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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2008 |

Compassion Forum Clings to Religion

Obama and Clinton face more questions on beliefs, personal piety at Messiah College event.

Ted Olsen | posted 4/14/2008 09:28AM

Well, at least this time CNN didn't ask the presidential candidates to disclose the biggest sin they've committed.

But while Soledad O'Brien's infamous question from the June 2007 Sojourners Presidential ...

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kelly

Posted: April 22, 2008 7:06 PM

Jesus was not what the Jews expected, he was poor, he associated with lepers, woman, and undesirables. How could this man be King? I feel the same about Obama, he is from a tainted background, but he understands and cares about people. He is popular because people sense this, they feel his sincerity, they feel hope for the first time in decades. Please pray and keep an open mind, maybe your preconceived notions about what or who true christians should support are not accurate.

coffee

Posted: April 19, 2008 6:49 PM


President Obama would greatly expand the efforts of the gay lifestyle in the name of compassion and diversity

Patrick

Posted: April 16, 2008 12:35 AM


Hey John G., God loves Hillary and Barack, don't you think you should too?

wmhogg

Posted: April 15, 2008 6:46 PM


Hi, Who is Hillary's pastor? I never see anything mentioned about where she attends church? Thanks, William

Rev. Debra W. Haffner

Posted: April 15, 2008 5:56 PM

One has to question how a nationally televised forum on faith and religion in 2008 featured only one woman religious leader and only two (or maybe it was three, I took a break) non-Christian religious leaders and how it was held at a small Evangelical Christian college that speaks out against LGBT concerns. It would have not have been surprising if it had been co-sponsored by Christianity Today. And perhaps it is up to you all to remind Senator Clinton that she avoided saying she was pro-choice, pro-sexuality education, or pro-family planning services. I've posted my concerns about the Compassion Forum at my blog http://debrahaffner.blogspot.com Rev. Debra W. Haffner

John G.

Posted: April 15, 2008 8:14 AM


Any group that is "to the left of Sojourners" is not to be trusted to ask the right questions, to start with. As for the candidates, well, politics has been called "the art of deception." They'll tailor their messages to their audience. Until Obama and Clinton stand up for life, traditional marriage and other biblical positions, their "faith" rhetoric is hollow.

Henry W.

Posted: April 15, 2008 7:49 AM

Sincerity is the ideal with respect to answering personal religious questions but certainly not what I expect from candidates whose training prepares them to avoid alienating their audiences. It wouldn't hurt if people who are asking such questions were sincerely concerned about the personal faith of the candidates instead of trying to find some reason to denigrate them. At one time demonstrated belief in God was critical for anyone aspiring to political office. Today there is more fear of committing the "sin" political incorrectness than there is a fear (respect) of God.

Victoria , 3 stars rating

Posted: April 14, 2008 11:29 PM

Note that interfaith and humanitarian religiousity, while promoting good causes, is nothing more than religiosity and does not reflect the narrow path that Christ described as His way. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the light. No one comes to the Father except through Me". Barak Obama embodies the religiousity and the spirit of this age that is growing and pervasive in our country, so he might be elected. This may or may not be a good thing. But whether our individual nation falls under His blessings, whether we fall or rise, He is with His sheep and He will always be with us. There are many who just grow up in church without knowing what it is to Know Him, and now it is hard to tell the difference between real and lip-service Christianity.

jhwait

Posted: April 14, 2008 5:51 PM

Barack Obama is the gift of God for this time in history. He will draw us together in ways unthinkable previously. He is a fresh breath of air at this critical time of a very foolish and needless war and large corporation dominance. Mccain and Clinton have had their time...NOW IS OBAMA TIME. JFK talked about space travel and we went to the moon... Barack talks about the cause of ordinary people, in fact all people, and the result will be a happier and more caring and compassionate AND UNITED American human family where everyone counts. The whole world will be better off when Barack Obama BECOMES PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. Great rhetoric from great and powerful speakers, like presidents, is never empty and without effect. GO BARACK... YES WE CAN!!!! Pray and vote for BARACK OBAMA....

Charles Alexander

Posted: April 14, 2008 4:37 PM

The constant verbal and mental litmus test of religion (or lack thereof) -- do you believe this, why don't you belief that? -- when it comes down to it means little as far as politicians are concerned. They say what they think their listeners want to hear. If the gathering is fundamentalist, they'll speak out of one side of the mouth; if evangelical, the other. Or variants thereof. It's call Christian political lip service. The harm they do to the cause of religious freedom -- by their blatant lukewarm, please everybody, response -- will at some point result in faith and believer fallout. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God, the things that are God's. There are times when politicans should keep their mouths shut. Personal faith -- true believer faith -- should be personal, never politically public.

Ron B

Posted: April 14, 2008 4:12 PM


I don't really believe Clinton is as spiritual as she likes to portray herself, and Obama seems to be in another hemisphere. While I am not a McCain fan, maybe just a foot dragging supporter, I believe he did well to skip this event.

howardswan@hotmail.com

Posted: April 14, 2008 1:48 PM


I don't believe McCain hurt himself by avoiding this forum. This environment is filled with "secular" Christians who are not serious in their faith. Their questions betrayed who they really are and reflect the Democrat's attempt to appeal to sincere people of faith. Jim Wallis is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Dave	Posted: April 14, 2008 1:19 PM


Many of us are not that sure that Messiah is orthodox at all. In fact, both Clinton and Obama may well be much more conservative in their faith than Messiah. Ask the Messiah faculty their views on Creationism and Abortion!

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