Saturday, August 14, 2010

President Obama's views on the 9/11 mosque * Updated *

It seems President Obama has finally come out with his views on the mosque that is being built at the center of the 9/11 attacks. According to this article, the president said "Muslims have the right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country." I would certainly agree with this comment.

* Update * The President has "clarified" his statements and says he won't comment on the wisdom of building the mosque. He was only commenting on religious rights. However, the President has a habit of escalating matters such as this to the national level, when they should never be addressed to begin with. Since he's raised the issue, he should either back off his comments completely or comment on the wisdom of the decision. He's done so in the past and I suspect he will in the future. My personal comments to the President remain the same. * Update *

However, I would also say that just because someone has the right to do something, that doesn't make it right to do it. I think building the mosque at the base of what had been the twin towers is a slap in the face to everyone who lost a family member there, and to many of us who watched those towers fall. As an American, I have the right to feel that way. I also have the right to go to New York and picket the place (if it is ever built) and the right to tell others my opinion here on my blog.

But I am more concerned about a shift I see in our president. During the election, there was a lot of discussion about his faith. I covered it several times in my blog, most notably here, here and here. Candidate-Obama declared his faith in Christ and I supported that declaration. However, he has recently admitted he doesn't go to church and he is continuously making gestures to Muslim leaders. I can't recall the details, but I know he also recently skipped the traditional prayer breakfast.

Mr. President, I doubt seriously you read my blog, but I need to say this anyway, remember that God tells us to "not (forsake) the assembling of ourselves together." (Hebrews 10:25) In other words, go to church. Not a Muslim church, a Christian church. One that preaches the word of God. "Hold fast the profession of (y)our faith without wavering." (Hebrews 10:23).

Mr. President, I am concerned about your faith. I mentioned many of those concerns in the previous blog posts. I've seen no change. Like many other Americans, I'm concerned about this country. But I'm also concerned for you. Use this opportunity to renew your faith. Speak to the Muslim community, but don't ignore your own.

6 comments:

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

I could never support Obama's claim to be a Christian any more than I could support a Mormon's claim to be a Christian. FIrstly, the church he attended is part of the most liberal denomination out there. Secondly, the church he attended taught only the black liberation theology and social gospel, so they don't even know the true Gospel. Thirdly, one can not be a true Christian with the worldview Obama has, with all his beliefs going against what the Christian faith teaches. He has more than once claimed affinity with Islam, and promotes Islam every chance he gets. He may not claim to be a Muslim, but his actions speak pretty loudly that he is at least a Muslim sympathizer.

Anonymous said...

Hi Randy,

Love the new look on the blog! I follow in in my reader but haven't been here to comment lately.

As I said during the campaign when Obama was accused of being a Muslim, I don't think he is a Muslim. I also don't think he is a Christian. It is pretty obvious whom he worships: Himself.

And you are dead on about the Mosque. Of course they have the legal right to build it. But why patronize the Muslims? Why not tell them that they have the right but to exercise it is wildly insensitive?

Randy said...

Glenn, I've decided that God didn't grant me the gift of discernment. I take someone at their word.

In the book I just finished, it became clear that President Obama is very interested in "the social gospel." By that, I mean that he is interested in how the church and the government can help the underprivileged. A lot of us Christians, and I think especially the more conservative ones, don't do a good enough job of that. We'd rather say "go get a job" than to help someone.

This is a sin, and in this area, I count myself chief among the sinners.

As for being a Muslim sympathizer, I think in his push to be fair, he goes WAY overboard. But that's subject for another post.

Neil, I changed the blog a few weeks ago when I came back from a blog sabbatical. It just seemed like it needed it. Glad you like it.

Thanks for your comments. Glad to know we agree.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

I usually take someone at their word when they say they are a Christian, but when it comes from a cult member you know they aren't. Obama was a member of a black liberation theology church, and BLT is considered a cult. Again, if someone claims to be a Christian and yet everything they do and say is anti-Christ and anti-God, then I have to conclude 1 John 2:4 applies.

I don't think Obama is about being 'fair" to Muslims; his background is in Islam and he demonstrates a real affinity for the Muslim faith. He goes way beyond any semblance of fairness.

Nick D said...

Hi Randy, I published a comment on this post. I think we are in partial agreement on this issue: http://www.buckeyestateblog.com/ground_zero_mosque_opponents_providing_aid_to_the_enemy#comment-105902

Randy said...

TMGB, sorry for the delay in publishing your comment.

Readers, the buckeyestateblog is one that I frequent and is (generally) safe for all readers.