"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers."http://news.aol.com/article/obamas-nonbeliever-nod-unsettles-some/316339
When those words rolled off President Obama’s lips I knew that the religious right would come a runnin’. Ready to defend their insecure brand of Christendom. Prepared to toss our new president to the den of hell. While I understand – but empathically do not agree, why they are so upset, I cannot empathize with their spiritual discomfort and feelings of disrespect.
The United States is a Christian nation. Let’s get that out the way. But, we are a nation that does not completely adhere to the important tenets of the faith such as doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. That’s blatantly obvious. What they, the Christians, would rather do is convince the spiritually destitute that Jesus walked on water. Silly!
The Golden Rule is present in most established religions throughout the world so we are by no means unique. What separates us from most of the world is that we arrogantly boast to other countries that we are the ultimate caretakers of God’s wishes and so called word while degrading the intrinsic values of Islam and other religions of PEACE. It is here, in this God forsaken place where the United States stands in the pit of hypocrisy. Nevertheless, no one should be surprised by my declaration. It is a truth that we have for centuries fought tirelessly to hide from the world through acts of kindness that are/were really efforts to socially, politically, and spiritually cripple other nations e.g. The Brutal Christianization of the Pacific Islands.
So, as the religious henchman (conservative African American pastors) who by the way supported George W. Bush in order to receive faith-based program dollars make every attempt to discredit Mr. Obama I ask, ‘Why in the world are you disturbed by the truth?’ "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. Was the word ‘nonbeliever’ the impetus of your discontent? Yes, that’s what it was.
To be a nonbeliever is a mark of the beast in these accepting United States of America. If you do not believe you are not in the club. That club that gathers each and every Sunday morning during the MOST segregated hour in America. Imagine that. Segregation still prevalent…here. Even in God’s house. No way!
This is the America President Obama inherited. And, now he not only has to protect the United States from relentless terrorists he has to explain to fanatical Christian ministers who are just as dangerous as the 911 high-jackers that the inclusion of nonbelievers is necessary.
The first lesson in seminary:
Jesus loved EVERYONE.
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by the weakness of Christianity: Insecurity.
15 comments:
Reader Response:
Yes, brother.
Here are my thoughts.
I heard it and wondered too.
I wondered what it meant to me and it did not matter what it meant to anyone else while I pondered the thought.
Here is the bottom line for me. We are a Christian nation and he is not a pastor that is what the church is for. He will do the best human thing possible for this nation and as a servant he has to stand for the believer and unbelievers alike that sum up this country because that is who this nation is today.
Unfortunately we are not all on the same page but the same way with Jesus he came so that we all might have life. I am not saying that everyone will agree with me. I am just saying what I thought.
I did not agree but I understood where he was coming from.
The weakness of humanity is the lack of humility no matter what religion you confess to believe.
If you are humble you will understand that not all people will accept what you say even if it is the truth.
-O
Muata responds to O:
I definitely understood. What he stated was a FACT. Why some got 'offended' alarms me. Here we have one of the best presidents we have had in LONG time, and there are those that are hung-up on the unsubstantiated (beliefs within religion). I should not be alarmed. This is typical behavior when the religious feel threaten.
-Muata
Reader O responds to Muata:
I think what people have to understand is that not all Christians have arrived.
Some of the most vociferous passionate people can be the ones who are full of zeal.
We have to bear with them and keep on trucking... it's not the worse damage people can do and you will always have opposers anyway.
Paul was a zealot and he was a Jew but he was acting passionately about what he believed in until true love stood with him face to face and even when he was converted he gained the trait of humility the longer he walked in his belief... he was still slightly arrogant based on his "knowledge" the more he actually learned the more his confession changed to being that he knew nothing more than Christ and Him crucified.
Some Muslims stand and blow up innocent people based on what they believe.
Human beings are judgmental period, some Christians are not the only people who judge.
Some "non-believers" will slam you up against a wall too.
-O
Reader Response:
I actually applauded when he delivered that line. For the first time in history (at least to my recollection), someone acknowledged that America is not the monolithic utopia that everyone makes it out to be. I know that President Obama is no superhero, but I hope that his presidency will begin to tear down some of the walls of division that exist here. For too long, America has only been accepting of those who successful acculturate into this society. That is not what the founders of these so-called United States envisioned.
We hold these truths to be self evident that ALL men (not just Christian) men were created equal....
-K
Reader Response:
You speak wisdom, Kaye, as did President Obama! As a nation founded on Christian principles, one of the greatest commandments is to "love your neighbor as thyself." Since so many of us, as people (Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc), simply don't love ourselves, that sense of "insecurity" that Brian referenced rears its ugly head. As someone has stated, Barack is not the Messiah; he's one man, who faces life's issues and challenges in his unique way. His ascension to the Presidency will allow for him to "model" certain behaviors of humaneness that our Country and the world hasn't seen in decades. To me, he is, in essence placing a mirror in front of our fellow citizens and figuratively voicing Michael's lyrics to, "Man In The Mirror!"
Even the great prophet, Rodney, (who got his own share of a beat down), knew what he was saying when he made a plea to the Country by asking, "...can we all just get along!?"
EDIT...During his "sermon" at Chapel in '05 or '06, Cornel West recalled a car sticker he saw while driving in Gary, IN and it read, "Jesus, protect me from your followers!" YIPES!!!!!
-FD
Reader Response:
On the day after inauguration MSNBC, TD Jakes and others comment on this and about faith in general in the Obama presidency. Very balanced I thought. . .
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#28770799
-SBZ
Reader Response:
True Christian ministers don't harbor hatred. The single most unifying aspect of the Christian faith is love. I think you tend to lump Christians into the same pot as religious people. There is a difference. One is relationship based the other is based on formalities.
Kings in the old testament of the Holy bible dealt with this. They ruled over people of different religious beliefs.
As a Christian leader I would see it most fitting to know where you personally stand in your faith and exercise and seek God's wisdom in dealing with all people. Much like that of King Solomon....
I am not disturbed at all by President Obama's statement and find it most appropriate.
If I had a choice to choose a Christian doctor who may not be competent over a competent doctor who definitely isn't Christian ..I would choose competence..and ask the Christian doctor to go out in the hall and pray....Now my religious friends would demand the Christian Doctor perform surgery...and would probably end up leaving here early...or else praying for a miracle (by the way miracles aren't God's best...to live in such a way that you don't need a miracle is far better)....
My point is that you can't throw everyone into the same pot. When you take the words that were said it has to be deducted that this is the truth. We ARE a nation of many faiths, founded on the men of that's times understanding of the Christian faith.
-J
Muata responds to J:
I try my best not to lump "Christians into the same pot". However, I speak from my disposition of truth. My experience. If I generalize, I am aware that I should not. But, this life that I have lived has proven to me that Christianity is a judgmental faith that's littered with insecurity. Its sole purpose for the longest time was (and still is in some ways) to forcefully/brutally 'bring people over' to their understanding. Actually, Christianity is on ONE PAGE when speaking of this. There is no difference in approach. Therefore, what we have in this nation is a religion that's unsubstantiated (like most religions), for those who have to have 'guidance' from an outdated book (the bible) to live, and a huge following of people who have damaged its most critical tenet: LOVE. So, when I generalize it is with good and substantiated reason. The faith is a reflection of the people who walk around callingthemselves 'saints', 'believers', 'God's chosen', etc. I am one of the religious non-believers.
-Muata
Reader Response:
...the culture of religion was established and sustained as a means to control the masses...it replaces free thought with superstition and fear...the intent is to restrict and direct the passion of mankind to more "positive" activities...to offer a means to absolve one's misdeeds...if truth is pure, then why is religion necessary?...because a society without some form of order is in chaos, and truth is not necessarily what we seek...
-H
Reader Response:
Religion is a form of control, but faith and relationship with God is a different matter. Even Jesus told the Pharisees that the "traditions of MEN, have rendered the word of God to no effect." Fear is the opposite of faith, so any religious idealogy that promotes fear as a tool of manipulation is really not of God. Faith is much more forward looking and creative, and confident it affecting positive change - because it works by love. Things such as accountability, self discipline/control, humility, and wisdom benefit everyone.
-SBZ
Reader O responds to SBZ:
I 100% agree.
The more you study the more you will understand that it is not about ascribing to the tenets of faith according to mankind, everything that a man touches is therefore flawed.
Not the case in a relationship with the Living GOD.
-O
Muata responds to O and SBZ:
You know what blows my mind?
This type of thinking is LEGITIMATE (SBZ's and O's). It is shared with many - but what continues to win out? RELIGION.
"Faith and relationship with God" is the most important objective/matter. Nonetheless, religion with its senseless tenets and points of reference are dominating the minds of the masses.
I find it somewhat pathetic.
-Muata
Reader Response:
..and where do we find such...all "established" religions preach fear and intolerance...retribution is the reward of the unfaithful and disobedient...please explain to me how one man can judge or question the faith of another...maybe each person HAS A RIGHT to believe or not...that is the free will that we as humans have...and that free will comes without fear of retribution...so if faith is truly the key, why don't we ALL believe,without fear or coersion...because man is ultimately responsible only to other men...
-HH
u would think most folks could be as objective - i guess not
Reader Response:
I'm not a biblical scholar by any measure, but isn't that why God give us free choice? So we can CHOOSE to follow Him or not? So why is being a non-believer wrong? This is why I don't practice religion. It's a bunch of bullish. What matters is your relationship with God, or whomever you choose to worship. If you choose not to, then more power to you. All I'm saying is, every religion can't be right about who's going to heaven and who's going to hell, so why worry about what anyone else believes?
-KL
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