Making The Rounds Of Conservative Blogs This Day...

Is this article by Terence P. Jeffrey:

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) told a crowd at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sunday that he believes the Sermon on the Mount justifies his support for legal recognition of same-sex unions. He also told the crowd that his position in favor of legalized abortion does not make him "less Christian."

"I don't think it [a same-sex union] should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state," said Obama. "If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans." St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans condemns homosexual acts as unnatural and sinful.

Obama's mention of the Sermon on the Mount in justifying legal recognition of same-sex unions may have been a reference to the Golden Rule: "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Or it may have been a reference to another famous line: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Having heard Obama work the Sermon on the Mount into several riffs before, I think Jeffrey, who is apt to want to misread Obama, gets it pretty much right. Obama has Matthew 7:1-6 in mind -- the discourse on judgementalism --

1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Obama's reference was casual, and in referencing scripture he's committed the same (venial) sin that liberal religionists are always cataloguing as coming from conservatives: that they slip contextless biblical phrases into their political stump speeches and degrade the meaning of both.

Obama does not -- and did not -- use the Sermon on the Mount to justify same-sex marriage. But he gave his opponents a reason to think that he did.

Comments

Meh, this is a non-starter, Marc. I can't believe you haven't gone into today's genuine Obama knock: his duplicitous NAFTA comments in Ohio. Assuming the report from Canada, eh, is truthful. Bearing false witness is a much more solid sin than announcing opponents may be thinking bad thoughts about those they oppose.

Posted by klr | March 3, 2008 4:12 PM

Why is Obama always touching the fire? His hand is always placed a few feet from it. Is he running for President to win or to make a statement? Why doesn't he keep it safe. This kind of speech means, he will lose Iowa or the MidWest. Or for that matter the Red states he talks about. Why is he doing this?

Posted by Alex Kaman | March 3, 2008 4:20 PM

This post does not make any sense. I think you need an editor for your blog.

Posted by Anonymous | March 3, 2008 4:26 PM

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's reasoning does not hold water. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does warn mankind not to judge each other -- because God will judge mankind at the appointed time.

Furthermore, Mr. Obama conveniently lays aside Lev. 18:22 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination", along with the Lord Jesus' and apostle Paul's warnings throughout the New Testament that those who engage in sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is why I am in a quandry about supporting Mr. Obama. On the whole, I like where he sits on a number of issues. However, as a Christian, I have a big problem when a candidate comes out subjourning what is clearly and unequivocally declared sin in the Bible.

Now, in all fairness to Mr. Obama, those right wingers who might feel justified in all this need to consider that extramarital sex, of any sort, is also considered in the Bible to be sexually immoral. Only within the context of marriage (as ordained in the Bible in Genesis 3 -- between a a man and a woman), is permissible. So, if you are a right winger and you have a dirty thought about the inapproprately dressed secretary down the hall, and you're married -- then you've committed adultery, which the Lord declared in Matt 5:28 -- during the same Sermon on the Mount.

This is why Jesus warns us not to judge -- because as imperfect men, the Law can be turned around on those who would judge. The Bible tells us that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Mark 12:30-31 sums up the enitre Law for us -- to love God with all your might, and to love each other as yourself. If you are loving God, you will reverence His position as Lord and strive for righteousness ("which comes by faith, not works lest any man should boast"). If you love each other, you won't steal, you won't lie, you won't covet, you won't murder.....

If Mr. Obama really did try to justify the acceptance of same-sex marriage using the Sermon on the Mount, I would be very disappointed in him. Because even though he calls himself Christian, it would appear that he has not spent much time getting to know his Lord.

Posted by Russell de Pina | March 3, 2008 4:36 PM

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama's reasoning does not hold water. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does warn mankind not to judge each other -- because God will judge mankind at the appointed time.

Furthermore, Mr. Obama conveniently lays aside Lev. 18:22 "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination", along with the Lord Jesus' and apostle Paul's warnings throughout the New Testament that those who engage in sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is why I am in a quandry about supporting Mr. Obama. On the whole, I like where he sits on a number of issues. However, as a Christian, I have a big problem when a candidate comes out subjourning what is clearly and unequivocally declared sin in the Bible.

Now, in all fairness to Mr. Obama, those right wingers who might feel justified in all this need to consider that extramarital sex, of any sort, is also considered in the Bible to be sexually immoral. Only within the context of marriage (as ordained in the Bible in Genesis 3 -- between a a man and a woman), is permissible. So, if you are a right winger and you have a dirty thought about the inapproprately dressed secretary down the hall, and you're married -- then you've committed adultery, which the Lord declared in Matt 5:28 -- during the same Sermon on the Mount.

This is why Jesus warns us not to judge -- because as imperfect men, the Law can be turned around on those who would judge. The Bible tells us that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. Mark 12:30-31 sums up the enitre Law for us -- to love God with all your might, and to love each other as yourself. If you are loving God, you will reverence His position as Lord and strive for righteousness ("which comes by faith, not works lest any man should boast"). If you love each other, you won't steal, you won't lie, you won't covet, you won't murder.....

If Mr. Obama really did try to justify the acceptance of same-sex marriage using the Sermon on the Mount, I would be very disappointed in him. Because even though he calls himself Christian, it would appear that he has not spent much time getting to know his Lord.

Posted by Russell de Pina | March 3, 2008 4:36 PM

Do we really want to get into what Mosaic law defines as being a sin? Especially since Christ is the end of that law?

Posted by God | March 3, 2008 4:51 PM

Calm down, Russell-he's just calling for tolerance-saying (as you said) to leave the judgin' to someone else.

Also, great that you threw in the bit about the "inappropriately dressed" secretary-because the bitch was asking for it, right?

Posted by karl | March 3, 2008 4:53 PM

Axelrod needs to have a word with Obama to stop him talking about gays like this. Enough is enough. The campaign needs to be careful. This is the third time in 1 month, Obama has talked about gays. When he runs in the GE, he will have the gay vote. So why this kind of speech. It's too risky.

Posted by SonnyL. | March 3, 2008 4:59 PM

Why so many nuts here? Does Drudge link here sometimes?

I think this is a waste-of-time post, by the way. A bit beneath you.

Posted by Exile on Ericsson St. | March 3, 2008 5:04 PM

this post is a waste of time if you don't take Christianity seriously at all. Obama hasn't gotten to know his Lord if you think the Lord's words urge condemnation and hatred above all.

if you fit neither category, then this is a fascinating topic.

Obama frames the gay marriage question thus: "what actions should the state take, or not take, toward gay couples that it does take towards straight couples?" framed thus -- as, essentially, an "equal protection" question, in the law's words -- the Sermon on the Mount does take on a strong relevance for policymakers:

(I think Luke's version is better)

6:31 "As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

6:32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

6:36 Therefore be merciful, Even as your Father is also merciful.

6:37 Don't judge, And you won't be judged. Don't condemn, And you won't be condemned. Set free, And you will be set free.

6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

6:39 He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?

6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

6:41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye?

6:42 Or how can you tell your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye.

Posted by dgj | March 3, 2008 5:40 PM

if you fit neither category, then this is a fascinating topic.

The topic of how the Bible, specifically the New Testament, should inform Christians' politics is indeed fascinating. I found Marc's take on this -- uh, oh, Obama's using Scripture to make decision -- to be a waste-of-time.

Posted by Exile on Ericsson St. | March 3, 2008 6:14 PM

It's called having principles and ethics, rather than pandering, Alex Kaman and SonnyL. Obama has been consistent in trying to bridge differences by finding common ground on what have previously been used as wedge issues. It's why he's going to win the election, not lose it.

Posted by former deaniac | March 3, 2008 6:42 PM

Woah, this is almost a dog-whistle to progressive Christians.

The point behind the Sermon on the Mount reference is that it's one of the best of Jesus' anti-authoritarian messages. The anti-gay stuff the Christian Right spews isn't about what's in the Good Book, in Romans or in Leviticus: it's about finding a scapegoat and blaming them. Barack's making a very serious point here. This is hardly a degradation of the meaning of anything!

And to the commenter who tried to drop Leviticus: how much of the rest of the Levitican code do you follow, pal?

Posted by Dan Ancona | March 4, 2008 12:28 AM

Obama needs to have a fruit inspection done by the American people. His fruit of the Holy Spirit is lacking.

Christians don't hate the sinner, they hate the sin. Jesus meant that we should treat the sinner the way we want to be treated, because we are all born with a sinful nature. However, Christ was not condoning the sin and neither should we.

How can Obama who calls himself a Christian be so wrong in reading the scriptures? Only through prayer and the reading of GOD's word will the Holy Spirit reveal himself to the Senator.

Posted by David | March 4, 2008 7:20 AM

Obama needs to have a fruit inspection done by the American people. His fruit of the Holy Spirit is lacking.

Christians don't hate the sinner, they hate the sin. Jesus meant that we should treat the sinner the way we want to be treated, because we are all born with a sinful nature. However, Christ was not condoning the sin and neither should we.

How can Obama who calls himself a Christian be so wrong in reading the scriptures? Only through prayer and the reading of GOD's word will the Holy Spirit reveal himself to the Senator.

Posted by David | March 4, 2008 7:20 AM

Exactly, David. The purpose of my post was not to judge anyone, but to use God's word for what it is there for -- edifying and reproof. In Ephesians we are told to "speak the truth with love". The problem in this forum seems to be if the truth is something that someone doesn't want to hear, then the personal attacks begin. I never talked about hating anybody. The essential point of my post was summed up succintly by David. The other point was basically to paraphrase a warning in the Bible (for those who are not gay who might think they are in a position to judge) -- "If any man boasts of standing firm in the faith beware, lest he fall".

In any event, I wasn't trying to judge anyone -- just point out that Mr. Obama's interpretation of God's word was not accurate. Pax Domini.

Posted by Russell de Pina | March 4, 2008 9:14 AM

Ironic that I've seen many Clinton supporters complain that Obama doesn't care about gay people or their issues.

Also, where the hell did the Jesus trolls come from?

Posted by Persia | March 4, 2008 9:55 AM

Most Fundamentalists are completely unaware of the historical context of the bible. They are just told what to believe, mostly by people who prey on them and have no theological training. Every theologian agrees on the importance of reading and understanding the Bible in its historical and cultural context. When considered in this way, the life of Jesus and everyone in the old testament is unimaginable in modern times, though the teaching of Jesus are beneficial when understood in our time in history. I am a convinced Christian and I don't agree (call me conservative) with all of the fundamentalists that promote murder, polygamy, torture, incest, and idol worship. If you want to be a Fundamentalist and disregard the historicity of the Bible, then you agree with all that is in it and thus know that many sanctioned people of God in the Old Testament had several wives, had sex with their children, and killed their relatives (the poor kids that did not obey their parents). Oh wait, they probably don't agree with that. It is convenient to use the historical argument for that, but not for the issue of homosexuality. Please worship God and follow Jesus out of love and devotion, rather than what is convenient for you.
Jos76
www.jos76.wordpress.com

Posted by Jos76 | March 4, 2008 10:18 AM

Believers who follow the teachings of Christ and the truth of the Bible struggle every day to stay away from the sins which have become common in their lives. Every little action or thought that goes against Godliness is a sin to be repented of, is a sin to which we must ask the Father for forgiveness and for His strength to avoid it in the future. Some sins we have to ask forgiveness for EVERY DAY, the same sins, over and over again, because we are weak in the flesh. God knows this, and knows our hearts, so if we are sincere in our repentance, the sins of that day are wiped away, and we can start anew the next day, trying to stay away from those sins. All over again. We cannot support others in their efforts to commit what we know is a sin. My tax dollars should no more go to a murderer than to a clinic that performs abortions, than to a benefit for a homosexual couple "marrying." This is why I am against legalized abortion (can't do anything about illegal abortions); this is why I am against homosexual marriage or unions and their subsequent benefits paid by the government, which is run by my tax dollars. I pray for those in sin's bondage to be freed one day, just as I pray for my own release from sin. God's Word calls for love, but also calls for discernment.

Posted by JTR | March 5, 2008 9:55 AM