Romney and Obama on Religion
Posted by faithinformed on March 14, 2008
When Mitt Romney’s presidential bid first began to pick up steam, there was a lot of worry about his ties to the Mormon church. Would Romney’s religious beliefs influence his policies as president? Would the things he learned from the Mormon church influence how he thinks about the world? How could such a smart man attend a church that has certain beliefs that, to many, seem outrageous? Does the Mormon Church’s somewhat questionable past regarding African-Americans indicate that Romney might be hiding his true thoughts about blacks?
These questions, along with many others, were continually raised by political pundits over and over. These were questions that Romney was forced to answer at just about every turn. He took them so seriously that he gave an entire speech on the relationship between his faith and his politics (click here to link to a video of that speech).
If it was acceptable to bring up all these issues concerning Mitt Romney, why is it not acceptable to do the same concerning Barack Obama? Below is a video clip of Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s pastor for over 20 years, preaching a sermon that, at the least, demands that Obama answer the same questions, with the same forthrightness, as Romney.
As you watch this short 3 minute video keep in mind the following: this is the man that has been Obama’s pastor for over 20 years. This is the man that Obama prayed with before announcing his nomination just over a year ago. This is the man that baptized Obama’s two daughters. This is the man that Obama considers his spiritual advisor.
If Obama had attended this church 20 years ago and left after a short time, I think this would be a non-issue. But, Obama attended this church, pastored by this man, 20 years ago and has continued to attend it. And keep in mind, Obama is only 46 years old. Wright has had an influence on Obama for just about half of his life. I don’t think it is fair to expect any person to endorse everything his pastor says over 20 years. But can we reasonably believe that every Sunday afternoon, Obama would sit down with his family and disagree with what their pastor has said? For 20 years?
If I’m right, then every American should demand that Obama answer every question we have about this issue. Am I right about this? Is it fair to compare this to Romney? Will the Obama-loving media turn our questions about this into our being racist? Can we still believe Obama’s rhetoric about moving beyond race? Does this at least give us reasons to question his judgment?
How would America in general, and the media in particular, respond if John McCain even had a friend that expressed these ideas directed toward black people? What if it was someone he voluntary associated himself with for over 20 years?
(In case you think this is an isolated incident, peruse some of the related videos on YouTube’s site. You’ll see that Wright thought 9/11 was a punishment for not America’s sins, but for “white-America’s sins” and that instead of singing ‘God bless America’, he thinks we should sing ‘God damn America’.)
Josh said
Paul,
This is a very good post. Like you, I think these are extremely pertinent questions, the answers to which might be quite telling. Furthermore, extract the words of O’s pastor and import them into a different context, and the situation would explode. I suppose most of us can guess what that change in context would need to look like in order to get the kind of reaction that we’re suspiciously not getting presently. One of the problems, as you’ve noted, is that certain volatile and hot-button “cards” are played in these discussions which only serve to undermine any chance at rational dialogue. I’m sick and tired of these “cards.” I’m also sick and tired at the rhetoric and sophistry that seem to dominate these discussions. Does anyone want to put in the hard work of seeking the truth in community, which will likely cause some belief-revision on both sides of these issues?
faithinformed said
Josh,
I think you’re right and unfortunately we see this all the time. I heard one reporter say something like, “Well you know I think it’s interesting that past Republican candidates never had to answer for things Billy Graham has said.” I guess if Graham was Bush’s pastor right now and said extremely racist comments this year, then there’s something to that. Hopefully the “new media” will be successful in making people aware of things they should know because it appears the “old media” is dropping the ball.
Anthony Bradley said
Paul, sorry to post here but I don’t think I have your e-mail address. At any rate, I wanted to apologize for the thread on my site. I see that I misunderstood your questions and suggestions. I shouldn’t have use the word pathetic to refer to your suggestion of using other words. As a Calvinist who believes that God is redeeming all things (ta panta, Col 1:15ff) the idea that a word can’t be redeemed, for us Calvinist, is impossible and I forget that everyone who responds on my site is not Reformed theologically so I often not exercise patience with those with very different, non-Van Tillian presuppositions about what the word “redemptive” means. So, please forgive me for mocking you and I truly apologize. Maybe I’ll see you this summer.–anthony