clinton over Obama, I also understand why some people are scared that “the movement” might become too “cultish” or “religious”.

It is definitely a very nice strategy to use religious overtones or strategy to appeal to voters, but do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. I am certainly not comfortable with all the references to God. It's not going to go anywhere good.

[K Gardner]

1. Thanks for your concern about the CULT. Buh-bye.

[AGirl]

2. I am concerned because I am living in this country.

[Iris]

11. As well you should be.

I am concerned, too. I was especially turned off when he said he trusted women to "pray and make decisions" when it comes to reproductive health. He trusts women but they still need to "pray" to make their decisions legitimate?

[Cant trust em]

44. I wouldn't worry about this so much

I'm as unreligious as anyone but as long as he's not calling for laws to be based on the bible I think we're in the clear. I think that a little bit of subtle reach out to evangelicals doesn't hurt. I'm tired of people voting republican just because they think we're all a bunch of pagan sun-worshipers. The truth is that you can be a good liberal and go to church.

[LisaM]

3. It doesn't do much for ME. Months ago I was called by the Obama campaign

And I brought up this very thing; I said I didn't like the references to religion and God, not to mention the sort of religous-style delivery of his speeches. The volunteer (who was nice) seemed befuddled, and said: but that's what people WANT.

I pointed out that he was asking for MY support and that I *didn't* like it. I did let him know I'd support Obama in the general if he was the candidate.

[AGirl]

12. I agree. I think people should be empowered in other ways.

I don’t think this religious style of politicking inspires critical thinking. Maybe I am a pessimistic and a cynic, but I like to criticize issues and analyze them, instead of having “faith”. I don't like politics driven this way.

[blogslut]

4. Not all Christians are evangelical

But do note the irony of using religious language in your post to make a point. :)

[ingac70]

5. Atheist for Obama here...

so take your "cult' meme and stick it up your ass.

[Vinca]

10. You beat me to it.

:evilgrin:

[AGirl]

14. I do like it up my ass, thanks. And i am not saying atheist can't support Obama.

[burythehatchet]

42. Having Mark Penn's hand up your ass is not the same thing.

[tekisui]

37. Another one here.

[tridim]

41. Bots have asses?

[islandmkl]

6. Jesus...all the references to God?...you must be counting

all the goddams and (like above) jesuses in the obama posts...otherwise, nice try to legitimately establish exactly WHAT point?

[Whisp]

7. lol. not very good at it, are you? nt

[Divernan]

20. Over 900 posts in less than a month since she joined DU!

Maybe practise will eventually make perfect.

[phantom power]

8. I would prefer a candidate who didn't mention god or religion.

Religion simply wasn't intended to be part of public political discourse in this country. The founding fathers knew from personal experience where that road led. It looks like America has forgotten, and we're going to have to re-learn the hard way.

[islandmkl]

25. yeah...or would that be more 'tailoring' one's image to make them acceptable to more people...

versus revealing as much as possible about one's self and having people have a better idea what one is all about? And trusting the people's judgment to offer their support?

[phantom power]

31. I like JFK's handling of the issue:

"I do not speak for my Church on public matters — and the Church does not speak for me."

And really, once you've arrived at that point, no further discussion of the topic seems necessary to me, in a political context. I just think it's mostly beside the point in national discourse. Or, it should be. If you have a political position that can be justified on pragmatic terms, then you needn't refer to anybody's religion. If your position is only justifiable in terms of your private religion, then it has no business in American politics.

I don't have any particular animosity toward Obama. I didn't vote for him in the primary, but I'm perfectly willing to pull the lever for him in November.

Speaking on this specific topic of religion: if he is referring to "god" or "faith" frequently in his campaign, I wish he wouldn't. If he has a good solid platform, he shouldn't have to.

[Windy]

29. Just a reminder. Hillary is a member of a formal congressional bible study group. n/t

[phantom power]

32. I wish she wouldn't. Even more, I wish there were no such group.

[Adelante]

9. I think it's a bad thing that Hillary prays with fundies in the Senate

I'm less worried about religion in politics than I am about religion in government.

[SteppingRazor]

13. Atheist here, and an Obama supporter.

Of course, I notice the spiritual nature of many of Obama's speeches, but I'm also heartened by the fact that he has often made a point to say that freedom of religion applies to people with no religion as well.

As for Obama's faith, yeah, he's obviously a man of deep faith. But its ecumenical nature means that I don't lose a whole lot of sleep over it.

[tabatha]

15. Obama has to beat the Muslim smear.

[polichick]

16. What references to God???

Other than Obama explaining that he's not Muslim, but Christian, and his preacherly oratory (which I enjoy), I haven't heard references to God.

I consider myself spiritual but not religious, and don't see a problem.

[RoadRage]

17. I'm a proud NON-church going Obama Fan..

I'm not putting my "faith" in his hope. I'm actually taking the time to read about his legislation and veiws on the issues and making my decision from there.

Thanks.

[TwilightGardener]

18. Huh? There's nothing "religious" about my support for Obama. I think he's

our best chance to beat the Republican, based on likeability, sound judgment, brains, charisma, political skills, and the fact that he often beats McCain in polls--that's fact-based decision-making, sister--not faith based. Anyone who supports Hillary now is making a faith-based cult decision that she will somehow prevail in November, although she is barely doing it now, against Obama.

[jpak]

19. The only cultists in the US are Bushbots and GOP lemmings that followed their leader over the cliff

and believe stupid RW emails that Senator Obama is a "radicle Mooslim" (sic)

Senator Obama will bring us back from the brink, unite the country and restore America to the greatness that Bush and GOP destroyed.

Nice try AGirl who is not a Democrat.

:rofl:

[blm]

21. Your FAITH in Dems who protect the Bushes is disturbing given the evidence

and the tragic CONSEQUENCES of those actions.


http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html

What do you have to say for yourself?

[burythehatchet]

38. blm, you don't expect a reasoned reply do you? But I must commend

you for keeping it civil. I can not.

[CyberPieHole]

22. There was certainly a reason for Obama's pandering to McClurkin...

the "evangelical" posturing of Obama is not accidental.

[griffi94]

23. it's a bad thing

look at what it did to the repubs.
they leveraged the evangelicals with implied promises they couldn't keep
then 8 years later...holy cow the evangelicals are no longer supporting them.
i can appreciate the enthusiasm that obamas supporters have for his candidacy, but he's still just a politician.....i'd wager a c-note that should he become president, that midway through his 1rst term
a large number of his supporters will have abandoned him because he didn't give them what they wanted or he didn't do it quick enough or he compromised with republicans.
the reason i'm not at this moment supporting obama is because i feel he's running a campaign aimed at
emotions....he makes his audiences feel inspired and passionate....and while i'm all for that...i'm all for it when it's in the arts, or the church....not on the political stage....the political stage is for cold hard calculation, some compromise and a realistic worldview of what is and isn't possible.

sorry i'm just not much of a kumbaya guy

[asjr]

24. I sometimes wonder how God feels being

used to promote a political agenda. I will vote for a president in November--not a preacher. A president must encompass all the people, not just a selected few. Most of my acquaintances voted for Mike Huckabee in the primaries in TN because he is such a good Christian. And they also emailed a lot of anti-Obama propaganda--you know--he is a Muslim and can't be trusted. Some Christians are so gullible. Some Christians I know are so UnChristian in their actions.

[thevoiceofreason]

26. The only reason it has had to be emphasized

Is the bs that spread around about his "muslim roots" etc. I admire Hillary's ability to keep faith issues separate from her campaign. I believe he would do so too, but he had to address this "concern" early on as he got his name rec out there.

[islandmkl]

28. did i miss the part where obama is courting the RW evangelicals?

...dude needs to spend more time with Kerry and adopt THAT way of public speaking...that'll get a whole bunch of people excited.

[YOY]

27. Bug off troll

The more shit from you people I see the more I want to punch a Republican.

[burythehatchet]

36. Don't let it happen. They are not worth it.

[Neecy]

30. Here's another idiotic lecture

By someone who's been on DU for less than a month and has racked up 902 posts in that brief span.

Oh, and it's 'prefer', nitwit.

[Mz Pip]

33. I'm strongly agnostic

I support Obama. It doesn't bother me that he is reaching out to strong believers.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[islandmkl]

34. JFCGDWTF?...look at #31...

why comment on something you apparently don't know anything about? "IF (my empasis) he is referring to "god" or "faith" frequently in his campaign, I wish he wouldn't." What about: "if he is killing kittens and puppies, I wish he would stop."

[AngryAmish]

35. I've noticed that Hillary supporters want you to stay off their lawn.

[stillcool]

39. Maybe if you all...

didn't spread around the scary Muslim emails he wouldn't have to mention it so much.

[Armstead]

40. Clinton refers to faith too

Persionally, I'm uncomfortable with any politician using that.

But don;t single out Obama, because Clinton makes it just as clear she is driven by her "faith."

[MadHound]

43. Then you should be equally concerned about Hillary, if not more so

And not because of what she or her followers are saying, but what she is actually doing

"Through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as the Fellowship. Her collaborations with right-wingers such as Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) grow in part from that connection." <http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html>

Consorting with RW fundies like Brownback and Santorum, hell that's a lot more scary to me that what a candidate's supporters are saying.