Would you like to know how President Obama views religion in society? Back in 2006 he gave a keynote address at the Call to Renewal’s Building a Covenant for a New America conference in Washington, D.C. Here are some excerpts.
“Today, I’d like to talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts about how we can sort through some of the often bitter arguments that we’ve been seeing over the last several years…
“For some time now, there has been plenty of talk among pundits and pollsters that the political divide in this country has fallen sharply along religious lines. Indeed, the single biggest “gap” in party affiliation among white Americans today is not between men and women, or those who reside in so-called Red States and those who reside in Blue, but between those who attend church regularly and those who don’t…
“But over the long haul, I think we make a mistake when we fail to acknowledge the power of faith in people’s lives — in the lives of the American people — and I think it’s time that we join a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern, pluralistic democracy.
And if we’re going to do that then we first need to understand that Americans are a religious people…
“But what I am suggesting is this – secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering into the public square…
“This brings me to my second point. Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God’s will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all.”
Though Senator Obama’s speech acknowledged that religion plays a part in the public square, it is clear that he was suggesting that religions should seek to emphasize values that are not “religion-specific” but are universal; in other words, they should champion beliefs that are held by them in common with other religions and those of no faith at all. Of course, that is a practical impossibility. Political harmony can never rest on the common beliefs of all because then there would be no beliefs at all. This is really “political ecumenism;” a focus on the common good instead of on the distinctive doctrines that each religion my hold.
This is the same teaching of the Catholic Church concerning the ecumenical movement. Each faith should focus on beliefs that are held in common with all others. Where does this lead?
When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. Great Controversy, page 445.
Comments
P Smith
Friday November 14th, 2014 at 08:22 AMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVemcpA-wx0&feature=youtu.be
margaret Robinson
Saturday November 29th, 2014 at 01:46 AMNo compromise ever no matter what. Be proud to be a Daniel !!!!!
River
Friday November 14th, 2014 at 09:16 AMWhat he is saying that we should obey man rather than God. What happened to the inspire word of God? Unity can never be achive by compromise, Jesus never compromised for the sake of unity and peace. Let’s remember what He died for! He came to save us from our sins, not in our sins. Any compromise with the scriptures comes from Satan himself.
shadrick
Sunday November 16th, 2014 at 01:10 AMIndeed its not a sirprise to those who understand and follow the unfolding of prophecy in Daniel and revelation. The beast that’s making people worship the first beast…America is that beast.
Warrine Harden
Sunday November 16th, 2014 at 09:44 AMI believe we must all speak the truth as to what the Bible teaches. Unity in truth only.
margaret Robinson
Saturday November 29th, 2014 at 01:42 AMWe are too near the end to compromise now. Love ❤ the lord your God with all your heart soul & mind and your not doing that unless u stand for absolute truth
John Hubbard
Friday January 23rd, 2015 at 02:42 AMI can hear the rumblings of His coming; be strong, keeping the faith.
Jesse
Wednesday October 7th, 2015 at 02:05 PMOnce again, “men” continue to completely ignore the Word of God and move to implement man made laws and rules that will replace and remove God completely out of society. This has always been Satan’s plan. Sadly he has succeeded; however, we who study and read the Word of God should not be surprised by what is happening. We all new this day would come. Let us stand fast only in what the Word of God states and let us not detour from right vs tradition and man made laws…as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.