On Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama tried to make the case to an African-American audience that Jesus Christ was a community organizer, like her husband. Speaking at a conference of the AME church in Nashville, Ms. Obama was attempting to increase the volunteer effort for her husband’s Presidential campaign.
During her remarks, Ms. Obama stated:
“It’s kind of like church. Our faith journey isn’t just about showing up on Sunday for a good sermon and good music and a good meal. It’s about what we do Monday through Saturday as well, especially in those quiet moments, when the spotlight’s not on us, and we’re making those daily choices about how to live our lives.
“We see that in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn’t limit his ministry to the four walls of the church,” she said. “He was out there fighting injustice and speaking truth to power every single day. He was out there spreading a message of grace and redemption to the least, the last, and the lost. And our charge is to find Him everywhere, every day by how we live our lives.”
Obama added, “…(citizenship is) not a once-a-week kind of deal. Democracy is also an everyday activity. And being an engaged citizen should once again be a daily part of our lives… (This involves) the tireless, the thankless, relentless work of making change, you know, the phone-calling, letter-writing, door-knocking, meeting-planning kind of work.”
Since entering the White House, Ms. Obama has rarely attended church. However, this campaign strategy seems geared to increase enthusiasm for her husband, who has done little or nothing for this, his most loyal constituency. Unemployment is much higher among African-Americans than in any other demographic group, which places many of them in perilous economic straits. It is obvious that without a large turnout by African-Americans in November, his likelihood of winning many Rust Belt states will be measurably reduced.
Following her Nashville appearance, Ms. Obama then went to Memphis, where she tried to raise money from a number of Democratic wealthy individuals.
June 30th, 2012 at 9:15 am
What is the controversial part of what she said exactly?
June 30th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Nothing Whatsoever . . . . . Me
Check Out her Dyke Girlfrind just to the right
of her ample hip.
June 30th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Why do these women seem to be so Obsessed with
Caucasian Hair ?
OH ! The Torturous Chemical Treatments.
The Grave Ecological Implications
The Self-Loathing witnessed by
Impressionable young Girls.
Is there some Deep-Seated Racism at work,
here ? . . . . . . . . Me ?
June 30th, 2012 at 10:00 am
They they go comparing the president to Jesus again. OMG these Obama’s are egomaniacs and liberals are too stupid to know it.
June 30th, 2012 at 11:43 am
How long does it take you to come with those “summary one-liners” McCain?
“Just another example of [XXXXXXXX]. Just goes to show that liberals are [XXXXXXXXX].”
You’re like the Far Right Color Man just popping in for some unsolicited, uninspired hackity hack wrap up that says nothing.
I bet you could write vapid fortune cookie messages. Would that be your first real job?
June 30th, 2012 at 11:46 am
I’ve been to Nashville many times.
Besides country music,the biggest industry is bible printing. Moo had to get her twang down to reach the crowd as the smell of greasy chicken and gravy waffled through the air.
Take Out Anyone?
LMAO
June 30th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Does that mean Jesus was funded by ACORN, too?
June 30th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Yes Jesus was a socialist funded by Acorn who wanted to steal from the rich and give it all to the poor so only a few people in society would actually have to work for a living. Liberal doctrine is in the bible, don’t you know.
June 30th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
esus was a community organizer “TOO” ?
Then I’ll assume Jerusalem established the first Planned Parenthood Center
Yeah, I live a community thats pretty organized itself.
But we’re not all supporting mob rule of the island. Or the Genocide of one people.
Jesus was of the belief to share “willingly” as opposed to force.
Me , you’re so much fun.
I’m gonna start nationwide distribution of fortune cookies that say “ME” sleep on the wet spot”
In dedication to “ME”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Gee3THtb8
June 30th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
“ME”
You’re like the Far Right Color Man just popping in for some unsolicited, uninspired hackity hack wrap up that says nothing..
Wrong idiot.
Your statement is a testament to you.
You blab more than anyone believing you’re astute but in the end we’re catatonic and glazed by some paradoxical pot meet kettle bullsht.
You’re the type of mind that thinks a sign on the road saying “Slow Children” means the hood is full of retards.
You’re the kinda fckin idiot I’d chew a hole thru if you were here.
Pi$$ of the Earth stuck on stupid thinking the whole world is obligated to understand you.
Try to understand others as opposed to expecting everyone to understand you.
It makes life so much more enjoyable.
Take it from someone who used to be just like you. I’m still a ass hole, just not a miserable one
June 30th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
It would not surprize me to see moonbats (SEIU/ACORN) wearing “WWOD” bracelets soon…
July 1st, 2012 at 4:42 am
Next thing ya know, Mooch-hell will say Jesus is just like Robin Hood, complete with a mask, a funny feathered hat and a bow and arrow set. Or how about Jesus being like the ‘Blind Sheikh’, Omar Abdel-Rahman. Another hero of the Obama family.
July 1st, 2012 at 7:10 am
Its hard to make a super hero out of a turd.
The cape keeps falling around its ankles
July 3rd, 2012 at 7:20 am
This is just another stanza to add to the new version/incarnation of Shelley’s classic poem:
Ozymandias-on-the-Potomac
Looking forward to a fitting, final “legacy” of two trunkless legs of stone standing alone in the blowing sands of November’s post-election results.
July 3rd, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Jesus raised the dead, made the blind see, cured the sick, and threw the tax collector out of the temple, barry should be shaking by now.
By the way, do the obamas go to church on a weekly basis? I don’t think so! What a crock of $hit! Anything to get re-elected!
July 4th, 2012 at 7:25 am
“By the way, do the obamas go to church on a weekly basis?”
Is that important?
July 4th, 2012 at 8:39 am
Well, as far as my opinion goes, not really.
Pageantry, rituals,bunch of people,50% hypocrites, who cant sing, The Sabbath,and after 4000 years they still wont cushion the pews.
If theres any importance its to the left if he wants to draw from a devout orthodox Christian left.
Besides, after throwing Rev Wright under the bus.After 20 years of attending and worshiping a theology that damns America, hooks up with radical Farrakhan, I doubt anyone would take it seriously, even if he went to the Vatican every week.
July 4th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
“By the way, do the obamas go to church on a weekly basis?”
–Is that important?
Sure it is. Church goers are are more humble, tolerant, and caring about others. Those qualities may explain why they are historically better leaders. Just try to name one great atheist leader.
July 5th, 2012 at 4:42 am
More humble?
July 5th, 2012 at 4:46 am
For most of the 20th century it was a non-issue, except for Kennedy.
Nixon, a Quaker? Who cared?
Now a candidate has to sit down with Rick Warren?
The last thing I want is a President to make decisions based on faith. I want analysis and pragmatism.
July 5th, 2012 at 5:40 am
Buz
Our Constitution was written by mostly Christians who instilled it with many Christian values while making damn sure it resembled no theocracy such as the one many future Americans fought and died to be free of.
Either George or Ben (i forget at this moment)said; “he’d given us a republic, not a democracy, good luck” ( kinda sorta)
Dont depend on others to apply their pragmatism and anal for you.
Reason being our electorate is the only thing democratic about this country.
We run the government and think for them.
Not the other way around.
When you’ve witnessed enough random acts of kindness and common sense faith is worth applying.
Barry is not pragmatic, very anal, and has faith in no one but himself.
And look where his best thinking got us !
our Constitution was written by Christian men
July 5th, 2012 at 8:51 am
“More humble?”
Yeah.
First, theres a thing we ask for from our creator thats called ‘forgivness” which includes trying to make sure you dont do the same stupid sht all over again.
We are the most charitable altruistic people on the planet with rules of engagement humbles us in the face of choosing life as much as possible over death.
Dont confuse humble with exceptional.
Were not running around in parades bragging about anything really accept for American exceptionalism instead of being fudgepackers and faux victims.
That’s just for starters
July 5th, 2012 at 11:07 am
Buzz, were you able to come up with the name of a great atheist leader?
July 5th, 2012 at 11:19 am
You can’t really be an ‘atheist leader’, especially in the US-of-A because so many people are emotionally attached to religion. For example, let’s say there’s a model Conservative who is absolutely the epitome of the perfect conservative (loves wars, loves funneling money to the top, hates everyone who isn’t a white heterosexual male, etc – all the sh*t you guys just love) but he was an atheist. Now, let’s put someone like Rick Perry in the running with this guy – Perry would win hands-down. Conservatives especially are emotionally attached to that fairy tale.
July 5th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Jefferson, Lincoln.
July 5th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_and_religion
Lincolns beliefs are a matter of unsettled discussion. Lincoln grew up in a highly religious family but never joined any church. As a young man he was a skeptic. He frequently referenced God and quoted the Bible; he accompanied his wife and children to Protestant services, and after the deaths of two children became more intensely concerned with God’s plan for mankind.[1] He was private about his beliefs and respected the beliefs of others. Lincoln never made a clear profession of standard Christian beliefs; he did believe in an all-powerful God that shaped events and, by 1865, was expressing those beliefs in major speeches.
Wanna try again ?
July 5th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Shoot, what the hell…
“Thomas Jefferson and religion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The religious views of Thomas Jefferson diverged widely from the orthodox Christianity of his day. Throughout his life Jefferson was intensely interested in theology, religious studies, and morality.[1] Jefferson was most closely connected with unitarianism and the religious philosophy of Deism.
As the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, Jefferson articulated a statement about human rights that most Americans regard as nearly sacred. Together with James Madison, Jefferson carried on a long and successful campaign against state financial support of churches in Virginia. It is Jefferson who created the phrase “wall of separation between church and state” in his 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut. During his 1800 campaign for the presidency, Jefferson had to contend with critics who argued that he was unfit to hold office because he did not have orthodox religious beliefs.
Jefferson cut and pasted pieces of the New Testament together to compose The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (the “Jefferson Bible”), which excluded any miracles by Jesus and stressed his moral message. Though he often expressed his opposition to clergy and to Christian doctrines, Jefferson repeatedly expressed his belief in a deistic god and his admiration for Jesus as a moral teacher. Opposed to Calvinism, Trinitarianism, and what he identified as Platonic elements in Christianity, in private letters Jefferson variously refers to himself as “Christian” (1803),[2] “a sect by myself” (1819),[3] an “Epicurean” (1819),[4] a “Materialist” (1820),[5] and a “Unitarian by myself” (1825).[6] Historian Sydney E. Ahlstrom associated Jefferson with “rational religion” or deism.”
Next
July 5th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Buzz,you’re probably singling out the quote where Jefferson said that “religion was a scourge on society”.
I believe in a God or supremacy that I must answer to or receive blessings from in ways our mental architecture cannot conceive.
ANYONE WHO THAT CANNOT ACCEPT THAT THERES INFINITE UPON INFINITE POSSIBILITIES IN AN INFINITY IS A COMPLETE FCKING IDIOT .
July 5th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
“Church goers are are more humble, tolerant, and caring about others. Those qualities may explain why they are historically better leaders.”
Funny I used to go to church every single Sunday, and I never, ever saw such a bunch of back biting, prejudiced, downright mean people in my life. They ran our one pastor out of town because he went into a strip joint to try to help a friend of his who was in trouble, and they ran my mother out of the church because she had a black friend she brought to Sunday services with her one Sunday.
And I’m not even mentioning what everyone knew went on after choir practice every week.
People are people and they are going to behave like people. It doesn’t matter if they are church goers, or not.
July 6th, 2012 at 12:22 am
Yeah buzz you just made everyone stupider by your answer. Jefferson wrote that our rights our “endowed by our creator” in a document you haven’t read for a while. Lincoln wrote “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” in the gettysburg address.
Who dumbed you down by telling you Jefferson and Lincoln were atheists, and why did you believe it? Try the game again please. Name a great atheist leader in history, just one.
July 6th, 2012 at 6:52 am
Ghost of ass hole;
“People are people”
Pure genius
“they are going to behave like people.”
So, whats your excuse for missing that mark ?
“It doesn’t matter if they are church goers, or not.”
I must state the obvious even though responding to this sht is demeaning, for myself, for not accepting how thick ones skull can be.
You’re obviously full o sht and have not a clue how Church, Temple, and Mosque goers have had massive impacts on history as opposed to your club of circle jerks whos largest role in historical matters was your contribution to dirt.
On a “more” personal note.
My mother in law,( Seventh Day Adventist ) has most likely never missed a day of church in her life.( her Sabbath being Saturday )
The lady is the most honest, gentle, forgiving, generous soul I have ever met in my life up til this point.
You’re an idiot in your generalizations.
Sure, anyone knowsmany people go to church for ulterior reasons.
But, if you dont believe that at least afewof them seriously want to better theirsand others lives by faith in their creator, you are truly the most ignorant poisonous fck on the planet.
Physical online threats are are not worth much but to express anger
But…. if you rambled off that line of sht in front of my mother in law I would kick the sht out of you away from her sight.
If she heard you say that she would smile at you and ask you if you would like to attend.
July 6th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Slow;
“You can’t really be an ‘atheist leader’, especially in the US-of-A because so many people are emotionally attached to religion. For example, let’s say there’s a model Conservative who is absolutely the epitome of the perfect conservative (loves wars, loves funneling money to the top, hates everyone who isn’t a white heterosexual male, etc – all the sh*t you guys just love) but he was an atheist. Now, let’s put someone like Rick Perry in the running with this guy – Perry would win hands-down. Conservatives especially are emotionally attached to that fairy tale.”
Seriously, get a new schtick.
Like I said a couple days ago;
“When theres no grey areas we end up sayin the same sht all the time.
What I find amusing is that the majority of Democrats say they believe in God which makes as much sense as liberal Jews and screen doors on subs.
Funnel money to the top huh ?
Your “Top” is on backwards and upside down.
Math doesnt lie unless you pull the numbers out of your ass.
July 6th, 2012 at 7:44 am
Then sometimes I’m wrong.
I heard the private sector is doing great!
And our government got a raise !
July 6th, 2012 at 11:38 am
There is a long list of atheist leaders in Europe, where you don’t have to pretend to be religious to be considered for office, but most are affiliated with Liberal parties and for obvious reasons and I sure I am not going to open that can of worms.
Especially as you, no doubt, have the chamber loaded with Stalin, Mao, etc. as examples of “atheist” leaders.
I could also cite the atrocities committed by religious leaders, but that is not fair as that would paint entire religions as inherently evil and that is not the case. (Take a look at some of the Popes’ efforts during the Crusades)
My original point, however, was that the religious vetting that is now required is recent and is often nothing but an exercise in pretending; that should not be necessary.
As I also said, I want decisions made based on fact. I would prefer they rely on arithmetic science and history.
Being “informed” by religion can cloud those judgments. Wasn’t it Bush that made faith a key component of his decisions? How does that help?
Perhaps because of religious zealotry, most of the influential atheists are in the sciences, because those pursuits are fact-based.
I myself am agnostic. In other words, I am positive I don’t know the answers (and am skeptical of the numerous “versions” created by man).
What is your point, by the way?
We have a separation of church and state (so far), so why is the religion of a candidate relevant? I know people like to have ‘one of their own’ in office, but is it necessary?
If there were two candidates and one was obviously better qualified, but an atheist, would you vote for him (or her)?
Influential atheists:
Alexander the Great
Charles Darwin
Leonardo Da Vinci
Michelangelo
Raphael
Galileo
Issac Newton
July 6th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Buz,
This has been a pretty interesting discussion, thus far, but your last comment has a major problem with it, I think. You wrote, ‘…Being “informed” by religion can cloud those judgments. Wasn’t it Bush that made faith a key component of his decisions? How does that help?”
I would submit that for most people, our judgement is ‘informed by our religion’, rather than vice versa. Our religion is one of the first things that engrain our belief system. It obviously affects the rest of our beliefs.
For example, studies have shown that generally people who belong to certain faiths give much more to charities (both religious and secular ones). Since we had the religion first, it is obviously exogenous.
Merely because religion informed the decision, doesn’t mean that it was flawed, it meant that people added that value to their decision making.
July 6th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
It may very well form a person’s belief system, but should it be a primary component of a decision regarding state.
The Presidency is an executive position, which is now a “business” office as much as anything.
If you own a company and your primary purpose is to turn a profit, where does a person’s religion figure into the equation?
If I am hiring people I can’t ask their religion, but I will look for cues and will hesitate to hire people that are obviously devout.
Not because I care about their religious beliefs? I don’t.
The reason is we sometimes work Sundays, some of my customers (and employees) are ribald and lewd. I don’t want my employees to have to make compromises to handle specific accounts.
As I am in the medical business, my customer base is comprised of people from Israel, Iran, Libya, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America and many of them are both loud and fervent about their politics and beliefs.
I prefer an employee that is largely ambivalent.
July 6th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Buzz says:
First you said Lincoln and Jefferson, which is not only wrong but also really ignorant. Now you are wrong again. Is there some atheist propaganda booklet or something that they are so insecure about they have to make stuff up? I ask this because I don’t believe you care that much to just make stuff up on your own.
“To me the works of nature and of God are miraculous.” -Galileo.
Alexander the Great was a pagan who used the Greek gods to motivate troops. “Pagan” is not the same as atheist.
The Michelangelo-as-atheist meme based on a single picture in the Sistine Chapel out of a lifetime of work that might or might not be an allegory for God’s brain, is ludicrous and art historians get a good laugh out of that fiction. He attended Catholic mass.
I’m not certain about Darwin, but the others on your list living in those times would have been put to death if they were atheists. No more making up facts please.
Of course none of these except Alexander the Great was a leader of men. Just face it, there has not been a single great atheist leader in all of human history.
And why is this important. Because empirical evidence is that all great leaders are religious at least to some extent. So when you say “The LAST thing I want is a President to make decisions based on faith” I wonder why. It is fairly obvious from the weight of history that you would get a lousy leader (and probably a dangerous one) that way, like Mao.
July 6th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
And yes Arribe is on track as usual. And I would go a little further. Not only are the decisions of leaders informed by their religious beliefs for the better generally, but I believe it is HIGHLY DESIRABLE that they are informed by Christian faith because it serves as a further check on executive power.
Even atheists should WANT leaders who God has commanded to believe in turning the other cheek and loving thy neighbor as themselves. You should WANT them to feel accountable for those beliefs, because you will have a greater chance of both peace and prosperity.
In contrast, the atheist leader is accountable to nobody but himself, only to himself for whatever whim feels right in the vast array of what is acceptable behavior under the doctrine of moral relativism. Seems to me that is a very dangerous situation that should be avoided whenever possible. Mao, Stalin, and Pol Pot should have informed us enough already about this idea.
July 6th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Buzz;
There is a long list of atheist leaders in Europe.
Yeah well, around 300 year ago we told the supposed ones we’re leaving.
The Atheists,Mussolini,Stalin, the Furor(meth head Christian) were not Atheists discounting and denying deity.
They were pure evil.
Bill Maher is an influential Atheist.
Then again” God made man in his image” involves a key word.
“MAN”
July 7th, 2012 at 6:47 am
Turn the other cheek?
Exactly how many wars have been and are currently being waged in the name of religion?
I do, however, feel atheism is as ridiculous as religion. Being certain of something with no evidence is pure folly.
I am positive I don’t know the “answers” and will not devote a single second to try and figure it out.
Of course, I also hate unsolved mysteries.
I prefer to concentrate on problems where a “correct” answer is possible and verifiable.
Religious people think they have arrived at that answer. I think that is great for them, but do prefer they would keep it to themselves.
That is so rare, however. Even amongst my devout friends who know my views, they still feel compelled to give me a “pitch” every now and then. I find that disrespectful and offensive even though I know they have good intentions.
July 7th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
“Exactly how many wars have been and are currently being waged in the name of religion?”
Are you trying to dumb down this conversation ?
Zillions of wars have been waged for, because of and against religion.
The thing is, people or communes/tribes void of religion will still find things to disagree on that may lead to the belief that the opposition is a threat to their turf,loved ones,or some superstition.
Otter Atheists have divided over what to call themselves and fought wars over it.
“I will crush your skull on my tummy like a clam” (google it).
Without “pitching” I’ll put it this way.
I do not doubt that there are forces way beyond our comprehension unwilling to announce themselves to us for fear that were just not progressed as humanity should be in order to not abuse such forces.
In the infinity of time and space anyone who thinks we on Earth are the sharpest knife in the rack, or the only one is a complete fcking idiot.
Mass, energy,and voids that have created the elements of anything must have reason and purpose.
For all we know, Each Galaxy created might of been sparked by a dying mans last increment of electricity or the soul that made him one of a kind.
So, I’ll behave, because I dont want to find out that Hell is having your soul used for nothing more than your Uranus
July 7th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
By the way, Christianity and those of charitable faith have saved, bettered, and created far more good than the wars fought during flat Earth days and even most recent ones.
Islam, 4000 years later, still is the most brutal and oppressive religion on Earth and we can do without it.
Like AIDs, we should not stop til its non existent, caged, or viewed as the Antichrist and punishable by death for practicing.
Every Muslim Country with exception to a few filthy rich Arabs, are, and always have been third world pi$$ pots
July 7th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Yes buzz, all that is well and good in an intellectual bubble, but from the perspective of Reason, you would have to admit the empirical evidence that Christians make better leaders is rather overwhelming. Not all of them, of course, but since there has never been a great atheist leader it seems you have a special burden to think more deeply about why. Focusing on George Bush while ignoring Stalin does not get you anywhere near Truth.
“Exactly how many wars have been and are currently being waged in the name of religion?”
I said very specifically that Christian leaders are superior. In the last fifty years you can count the number of Christian nations warring on other Christian nations on two finger, and they were very small skirmishes. I would add Buddhist leaders as superior as well.
The point is that Islamists and Atheists are really bad for humanity, because their doctrines allow them to kill far more easily than others, and empirically they have done exactly what you would expect.
July 8th, 2012 at 7:20 am
Buzzed;
“Turn the other cheek ?”
I loveya man
But seriously let stop the cherry picked dumbdowned quotes and talking points.
Turning the other cheek wasnt saying you have to let someone bend you over and kick you down the sidewalk.
And it really doesnt work on abused kids and women and Great Danes.
Besides it was Matthews idea. Jesus said “an eye for an eye.
Though I have heard its Gay Prides new logo
July 8th, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Micky, I think you mean a butt for a butt.
July 9th, 2012 at 4:21 am
@Pat
Yeah that’ll work.
But remember we all have 4 cheeks.