Obama's Tree lighting comments called "Christian...."

Today's CNN religion section notes that President Obama delivered a very "Christian" talk at the tree lighting ceremony.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/0 ... -lighting/

I read the transcript of that talk
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... stmas-tree

While I'm not Muslim - a Muslim would be very comfortable with what the President said. I'd have to disagree with CNN ---- while the President did talk about Jesus Christ in his speech, there's nothing in the text that is distinctively Christian.

Empty pots make a lot of noise. It is applicable here as in empty words say nothing. For proclaiming himself a Christian, his proclamation is only a little stronger than mine and I'm a follower of the universe not Chistianity. To me the transcription reads like a very carefully crafted script that allows you to get close without actually being a witness.

Good... How refreshing that someone doesn't have to utter the "code words" to make the religious community buy something that's irrelevant to the office he holds... (And is specifically excluded by the Constitution as a requirement for holding the office...)

bailey bud wrote: Today's CNN religion section notes that President Obama delivered a very "Christian" talk at the tree lighting ceremony.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/0 ... -lighting/

I read the transcript of that talk
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... stmas-tree

While I'm not Muslim - a Muslim would be very comfortable with what the President said. I'd have to disagree with CNN ---- while the President did talk about Jesus Christ in his speech, there's nothing in the text that is distinctively Christian.

Nothing distinctively Christian?

More than 2,000 years ago, a child was born to two faithful travelers who could find rest only in a stable, among the cattle and the sheep. But this was not just any child. Christ’s birth made the angels rejoice and attracted shepherds and kings from afar. He was a manifestation of God’s love for us. And He grew up to become a leader with a servant’s heart who taught us a message as simple as it is powerful: that we should love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves. He was a manifestation of God’s love for us. And He grew up to become a leader with a servant’s heart who taught us a message as simple as it is powerful: that we should love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

That teaching has come to encircle the globe. It has endured for generations. And today, it lies at the heart of my Christian faith and that of millions of Americans.

He gave credence to a mythical birth story (there is no historical proof that the birth happened in this manner), specifically refers to "my Christian faith" and dignifies the existence of a make believe god. Rather distinctively Christian.

This is deliberate rhetoric - it's not theology (again - that's fine by me). My main disagreement is with CNN characterizing his message as " very Christian. "

I don't mean to give credence to the rumors that he's not Christian (I figure he is - and it's really a non-issue to me). That said --- no - his talk is not distinctively Christian.
(Muslims subscribe to the virgin birth story, and Hindus have the story of Ishu).

Obama's theology is expressed here:

That teaching has come to encircle the globe. It has endured for generations. And today, it lies at the heart of my Christian faith and that of millions of Americans.

(emphasis added)

Were you to ask a divinity school graduate what's at the heart of the Christian faith, you'd likely get a different story. (generally something pertaining to Substitutionary Atonement - taught by Catholicism's Aquinas, as well as the Protestant Calvin).

Finally - take a moment to read the President's remarks :

More than 2,000 years ago, a child was born to two faithful travelers who could find rest only in a stable, among the cattle and the sheep.

Now read how a Middle Eastern scholar interprets the birth story:

http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/20 ... px#Article

If you de-construct the popular (western) Christmas story - you'll find ingredients that you won't find in non-western (Eastern) Christian thinking. The definition of "manger" is very different for a non-western Christian. Since Jesus was a middle-easterner, I've concluded that there's a lot of baggage that's been introduced to Christianity - and the story around the manger is part of the baggage.

So what's my point? President Obama is a populist. He appeals to popular thought - usually trying to turn that popular thinking toward himself. His philosophy appeals to a romantic albeit incorrect conception of Christ's birth, as well as the popular, but unorthodox notion that Christ is really a public servant (perhaps he would wear a red tie were he here, today).

I don't know whether or not the President is Christian - and I really don't care. However, I'd disagree that his words are "very Christian."

(this is a non-partisan commentary --- I'd disagree that Pat Robertson's words are, as well)

The Liberals GOP Twin wrote: Nothing distinctively Christian?

More than 2,000 years ago, a child was born to two faithful travelers who could find rest only in a stable, among the cattle and the sheep. But this was not just any child. Christ’s birth made the angels rejoice and attracted shepherds and kings from afar. He was a manifestation of God’s love for us. And He grew up to become a leader with a servant’s heart who taught us a message as simple as it is powerful: that we should love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves. He was a manifestation of God’s love for us. And He grew up to become a leader with a servant’s heart who taught us a message as simple as it is powerful: that we should love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

That teaching has come to encircle the globe. It has endured for generations. And today, it lies at the heart of my Christian faith and that of millions of Americans.

He gave credence to a mythical birth story (there is no historical proof that the birth happened in this manner), specifically refers to "my Christian faith" and dignifies the existence of a make believe god. Rather distinctively Christian.

Muslims agree that Jesus was a prophet. Nothing in Obama's speech says that Jesus was the son of God. Even the Jews believe Jesus existed and did great things - they just don't believe he was the messiah - the son of God.

Obama's speech was brilliantly non-denominational

Christmas - Christ's feast. I did, however, note the truncation with regards to Christ's commandments as recorded in the New Testament. Love God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself.

I agree NTM, Obama left out the part about Jesus being Divine. Pretty much proves that you can have prayers at any government function, in any government building, display creche's on government grounds and all the rest without fear of breaching the constitutional prohibition of establishing a religion, doesn't it.

I'll get over it....

LadyJazzer wrote: I'll get over it....

Oh, thank God! I was so worried about your state of mind I couldn't eat!