President Obama’s Brilliant Religious Freedom Speech Lost On Religious Republicans

[babylonsister]

http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/04/president-obamas-brilliant-religious-freedom-speech-lost-religious-republicans.html


President Obama’s Brilliant Religious Freedom Speech Lost On Religious Republicans

By Rmuse on Thu, Feb 4th, 2016

Some may argue that evangelicals lack any humanity, because if they did they would not be driven by inhumanity toward anything not Christian


snip//

“If we’re serious about freedom of religion — and I’m speaking now to my fellow Christians who remain the majority in this country — we have to understand an attack on one faith is an attack on all our faiths. And when any religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up. And we have to reject a politics that seeks to manipulate prejudice or bias, and targets people because of religion.”

President Obama was talking to more than just “his fellow Christians.” He was talking to Republicans in Congress, state legislatures and the current crop of GOP presidential aspirants; all of whom embrace politics that incite bias against and target Muslims for political expediency.

snip//

“I want to speak directly to the young people who may be listening. In our lives, we all have many identities. We are sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters. We’re classmates; Cub Scout troop members. We’re followers of our faith. We’re citizens of our country. And today, there are voices in this world, particularly over the Internet, who are constantly claiming that you have to choose between your identities — as a Muslim, for example, or an American. Do not believe them. If you’re ever wondering whether you fit in here, let me say it as clearly as I can, as President of the United States: You fit in here — right here. You’re right where you belong. You’re part of America, too. You’re not Muslim or American. You’re Muslim and American.”

snip//




The President should have reminded Republicans and evangelicals that Adams and Jefferson were behind the unanimous declaration to Muslims that “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion,” but it would have been as lost on religious Republicans as his speech on religious freedom for all faiths. But at least he spoke to the problem of religious bigotry, hate, and real persecution that religious-right Republicans impose on millions of Americans as part of their religious freedom.

It was most refreshing to hear the President say, “Mere tolerance of different religions is not enough. Our faiths summon us to embrace our common humanity.” It is likely that the President is going to have to reiterate his speech a few times and target the Republican evangelical right in particular; if for no other reason than remind them that “common humanity” is a legitimate thing and applies equally to atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Heathens, Hindus, Jews and all faiths. Some may correctly argue that evangelicals lack any humanity, because if they did they would not be driven by inhumanity toward anything not Christian.

Sadly, the President’s religious freedom speech did not get the kind of media coverage being given to hate-inspired evangelical Republicans claiming their religious freedom justifies banning, interring, and deporting Muslims from American shores. But Muslims should not feel singled out by religious Republicans. Not when the same Republicans use religious freedom to single out women, gays, and other faiths for bigotry and persecution.

If the Republican religious right had the capacity to understand, or embrace, the President’s message about religious freedom for all Americans, he should be encouraged to give the same speech on national television, during a major sporting event. But that kind of speech would be as lost on many, many Americans as it was on all evangelical Republicans. It is telling how far this nation has drifted from the Founding Fathers’ concept of religious freedom; a concept that President Obama used as a basis for a brilliant religious freedom speech that was completely lost on religious Republicans.

[el_bryanto]

1. Thanks for posting; well worth considering. nt

[LonePirate]

2. Repubs hate Obama because he actually embodies their values minus the bigotry and hypocrisy.

He's easily the best president we have had since FDR but I somehow don't think this country deserves a leader as sublime as Obama even though we could use him in charge for more than two terms.

[KamaAina]

3. They don't believe in religious freedom.

They believe in evangelical Christianity freedom.

[meow2u3]

5. When evangelical wingnuts say "religious freedom"

They really mean "legally sanctioned bigotry masquerading as religion."

[Action_Patrol]

4. I was at the prayer breakfast this morning

I'm going to miss him. His speech was beautiful and humble.