[LindaMM]

Originally Posted by all4him

I do not believe he's a Christian from former interviews he's done where he states he's a Christian but does not believe in the central tenants of the faith.

Why does this matter? Because, as a Christian, if someone states that they are a Christian, I would expect that they would have the same basic core beliefs I have and he does not. I'd rather that there be someone in the White House that is a true Christian but I'd take one who is not a Christian yet has the same other values as me over someone who claims to be a Christian yet goes against the values I believe in.

Unfortunately, there are those who say that President Obama has claimed to be a Christian and so figure anything he says and does is great. They turn off their brains instead of being like the Bereans in the Bible and test everything that they hear against the Scriptures. That's not a healthy thing at all.

Originally Posted by BlingRacer

It's fairly obvious to anyone that america is no where near ready to elect a non christian leader of any type....If he IS muslim(which I doubt), it's certainly not his fault that our country is SO prejudiced that he has to lie about his religion to be considered a serious political contender.

That reflects on our country and culture, not him.

Having read Obama's first book, I believe that he is not of a religious nature at all. I think that, like a lot of people, he is not a person who finds "God" between the pages of a book.

But, no one in politics in America will get anywhere without a Christian-based religious affiliation. So, I think early on in his "community organizing" days, he aligned with a powerful church in the community he was in, so he could make social and community connections. Naturally, this is just my take on the situation... I have no quotes or evidence to back it up. Just a gut feeling.

And this happens across our country, every day, in every church. There are ALWAYS people who attend church - of whatever demonimation - not because of spiritual awareness, but because it is a social networking opportunity. In some towns, you simply won't "go anywhere" unless you belong to the right church.

I do have respect for people who can look at another religion, educate themselves about it, and see both the good and bad. And, like fundamentalists in almost every religion, it is usually not the religion at fault, but the interpretation of it.

[Preppy_Ponies]

Originally Posted by all4him

Well, a CHRISTIAN is one who believes that Jesus Christ is God. That's kind of a primary belief, don't you think? If one does not believe that Jesus Christ is God, then they are not a Christian. The might be Jehovah's Witnesses or some other belief but they are not considered "Christian" by orthodox standards. President Obama does not believe that that Jesus is God according to an interview that he had with the Chicago Sun. He says he was a great teacher but He was considerably more than that.

Umm might want to go do some reading because last time I checked christians generally believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. God himself is a separate enitiy.

And just because someone doesn't prescribe to your praticular brand of christianity doesn't mean they can't be christians. The varieties of christianity are numerous and far reaching but they all share that same basic text and some of the same beliefs. Why not celebrate the similarities rather than condemning the differences?

[LindaMM]

Originally Posted by Preppy_Ponies

Umm might want to go do some reading because last time I checked christians generally believe Jesus Christ is the son of God.

And just because someone doesn't prescribe to your praticular brand of christianity doesn't mean they can't be christians. The varieties of christianity are numerous and far reaching but they all share that same basic text and some of the same beliefs. Why not celebrate the similarities rather than condemning the differences?

Christians who believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) do believe that all three are just various manifestations of GOD.

From the Catholic Nicean Creed:

"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made"

[prairienights]

Originally Posted by Preppy_Ponies

Umm might want to go do some reading because last time I checked christians generally believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. God himself is a separate enitiy.

And just because someone doesn't prescribe to your praticular brand of christianity doesn't mean they can't be christians. The varieties of christianity are numerous and far reaching but they all share that same basic text and some of the same beliefs. Why not celebrate the similarities rather than condemning the differences?

Actually, her statement was correct, as was yours.

Christians believe in the Holy Trinity. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all the same entity while being individual at the same time. St. Patrick described it as three leaves, one clover. So yes, JC is God and also the son of God.

[all4him]

Originally Posted by prairienights

Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the entire Bible and that Jesus Christ is the son of God last time I checked...

They don't believe that Jesus Christ is God. There's a difference.

[all4him]

Originally Posted by Preppy_Ponies

Umm might want to go do some reading because last time I checked christians generally believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. God himself is a separate enitiy.

And just because someone doesn't prescribe to your praticular brand of christianity doesn't mean they can't be christians. The varieties of christianity are numerous and far reaching but they all share that same basic text and some of the same beliefs. Why not celebrate the similarities rather than condemning the differences?

I'm not going to get into theology here but Jesus Christ is God. The Trinity is one God in three persons, each person being God in full. It's very difficult to explain but Jesus Christ is absolutely God and it is a central tenant of Christianity.

[redhorseridge]

Originally Posted by all4him

President Obama does not believe that that Jesus is God according to an interview that he had with the Chicago Sun. He says he was a great teacher but He was considerably more than that.

Do you mean this one?

Jesus is a historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher. And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.

Jesus IS a historical figure. Jesus did serve as a bridge between his father God and man. Jesus was a wonderful teacher. Where does he say Jesus is NOT God???

[all4him]

Originally Posted by redhorseridge

Do you mean this one?

Jesus is a historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher. And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.

Jesus IS a historical figure. Jesus did serve as a bridge between his father God and man. Jesus was a wonderful teacher. Where does he say Jesus is NOT God???

As a Christian, the very first thing I would say if someone asked me who Jesus is/was is that He is God. That is the basis of who He is. Jesus is not just a historical figure because He is outside of history. To not mention that Jesus is God or even ANY kind of diety denies who Jesus is - God.

[BlingRacer]

Originally Posted by all4him

As a Christian, the very first thing I would say if someone asked me who Jesus is/was is that He is God. That is the basis of who He is. Jesus is not just a historical figure because He is outside of history. To not mention that Jesus is God or even ANY kind of diety denies who Jesus is - God.

And did it occur to you that he stressed Jesus as a historical figure in order to reach those who don't recognize him as a religious figure? In other words, trying to stress that even aside from religious connotations, Jesus was still "an awesome dude" so that both Christians and non-christians alike could recognize his great lessons? The fact that he thinks Jesus is god didn't need to be repeated...we already knew that because he's CHRISTIAN. What he seemed to be doing was making it clear for the non-christian folks (like me) that he felt Jesus was of benefit to ALL people (both Christian and otherwise.)

He also seemed to be emphasizing that he believes Jesus was real, as in "historical" in, once again, an effort to reach the non christian set, many of whom (myself included) don't believe the man ever existed either historically OR religiously.

Simply put, you're reading in.

[all4him]

Originally Posted by BlingRacer

And did it occur to you that he stressed Jesus as a historical figure in order to reach those who don't recognize him as a religious figure? In other words, trying to stress that even aside from religious connotations, Jesus was still "an awesome dude" so that both Christians and non-christians alike could recognize his great lessons? The fact that he thinks Jesus is god didn't need to be repeated...we already knew that because he's CHRISTIAN. What he seemed to be doing was making it clear for the non-christian folks (like me) that he felt Jesus was of benefit to ALL people (both Christian and otherwise.)

He also seemed to be emphasizing that he believes Jesus was real, as in "historical" in, once again, an effort to reach the non christian set, many of whom (myself included) don't believe the man ever existed either historically OR religiously.

Simply put, you're reading in.

Christians don't compromise who Jesus Christ is. No matter who they are talking to.