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 President Barack Obama addressing a gay rights group in 2011.
May 9th, 2012
04:55 PM ET
Obama's gay marriage support riles religious conservatives, but political effects not yet clearBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) – U.S. President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage on Wednesday outraged conservative Christian leaders, who vowed to use it as an organizing tool in the 2012 elections, but the move is also activating the liberal base, raising big questions about who gains and loses politically. “It cuts both ways - it activates both Democratic and Republican base voters,” said John Green, an expert on religion and politics at the University of Akron. “The most likely effect is that it makes an already close election even closer.” In an interview with ABC News, Obama said, "At a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married." The announcement puts Obama at odds with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who opposes same-sex marriage and who voiced that opposition in an interview on Wednesday. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories "Considering that 10 of the 16 battleground states have marriage amendments that could be overturned by the president's new policy position on marriage, today's announcement almost ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election,” said Tony Perkins, president of the the conservative Family Research Council. “The president has provided a clear contrast between him and his challenger, Mitt Romney," Perkins continued. "Romney, who has signed a pledge to support a marriage protection amendment to the U.S. Constitution, may have been handed the key to social conservative support by President Obama." Obama stressed in the interview that his support was personal and that he would leave the issue of marriage to the states. But many conservatives chafed at the idea that the president's personal views would not affect public policy. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, released a statement saying the president's comments were "deeply saddening." Dolan's statement continued, "I pray for the President every day, and will continue to pray that he and his Administration act justly to uphold and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman." Bishop Harry Jackson, the senior pastor of Hope Christian Church outside of Washington, DC, said that "I think the president has been in this place for awhile and that he chose this time because he thought that it might shift the balance of power." Jackson has long campaigned against same-sex marriage. Ralph Reed, a top organizer among religious conservatives, said Obama’s announcement was a “gift to the Romney campaign.” Romney, a Mormon who has evolved to a more conservative position on hot button social issues, has struggled with his party's largely evangelical conservative base in the primaries. But Reed said Obama’s gay marriage support would help Romney in many battleground states. “The Obama campaign doesn’t have to worry about New York and California,” Reed said. “They have to worry about Ohio, Florida and Virginia and I don’t’ see evidence that it’s a winning issue in those states.” Green said that public opinion about gay marriage has been shifting dramatically in recent years, with some polls showing more support than opposition. Green said that in many battlegrounds, including Ohio, it's impossible to nail down current public opinion on same-sex marriage. A Gallup Poll conducted this month found that 50% of American adults support legal recognition of same-sex marriage, while 48% oppose it. Reed noted that same-sex marriage bans have passed in virtually every state they have appeared on the ballot, including in North Carolina on Tuesday. That’s a typically red state that Obama won in 2008 and that is the site of the Democrat's 2012 convention. Many liberal groups were ecstatic over Obama’s support for gay marriage. “Congratulations, Mr. President, for making history today by becoming the first sitting president to explicitly support marriage for same-sex couples,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. In his interview with ABC, Obama talked about squaring his decision with his personal religious faith. “We are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others,” Obama said, referencing his wife, Michelle. “But, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule,” he said. “Treat others the way you would want to be treated.” One key Obama constituency that may be angered by his Wednesday announcement is African-Americans, who tend to be more religious than whites. Though they hew heavily Democratic, African-Americans are generally conservative on social issues like gay marriage. - CNN's Eric Marrapodi, Shannon Travis, and Mary Snow contributed to this report. soundoff (2,108 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Good for Obama. I'll support anyone who ticks off the reiligious crazies in this country. If the religious are up in arms, he must be on the right track.
I don't understand the conservative stance on marriage, they say they are "pro family" but yet it is wrong to have "two mothers or "two fathers" and is there goal to break these families apart. This is America, I feel you should have the freedom to do whatever you like in your own home, just as long as its not at the expense of someone else. Just as you should have the freedom to practice whatever you like in your own church, just as long as its not at the expense of someone else.
It is better to have a mother that is loving and a father that will "crack and punch" the child onto the straight and narrow path.
That is your opinion, whether if you are right or wrong, I'm glad that we live in a country that each individual has the freedom choose what is best for them
That was sarcasm. I agree with you.
Its all politics because when he didn't support gay marriage he thought it was a state issue. He always sucomes to pressure from the gay community just like he did with the military gays issue. When he ran he first time he knew he need the gay vote so he tried not upset them and they called in on that vote support (don't ask don't tell) now once again they calling in again. I was told once by a political science prof., politics make for strange bed fellows.
He said it is still a state issue, just that he supports all marriages.
The vatican placed this judge in office and is responsible for this atrocity!!
http://gizmodo.com/5908870/kiddie-porn-is-now-legal-in-new-york
STOP THE VATICAN FROM PASSING LAWS LIKE THIS!!!!
Has anyone seen this?
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/05/09/youtuber-alleges-nasa-cover-up-spaceship-spotted-near-sun/?intcmp=features
The LDS Church and the Vatican have been working to cover up alien life discoveries for decades because they know that if people find out the whole planet will go into panic mode so they have been colluding with the government to lock this information up in vaults underneath the Vatican!! People you need to WAKE UP because there's a lot happening that you don't know about because they don't want you to know.
yes, the church is disappointed. Unfortunately they weren't bothered by decades of their priests raping and abusing children. All that happened was a transfer to a new church in a new city
and yet these thumpers can't stand that two people love each other and want to be in a committed relationship. Though they deny and condone child raping and molestation. sad.
christians dont condone raping babies
atheists do
they get jobs as priests to do it to kids and christians get blames for it
atheists are garbage and deserve to burn in hell
The church is a criminal organization run by greedy pedophiles. Looking to them for moral guidance is breathtakingly stupid.
If marriage is so sacred than why is divorce so easy?
We need to pray for our nation. Too many are turning away from God and His Word. Don't be surprised if or when this nation crumbles...
Nothing new. This story is thouands of years old. The sky is falling!
What will be new is when you end up in Hell, burning forEVER.
Apparently, you do not believe in God...the Bible, God's Word tells me that you will end up in Hell. Not me.
and peopole were saying this when Lincoln freed the slaves.. those on the religious right need to find a new God mantra .... no one is buying it anymore....
I meant 'not me' as in, I am not telling you that you are going to Hell...the Bible spells it all out.
again why dont you use you real name so we see how sanctified you really are... i doubt you are the poster child for heaven.... based on ther comments here...
i have rocks for you to throw at others when you are free of your own sin... hello? hello?
You don't have to buy anything Bob. It's FREE. The gift of salvation is FREE!
When will you choose Him?? After you end up in Hell??
Then it will be too late. Don't follow man. Follow God.
Have you ever thought if you were wrong and God is real??
Do you know why people are turning away from religion? Because of religious people. You're intolerable. Self-righteous, mean-spirited and hateful. Not all are bad, but the bad ones are the loudest. Hypocrisy, prejudice and ignorance are not attractive.
Who else is going to tell you?? If you don't go to church...or read God's Word...or don't believe at all...then WHO really cares about you to tell you that you are going straight to Hell??
I care and that is why I am telling you. It's not hate. It's a love thing. Do you think I'm perfect? No, I am not. I sin everyday, just like you. Not one of us is perfect without blemish. Jesus is perfect.
I die daily. Asking God to forgive me. I try to do the right things..to please Him...to serve Him wholeheartedly.
We all have a choice. He is not twisting your arm for you to choose Him. It's our choice.
Heaven or Hell? Turn or burn.
3n1,
"God's Word tells me that you will end up in Hell. Not me.'
Not so sure about that. Do you support slavery and discrimination against women and the handicapped? If not, then you could be in trouble.
How about lobster? Do you eat that?
Do you condemn major league baseball and football teams for playing on the Sabbath?
You might be in trouble.
No kidding Paul. There are many Christians who have led people AWAY from God. That is why it clearly tells you in God's word to NOT follow man. Man will cause you to fall...worst yet, lead you down the wrong path...the wide path to Hell.
I am not here to bash anyone. I think it's a lame and sad excuse. People not choosing God because of other "Christians" and their words that bother you.
Try reading God's words. See what He has to say about everything. Stop reading this and read the Bible. It's all there...for FREE.
No kidding Paul. There are many Christians who have led people AWAY from God. That is why it clearly tells you in God's word to NOT follow man. Man will cause you to fall...worst yet, lead you down the wrong path...the wide path to Hell.
I am not here to bash anyone. I think it's a lame and sad excuse. People not choosing God because of other "Christians" and their words that bother you.
3n1,
You aren't doing too well answering questions. Why won't you answer questions about your faith?
After reading to your other posts I realize you have been brainwashed from a very early age. I'm not kidding when I say this is a form of child abuse. You had no chance to think for yourself and were probably punished for questioning too much. Now you are programmed to hate anything that doesn't fit into your bubble. You must live with fear and guilt day and night. You have been robbed of a normal life. I hope you find help someday.
Observer, who cares about whether I support this or that. We are talking about your eternity...not what "man" (me) is doing. That's alot of what is wrong with people who do not believe. They are too busy arguing about who supports what, etc...
it's either you believe in God or you don't. Heaven or Hell? We all have a choice. Who cares what everyone else is doing. Be concerned about where you are going when you die. That matters. Do you want to walk with God someday down the golden streets....as we were created to love Him....or be tormented with fire forEVER??
So, out come the bigots, and bible thumpers....the sky is falling...blah blah blah
the bible is a fake book written by men, which makes you a bigot if you believe in it!!
You do realize that the Bible and many of its stories have been manipulated by man? Books have been taken out of the Bible you read today. Most of the stories told in it have been told for thousands of years before Christianity was even made. These are FACTS, let me repeat, FACTS. If this is not enough for you to question the serenity of your holy book, then you have some critical thinking issues.
YOUR religion already had 2000 years to prove itself. When we had Christian theocracies and Christian kingdoms, all we got in return were crusades, inquisitions, genocide of Native Americans and reformation wars. You want us to go back to those times?? Although societies based upon Enlightenment ideas of human rights and equality are not perfect, but they sure beat everything else from Communism, Fascism and Christianity.
3n1
"Observer, who cares about whether I support this or that. We are talking about your eternity...not what "man" (me) is doing. That's alot of what is wrong with people who do not believe. They are too busy arguing about who supports what, etc...
it's either you believe in God or you don't. Heaven or Hell? We all have a choice. Who cares what everyone else is doing"
That's a classic. You say who cares what everyone else is doing after you have told everyone what they are doing is wrong.
Don't worry about not answering the questions about how much of the Bible you actually believe and follow. We both already knew. But don't let that stop you from any hypocritical statements about others going to hell for not following the Bible.
Sorry to disappoint you Humanist, but I was not.
One thing though, I am thankful to have gotten out of a ritualistic church that worships saints, etc...at an early age. Not all churches or Christians are alike. Sometimes you have to figure out things for yourself...better yet, study the Word of God to find out.
toast you are wrong period
ever read the bible? probably not
do you know the persons you clame personally maniuplated it as you say? nope
you can't win by lying to people sorry
Observer, your replies are classic. Picking and choosing.
I pray that you find the Truth.
Peace!
Let's see... I can go up to the clouds with the sky god who happens to be the biggest murderer and tormentor of all times and hang out with guys like Jerry Falwell and Warren Jeffs or....I can go to Hell and be entertained by George Carlin. That's a tough one.
BTW prayer doesn't work. God is powerless, doesn't give a rat's ass, or simply not there.
ToastedBread~ You either believe or you don't believe. If you can't believe that God allowed some men to write for Him...then so be it.
I'm sorry Ting that something happened to you along life's highway. Different things happen to different people. I'm sorry that you don't believe. God truly does care about you...and knows every thing about you and what you have gone through. Seek Him in your life. Not when things get bad like many do...but truly seek Him. He loves you.
@Nope.
Yes I have read the Bible.
No I do not personally know the people who manipulated it, but I do know that in the Middle Ages the Catholic church had many statements and a few books taken out of the New Testament because it contradicted their view of Jesus.
Yes it is a 100% fact that the stories in the Bible have been taken from other religions and these stories were around for thousands of years before Christianity. Good examples, Halos around the heads of saints was taken from the Eqyptians, Also the main god of the Egyptian religion, Ra, has three states just like God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) I could go on and on.
I have read the Bible, went to church for 18 years, studied religions and mythology throughout high school and undergrad. A lot more than the average Christian who just reads the Bible. What about you Nope, are you one of those who just reads the Bible and eats it all up without question?
take your sky faeries, and your thumpin, and a hollering, huffin and a puffery and just run on along now.
3n1,
Avoiding answering questions fools no one but yourself.
Rather than spending your time telling others they deserve to go to hell, you might actually read the Bible and learn about the Golden Rule and how it is bad to pass judgment on others. But I'm sure the Bible has a tiny asterisk saying that those "do not apply to 3n1".
Good luck. Enjoy eating shellfish and search for ANY PROOF that Nod wasn't started by Steve.
Flyonthewall~I'm sorry that you have been fed lies. Satan is a master of deceit. He has deceived many. Many of you think it's a fairy tale. He is leading you straight to Hell. And you think the stuff flies land on stinks...
sky faery's are not real....duh!!! AND of course I am right. only uneducated people believe in unicorns and sky faery's
Satan???? LMAO...is that another one of your silly sky faery's. Dude.....you are really brainwashed. It is sad to see you so blinded by your beliefs.
@3n1 Then why should we be allowing Christians values to influence laws that affect Non-Christians, that doesn't seem too fair.
toast everything you say is specculation and you dont have proof
just lies and what you think but have you made any proof? nope
you havent
you make your lies up from what others say and then say christians do the same thing because they should not follow mans book called the bible right but you base evrything you think you know off of wht other man say and you are hypocrite for that
Toasted Bread, I can't help to reply and say that the Catholic church (and I can say this as I am an ex-Catholic), worships saints, Mary, etc. Why would I follow what they say in regards to the books, etc.
It's sad to see so many wrapping themselves up in what 'man' says. God is Who matters. You either believe or don't believe. You must also believe the other lies conjured up...the book of Mary? Jesus not being perfect??
Observer, go back and reread what I wrote. Did you see anywhere where I said "they deserve to go to hell"? ?
That's a BIG problem with many. Always taking others words..especially Christians, and twisting them...taking them out of context.
I'm sorry that you do not believe. God is the One who is going to judge you. Not me. He said it, and I'm relaying it!
3n1 ANSWER THE QUESTION....why should all of us Pagans care less about how your belief system. Dont force your bigotry into my law system please.
If you believe that the Bible is correct, then read it with an open mind and you will agree that if God is there, he is the most evil existence of all time.
Flyonthewall, No one is forcing anything on you. Remember...you're just a fly on the wall.
You don't have to chitchat about any truth that you can't handle to hear.
Ting~ Take a look around the world. And see exactly the evil that Satan has his hand in. His time is running out.
There is so much evil abounding...and good as well.
God is love. Satan is full of hate. Satan is evil.
@Nope. I am not making this up. I have taken college level courses arguing this. Do a little research and you will easily discover how true it is. I honestly would love to know how much you actually know about Christianity, because from your statements it appears you only know the surface. How much have you studied other religions, mythology? Yes what I have been told was told by a man. A man who uses the scientific method to provide evidence and reasoning (something hard for Christians to grasp). How can a Christian ever say, "you have no proof". There is no proof that the stories in the Bible are true, more proof that they are not, yet you will sit there and call me a hypocrite. You are all mixed up. Please go read a science book.
It's called 'faith'. You either have it or you don't. Have faith in God.
Good day.
Prayer never works but blasphemy makes you feel good.
Religious faith: Based on nothing, allows you to believe anything.
The LDS church has once again involved itself in trying to destroy gay celebrities by shining a negative light on them. The LDS church has a hidden agenda around the globe and has been using gay celebrities as scape goats for their agendas!!
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/05/09/john-travolta-sexual-assault-lawyer-more-accusers-receipts-proof/?intcmp=features
First Freddie Mercury, then Michael Jackson. Now they're after John Travolta and have paid people to accuse him of raping all of them!! How could he do over 100 men without anyone knowing and all the sudden there's over 100 men claiming this? The LDS church is an evil organization!!!!
The Church didn't make Michael Jackson settle a lawsuit out of court for millions and millions of dollars.
smoke another one why dont ya.
When it comes to marriage in America, we are speaking of a legal nature; not religious. Legally, we are ALL GUARANTEED EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW(14th am). In America we have the freedom from religious persecution, or so I thought.
And where in the Bill of RIghts does it say that it's ok for men to marry other men? Marriage is between a man and a woman, period. The founding fathers were good Christians and it wasn't their intent to have a bunch of gay men doing it and getting married in our churches. If you want to get married to another man, go to Canada or something. But keep it out of MY country.
As a good Christian you probably know that humanity could have been started by Adam and Steve. The Bible says that Eve was just a part of Adam. No one knows who started the parallel civiilization of Nod where Cain went. Since it took a man to be unique enough to start humanity, the guy who started Nod could have been named Steve.
Observer...that is a poor observation. May God help you...follow Him, not man.
3n1,
No problem. I'll be the first person to admit his mistake.
So who created the parallel civilization of Nod described in the Bible?
Adam, your hypocrisy ignorance and arrogance amaze me. Why should it matter to the Christians whom marries whom. Isn't it just fewer people in your mystical heaven anyway. Government and angry thiests should stay out of other people's social affairs
Observer, if you read the apyrophic Jewish tests, they believe that eve was Adams 2nd wife, lilith was1 st. Cain and lilith met in the land of nod. Their child was enoch, whom they made leader of their new land. Incidentally enoch was the grandfather of noah. Making that the idea of noahs ark interesting, settings how noah is of cast out blood, not faithful blood.
mickey1313,
Thanks for the info. No matter how you slice it, it is all INCEST.
no matter how you slice it, gays are worst than incest and pedos
fyi, god sent angels in the bginning to have children with humans so there would not be incest just fyi
but atheists ignore this information for their god hating agenda bs
OBserver.....excellent point. 2n1 you need to re-think your life. Your probably not totally a bad person, but it is NOT ok to be bigoted.
I'l listen to whjat the church has to say on this matter.......WHEN THEY START PAYING TAXES
They have already bought out the government and have been using their strong arm of power to exercise its agenda on the American people and they need to be voted out!!
AGain it is time for them to start [paying taxes or stop trying to affect policy outside the walls of their church... no one is saying they dont have the rights of their religion but stop trying to affect ploicy and laws based on your religious beliefs if you DONT contribute to the national government becvause of some notion that churches are exempt.
WHY ARE THEY EXEMPT?
Certain even Jesus said to pay Caesar what is due Caesar... was he wrong or are we cherry picking that book you hide behind christians?
Uh, if they pay taxes, then that means they get a say in political matters. You want them to pay taxes still? I say kick 'em the hell off the planet. I say build a giant rocket for all the believers and then launch it into the sun. Get 'em all of the planet and we ain't gotta deal with 'em anymore.
Amen to that! My neighbor made his house a church so he pays no property taxes. He owns a head shop for a living. I love it. Being a jerk myself really as G-d made the green too now didn't he.
It's a known fact that the LDS corporation has been pumping money into the Vatican for years. Here is a result of one of their disgusting plans.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/showbiz/vidal-sassoon-obit/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
I've read on http://mormonconspiracy.com/ that Paul Mitchell had a hand in this. "Natural causes" my anus.
So, the Mormons, the Vatican, and Paul Mitchell all conspired to give an 84 year old man leukemia?
Uh-huh...
Conspiracy is the opiate of the asses....
Flamespeak
"Not to stir any stink over the matter, but the Democratic party held control over the House, the Senate, and the Presidency for the first two years of Obama's administration. What got accomplished during those years?"
We went from a nation constantly afraid of being on the brink of another Great Depression to a recovering nation. The stock market slowed the plunge and turned around. We went from losing well over a half million jobs each month to actually adding jobs.
Your memory seems to be a little short.
Observer,
To blame the economy on a presidency is foolish. They have no control over such a thing and never have had control over it.
The LDS church has its hand in the economy and used its power to cause the recession and stock market crisis. They are also responsible for the housing market collapse. The information is available.
http://mormonconspiracy.com/
Flamespeak,
So when Bush started the $1 trillion war for false reasons and got taxes lowered instead of paying for the war, this had "no effect on the economy"?
Observer,
Essentially, yes 'It had no effect on the economy'. A 1 trillion dollar war fought over the course of 8 years is a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of the economy of the USA. What effects the economy? Gas prices, the populace spending money for goods and services thereby opening up new positions to fill the demand, housing prices and local cost of living properly reflecting the wages earned in the local area. There are a lot of factors that effect the economy.
Now if you are talking about the deficit, that is another goose altogether, believe it or not, and the presidency CAN sure as hades effect the deficit. The biggest contributors to the deficit are the three holy grails that the government will never touch because to do so would be political suicide. MediCare, MedicAid, and Social Security.
Flamespeak,
I've got to give you credit. I've never heard anyone describe $1,000,000,000,000 as a "drop in the bucket".
Since this drop in the bucket represents 1/15th of our national debt, what's the big deal about the debt?
Observer,
A drop in the bucket, it is. A one trillon dollar 8 year conflict is pretty small when consider the bigger problems. Do I advocate the war in the middle east? Not one bit. I wish we had nothing to do with the middle east, but I understand going after Bin Laden for the attack on the US citizens that costs thousands of innocent lives, however, now that the deed is done bring the men and women home from the front.
Why do I consider it a drop in the bucket though?
Social Security liability is currently at 15.6 Trillion
Prescription drug liability is currently at 20.6 Trillion
Medicare Liability is currently at 82.4 Trillion
Those three programs alone account for 118.8 Trillion dollars in us liability.
The war in Iraq should not have been fought. period. But economically it was far from damning.
Actually, it's closer to 3 Trillion for wars, not to mention more than 6400 servicemen and women dead, more than 120,000 civilians dead in Iraq and Afghanistan, and countless more maimed. I really hope GW and Cheney have trouble sleeping at night.
The Democrats and the President saved the auto industry, gained equal pay for women performing the same jobs, continued the Bush Tax Cuts, and passed a Healthcare Plan, while the right wing of the Republican Party and the Tea Party lied to Senior Citizens that Medicare would be destroyed by the Healthcare Plan, when in fact, Medicare for the Elderly has improved.
More circus and bread for the easily distracted.
You should know, since you belong in the circus.
Its about true freedom. Do you want America to be a free country or Not. Simple test do you want the right to preach and practice your beliefs. If so then why would you want less for anyone else? Maybe there should be a movement for denier's of freedom. We are either all free or we are all phony’s. You can't have it both ways. For those who preach "Don't tread on me", well don't tread on them. Anyone who believes their belief is the only way would take offense if someone or many told them they could not believe in their own belief. They would be livid. So as Thomas Paine said wisely "to deny someone of their own belief is only to be bliss of your own”. If you want a ticket to H E double toothpicks then deny someone of something you wouldn't want denied of. If you believe in an “eye for an eye” then don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to yourself. Any thing less is a sin or an eternity of what you dished out.
Eat a dick.
Well said sir
Leaders have the power to lead people in the wrong direction (1 Kings 16:2), and God holds those in leadership positions responsible when they lead His people the wrong way. (Isaiah 3:14) The Bible is filled with warnings to leaders who lead God's people astray (Leviticus 4:22). God promises to punish leaders for doing a bad job in leading God's people (Jeremiah 25:34), particularly when they lead God's people into a sinful lifestyle (Zechariah 10:3).
Read more: About Leadership Principles in the Bible | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4610014_leadership-principles-bible.html#ixzz1uRQNStIZ
Christine,
It's highly unlikely that you believe or follow everything in Leviticus, so what's the point in trying to use it to pick on others?
Warning: Don't click Christine's link. It directs you to a bestiality site.
We should also consult a book on witchcraft to see what it says on the matter.
Remember Jesus out in the wilderness for 40 days and nights being tempted by the Devil? Even the Devil can use the bible to misguide his followers.
There is a different between giving you the right to choose what to do, and telling you what to do
Why would this have any bearing on whether or not to vote Obama into a second term?
* Promised to bring all troops home from middle east and end US occupation by the end of Christmas during his first year. That never happened
* Re-newed the unconsti.tutional Patriot Act
* Kept Guantanamo Bay open, despite claiming he was going to close it
* Instead of actually working on universal health care, instead his solution was to make it required to pay for insurance or be punished by law
* Utterly ignored the plight of the gulf oil spill, an ecological disaster that was directly effecting the livelihood and economy of US citizens as the spill reached US Soil
* Ignores the violent drug cartels from Mexico that are spilling into US border states and, what's more, directly fights against states that are trying to combat the illegal immigration into their territories while hiding behind a false flag of 'equality'. Pretty sure none of those states have any problem with legal citizens coming to the USA, but the massive trail of blood being left on their door step from illegal entry from a nation experiencing a violent turmoil is hard to overlook
There are plenty of reasons not to vote for Obama (and Romney is no better) next election, but this isn't really one of them.
President Obama didn't ignor the oil spill like Bush ignored dying Americans begging for help in New Orleans.
Obama kept in contact with BP people who, everything considered, seemed to do a fairly good job of fixing the mess.
The patriot act is consti.tutional, my friend. I'm an expert on the consti.tution so don't even argue. Just keep your mouth shut.
@Observer,
I am not talking about Bush (Of whom I am not a fan), so why bring him up?
Flamespeak,
Republicans just had 8 years to show us what kind of a president they wanted. It's fun to pretend Bush didn't exist, but his disasters are a large factor in what is happening to us today.
"Utterly ignored the plight of the gulf oil spill"
Nonsense. He kept involved with BP. He wanted responsibility of the cleanup to be their problem and the mess has been fairly responsibly addressed by BP.
@Observer
Yes, Bush had terrible ideas and made terrible decisions, however, to continue to point the finger at his presidency for all the ills in the current administration is kind of silly. Keep this in mind, in the whole 2 years of democratic control of the government, a simple budget couldn't even be passed. That is simply incompotent on a gross scale.
Let me say this, I don't like either the repulican or democratic party on the whole, and the whole idea of red vs blue mentaility is one of the main reasons we won't see any effective change to politics in our lifetime.
Flamespeak,
I do agree with you that the current animosity between the two parties is leading us to disaster. It just gets worse as we see the more moderates on each side getting picked off.
@ Observer
Ultimately, he did ignore the plight of the oil spill. There was a lot he could have done with the coast guard and navy to help contain the spill from getting to American soil, but he didn't. Now, I will give BP credit for owning up to their mistake and trying their best to make amends for the situation, but the president should have used government resources to help protect government lands and just given BP a bill for their services if he was trying to save a buck.
You're both wrong. Two sides of the same coin. Liars.
Flamespeak,
Legal experts explained that ANY areas that we worked to clean up would free BP of the liabilities for those areas. Restraint was the best policy to get the cleanup done without us having to pay for it. BP shouldered most of the burden and our involvement would have just added to our deficit that I am sure must irritate you.
Observer
Actually, BP would still be responsible (and they still are responsible) in regards to the US area effected by the oil spill, even if the government would have helped them out. The main reason the government stayed out of the cleaning process was to avoid any of the negative attention that might have been put on them if the COULDN'T help stop the spread of the oil. BP is still being sued by the government for billions of dollars due to polluting the ocean
http://bpbenzenelawsuit.com/news/bp-attempts-to-settle-fines-with-united-states-government/
They would simply have to pay the government more money for the aid in containing the disaster. I can't help but feel that such a massive fine for the damage that the government is leveraging at them was an idea that was in the works the whole time. A way to squeeze more money out of BP instead of trying to do the right thing and help keep the American people from suffering.
Flamespeak,
I'm glad to know that I didn't need to listen to lawyers on TV when I could have just asked a blogger. Apparently the LAWYERS on TV were wrong when they said the US would have legal responsibilities for the work they would have done.
Observer
The lawyers on TV have just as much credit as a random Joe on the street unless you personally do some digging into their past cases and their stances to try and get a feel for what they are about or for what cause they might be promoting. Don't forget, Jack Thompson was a lawyer on TV too.
Flamespeak,
Jeffrey Toobin got his law degree at Harvard magna c-m laude.
Where did you get your law degree?
Observer
Oddly, the only thing I am seeing about Toobin mentioning the oil spill was him saying it would be hard to prove intentional negligence for a criminal case againt BP.
I once knew a lawyer that got his degree from harvard. He was actually.... not very intelligent. So please, don't even bother with that lame argument.
Funny, mention the MANY shortcomings of Barco Obummer and every retarded mongrel idiot moron out there cries about Bush. He isn't in office anymore. So let's focus on your useless tin savior that hasn't done a thing to improve matters in this country. He's taken credit for anything positive others has done, and his loyal worshipers do nothing but blame bush every time one of his policies fails. Not very shocking. Liberals and Conservatives alike are a bunch of idiots.
Mr. Barack Obama – if you cannot respect and preserve the Word of God which clearly states that marriage between man and woman. Then please stop mentioning the name of Christ because you are blaspheming His Holy name. In no way that God, in His Holiness will chose your side over His Holiness. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.
Leaders have the power to lead people in the wrong direction (1 Kings 16:2), and God holds those in leadership positions responsible when they lead His people the wrong way. (Isaiah 3:14) The Bible is filled with warnings to leaders who lead God's people astray (Leviticus 4:22). God promises to punish leaders for doing a bad job in leading God's people (Jeremiah 25:34), particularly when they lead God's people into a sinful lifestyle (Zechariah 10:3).
Christine, Do you not realize that the old testament is a Jewish book of faith and that Christianity is based on Christ (hence the name) and his teachings? All of that can only be found in the New Testament. Something it seems every religious zealot who hides behind their religion fails to remember is that Christ taught TOLERANCE not HATE. That was his BIGGEST lesson to people. Be tolerant of others and treat them as you would want to be treated, something President Obama even stated during his interview. Quit hiding behind your cherry-picked old testament scripture.
If you believed and followed everything in the Bible, then you could have validity to use it to criticize others.
@ Observer
If I believed everything in the Bible then I would be a complete nut job and would have no grounds to criticize others. The Bible gives exact dimensions of the ark Noah built. However, it is an impossibility that this would provide enough room for 2 of every animal on the planet, let alone room for Noah and his family. Therefore, to believe this would mean that I am delusional. This is just one example of something in the Bible that cannot be believed because it cannot possibly be true.
Jremy,
I agree. The story of Noah's ark is one of the most illogical stories ever told. It's incredible than anyone could believe it.
In case you haven't checked, this is a secular nation, bro.
Timothy 2:12: I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. So shut up; your female opinions are worthless, and it must be true because it says so in the bible.
Amen Christine. Well quoted.
My comment was censored. I demand an apology.
If Gays and Lesbians receive their well-deserved Civil Rights, then the Republicans would have little to nothing to run on from that point forward as that is a well-known and foregone conclusion since they have no economic plan for this country or any plan at all besides their idle rhetoric. And with Republicans in the White House who would suffer the most? The Middle-Class, the Poor, the Elderly, Minorities and others whom the Democratic Party and Obama fully support. They would end up being the Biggest Losers if a Republican should gain the White House but fat chance they will!! That's why We Need Obama/Biden 2012!!
That's So Right, Foregone Conclusion!!! And let's not forget that Women, Teachers, the Environment, Clean Water, Education and more would suffer much under a Republican administration! We simply cannot afford to go back and regress to the failed polices of the past under Republican presidents. Let's Keep Obama in the White House for FOUR MORE YEARS!!
@ In Addition
Not to stir any stink over the matter, but the Democratic party held control over the House, the Senate, and the Presidency for the first two years of Obama's administration. What got accomplished during those years?
That is one of the most uneducated posts I have ever read. 1 in 7 Americans are on food stamps, Obama takes no blame, and we continue to give hand outs in this country. What we need is leaders and non corruption within are government. This has nothing to do with Dems or Rep, and until you realize this you will continue to be a sheep like many in this country. The reason we see this destructive behavior is a blend of society trends and the uneducated. Everyone crosses party lines on all typesmof topics and we are blinded by singular topics. 4 more years means destruction as we know it. I only wish the Dems would have given us a better choice and not a man who flips flops on what best fits his agenda, like every politician.
@Flamespeak Before the Dems could even attempt to do anything good they first had to spend the time fixing all the screw-ups brought on by the Bush/Cheney administration.
@ Jremy
Oh? And what did they change from the Bush administration exactly?
Flamespeak,
What did they change? For one thing we got our troops out of the war Bush and the Republicans started and put more effort into finding bin Laden after Bush didn't care.
Observer,
So, we are not at war in Afghanistan still? We didn't use our military to stop Gaddaffi? Even though we found and killed Bin Laden we still are involved in a bloody war in the middle east. The simple truth of the matter is the Obama administration still has american soldiers fighting in the middle east for no good reason. And he DID get the soldiers out of Iraq, almost 3 years after he said he was going to do so. I guess I can give him partial credit for that.