Comments on: Barack Obama: religious divide or a great manipulation? http://spiritblooms.gaiastream.com/2006/07/27/barack-obama-religious-divide-or-a-great-manipulation/ Look for meaning in everything, and you'll find it. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:22:44 -0400 hourly 1 By: Barbara http://spiritblooms.gaiastream.com/2006/07/27/barack-obama-religious-divide-or-a-great-manipulation/comment-page-1/#comment-337 Barbara Sat, 29 Jul 2006 20:05:44 +0000 http://spiritblooms.gaiastream.com/?p=99#comment-337 >>The debate becomes more theological than is warrented for the casual American observer<< I agree, Sophia. In my experience most Americans feel uncomfortable with any talk of religion, period. It's something that I think grew out of religious dissension and over-zealousness to begin with. Most of us think it's more polite to say nothing than to get into a religous discussion that becomes hostile or an excuse to convert or say one's own religion is correct and the other's isn't. And who hasn't had proselytizers at their front door? That gets old, and people begin to reject the entire topic of religion as a result of such pushy behavior. This is why I think progressives are reluctant to talk about their faith, and that seems normal to me. If this political atmosphere doesn't settle down soon, I fear for the future of the country, but I think the division is a result of manipulation by people who don't have the least spiritual motivation. >>The debate becomes more theological than is warrented for the casual American observer<<

I agree, Sophia. In my experience most Americans feel uncomfortable with any talk of religion, period. It’s something that I think grew out of religious dissension and over-zealousness to begin with. Most of us think it’s more polite to say nothing than to get into a religous discussion that becomes hostile or an excuse to convert or say one’s own religion is correct and the other’s isn’t. And who hasn’t had proselytizers at their front door? That gets old, and people begin to reject the entire topic of religion as a result of such pushy behavior.

This is why I think progressives are reluctant to talk about their faith, and that seems normal to me.

If this political atmosphere doesn’t settle down soon, I fear for the future of the country, but I think the division is a result of manipulation by people who don’t have the least spiritual motivation.

]]> By: Sophia http://spiritblooms.gaiastream.com/2006/07/27/barack-obama-religious-divide-or-a-great-manipulation/comment-page-1/#comment-336 Sophia Sat, 29 Jul 2006 03:26:41 +0000 http://spiritblooms.gaiastream.com/?p=99#comment-336 Yes, I agree that liberal, progressive Christians have lost their voice (and liberal, progressive Muslims have never had that voice) in American politics. It's just that the most shocking and strident voices are the ones usually heard. I think the confrontation with Alan Keyes is representative of why. The debate becomes more theological than is warrented for the casual American observer who would soon lose interest in it and wonder what the candidates stances on public policy were rather than their stance on whether they adhere more to Calvinism or Arminianism. Liberal Christians have more respect for the division between church and state than the conservatives, by and large, though it was for the protection of both such a law was enacted. The church is free to govern itself without much, if any, interference from the state and frankly, I wish the reverse were true, but conservatives claim a double standard there. The Church/State division only works for them one way. *sigh* Anyway, big subject you opened up here. Yes, I agree that liberal, progressive Christians have lost their voice (and liberal, progressive Muslims have never had that voice) in American politics. It’s just that the most shocking and strident voices are the ones usually heard. I think the confrontation with Alan Keyes is representative of why. The debate becomes more theological than is warrented for the casual American observer who would soon lose interest in it and wonder what the candidates stances on public policy were rather than their stance on whether they adhere more to Calvinism or Arminianism. Liberal Christians have more respect for the division between church and state than the conservatives, by and large, though it was for the protection of both such a law was enacted. The church is free to govern itself without much, if any, interference from the state and frankly, I wish the reverse were true, but conservatives claim a double standard there. The Church/State division only works for them one way.

*sigh*

Anyway, big subject you opened up here.

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