Some thoughts on the Inauguration. No, I didn't watch it. I read it. I have to admit that I haven't digested the whole thing yet. I felt teary this morning and had a meeting and decided to go forward "You only have 4 more years of this...go to the meeting!" I was very curious about Rick Warren's invocation and so I was curious to find it in print and see what he said. This bothered me: "Evangelical pastor Rick Warren, whose participation drew criticism from liberals and gay rights groups, directly invoked Jesus as expected in his invocation, but did so personally. 'I
humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life,' he prayed."
Well, I can understand it. If we are slipping as a Christian nation, which Mr. Obama has implied many times, and come out and said at least once, then Rick Warren was correct in only invoking Jesus personally. But, Christians are roughly 82% of our population. I'd have thought it might be acceptable to have said "I humbly ask this in the name of Jesus Christ," since the world knows Rick Warren's affiliation. And it also is aware of America's huge Christian population.
Then, Mr. Obama told us that "We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers." The latest statistics I found today ranged from 2% Jews and 1% Muslims to both having 1% of the American population. Jews and Muslims, the same amount. Hindus are so miniscule a population that they are not on the statistics I researched. Why would an American president, in a country where "Judeo Christian" is a term often applied to our ethics and values, suddenly put Islam before Judaism? Strange, I thought. Devastating to some of my friends who called and emailed, Jewish and Christian. I guess it cheered the Muslim groups and gave them HOPE.
But, putting religions aside, here was what I thought was the most naive thing he said, though I haven't really pondered the whole speech in great detail yet: "...our security emanates from the justness of our cause,.."
To which my comment is. YIKE! Think about it......hard.
Did any of you have anything you found troubling or exciting...positive? I hope you'll take the time to share it. Anybody have a favorite line that really resonated with you positively? A line that invoked YIKE?!!
By the way, I thought Aretha Franklin's hat was absolutely wonderful!
UPDATE: Here is what the new Obama White House Site says about :
Faith
In June of 2006, then-Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, then-Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.
Senator Obama also laid down principles for how to discuss faith in a pluralistic society, including the need for religious people to translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values during public debate. In December 2006, President Obama discussed the importance of faith in the global battle against AIDS.
z
34 comments:
YIKES is right! That didn't work on 9-10!
OH, Brooke...EXACTLY!
Oh, that our enemies realize "Hey, America's cause is JUST, let's back off!" Please, God. AND TODAY, if we can be so bold?
If only there were "justice" in this world...
I guess I'm not knowledgeable about female fashions, we were watching the coronation in a sports bar and had a good time hooting at that hat. But it was the only laugh we got. I walked out of there feeling pretty shell shocked. My only hope is to hide out in the mountains while The One wrecks havoc. I can't wait to see what the extensive list of executive orders he supposedly has all ready to sign mandate.
Z, I haven't as of yet listened to the speech, nor have I read it, but Give me a day or so and I'll add my 'stimulus two cent check' to the mix.
Blessings.
Z, I was watching when Feinstein gave her pitiful speech. I put my iPod on in the middle of it. (I was in public, and I got a few stares for doing that.)
Rick Warren's prayer was weak, in my opinion.
I didn't pick back up until the official swearing in. I enjoyed seeing Justice Roberts. Other than that, eh.
I skipped Obama's speech.
As I asked in my snarky comments over at Midst The Hum, What constitutes "justness of cause"? A nuke in Manhattan?
Excellent catch with the Obamanator's religious demographics.
I listened to the speech and then read it a couple of times before I translated it: http://midstthehum.blogspot.com/2009/01/bhos-inaguaration-transcript-with.html
I gagged at that line you brought up about Muslims just as you presented it, and also at the idea that America needs to be "remade" and the whole idea that we're in some special pickle caused by Republicans that it is Obama's special mission to save us from. I'm sure there was more but I'd have to read it to remember.
Your previos post reflected my thoughts exactly. I'm simply not as articulate as you, so thanks Z for putting my thoughts into words!
I disliked how Obama started his speech by putting our nation down again, as though we're the worst country on the earth, a bunch of losers! Toward the end of the speech, I was pleased to hear him speak in a more positive light. I hated his line about "embracing science" as though we lived in the dark ages during President Bush's administration.
I didn't like Warren's prayer. He buckled and allowed political correctness to reign, then had the nerve to include Islam's fake name for Jesus (Isa) in his closing.
I did enjoy watching his two adorable girls. After his speech, the eldest said, "That was a good speech Dad."
I haven't gotten the chance to watch the speech either yet. I've read some of it and I'm not impressed at all.
Christopher Hamilton
The Right Opinion, for the Right Wing
Quite frankly, I ignored the whole thing
If you already read the post and then commented and came back to see the other comments, PLEASE see my UPDATE on what Obama has said about FAITH IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY
I listened to the whole speech.
Its said that Obama wrote the speech himself but the same was said about another speech and then later another story was told... whatever.
It was a weak speech whoever wrote it. Someone tried too hard to be profound and in the process used too many catchphrases.
It didn't work, I don't remember a word of it.
As speeches go, this was not a barnburner. There seemed to be no feeling, just a recitation, and not a great one.
But, let's face it when we see this man every day for two years and countless speeches along the way, what was left for him to say?
For me he sounded more like a teacher instructing his class.
Pris
I just heard him (in spite of the sounds of Shepherd Smith's drooling delight at THE ONE dancing on FOX)say "..and health care for everyone who can afford it.."
Funny, I thought that's what we have NOW.
You can't take this guy off script for a second.
Funny, I'm feeling guilty writing all this horrid stuff about Obama....because he's the president. It looks so wrong to see him walking with our color guard because he SO doesn't stand for what THEY stand for, you know?
I feel very badly about this ...that criticizing HIM feels like criticizing my country now...I feel like I want SO BADLY to have a president who would have STOOD UP for us, who'd have honored all the things we hold dear, who would have got rid of our ridiculous political correctness and realized that the majority is what counts in this country, not the fringes, especially those who wish us harm....someone who realized America should only be comprised of legals, that we don't honor socialism, that the little guy's the REAL America, that having money isn't a sin, that big government robs from our self reliance and American spirit, that Americans would give to the poor without mandate and always have, that morals shouldn't be old fashioned, and people shouldn't lie, and humble presidents are more respected than huge egos....etc etc.
I feel bereft because I don't believe he stands for ONE THING I feel strongly about...yet, he's the one in charge of my, our, safety now.......
I wonder if anybody on the left ever felt this way when they slammed bush SO SO hard, so viciously, the last 8 years?
I real feel quite funny about it....and not a little worried.
Greetings, Z! Obama's speech confirmed that he must truly be the Messiah. He said he can AND WILL:
"... harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories..."
"... roll back the specter of a warming planet..."
"... make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds..."
And I bet he does in in less than 7 days just like ... you know...
Hey Z, Not sure those statitistics are correct.. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world (and the U.S.), As far as adherents worldwide, Christianity has the greatest number, with Islam coming 2nd. Judaism has a miniscule percentage. Not making excuses for him, but maybe that's why. Who knows what makes him do the things he does.
I feel very badly about this ...that criticizing HIM feels like criticizing my country now...
z,
There will be plenty of time to criticize him on actual policy decisions. For now, what you can take away as far as positives, are these:
1.The peaceful transition of power, proving once again we live in the greatest nation under God's green earth. It's an example that some people in other nations look upon with envy and admiration.
2. The exuberance of fellow Americans. Even if you don't agree with their decisions, even if you think their devotion hasn't been earned, Obama in spite of himself, has been able to energize many of our fellow Americans and have brought to fruition the hopes and dreams of black Americans who lived before the time and during the time of the Civil Rights struggle of the 60's.
It seems every classroom in America was tuned into the inaugural. In a way, this is all beautiful and depressing at the same time. People shouldn't need Obama to validate their aspirations. But he's become a living symbol to many Americans.
In so many ways, he does not deserve all this adulation; yet people who are motivated and energized may indeed go on to accomplish some great things, inspired by a man who I see as an empty suit with good oratory skills.
I'm none too happy that with all his rhetoric calling for unity and putting partisanship past us, there were apparently people who sang "na na na na, goodbye" to Bush (I didn't hear it, so I don't know how pervasive it was amongst the throngs). No class whatsoever. What's the matter with our society. Obama, if he were a real leader of change and sincere and if he noticed it, should have said something. That would have been different, indeed. But it would be asking too much, as his WhiteHouse website looks to still be in campaign mode, talking about "the last 8 years". That only alienates me and are words of divisiveness. Not unity.
For someone who's supposed to exemplify optimism of the future, he sure seems fixated on the past 8 years. Diminish the accomplishments of the last 8 years to give the illusion of doing greater things during one's own terms, or making excuses for it, when things go wrong. That's why he has to constantly lie about "this is the worst economic disaster our country has ever faced since the Great Depression". It will make him look like he's saved us with his policies when things inevitably get better, in spite of whatever it is he does.
I did not watch it. I read it and am thinking about it. Mostly, it was fluff.
Warren is a disappointment but the Lowerey rap/poem/ prayer was offensive.
"We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."
Christians CAN'T speak in that universal mode he wants of us beyond the occasional general comment. We may get in trouble with this government for that fact before long.
Another thing in the speech that I remembered later was the idea that we shouldn't be too concerned about the question of small versus big government but about whether government works. Something like that, and then he went on to define a government that works and of course it's a government that takes care of everything for us -- that is, big government.
About criticizing Obama, I agree in a way, but in another way isn't this country founded on the freedom to tell it like it is about our leaders? No, the left never felt your scruples about criticizing Bush. In their case they don't mind bringing down the whole system though.
Good Morning!
82% Christian and 2% Jewish? That leaves 16% who may be either Muslim, Hindu, Taoisl, Buddhist, VooDooist, Agnostic, Atheist or Whateverist.
It would seem the other way 'round from the impression given by the news and entertainment media, wouldn't it?
Obviously the PERCENTAGE$ of who is supposed to be what don't matter. What matters is the amount of "NOISE" they make in support of the virtues and importance of their particular religio-ethnic interests and point of view.
There isn't a large percentage of Jews in the Middle East either, and only a fraction of a percent of the entire world's population is Jewish.
Yet look how much attention is focussed on Jews and Jewish-related concerns and activities. Percentage-wise it's nothing short of ASTRONOMICAL.
It's not NUMBERS that matter --- it's the degree of STRENGTH we as individuals exercise on behalf of our beliefs and convictions.
Each ONE of us, whether Christian or not, has an INDIVIDUAL relationship with God, which we should nurture and cherish above all over relationships. We don't achieve Salvation because we are a member of a GROUP. We achieve it one by one through the Grace of the God who is in fact the one and only God who created ALL mankind.
Our acculturated notions of separateness, superiority, inferiority and exclusiveness are NOT godly. They are entirely worldly and political.
If truly there is only ONE GOD, surely He belongs to EVERYONE.
He is The Great I Am, no matter what He is called or how narrowly He is perceived among myriad cultures and warring splinter factions within those cultures.
So maybe all this "universal" thinking is not so far off after all?
~ FreeThinke
From what I gathered on Obama's tidbits on faith, I felt that the de-Godification of our nation has begun.
I'll be happy to hand you the scimitar, FT -- or maybe you'll be in charge of the guillotine -- when it comes to my very exclusivistic and nonuniversal declarations of Christian belief.
Cheers.
Myself, I was fine with Obama's speech, however, I like good poetry, 'nuff said on that issue.
I kind of enjoyed the Lowery statement. He was vamping on an old Big Bill Broonzy blues.
If you knew the tune it resonated.
I hated his line about "embracing science" as though we lived in the dark ages during President Bush's administration.
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Get used to it. Genesis isn't science and we are going to teach biology properly in schools and idiocy like putting out information booklets at the Grand Canyon containing "young earth" theory is gone.
It was a dark age. It's over. Adjust.
I'm none too happy that with all his rhetoric calling for unity and putting partisanship past us, there were apparently...
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Yes it happened but cut us a little slack. After eight years how would you have us bid goodbye to that parcel of rogues, his loyal drudges, myrmidons ,cutpurses, toadies, trucklers, peons, drones ,poltroons, lickspittles et.al?
Ya know what, Ducky? Biology can be very well taught without any reference whatever to origins, to creation or evolution. That doesn't seem to occur to anyone. You can examine biological systems in great detail without all that irrelevant speculation about the absolutely unprovable supposed "descent" from this or that completely other creature. Yeah, that doesn't occur to them. Biological "science" these days can't be taught without that incredible fictional edifice they've invented out of thin air.
The test of science, Ducky, is whether our high tech society keeps on functioning, and hey, guess what, it didn't stop under Bush.
Ducky ["I hated his line about "embracing science" as though we lived in the dark ages during President Bush's administration."]:
I agree, and I suspect Obama's "embracing science" statement was a direct slap to Bush's feelings about stem cell research.
Bush stance on stem cell research?
Stem cell research operated at full blast under Bush. wtf are you talking about... that there weren't 100 wholly extra unnecessary embryonic stem cell lines available?
I guess it is simply too much to ask the genetic scientists to not be wasteful and not contaminate the existing lines with mouse DNA...
Just like it's too much to ask the Left not to use abortion as a preferred means of birth control.
Reward Irresponsibility... the Democrat's favorite mantra!
Fj's right on stem cell..but your media doesn't want you to know the truth.
Everyone knows that adult stem cells are much further along and far more promising than embryonic are .... There's been much work down on stem cells and it's another silly harangue against Bush to suggest otherwise. The extrapolation being HE HATES PEOPLE WITH DISEASES AND HASN'T THE HEART TO HELP THEM.
TYPICAL
Nostradumbass said:
"Get used to it. Genesis isn't science and we are going to teach biology properly in schools and idiocy like putting out information booklets at the Grand Canyon containing "young earth" theory is gone."
Sorry Duncy, the language of science is mathematics and I'm afraid that leaves you in the company of the Illiterati, (to use a term from the urban dictionary.)
Your pronouncements seem rather grandiose coming from someone that doesn't know the scientific method from the rhythm method.
Ahhh, but that's the way it is in the fantasy world of cinema. He's not an intellectual but he plays one on the Internet.
LOL!
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