Hey Brody File readers. I received hundreds of emails regarding the Obama and the Cross story. (Thanks to the Drudge Report!)
Anyhow, here's a representative sampling of what people are saying. More on the Obama cross flyer here.
From Eleta:
The very fact that "you won't see flyers like this" in San Francisco and New York defines Barack and his religion. He uses it as a crutch where he thinks it will get votes for him and ignores it where it won't help. If he were a true Christian, he wouldn't USE faith like this and discard it when not needed. That tells me as much about his character as his associations with Rev. Wright and others do.
From E.R. :
Maybe Obama is trying to put to rest, once and for all, the rumors that he is a "Muslim." May have nothing to do with "evangelicals." How ludicrous was it that people in West Virginia actually believe that?
From Kevin:
I believe Evangelicals will quickly recall Obama's 'Spiritual Mentor' and with that, dismiss any 'Jesus' talk he throws out there.
From Anonymous:
How can anyone be a follower of Jesus and vote for Obama. He had a hard time putting his hand over his heart when the flag was displayed and yet we want to elect him to be the president of our country. He is still a practicing Muslim. He has been seen wearing the Muslim headdress. Maybe he just has a lot of people fooled. Didn't he change his name to a Muslim name? He also was raised in the Muslim faith.
From Dustin:
I applaud his effort ,however, this is very hypocritical. How can someone say they are a true born-again, Bible believing Christian yet support abortion and homosexual rights. This is seriously just a scam for him to pull the Christian vote so that he wins.
From Wayne:
Some Christians will vote with conviction while others use their emotion. We will answer to God Himself for our life - including our votes - but the outcome of this election has already been decided by God Himself. We read in the Bible that things will get a lot worse before Christ's return and if I am viewing the political scene correctly regardless of who wins this next Presidential election, this prophecy will be fulfilled. Said in other words, humanly speakng we are in a lose-lose-lose situation while on the other hand spirituality speaking, we are in a win-win-win situation.
From Dean:
Senator Obama can and will get evangelical voters. But don't you think this flyer is also meant to counter the rumor that he is Muslim?
From David:
Expect young evangelicals, pro-peace (as opposed to pro-war) evangelicals, and pro-environment evangelicals to flock to Obama in November. Moreover, he will compete for mainstream evangelical votes as well. My aunt is a 70-year-old evangelical who originally supported Romney and liked Huckabee, but will vote for Obama over McCain. Barack Obama's "conversion experience" as well as his redemptive message of love and hope best reflect Christ's message and essence in my view. Of course, I am Jewish so I'm hardly an expert on such things, but believe all but the most dour culturally conservative evangelicals would rule out voting for Obama.
From Marie:
I'm an Obama supporter, but I am disheartened by this PANDERING to Evangelicals. I feel strongly that religion should be kept separate from politics & I was really dismayed when Bush & Lieberman pushed it to the forefront of the political conversation in 2000. I know we always subject our candidates to a de facto religious test, but that doesn't make it right.
From Paul:
Just one comment: Obama will have to convince me that he's really not pro-choice - and even worse, pro-infanticide. As long as he stays on that side of the abortion fence, there's no way I can vote for him, and I can't see the evangelical block going his way, either -conservative, liberal, or otherwise. Abortion is just too important an issue to believers - or, at least, I certainly hope it is.
From Michael:
If voters cannot see through his conversion experience to his voting record, then someone has to keep pointing out his record on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and school vouchers. His record is anything but supportive of Christian principles.
From Pete:
As a charismatic, Pentecostal Christian, I will say this- the Evangelicals do not own the only way to talk about relationship to God , and they need to recognize this. Nor, do they have the only way or the best way to express faith for each individual. Evangelicals need to broaden their perspective, and they may need grant that there other legitimate expressions of faith that are not heresies. That would be a good start for them. If they did, then they would be free from voting just the wedge issues to be presented every year by Republicans. While Evangelicals and Pentecostals share their abhorrence of abortion, gay marriage, and other social concerns, these are not the prime issues in this campaign, and indeed have not been for several years now. People, including Evangelicals, need to be freed up to vote for policies and issues that directly affect them-- the economy, opportunity, medical care, high costs of everything, etc., etc. This country has been taken over by special interests and corporations, and that trend needs to be reversed.
I hope Obama keeps his faith in the forefront. Perhaps they will keep right wing radicals from falsely accusing him of everything under the sun with respect to his faith and belief. And, perhaps conservative (religious conservatives) Christian people will consider all the issues -- not just wedge issues.
From Barry:
I understand where you're coming from that Obama can "speak the language" of Christianese and possibly entice some believers to his side. However, I'd like to point out that according to I Corinthians 5 the church, that is the Body of Christ, has every right to judge him as a "fellow believer" for his stand on infanticide, abortion, gay rights, etc. If he ever claimed to be Muslim, or Buddhist, or even atheist, then the church would have no right to admonish him. But as it stands, he claims to be Christian; therefore the Body can correct him using I Cor. 5 or excommunicate him if he refuses. I just wonder if anyone will take up the challenge.
From Adam:
Faith has been a big part of Sen. Obama's life since he found the Lord. And he's not been shy about discussing it, much to the chagrin of some factions of the Democratic party. The flyer that you showed in your report has actually been circulating throughout the campaign, just with different states listed. I thank you for taking the time to highlight Sen. Obama's faith. I think that you're analysis is right on the money. Obama can win over enough faith-voters to put states like Georgia, with a large African American population in play.
From Bill:
I agree that Obama will win some Evangelists. Modern Christianity does not understand the importance of freedom in the Christian message, and believes the semi-socialism of the welfare state is consistent with Christianity.
From Chuck:
Mr. Obama's actions speak louder than words. 20 years of attendance at a church where the pastor spews anti US venom and then claims ignorance doesn't work. So far, Mr. Obama has characterized me as atypical bitter white person, clinging to my guns and religion. His pastor insults my country, his wife insults my country and he thinks a flyer with a cross on it is going to win me over? Did I mention that he has been rated as the most liberal senator? He is as pro-abortion as you can get. How would a Christian rationalize a vote for Mr. Obama? I don't get it. Rhetoric and emotion aren't going to cut it.