I'm amazed how many people have a hard time believing that Obama is a Christian. First of all, I counter: How do we know ANYONE is a "real Christian"? I mean, if you do understand the Bible at all, then you know that only God really knows who is real. Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good." (Mark 10:18) Or how about Jesus' rebuke that not everyone who calls him "Lord" will be acknowledged by him as a follower. (Matthew 7:22)
Secondly: Please consider that the word "Christian" has almost as many as different definitions as there are people who claim to be "Christian." I reject the notion that Christian must imply "Conservative Evangelical American," which is the hidden message that hides behind many of the diatribes against President Obama.
Thirdly: Listen to the President's recounting of his own past at the recent National Prayer Breakfast (below). No, he did not grow up in a "Christian" home, but he became a Christian through conversion later in life. So, he actually chose Christianity deliberately, not as some default position inherited via his family background. Isn't this, then, an indication of someone who is actually the kind of Christian that the "born again" Christians are bragging about on Sundays? I find it hard to believe that Evangelicals would have an issue with this testimony if were uttered by anyone else in their church on any given Sunday.
Lastly: Keep in mind something that I heard a musician say on the Drew Marshall Show : "When the word "Christian" is applied to anything other than a person, it's just a marketing strategy." (I completely forgot who the person was - apologies to whomever. I also am not sure of the exact quote.) The question that I want to leave readers with, then is: When you hear the word "Christian" being used, ask yourself "What are they selling?" Now I'm not trying to imply, like the New Atheists, that all that is being "sold" is evil, but I will say it's important to keep in mind that ancient warning: "Buyer beware."
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