ST. LOUIS (AP) - Barack Obama celebrated "active faith" as an obligation of religious Americans and a chief agent of societal change while speaking Saturday to a nearly all-black roomful of churchgoers, but hoping to reach far beyond them.
Making a less than two-hour stop in the battleground state of Missouri, the Democratic presidential nominee implored the thousands attending a national meeting of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the nation's largest and most politically and civically active black denominations, to help fix national and local ills.
He preached individual responsibility, saying he knew he risked criticism for "blaming the victim" by talking of the need for parents to help children with homework and turn off the TV, to pass on a healthy self-image to daughters, and teach boys both to respect women and "realize that responsibility does not end at conception."
But Obama's main message was the government's duty to address what he said are "moral problems" — such as war, poverty, joblessness, homelessness, violent streets and crumbling schools — and to employ religious institutions to do it.
"As long as we're not doing everything in our individual and collective power to solve the challenges we face, the conscience of our nation cannot rest," he said.
Obama, who has made history by becoming the first black major-party presidential nominee, made frequent references to the civil rights movement and continuing struggles in the black community.
"We are not constrained by the accident of birth but can make of our lives what we will," Obama said. He was greeted when he arrived in the vast hall by the most thunderous cheering, waving and screaming that he has heard all week.
It was also his most enthusiastic delivery of late, employing preacher's cadences that were interrupted frequently by "Amens" and "yes."
Obama repeatedly referenced his religious faith in terms that would be familiar to white evangelicals as well as his black audience. Obama has highlighted faith and personal story over the past week as he campaigned in one-time GOP strongholds and talked more about God, country, and service than about rival Republican John McCain.
He hopes to draw more support from evangelical Christian voters than is typical for Democratic presidential candidates. Analysts are skeptical he can do that because of his support for abortion, gay rights and other issues.
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:) I was looking for something positive to say. The best I could come up with was I liked the message of personal responsibility. :) You guys said all the rest for me.
Thumbs Up Rocky2
It is also my understanding that Obama does not accept the virgin birth of Christ, His deity, salvation in Jesus only, or the Second Coming of Christ. Though he appears as an angle of light, he is anti-Christ as many are, and they don‘t even know it. Furthermore, he is for abortion and gay rights and more troubling he does not have the biblical convections necessary for American to protect the nation of Israel as God wills. Don’t be deceived: Obama may lead our nation and the world into a period of increased peace and safety for a spell, as prophesied in scriptures; however, he will be leading us closer to the seven-year period of tribulation that is to come.
itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
Also, stanz
you could be less negative if you will; its God's will.
stanjz: To answer your question I spend 1-3 hrs each day studying my Bible and hear messages at church twice each week and I teach. I know the scriptures you quoted by heart. I am disabled and not able to do everything I will, except as I said below I can always do God's will for my life. Obama's wording is deceptive. You cannot make of your life whatever you will, but you can do whatever God's will is for you.
itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
stanjz,
You proved Ron Wilsons point through Christ is God's will. Second it is great you look at the scriptures that show of Christ Love, but also look at the times when Christ rebuked the church for not doing what is commanded by God. Look at the scriptures that say marriage is for a man and woman, and look at the scriptures where God say that homosexuallity is a sin. To say Barak is open to Christ's love because he supports civil unions is a direct blasphemy of God's words
This is to Paul and Rocky. How much time to you spend reading your Bible everyday? It sounds like you know little about the love of Christ Jesus and more about the fear mongering and hate put forth by elements of the Republican Party. The only thing Rocky got right was that Barack is anti war. He is for civil unions for gays, he believes that Christ is Lord, he is pro Israel, He is for cutting taxes for 95% of the public. As for Ron Wilson saying that " we are are constrained by our imperfections", I would say " that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength and the power." Phil 4:13 Christ also says that you can get anything you want through, nothing is impossible" Matt 19:26 You really need to spend more time reading your Bibles and less time reading hate and lies.
He's just making stuff up as he goes, according to an astute overarching strategy to win the White House. 20 years under his beloved mentor, Jeremiah Wright, now suddenly he sounds like Jesse Paterson. Right...
The message here is actually pretty good. The messenger lacks credibility.
Even with Obama's outreach to born-again evangelicals, we cannot be duped by his true beliefs. He rejects the Virgin Birth of Christ, His Deity, Salvation in Only Jesus, and the Second Coming of Christ. He is also pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-gay rights, pro-high taxes, anti-Israel and Jews, and anti-Iraqi war which is vital to keeping the Arab nations from destroying God's Chosen Nation Israel. Let's not be fooled like we were with so-called professing Christian "Baptists" Carter and Clinton who are no more than New Age Secular Humanists.
anyone know who his VP may be yet?
Obama said "We are not constrained by the accident of birth but can make of our lives what we will." I would say all are constrained by inperfections and a fallen nature from birth, and many are even disabled and cannot make of their lives whatever they will, unless it is God's will they are seeking.
itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
I like the message of personal responsibility.