Obama, evangelicals, and the 'Matthew 25 Network'
On “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart was chatting with Ralph Reed about a variety of election-related news regarding people of faith (Reed was the former head of the Christian Coalition, before destroying his reputation by hooking up with disgraced GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff.)
Stewart noted, “There’s talk that 40% of evangelicals will go with the Democrat [on Election Day]. When did the evangelicals lose their values?” Reed responded, “I don’t think that’s supported by the polling data. I think if you look at most of the general-election polls, McCain’s getting about 60 to 65 percent of the evangelical vote.”
This, of course, struck me as rather amusing. If McCain is getting about 60% of the evangelical vote, unless Reed thinks evangelicals are going to flock to Nader and Barr is large numbers, Obama’s on track to get about 40% of the vote. One doesn’t need polling data to reach this conclusion, just arithmetic.
Nevertheless, on the broader point of Stewart’s question, Obama is moving forward with various aggressive outreach. It was Mark DeMoss who brought up the 40% figure last week, but it’s the Obama campaign that’s committed to making it happen.
A spokesperson said the meeting of some 30 people will include leaders from several denominations including Evangelical, Catholic and Protestant members of the faith community. Among those taking part are Bishop Phillip Cousin, the Rev. Stephen Thurston and Dr. T. Dewitt Smith.
“Reaching out to the faith community is a priority for Barack Obama and will be a priority under an Obama Administration. This is one of several meetings he will have over the coming months with religious leaders,” Jen Psaki told reporters on the campaign plane.
There are some serious heavy hitters in this meeting, whose names may not be familiar to a secular audience, but who are pretty major players in the religious community, including T.D. Jakes, law professor Doug Kmiec, Phillip Cousin, and the National Association of Evangelicals’ Rich Cizik.
And then, of course, there’s the new “Matthew 25 Network.”
There were reports a few days ago that the Obama campaign was launching a new outreach project targeting evangelicals, and yesterday afternoon, we got a better sense of what the initiative is all about.
A fund-raiser is being held tonight in Washington for a nascent political action committee that is hoping to reach out to Christian communities on behalf of Senator Barack Obama.
Called “The Matthew 25 Network,” the new organization, which is still in its earliest stages, is being spearheaded by Mara Vanderslice, who was director of religious outreach for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in 2004 and did similar work for several statewide Democratic candidates, including Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. […]
Ms. Vanderslice, who has been active in the budding movement over the last few years to encourage Democrats to be more willing to discuss matters of faith, declined to detail the group’s plans, because she said the organization is planning an official rollout later in the month.
Nevertheless, according to a description of the group that came with the invitation to its fund-raiser tonight in which the suggested contribution is $1,000, the committee is hoping to reach out to “targeted religious communities that are key to electoral success for Senator Obama, including Catholics, moderate evangelicals, Hispanic Catholics and Protestants.”
In case you’re wondering, the name of the project comes from the 25th chapter of the Biblical book of Matthew, quoting Jesus: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
The point, of course, is to expand the definition of what constitutes a “religious issue” beyond just gays and abortion, to include matters like poverty, the environment, social justice, and AIDS/HIV.
Are these efforts going to pay off? It’s too soon to say with any certainty, but I couldn’t help but notice that David Brody, the national correspondent for Pat Robertson’s network, noted Obama’s meeting with religious leaders and wrote, “Folks, this is an important development. It shows that the game has changed. Old rules don’t apply. We’re in uncharted territory.”
And noting the Vanderslice project, Brody added that the discussion over “faith and values” is “not JUST Republican territory anymore.”
Stay tuned.
Religion does not belong in politics. That's a change I'd like to see happen.
Ralph Reed neocon wannabe talking head....Jack Abramoff's troll tries to be smart....not sure why he gets any love anymore....they hoped he would be a neocon darling didn't pan out.....why hypocrite
Last time I checked, couldn't the Republican candidate count on 85%, or better, of the evangelical vote?
Ya, enough with the preachers. TD Jakes is a scam artist.
abarts @ 1:
because we don't want it in politics that's right where it's going to stay......i'm totally agaainst it ....we both know it's used to divide and conquer
gee whiz....another "evangelical" wind-up toy is shooting his mouth off again.
NOW do you folks understand why there's a "separation of CHURCH and STATE"?
Remember when Obama and best selling author and pastor Rick Warren got together for a summit on AIDS and the evangelicals were all upset?
I do believe that is the narrative spun by the propagandists at FUX News but not at all what real people who go to church are thinking.
The spinners will come on and gasp "But he's so pro-abortion!" to which all but the most fervent will say "Yea, but we got other issues more important to worry about than that" and they will vote that way in November
"Stewart noted, “There’s talk that 40% of evangelicals will go with the Democrat [on Election Day]. When did the evangelicals lose their values?” Reed responded, “I don’t think that’s supported by the polling data. I think if you look at most of the general-election polls, McCain’s getting about 60 to 65 percent of the evangelical vote.”"
I knew they'd turned their backs on science; when did they renounce basic math as well? Sheesh!
This religious stuff is a very bad thing.
What else will BO do that is just like the repukes?
This really creeps me out.
Shouldn't Ralph Reed and Jack Abramoff be having their Hershey Highways' traveled in a prison cell somewhere? Why is it if we, the average Joe, were to commit fraction of the crimes they commit we'd be up the river, yet the crooked conservative "law and order" elite crowd get off scot free for their crimes and once more get to peddle their million dollar book deals on national tee vee?
There really are 2 Americas.
abarts @ 1:
Yes it does, to serve it's purpose, which is to keep the bilnd faithful lead around by their noses so they will vote in the interests of crooked conservative religious charlatans like Reed and against their own best interests.
We got to separate the church and the state.
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
...first we will have to ween you off Hillary so you won't vote for McCain:)
the is nothing wrong with reminding the ministers that social justice, compassion and progressive politics go together with religious values rather better than trickle down economics, hatred and bigotry...
i ask all fellow christians: which candidate, obama or mccain, conducts his life in a manner consistent w/ the teachings of christ?
who bombed innocent civilians, without remorse, in vietnam? who left his first wife after she became crippled for a barbie doll beer heiress 25 years her junior?
how many wars did jesus endorse in his lifetime? how many preemptive wars of aggression did jesus endorse in his lifetime?
was jesus a fan of the roman empire?
how did jesus feel about state-sponsored torture?
a story was circulating recently that kmiec -- a devout catholic -- was denied communion because of his political support for obama.
i ask all fellow evangelical christians, what is the spiritual consequence for misrepresenting our savior's true message?
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
Agreed. I look on this with a lot of reservation because of some of the names involved. However, if they really are serious about the meaning of Matthew 25 and want to look at issues such as "poverty, the environment, social justice, and AIDS/HIV". then isn't this something we could ALL get behind, no matter what your views on religion may be? It is where we should be looking.
But, as I said, the names involved make me worry. Brody, Cizik and Jakes are not to be trusted. The only way this could benefit anyone is if personal agendas are left off the table and these three are not known to travel that road.
Ralph Reed. Yuck. What a smarmy nutjob. I hate it when republicans act like know-it-alls when they've effectively screwed themselves and the entire GOP with they're lack of good judgement the last several years. Imagining a 15 year old repug Ralph Reed kind of makes my stomach ache.
bullfrog @ 17:
God's wrath. Which is why the "real" Christians evangelize through the way they lead their lives and their deeds, not words. Words will get you in trouble every time.
As the saying goes, it is easy to talk the talk but just try to walk the walk.
i ask all fellow evangelical christians, how can you be certain God's plan isn't for barack hussein obama to help facillitate world peace, and help the islamic world understand the true message of christ?
Gretchen @ 20:
You see all the hell the red states have gone through the past several years...floods, heat, drought, tornados, hurricanes...I wonder what message Hagee, Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell would think God is trying to send to conservatives?
Ralph Reed scares me.
Gretchen @ 20:
we'll, i'm a tryin', myself, although it's baby steps, and i keep stumblin' along the way...
He wrote the first chapter at 15? Bulls**t!!!! I spent the rest of this clip yelling at my laptop, "you lying piece of s**t!" I am more angry at his thought that we would believe that than at his politics and opinions. He thinks so little of our intelligence that we would believe that load of horse crap. I am insulted. He would sell out his religion in a second if it got him some political influence. He is a whore. I'm also disappointed that Stewart was so gracious to him. Stewart should have destroyed him and his hypocrisy.
"Reaching out to the faith community is a priority for Barack Obama and will be a priority under an Obama Administration."
And his should make me happy?
Christians? To the Lions.
McCain getting 60% is actually quite a BIT different from Obama getting 40% in the world of faith-based mathematics! I love it. But now you can see why these same people are convinced that lowering taxes for the rich will always result in generating jobs for the poor, and how a 16% loss of re-enlistments combined with a 16% increase in enlistments results in a 16% loss of soldiers under the Webb GI bill, or how the tax cuts of Bush are in no way related to the ballooning deficit. Arithmetic is for ELITISTS!
Did Ralph Reed say that African-Americans vote for liberals because of affirmative action and welfare?
bullfrog @ 21:
You can't presume to know what God's plan may be. The job of a Christian is to live their personal lives according to the Word, help those who are in need, and when you do your duty as an American and vote you should do that for the candidate who you feel can lead all people in this country to the best of their ability. Period.
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
Not going to happen. Its the Audacity of Christianity. Faith based BS will thrive under Obama. It'll just be the Creflo Dollars instead of John Hagees that benefit
Ezekiel 25:17 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmvnXKRfdb8
Is that Ralph in the chair?
bullfrog @ 24:
As do I brother! The most important thing is to try, not just say. Something which seems to have become lost on Hagee's minions.
susan g @ 14:
right on.
Gretchen @ 29:
"God's Plan"? "The job of a Christian..." ?
Jesus Christ, how can you both be that gullible?
Put that SOB on a farewell tour of the Indian reservations and, if he survives it, march his ass off to prison. Bush is protecting that little prick from prosecution. It's outrageous that the Daily Show would give a weasel the time of day. I hope Bubba makes him squeal like a pig. I doubt God approves of Reed's use of religion as a bribery tool to extort money from the Indian casinos.
Ralph Reed is a shiver looking for a spine to crawl up!
I'm sorry But there is no god. It's all BS. Of course it is your right to believe . And it is my right to not. I hear people talking about Gods wrath, OK Lets look at that, Earthquakes in China, nope, Godless commies. Cyclone in Burma, nope, Godless junta(commies)
Katrina, nope, Godless gays. Iraq, nope, Godless Muslims. Palistine and Lebanon, nope, Darfur,nope. Rawanda.Or how about right here in the US, cops killin people with tazers( and you know there are more incidents)nope. Tornados, Floods and this is here in America. And we all know God is an American. Sorry, but this God BS is just that BS. If there is a God, he needs to show up and get busy.
And I didn't even go into history
the last thing i want to hear from obamas any of that religous shit!
I have for many years been uncomfortable with anyone who demonstrates a strong religious faith. And any politician evoking religion made me cringe. Then, while reading various things on Obama's site I stumbled across this transcript of an Obama speech on faith given in 2006. It remains the most intelligent discussion of the subject of faith and politics that I've ever read. It changed how I viewed things. I still am wary of zealots and want to keep the church and state legally separate, but I have a bit more understanding of and tolerance for genuine expressions of faith being discussed in a political contest.
I think that Obama is doing the right thing to reach out to the evangelicals and point out the commonalities between their professed beliefs and the democratic ideals.
Johnny2Bad @ 30:
WAFA U R
tyree @ 38:
isn't that ralph reed?
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory @ 40:
Love....you.
God, people give/gave THIS guy money?
Some people in this country just can't be reached.
'Reaching out to evangelicals'?
For what reason? To promise them something you can't/won't deliver?
I'm all for 'reaching out', but I'm confused. I just don't understand what he's going to tell these people that will change their minds?
Is it to say 'Hey, I'm not as bad as you might think?'
???
susan g @ 14:
Exactly. Although, Obama is speaking to the faith voters. He's probably been reading George Lakoff at the Rockridge Institute, which has written extensively about how the GOP and Democrats use language.
QUALAR @ 35:
i was trying to figure whay Jon Stewart gave that shit the time of day.
Well Reed and his fellow Christians will be busy with souplines if the current trends continue. We are facing anihilation. Onward Christian Soldier!
John Stewart stop having these morons on your show, you don't need them...reagan killed the Fairness Act in 84ish, so stop it, my vomit bucket is full!
tyree @ 38:
Get ready for it, it's coming.
Pericles @ 27:
the number for Obama were improving.
Religion is a scam to separate people from their money. And when they get enough money bundled together, They buy political influence.
nope, I want no part of it. Of course some of these organizations do some decent stuff. But the monies they allot are a paltry amount compared to what they bring in. uh huh.
I think the religious types are trying to sabotage Obama.
and why is Stewart so ready to pull them off the curb?
crazylikeafox @ 49:
Yep and he either actually believes it or he's simply using it to get elected.
Either way its troubling.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory @ 52:
Huh?? Obama is a "religious type". What don't you get about that?
What is it with these politicians? All of them pander to some kind of religious group or another. Man, I hope Obama doesn't go down that road. Cause then they think he owes them. And they will want something in return.
John in New Mexico @ 36:
I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but DAMN, you nailed it!!
Johnny2Bad @ 53:
I'd rather have him play them to get elected than to be a bible thumper.
[ Deleted, Flame Baiting. And name calling. Site Monitor]
[ You know what, If you're going to post innuendo like that. At least provide a link to your position.
Otherwise it's just Flame Baiting. Deleted. Site Monitor.]
Hi Kristin,
"Our law is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition."
Above quote from Obama speech. I find this bit much to stomach. Our constitution and declaration of independence really owe more to the enlightenment and the development of reason than the divisive message of judeo-christian tradition. MLK also used religious rhetoric but his message was grounded in the reality of the system that institutionalized racism, mysogny and the rule of the rich. Of course MLK was not a pragmatic politician.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Some of you sound like you would throw someone who held this belief under a bus just because they identified themselves as part of a religious community.
So do Catholics go under the front wheels? Jews under the back ones? What about Buddhists? Muslims?
mudshark @ 57:
Aren't there also liberal evangelicals and people of faith? I remember quite a few publicly condemning Bush for the war on Iraq and many of his policies. I don't believe Obama is trying to play anyone. He's just trying to get their votes. Why shouldn't he?
Weirdest...Thread....Ever
Is it a full moon this evening?
Ruthless People @ 22:
They blame the blue states and the blue cities for the woes heaped upon the red states,
proves beyond doubt that Falwell , Robertson and their ilk are deluded and whacked out on hillybilly heroin 24/7.
Gretchen @ 29:
agreed. it was something of a rhetorical question.
mudshark @ 55:
Too late.
What a little weasel, a real turd in the punch bowl, this is such a stupid asinine fool. If this guy could make a buck he would do or say anything! Just your typical republican!
mudshark @ 57:
More like a playful bible rubber...being wary of a holy christian condom nation... They might not appreciate being rube'd for their raptures, which could be a problem for him some time after his erection...
;-}
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
T.D. Jakes is a raving lunatic and a hateful bigot on a par with Fred Phelps. What on God's green earth could be the benefit of talking with or meeting with that psychopath? Thinking that T.D. Jakes will ever change his tune is like expecting Adolph Hitler to convert to Judaism. Some people are JUST PLAIN EVIL.
gna
Does it change something? Does the fact that someone is evangelical change something? I'm not sure. But I know for sure, that all politicians WITHOUT EXCEPTION are liars.
Does it change something? Does the fact that someone is evangelical change something? I'm not sure. But I know for sure, that all politicians WITHOUT EXCEPTION are liars.
I'm just sick and tired of religion influencing my Govt. I could care less what people believe in private. Or what they do in private.
But keep your fricken hands off of my Govt.
Dr. (terrorist fist jab) Matt @ 63:
"You lookin' at me? Youuuu lookin' at ME?"
My fear is that no one can court the evangelical vote AND be for choice and for gay rights.
Are gays and a woman's right to choose going to be thrown under the bus, or at least compromised, in order to pander to the evangelicals?
That's not a trade that I'm willing to make!
The religious nuts have already destroyed the Republican Party so why on earth would we want to court them to join ours? They are a cancer that seeks to destroy anything and anyone that doesn't support their pro-religion, anti-Choice and anti-gay policies.
Proud2bHumble @ 73:
Hey that must be your good side!
Buns Up!
Kevin Foster @ 70:
Fred Phelps is the thing that divides the fundies from the Repug flag waving patriots,
Phelps is the visible logical end result of fundie thinking, and a possible end to entrenched religions in the US.
The WBC needs more publicity and to be on TV every day, it shows up religion for what it really is.
i don't fault obama for reaching out to these people. it shows he want to be president for all americans.
Faith and values. Just a term someone coined to push a particular agenda.
Yeah, show me these "Values"
We need Youtube videos of Fred Phelps and John McCain interleaved, unified in their glory.
I've had enough.
Good Night people,be well.
To me Jesus' teachings ARE political, by their very nature.
In Matthew 25 he teaches us how to live as individuals and how to live as a society.
And that's precisely what "politics" means: "the way we run our society."
The churches - Unitarian and Quaker as well as the Black Baptist - played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement.
I'd like to see all the churches play a similar role in coping with population explosion, starvation, global climate disruption, environmental degradation and dismantling the global military-industrial complex.
If they - the churches - behave as they did during the Civil Rights Movement they would both respect the separation of church and state and fulfill their commitment to the teachings of Jesus as put forth on the Sermon on the Mount.
mudshark @ 72:
"You don't put your religion in my government, and I won't homofornicate underage farm animals in your church. otherwise..."
There, that should stop 'em.
;-}
fastfeat @ 43:
Took you THAT LONG, did it?
mudshark @ 75:
You gnome too well :)
tr @ 77:
Agreed. Seems odd to expect diplomacy with respect to the rest of the world yet reject it in our own back yard.
I liked his line "Sometimes fiction is the best vehicle."
Reminds me of one of my favorite Okkervil River songs, "Unless It's Kicks."
"What gives this mess some grace
Unless its fiction
Unless it's licks man
Unless its sweat or it's songs..."
"...What gives this mess some grace unless it's fictions
Unless it's licks, man
Unless it's lies or it's love."
Now I'm off to a joint and some Battlestar Galactica.
I am an evangelical church board member for Obama.
Ruthless People @ 10:
This little fucker comes across as a baby-faced choir-boy, when he is really one of the most evil scumbag mother-fuckers on the planet.
Someday, this parasite will be head of a multi-million dollar evangelical church again, sucking the life and money out of a bunch of brain-dead southern baptists. The same idiots who go balistic if their taxes are raised $100 for the public good, or the local school district. I can't stomach these assholes anymore.
Let the evangelicals stay home. I for one don't want their vote. These neanderthals have no place in politics!
i just wanna know how many gay sex scenes there are in the book
and sure, he mapped out a book about an african american running for prez based on eugene mccarthy.....horseshit
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
Obama on Church and State
What was disconcerting to me, as someone who had never heard of Ralph Reed, was the fact that I was listening to this young charming man with a sense of humor and just had one scoobydoo moment after another. Then afterward I felt like a stooge standing there with a bottle of snake oil I don't remember buying.
He kept smiling and talking BS ever so naturally!
Head scratch #1: isn't 100 minus 40, 60? Or minus 60, 40? does this property still work in math?
Head scratch #2: did he really outline this book at the age of 15? Is that even possible? Oh, he didn't make the basketball team, ok. maybe. He was probably trying really hard to keep the abstinence thing going, so maybe he sublimated all his hormones into this outline?? At age 15. wow, what a smart guy!
Head scratch #3: did he just say not all black people are going to vote for a #########, that they are willing to vote for a white man who shares their values? Like they've had the chance to elect a black president before now? Huh?
Wow, what a smart guy. Keep smiling dude. Work it.
Kevin Foster @ 70:
Can you explain your position?
I've heard TD Jakes preach a few times and I never heard any bigotry.. at least that I recognized.
Matthew 25:40
What you have given to the least of these my bretheren, you have given unto me.
It's really that simple folks. Thbe problem is hucksters and shysters prostitute the message. So the message gets lost in the vitriol against the false prophets.
Some people devote their entire lives to helping others, and they do so on faith
Leslie [Hussein] @ 45:
what obama is doing is not simply "using language better," he is changing the actual conversation. there's a youtube clip of a speech obama gave after the initial rev wright flap, i believe, where he discusses at some length his views of religion in america, what is appropriate and what is not. i was impressed.
MountainMan23 @ 81:
Sombody say AMEN.
Amen and Amen.
well, duh, dewces @ 93 above is providing the link to the obama youtube i was referring to.
Mike Mid City @ 88:
Really, or are you being sarcastic. How do you feel having people like Ralph Reed speak for evangelicals? And does your church advocate tolerance for other religions? Just curious.
Obama can be the daddy these people need to look up to. He makes the same kinds of noises they are conditioned to defer to. They can be useful idiots for better purposes than rationalizing fear and unthinking prejudice.
I love Jon S. but this interview failed to mention that Reed was up to his backside in the scandal with Abramoff...WTF? Ralph should not be allowed to babble, laugh, and shill for his book as if he is properly part of polite company.
"Some of you sound like you would throw someone who held this belief under a bus just because they identified themselves as part of a religious community."
Throw grandpa down the stairs his shoes.
Jon missed an opportunity to ask Ralph if there's any hot sex in his novel.
I do not understand why anyone would feature Ralph Reed in any capacity. Reed was linked to James Kopp - the nutcase who murdered Dr. Bernard Slepian. Kopp belonged to Reeds anti-abortion activist group (the so-called Christian Coalition). They had attended the same protests and rallies. Though a substantive connection was never proven - Kopp did cite Reed’s denunciations of Slepian as a direct influence. That to me is more than enough to earn Reed a paid trip to anonymity central.
But no. He's trotted out and featured by progressive pundits as some kind of expert on religion and the far right. I have to say I am very disappointed in Stewart here. He should know better. Its bad enough Reed is employed by Fox affiliates who could care less about his checkered past. But to feature him on "The Daily Show"....it lends Reed a credence he just doesn’t deserve. What on earth was Stewart thinking?
i dont care what Damn-nimination that they talk to..... McCain is a loser choice for them... they would all be better served to stay at home--- as he is not really believing in their values--- just sucking up for votes....... he'd fuck an albino puppy if he thought that would get him into the white house.
I'd say it means something, especially considering McCain is so scared of even mentioning religion. I also think evangelicals can't all be painted in such a broad brush like they are. It's truly uncharted territory any way you slice it. The democrat seems more into religion then the republican. I'm no longer someone who believes much anymore, but I respect Obama for doing this. For one, he won't use it as something to divide people, which repugs do all the time.
Ralph ReeDD is another red blooded corrupt republican.
Why is this Crooks still running around.......free? HE SHOULD BE hand-cuff along with his buddy TOM DELAY
YEAH point the cameras at ALL the REPUBLICAN CROOKS and LIARS to remind AMERICA why WE ARE IN THE MESS WE ARE IN TODAY.
Leslie [Hussein] @ 62:
"Trying to get their votes"? Not "playing" them.
Ok. Yeah. Uh huh.
I'm waiting for someone to found the Matthew 6 Foundation, to convince people to stop beating folks in the face with overt expressions of religious faith.
Do good deeds, and don't send out press releases telling every one about how great you are, says Jesus, right there in black and white in the Bible its own bad self. Oh, and don't go praying in public, either; do it in private where you won't annoy the neighbors (as a bonus, he then goes on to include that whole "Our Father, which art in Heaven..." bit as a handy prayer template).
Bang! Right there, the "Matthew Six Foundation" would eliminate the school prayer issue, make American Christianity at least 85% less annoying, and maybe, just maybe, refocus Christians on practicing, you know, Christianity, as opposed to the religious equivalent of Security Theater.
To all the people who seem surprised or upset that Obama's reaching out to evangelicals... where have you been??? He's been doing that from the beginning of his campaign. (Click my name for a Salon.com article about his appearance at a conference at Saddleback Church, organized by Rick "Purpose-Driven Life" Warren.) And he's absolutely right to reach out to these communities.
In the media, the evangelical movement has been represented charismatic figures who have allied themselves with the right and used the language of fear and hatred. But it's profoundly small-minded to write off all Christians and all evangelicals because of this. Certainly, there are many evangelicals who have grown deeply suspicious of the Republican party and feel like they've been used and taken for granted. One of the many whistle-blowers from inside the Bush Administration was David Kuo -- the former 2nd in command in the Office of Faith Based Initiatives, who talked to 60 Minutes and other outlets about how Bush & Co. repeatedly betrayed and disappointed the evangelical Christians who helped put them in office. If even a fraction of evangelicals see through the scummy facade of opportunists like Ralph Reed, it could shift the tide.
Obama is pointing out that there is another side to Christianity -- one that is about mercy, tolerance, love and charity.
Not all Christians are angry gay-bashing extremists... just as not all white Southerners are inbred, racist rednecks. It's deeply disappointing to see these stereotypes resurface again and again on a board that is supposed to represent progressive, liberal, and open-minded points of view.
It's always seemed strange to me that evangelicals, i.e.:a variety of christian, would feel any particular affinity for republicans. There isn't much in the new testament coming from Jesus that reflects anything resembling the current dogma of republicanism.
The old testament is of course a very republican document: lots of punishment and self-justification. Find me a christian who hates blended fabrics and shellfish as much as they hate homosexuals and I'll congratulate him on his consistency, if nothing else. Rules are rules, after all.
Politics and religion are best kept separate in America, but that's not the way things are now. Obama is wise to court them as long as he doesn't give way on fundamental democratic issues -- and the real christian values of compassion and justice we share.
abarts @ 1:
Tell that to Dr. King.
BC
wow stewart did an amazing job ,as usual, at pointing out the false and misguided talking points and reed had no clue. too funny on so many levels.
"One doesn’t need polling data to reach this conclusion, just arithmetic."
Indeed. Another instance of evidence for something we already knew: Ralph Reed is one of the dimmest people regularly given airtime on television. It's a little embarrassing the Daily Show even had him on, and it's even more embarrassing that Jon didn't call him on his error. In a wide range of moronic talking heads, Reed consistently outperforms his rivals in his inability to think his way out a paper bag. How this man got his doctorate baffles me.
I like how NO ONE applauded for Ralph Reed.
Another gay, faux born-again hypocrite from the religious (not) right (never)!
I saw this fuckin asshole on some tv interview YEARS ago...he was talkin about their PAC and lobbyists in DC....I was thinkin that he was bad back then...now he's popping up with ties to Abramoff....wonderful.
Why is Stewart even having this criminal on his show?
Christianity to the Pat Robertson network certainly would be uncharted territory.
Gretchen @ 20:
Gods wrath huh?
I wonder what these 4 kids did to receive Gods wrath
Apparently not only is Spelling hard for the right but so is Math!
pluky @ 3:
That was yesterday. Check again today. Tomorrow will be even better.
Bullwinkle "Bitter Hussein" Moose @ 8:
Math has a well known liberal bias.
why isn't Ralph Reed in prison?
And... I don't care what he thinks or what he has to say. He has proved himself morally bankrupt and a liar. Those kind of people are not trust worthy and why was he on the Daily Show to begin with. People like him are best ignored.
How about a Matthew 6:5 orginization? (You know, to keep me from having to read sappy poems about footprints)
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full"
bullfrog @ 17:
The who what now?
Lets not forget the holy highway.
I 35
ALD @ 48:
I agree. You know these kiss-ass, creepy, crawl-across-cut-glass-to-make-a-buck, panty wastes will go on any teevee show. When I watched this, I got shivers on the back of my neck everytime this phony pretended like he actually likes and gets Stewart's humor. Didn't watch the clip here, can't take it a second time, but if it doesn't include a little segment where this asshat crinkles up his wittle nose, and giggles like a cretin, just let me say you've been spared. It was disgusting, uncomfortable to watch, and just the typical, creepy, makes-you-feel-unclean, rah-rah for the republickkkons bullshit.
Amazing, that these castaways can peddle their boring, craptastic "books" while actually looking the camera in th eye..........in Reed's case, very squinty, pinched, nervous eyes. God, who would want to read this piece of shit fiction????? There isn't enough real tragedy to go around rignt now????
Damn, I'm getting disgusted all over again.
Can't get this vid to work is it only available to US residents only? Or what video player is it using?
Shouldn't he be in jail with Abramoff?
Bullwinkle "Bitter Hussein" Moose @ 8:
It was when they discovered that we use Arabic numerals.
grumpybump @ 9:
It could be a very uplifting experience if these sheeple actually wake up and walk the talk of Matt.25.
I fully insist on restoring separation of church and state, but at the same time, try every day to walk my talk. I am not into organized religion anymore, after having a full dose of nuns, and church twice a week in my up bringing.
It would be a nice shift in atmosphere in this country if people took the log out of their eye, and just tried to live by good deeds, being the change by living the change they wanted.........you know, like a more peaceful exsistence, as opposed to hating others who believe differently than you in spirtual terms. It would be a change for the better if harsh judgment, distrust, fear and panic were out, and recognizing all as our brothers and sisters was in.
I'm all for making a better way happen.............so IMHO, it is a smart thing to do, and hopefully it is a sincere embracing of all. That's the only way the level of consciousness is going to be elevated on a political level. So I view it as leadership, and unity.
HOWEVER......... separation of church and state is a MUST. RESTORE OUR CONSTITUTION, and let's all live together under mutual respect. Now that's a risk that most may be willing to take.
Gretchen @ 20:
I always point my Father out for these examples. He led his life, followed his Faith, only told you about it if you asked. He was a gentle, sweet man who helped people when they needed it.
I did see a local Baptist church the other day on my way home with two signs out front, "We Don't Believe In Torture" and "Yes, We Are Liberal." I almost ran off the road. Good for them!
Well, this post is about a foolish as the 10 minutes Rachel Maddow (girl what happened to you?) did on her AAR show last evening...even I could see it's all about Reid doing the REPUG FRAMING THINGY...not worth the time to write/talk/comment about it! YEGODS!!!
The freethinking evangelicals I know do NOT support GWB
(whose policies are pretty much contrary to everything Christ taught)
and will NOT be voting for McCain.
I think they need to differentiate between "evangelicals" and "mindless churchgoers."
abarts @ 1:
I was going to say that but saw you were 'Frist!' ...
BrokenArrow @ 133:
Awesome! Broken Arrow! I'm with ya!
abarts @ 1:
Religion doesn't belong on this planet. Reason and intellectual honesty forbid it.
It is really a pathetic reflection on the Human Race, and Americans, that our politics is guided in any way by fantasy-peddling nutjobs. Religion is a massive hoax and has no place in government.
The following is a list of 12 questions that I use to test the intelligence of atheists and the resolve of agnostics.
1. Acknowledging that religious faith can neither be qualified nor quantified, is “G/god exists” a conjecture?
2. If I were to provide a live stork and a live baby, which notion would have more scientific credibility, “Storks deliver babies” or “G/god exists?”
3. Which religions are not based on any form of spiritual conjecture (G/god exists, humans have souls)?
4. Under what circumstances is it reasonable or beneficial to utilize spiritual conjecture as a validation for political applications?
5. Under what circumstances is it reasonable or beneficial to utilize spiritual conjecture as a validation for economical applications?
6. Under what circumstances is it reasonable or beneficial to utilize spiritual conjecture as a validation for social applications?
7. Which religions do not offer posthumous rewards for social obedience and loyalty to the religion?
8. If politics are the social and economic philosophies through which resources and power are distributed to the people, where should you expect someone who validates any social application with spiritual conjecture to draw the line and not apply the same spiritual conjecture to political philosophies?
9. Is it more or less beneficial to society to utilize presumed spiritual conjecture as a validation for beneficial social application than it is to utilize research and understanding as a validation for the same beneficial social application?
10. Under what circumstances has a person who bases multiple conclusions, specifically those designed for social and political application, on absolute conjecture not earned the title of crackpot?
11. If someone validates “love, cherish and help thy neighbor” with a spiritual conjecture and goes unchallenged, should they be expected to draw the line, on a purely spiritual level, and not validate “harm, abuse and kill thy neighbor” with the exact same spiritual conjecture?
12. Why are you not against religion?
Martin Luther, eat your heart out.
Hopefully the manipulative fear-mongers like Max Blumenthal and Jeff Sharlet (and sycophants who lap up their every word without question) will 'get the memo' on this and realize they are actually hurting Obama's chances with their despicable anti-christian bigotry.
ALD @ 48:
I love John, but he doesn't need to let these slime balls on to sell their books. He's got loads of people who want to appear on his show. He needs to be just a bit more selective. People like Ralph Reed aren't Christians by any definition of the word. How did he come out so clean after the Abramoff scandal. Shouldn't he be in jail as well?
Ralph Reed is a sick twisted vile creep and if he's a Christian then Bill Clinton is half way to Sainthood.
I'm amazed that Colbert can stand to be in the same room with someone who has done Colbert's religion such a disservice.
mudshark @ 78:
Normally people with such values are living them, not preaching them or practicing hatred and divisiveness. There are some truly good people out there doing unrecognized and thankless, but meaningful, work. These people are not among them. We cannot stereotype all people who practice Christianity (true Christianity) with those who practice power-mongering. It is the same as what the word liberal has become, just another dirty word the MSM utter to get a negative point across. Latte liberal, limosine liberal, crazy liberal.
peaceful easy feeling @ 142:
Get it through your thick empty skull. Holding all philosophies to the same level of scrutiny is NOT bigotry.
Its not Max's or Jeff's or any rational person's fault that Christianity is based entirely on bullshit.
BrokenArrow @ 129:
Who would buy these books? The same people who lived and breathed those horrible end of times books.
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