Why is Senator Obama doing this stupid Rick Warren thing?

[Seen the light]

This is at least the second big-time Christian forum that he's done. Why? Why?? WHY???

I don't remember these being done in past election cycles, why is this the SECOND one of this cycle?

What happened to no religious test required?

[Franks Wild Years]

1. A larger portion of the religious vote is up for grabs.

McCain isn't perceived as an overwhelming friend of theirs and Obama can really gain by putting his case across to such an audience.

[EV_Ares]

3. Absolutely, you are right, this is a situation which can put McSame on the

spot with the social issues that will come up such as abortion. Obama can handle those ok. However, if Mcsame doesn't he can piss off the evangelicals who he needs and a lot of them especially the younger ones are up for grab this year and they already are not happy with McSame, he has the most to lose out of this. Man, we could really see some real flip-flopping or maybe just squirming from him.

[Submariner]

2. I know...it sux...but gotta be done

Grit your teeth and bear it. It will only hurt for a little while.

[RichardRay]

4. Campaigning directly with such a group is not violating the Constitution!

Passing a law establishing an official religion would definitely be a violation, and requiring a membership in a particular church in order to run would violate subsequent law.

Requiring that a candidate come and talk to my community before I'll vote for him is hardly the same thing. (not that there are enough Buddhists around to make up a decent size convention for him to talk to, anyway :-) )

[NoodleyAppendage]

5. Because America is populated by Xtian DUMBASSES...who vote too. n/t

J

[RollWithIt]

6. No Religious Test required died in 2000.....

And it got crushed in 2004. The Democratic Party doesn't have to be anti-Religion. The Obama campaign certainly isn't.

[salonghorn70]

7. Obama Want s The Votes of Everyone

Also, I think that Obama believes that his faith is very important to understanding who he is.

[glowing]

8. Christian doesn't = EVIL...

I would describe myself as a Christian.. yet I'm Pro-Choice, I care about the environment (you know that part about being good stewards for the earth), I care about poverty and genocide, I care about equality, love, compassion.. I'd say more Christians do.. and they were stolen and whipped into a frenzy. I think many realize GOP does not equal Christian. I think many see McCain as a corrupt politician.

AND I think its important to Obama to allow himself to define himself and NOT to have the media define him.

[Seen the light]

15. I never said Christianity was evil.....

I just want this stuff out of my politics. Keep it separate please.

[blondeatlast]

16. Way too late for that. As to keeping it out of the government; Obama's our best bet right now,

like it or not.

[TexasObserver]

9. Because not being there would be stupid, and he's not stupid.

[DevonRex]

10. Christians are citizens too, and they vote. Pretty simple. nt

[Inspired]

11. Um, votes maybe?

[Median Democrat]

12. The Bible Is Quite Liberal - Christianity Has Been Hijacked and Christians Exploited

Christianity has been hihacked by the corporate types, who focus on divisive issues like gay marriage and abortion. Yet, abortion is not mentioned, and homosexuality is not mentioned often in the bible. YET, the evangelical right has been obsessed with these two issues.

Why? Because like the anti-Democratic smears, these issues are distractions. The bible actually contains numerous passages on social justice. Indeed, the Bible has many verses that would be considered liberal, if not leftist:

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered."

-Proverbs 21:13

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

-Proverbs 31:8-9

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

-Matthew 6:24

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."

-Proverbs 17:5

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty."

-Proverbs 22:16

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"

-Matthew 19:21

"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."

-Proverbs 28:27

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Luke 12:33,34

Indeed, liberation theology, which the Right Wing Christians consider leftist, is based on this quote from Jesus:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

So, I see Obama's appearance as a long overdue acknowledgement that Christianity should be about social justice, and the responsibilities people have to each other and their community. Sadly, this message has been obscure by a focus on divisive issues like abortion and gay marriage, which allows the GOP to ignore the bible's numerous passages on social justice.

[jenmito]

13. Because he's SMART, wants to WIN, and knows McCain will be asked about his first wife,

first marriage, and what happened. :D

[book_worm]

14. because it's a way to reach out to voters.

[Captain Sensible]

17. Because he is a christian! Duh

[4themind]

18. From what I remember he went to a prior Warren meeting that was key in him deciding to run

and rick invited him even though it met the vociferous objections of right-wingers to his church, maybe this is his way of saying "thanks" to the place where,from Obama's perspective, his quest for the white house began. I can't find the link that discussed the role the Dec. 2006 warren meeting had on Obama deciding to run, but hopefully someone can provide a link.

[Occam Bandage]

19. He's a Christian. Democrats can be Christians, you know.

[Fleshdancer]

20. To acquire more votes would be my guess

:shrug:

[Runcible Spoon]

21. three cheers for corporate whore "Christians"

:puke:

[stray cat]

22. Oh no! He wants a forum to speak about himself and his values to Americans!

[katandmoon]

23. Pandering to xtians is the duty of all politicians

[AlinPA]

24. I see it as a religious test. He has to show up or he will be disqualified by the media.

[cynatnite]

25. Because elections are a christianity contest...issues aren't as important n/t

[hiaasenrocks]

26. Nothing happened to "no religious test." Looks like you need to study the Constitution.

[Renew Deal]

27. Maybe because most voters are Christians?

So talking to them is a good idea. Also, how has your strategy worked in past elections?

Your comments are ironic considering your username.