While I hate how the Christian left and right appear to be taking over this nation I have to agree with C-Truth. Lets focus on the important things Obama does/fails to do, rather than worry about his religious preferences or inclusion/non-inclusion of Athiests in his speeches. Seriously, it's a ridiculous thing to debate over given the far more pressing issues in our nation at the moment. == By the way, President Obama will be doing a weekly youtube address as president, to offer his thoughts on the current state of affairs the country is in. Consider it an online 'state of the union' if you will. Although he has been doing this since he was elected, it's nice to see him continue this even after being sworn in as President. If he does this weekly, there's a chance we could have well over 150 addresses from Obama by the end of his first term. Amazing. [youtube]RDfpd8GV9dI[/youtube] (P.S. watch in HD)
That is like saying: "Americans predominantly hold slaves, get over it, it's not going to change anytime soon." Of course it won't change if people don't do anything about it. I understand if it isn't enjoyable for some people to talk about, I'm sure "anti-slavery advocates" were unpopular at one time too, but I am glad they didn't shut up- even if criticizing otherwise good presidents (Say, Jefferson). I am not saying anyone here has to continue the conversation if they do not want to, I am just saying that it should not be criticized as an unimportant issue. This said, Obama is really quite impressive. He isn't perfect, but who is? Even if he is missing one big issue, he's doing a lot and will do a lot for a lot of other big issues. I in no way wish to diminish that.
For fuck's sake, he could've even NOT SHOWN UP for the inauguration, and he'd still be president. The inauguration is nothing more than a public confirmation of the transfer of power, it doesn't even have to take place for the office to change hands. The president-elect automatically assumes office at noon on the day after the end of the previous president's term, as per the Constitution. People need to get over it. Or at least get their facts straight...but that's putting awfully high expectations on some of the people who live in this country.
Wow, seriously? Comparing enslaving an entire race to the majority of Americans choosing to worship Jesus Christ? You've got BALLS. That's not even remotely in the same realm of America being a predominantly Christian nation. What's there to do about it? Boo-hoo, they say the word "God" at a PUBLIC ceremony for the passing of the reigns of the Presidency, just like they've been doing for the last hundreds of years. Obama wasn't holding a prayer at a Senate meeting before they pass a bill on abortion or something, it was just a public ceremony, like a Christmas parade or something like that. Get over it.
I've got to say, that's the most flawed argument I've ever seen in my life. You're making a much bigger deal of this than you should be. Maybe you need to get out of the house and see that there are more important things than a president saying "God bless America."
Have you ever considered the possibility that the issue you're talking about isn't as big as you'd like it to be? Guess not..
I'm fairly certain that by saying "God Bless" in a speech, you aren't forcing Americans to be Christians.
Esual you have a LOT of nerve to even put religious pride and slavery in the same sentence. They are nothing alike in the slightest...and like Dusan and everyone else has said so far: "get over it". It seriously is not as bad of an issue as you make it out to be. Honestly, my respect for you plumetted after reading that. Nobody forces you to follow Christianity, but African Americans were forced to be slaves, and were often hung or badly beaten if they tried to escape. Its nothing alike at all, and like Casey said: you have some balls to even dare try to link the two.
+5 I was reading the thread and about to post this huge response, but Casey said everything I wanted to say.
Wow, apparently that was not a popular opinion. The remark is not to say slavery = religious pride. The point was simply to show that just because the majority of the country believes something is okay, and the government policies embrace this, does not mean that it can't still be wrong and those who see it as wrong shouldn't be silent. I am NOT saying they are wrong on equal levels or in similar ways. I think it is disgusting and dangerous to give religion such a central light in a supposedly secular ceremony. It would not be tolerated if it was any other religion, or if it was antitheism. The double standard is glaringly obvious. And lastly, the Bible was used prominently to support the idea of slavery in the past anyway. But I am not calling them ALIKE in what they do, simply saying they were/are widely supported and still wrong. It was just to show that widely supported things CAN still be wrong, and we don't have to just accept them as they can also change.
i dont about you but ever since he has been elected the racism has increased around me like 10x its quite sad
As an EXTREMELY open-minded and EXTREMELY liberal (in some eyes, heretical) Christian/Buddhist, formerly an agnostic, and even more formerly an atheist, I really don't care as to what religious ceremony takes light as long as the things the President signs into action are acceptable. They could have a Mormon sermon and I really wouldn't mind as long as things get DONE. Which is what Obama is doing. Give it a rest.
I am not saying ALL Christians would have a problem, just a lot would. Mormonism is a sect of Christianity anyway. Most would surely have an issue with antitheism especially. Even just atheism would cause a problem. And I agree things should get done. One important one being separating church and state. If you disagree with me, that is fine, just don't attack my opinion then tell me to "give it a rest" when I write a rebuttal. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't, but if you do argue against me I will argue back. I hardly think that is unfair.
I am going to tell you to give it a rest esaul, because you've derailed this thread and turned it into a hardcore (and at times offensive because of you) religious debate. If you want to pit atheism vs christianity, make a seperate thread for it and continue your arguement in that thread. I refuse to let this thread to go off topic anymore. This is about our current president (and world news), and not your views on politics and christianity. Take them elsewhere (as in a different thread in serious chat) thank you.
I dunno if I'd call this News per se but it is definitely cool. 1,474 megapixel inauguration photo Oh and here is real news http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2009/01/obama-sides-wit.html Seems the article is misleading as in what the document contained within has to say. All in all I'm one hell of a confused person.
This is a: " President Barack Obama/World News & Issues Discussion" and this was a world issue and involved Barack Obama, so that is why I carried it out here. This said, I already made my defense so unless anyone else wants to continue this, I don't have anything else to rebut. If anyone does want to continue this, I do welcome them to make a new thread though, as Derek suggested. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I was making my last statement immune to debate by not opening a new topic, I just don't see the need to do so unless anyone actually desires to challenge me . EDIT: And I do find Obama's support of wiretapping disappointing and kind of walks over his "CHANGE!" image.
If you want to debate me, make a new thread. If you want to just insult me, please be silent. I will defend statements calling me arrogant, but I am not arrogant enough to think it a "world issue" so it should be done elsewhere.
I'm not going to debate you on this because you keep repeating yourself, and you've refused to back down thus far, even though all you're doing is causing problems.