Why McCain May Beat Obama
Saturday’s presidential candidates forum, moderated by Pastor Rick Warren, gave me a number of new reasons to believe John McCain may beat Barack Obama in the 2008 race for the White House, a race Obama’s party has every reason to win.
But first, congratulations are in order for Pastor Rick Warren, whom I am honored to call a friend. His questions were fair, concise (what a relief!), and important. He managed to get the candidates to reveal their differences on important issues in a way that has not been done before.
And Pastor Warren’s function as “Values-Inquisitor-in-Chief” reminded all of us that while a certain separation of church and state is very good for our republic, it is dangerous and un-American to advocate for the divorce of religiously motivated moral values from politics. The candidates proved this in their own words by explaining how their religious and moral values shape their policy proposals.
Before Saturday’s event, most analysts agreed the forum at Saddleback Church was the perfect venue for Obama to break into McCain’s considerable advantage among evangelical voters. He would be on their turf and could talk their language—beautifully, of course—and that would be enough.
How wrong they were.
They were wrong because most political pundits still don’t “get” regular church-going evangelicals. Or more precisely, because they don’t get the faith dynamics of fervent Christians of any denomination (weekly church attendees is a more consistent voting block than any denomination as a whole). They assume getting their votes is mostly about connecting with them through a common faith language. They assume because Obama talks the lingo of conversion and salvation (even from the pulpit at times), and because McCain has seemed uncomfortable sharing his faith experience, then Obama is very much like this voting block and should be able to get some of their votes.
The logical flaw here is the assumption that active Christians judge a candidate primarily by his religious talk. The recent American religious experience is full of scandal. The regular churchgoer is now rather unimpressed by words alone and is particularly attentive to behavior inconsistent with Biblical standards. Action, or in the case of politics, policy, is their best indication a politician can be trusted to govern wisely.
In this light, there were two moments in Saturday’s forum that, in my opinion, were the beginning of an unraveling of Obama’s campaign.
The first and most important of these was Obama’s response to Pastor Warren’s excellent question, “When do babies get human rights?” The senator from Illinois responded:
“I think that whether you are looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade”
Now we do know. What I find disturbing is that while Senator Obama says he doesn’t know when babies get rights, he has always felt comfortable voting to refuse the right to life to all pre-born babies, even ones who are aborted outside of the womb, through partial birth abortion or, shockingly, even after a botched abortion.
Senator Obama doesn’t know if these babies have human rights, and still he is willing to vote in favor of letting them die?
You don’t have to be a theologian or a scientist to know that kind of moral thinking is deeply flawed. Ask a hunter. When a deer hunter sees something moving in the bushes, and he isn’t absolutely sure it is a deer, and not a fellow hunter, he cannot shoot. He must clear up his doubt before acting. Anyone, of any pay grade, knows when it comes to defending human life it is only just to err on the side of caution.
Senator Obama’s convoluted response to a simple question did not end there. He stated his support for Roe vs. Wade but predicated it with this phrase: “but the issue has moral content.” If the issue has “moral content,” will he continue to support Roe vs. Wade unconditionally? NARAL gives him a 100% approval rating, isn’t that proof enough that he is willing to overlook the issue’s “moral content?”
John McCain’s answer stood out for its clarity and simplicity: “at the moment of conception.”
And to think both these men have the same pay grade as U.S. senators.
The second telling moment of the debate was in response to Pastor Warren’s question regarding which of the eight sitting Supreme Court Justices the candidates wouldn’t have appointed.
Senator Obama named Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia. But strangely, he considered it necessary to twice demean along the way the intelligence of Justice Thomas, the second and currently only black Supreme Court Justice of the United States of America. Obama said Justice Thomas isn’t a “strong enough jurist or legal thinker” and then backhanded Thomas’ intellect once again by saying that while he disagrees with Justice Scalia’s constitutional interpretations, he doesn’t doubt his (in comparison to Thomas’) “intellectual brilliance.”
Senator Obama’s response here was curious for another reason. He chose not to list at first the two newest members of the court, Justices Roberts and Alito, even though he voted against their confirmation in the Senate.
Senator McCain answered this second question by immediately listing all four liberal judges on the bench, with no explanations needed. His audience understood everything. Above all, they came to know him as one of them.
The lesson from Saturday’s forum is that when a politician’s political policy doesn’t match voters’ core religious teachings, the prettier the language the more stinky it is.
God bless,
Father Jonathan
Father Jonathan Morris is author of the new book, “The Promise: God’s Purpose and Plan for when Life Hurts”. For information go to www.fatherjonathan.com
I don’t have much time for things like this since I have a husband who is ill, but I felt I must respond to Father Jonathan’s comments. I always enjoy his appearances on Fox News and his thoughtful and intelligent analyses of various events. Having watched Pastor Warren’s program with the two candidates for the highest office in the U.S., I was struck by the answer that B. Obama gave on the question of when a baby has rights. It was laughable when many of the Democrat analysts said that Obama’s responses at the Warren event were “thoughtful and intellectually effective.”‘
If I had any illusions about Obama’s capabilities for the oval office, they certainly vanished after that performance of his.
I had not been too impressed with Senator McCain up to that point, but I don’t have any doubts about him now, and since he has picked his running mate, I am ecstatic. What a role model we will have in Governor Palin!!!!
WHY YES TO MCCAIN & NO TO OBAMA …
It’s not that McCain was just a POW … it’s the fact that he was offered an early release by the enemy, after being tortured for 3 years. But, because John McCain had the honor, integrity, character, courage, and love of America, he chose to refuse a release that would be earlier than his fellow prisoners, resulting in his being imprisoned and tortured for an additional 2 1/2 years. In addition to that, he also served this country as a senator for 20 years. What has Obama done? … He was a community organizer, who increased voter registration … then, he took away the people’s votes by disqualifying his opponents on technicalities. Next, he won the senate, due to a scandal by his opponent, Senator Jack Ryan. Furthermore, Obama is a junior senator, with no experience, who has spent half of his time in office running for President.
For Federal Reserve. If Father Jonathan and the Pope are “idiots”, then please call me an idiot! And no, I’m not Catholic.
If McCain beats Obama, it will be because he played to Evangelicals, whom he otherwise wants nothing to do with. That just goes to show how much of a “maverick” politician Sidney is.
Biden is a good choice but it should have been Clinton & Biden not Obama & Biden. I’ll still crossover and vote for McCain. I do not like Obama. McCain will still win the presidential nomination over Obama.
Hey Federal Reserve–
One who believes in The Invisible Guy that talks is not nearly so simple as the poor slob who believes his great, great, great grandpa was a gorilla, whose great, great, great grandpa was a fish (who BTW had a cousin that was a tree), whose great, great, great grandpa was an amoeba who met with the unfortunate calamity of being struck by lightning while napping in the pond. The imperfect child of God is far better off than the perfected ape.
Like it or not, the DEMS, LIBS, whatever you prefer to call yourselves, your party is trying to woo the religious vote. But since the Left doesn’t really care about The Invisible Guy (in our view), or don’t believe He exists in any really way, like yourself, they may as well be howling at the moon.
The right has their preachers, the likes of Rick Warren, Father Jonathon and James Dobson. The Left also has their preachers, the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton…the “reverends” Wright and Farrikan. If you consider the Bible a work of fiction, and likewise Father Jonathon’s article, then just curl up on the couch with a book by Carl Sagan or Stephen J. Gould and enjoy your bananas and coconut milk.
Terry McGraw
Politics and religion are like oil and water–they should never mix!!!!!!!!!!!
How can this even be considered a news blog. This article should be posted up on somebodies myspace page. News should be unbiased and just state the facts let people make their own conclusions. It’s truly unfortunate to see that these corporations “such as Fox” use religious fanatics to help satisfy their own agenda. Idiots like this Father Jonathan the Pope and every other Chester out there that think their doing
the will of god through means of religion is just keeping society stupid and forever corrupting the democratic system.
This is very biased and I’m offended by this article. I would expect as much from a guy that believes theres a invisible man that speaks to him and watches his every move. I believe that you must question ones morals whether or not they think your going to be punished for eternity for not believing in their faith. As far as the political side of this both parties play the religious majority. I have never seen this issue become so debated until George W. Bush and his disciples of peace decided to make it a cornerstone in their campaign for truth……..
Here’s the BIG truth that so many of you are missing: the vast majority of Americans DID NOT tune in to the Saddleback Forum (or even know of its existence) because they DID NOT care. It was not a news event. It was a high tech revival tent show designed to make the disenfranchised religious right feel good about itself. Even on your beloved FoxNews it did numbers that would be on the lower end of a typical episode of Bill O’Reilly’s show. Obama was never going to “win” this forum nor was he planning to. He had to show up because if he didn’t the right wing smear machine would use the no show to further their campaign of lies, innuendo and misinformation. After reading some of the comments here, I can see many of you are already swept up in that wave of ignorance. You’ll keep posting your “Obama is a Muslim” slander no matter how many times the facts prove otherwise. Whatever perceived “victory” you want to bestow on McCain, it was hollow at best. Here is a guy who SHOULD have the Bible Belt vote sewn up by now but, no, he has to trot out his now tired POW stories and pander to a mega church full of multi-millionaire pastor Rick Warren’s faithful. To be fair, I tuned in out of morbid curiosity and was frequently impressed with Warren’s questions and conduct. While the Evangelical fringe deserves to be marginalized and ignored, Warren actually seems like a pragmatic guy. With that said, McCain was a sickening sight to behold. Look up “brown noser” in the dictionary and his mug should be right there next to definition. Clearly the rapt flock ate his performance up, along with heaping sides of moral superiority and righteous indignation. Still, the whole concept of a “faith and values” forum is nothing but smoke and mirrors. The guy in the White House now never misses a chance to talk about his supposed Christianity yet he’s got a seven year track record that would horrify Jesus Christ were he alive today. Most rational, thinking people understand that a candidate’s views on abortion, gay marriage and religion have NOTHING to do with the price of food and gas, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the lack of comprehensive health care for millions of Americans. All of John McCain’s quaint stories and “cross in the sand” platitudes are not going to pay your mortgage, send your kids to college, cut our addiction to fossil fuels or put a single meal on your table. Pray all you want, my friends, but those are the cold, hard facts that the 90% of Americans who live in the real world face every day.
I do agree with a number of these points. It is true that one should err on the side of life if in doubt. The comparison to the hunter making sure of his target is very apt in this case.
Obama did seem to come off as an intellectual elitist who was unwiling to tell people how he really felt on a given issue but would rather intellectualise emotional issues. You cannot connect with people if you seem to lack empathy.
“Above my pay grade” will go down as a terrible answer when looked at in retrospect. McCain did well, agree or not you know where he stands on many issues, people will like that clarity.
McCain will win this campaign because Obama has no exprience, no track record on politics and he has lied and has floped on everything. Most shocking is all the people he has looked up to most of his life. That is very scary!. He has had to seperate himself from allmost everyone of them because they are ratical people. The American people are starting to see what this man is all about and it is not in our intrest,just like his party. They all talk a big game but never come thru with thier promises. We have gone backwards evey since this democratic party has taken control of this house and senate. They have really showed the american people how much they care . Thier approval rating shows that!. So not only will he be defeated by McCain, he will be defeated in the senate next election because he has been exposed for what he really is! This democratic party has only thier selves and thier party and how much power they can get. If they would put as much energy trying to solve our problems at hand as they do trying to make the other party look bad and blame them for our problems,we cold get this country back on track. Now we all know they wont do that so i see the republicans winning the white house and the house and senate. Its time to do some real work !!. Time to send Pelosi and Obama and the rest of thier do nothing, take no blame party home. GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY.
Dear Father Jonathan,
Thanks for the analysis. “… when a politician’s political policy doesn’t match voters’ core religious teachings, the prettier the language the more stinky it is.” — Right to the point!!!
May God continue to bless you.
Hilary
After reading the previous respones, I think people are missing the point of Fr. Jonathan.
What the main point he makes is not that abortion is wrong and evil. That of course is a given for Christians.
The reason why Obama might lose the election to McCain is because Obama really is cowardly and doesn’t stand up for anything, lacks real convictions, is wimpy, gutless. He should be a college professor where he doesn’t have to lead, but can just be articulate explaining theoretical stuff and not have to actually do anything strenuous.
McCain came off as a real strong leader with convictions, and seems like a man of action, not talk.
When voting for President, I want a leader, not a youngster who doesn’t really know what he believes.
When asked the abortion question, Obama should NOT have been ambiguous. He should have stated first an obvious truth that life begins at conception, BUT that your rights DO NOT begin at that point, but begin when the babies mother believes they begin and when she believes those rights are greater than her convenience. That is the pro-choice position, and he should have stated it clearly and stood by it like a man. He came off as weak, and it was obvious to me that he is having some internal difficulty reconciling his very extreme abortion beliefs with Christian Faith. He shouldn’t try.
Also, those of you who believe that there is NO place for religion and politics just spend some time studying the French Revolution where it was ALL REASON and NO FAITH and the blood flowed like crazy compared to our American Revolution that did SOME mixing of religion and politics without the extremes of either.
If McCain does win, it is perceived that he is an actual leader, whereas Obama is more of a professor, not a leader.
Abortion was just the issue but it illuminated the candidates political and religious maturity to a certain extent.
For real Christians, the right to life is the most important issue because it undergirds all other issues. If you don’t have a right to life, then nothing else really matters much, it is just power, and power alone. Look at Russia now. An incredibly low birth rate with lots of abortions. It is a dying country internally and in its soul.
By the way, all those posters who believe that Democrats give more to charity need to get the facts. Read Arthur C. Brooks’s “Who Really Cares?”. It proves my suspicions that on average Democrats give less than Republicans of money, volunteer time, and blood despite on average making less income. The conclusion is that religious people are MORE charitable and since there are more of them registered as Republicans, it turns out that Republicans are MORE charitable. Republicans are not all rich oilmen. People are still stuck in the past when the Democratic Party was actually the party of the little guy back when Truman was President and as late as JFK, and the Republican Party was the party of the rich. Now, the Dems have gone so extreme to the left that they have in effect abandoned religious people in America and left them no other place to go than the Republican Party or Independent.
Regarding those of you who believe that war is evil, then was it evil when we stopped Germany and Japan in WWII? When Christ said to love your neighbor, sometimes you have to help your neighbor when he is being attacked and help the Samaritan. Being a soldier is NOT anti-Christian. Remember the Roman Centurian who asked Christ to heal his servant? There are many Christians, Jews, and Mulims, etc. in our military who are in Iraq or Afghanistan fighting to protect not only America’s interests but helping the Iraqis to stabilize the country so they can finally live with a republican representative democracy rather than be terrorized by Saddam. Equating what we are doing in Iraq with what Russia is currently doing in Georgia is just ridiculous.
Suggestion for Obama: Do another forum BUT in a venue more favorable to a liberal democrat such as a Unitarian Church or something where the crowd is more secular and liberal. Then you can be honest in your convictions and hopefully stand tall. However, McCain is not going to go limp overnight by switching to a different venue. He’ll be just as confident and sure of himself.
Well written, thank you!
McCain clobbered Obama and built huge momentum. Can he win over the Muslims? I mean the 1.4 billion Muslims around the world, including those at your local mosque? Our national security demands that he at least listen to the unique and legitimate needs for human dignity–especially the dignity of Muslims oppressed by states supported by us.
I don’t mean this as a dig in any way on Rick Warren when I say that I would like to see Father Jonathan host such a forum with the Presidential candidates. I enjoy his insights on issues and think he would do a great job.
I am a Republican and have been my whole voting life and I will probably hold my nose and vote for McCain as his mother suggested we do. But please be very clear. John McCain is NOT Prolife.
Everytime McCain has run for President he said he would not over turn Roe V Wade. This is why he has never been the nominee in the past few election cycles that he has run for President.
If you want to know the truth about his abortion stance please read the following:
http://www.euthanasia.com/keyes2.html
He failed to vote on a crucial pro-Roe v. Wade amendment, and was the major backer of a bill that would stifle pro-life organizations’ participation in lobbying and elections
After running for president for so long and losing he finally got the message and realized that evangelicals will not vote for him unless he says “I’m pro life” whether his voting record truly supports this claim or not apparently people just want to hear the candidate say it.
I would rather hear an honest answer like Barack’s where he is clearly pro - choice but will work to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies there by reducing the number of abortions.
Bush was also pro life but the abaortion rate did not decline much during his presidency and he did little to see that it would. I guess we will have more of the same for at least 4 more years.
Comment by Drew
August 20th, 2008 at 9:48 am
While I genuinely enjoy reading these forums, it always strikes as a bit odd how so many self professed Christians can post so much judgmental, mean spirited, holier than thou garbage about liberals, Democrats, Obama…ect. Maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t Christians supposed to try and emulate Jesus? Maybe its just me, but when reading so many of these posts I really find it hard to believe this is how Jesus would talk about others.
*************
I have seen the most vitriolic comments made about McCain and Republicans by Democrats on several forums, including this one. Be fair, Drew. People get riled up on these blogs and say things they very likely wouldn’t say to anyone’s face — anonymity makes a lot of people very “brave.”
PS- I greatly enjoyed this article. It’s refreshing to see a clergyman’s analysis of an important topic like this. To be frank, the most optimism I’ve experienced in recent months came when I saw that Obama’s slide isn’t a blip. The only hope I can see in Obama being in office is that our country may survive the four years. You people think Russia jumped on Georgia quickly? Wait until we have a Commander in Chief who thinks a Bear will respond to diplomacy.
To all of the self-proclaimed religious people who trumpet the government’s shortcomings in looking after the poor: do you tithe? I’ve had enough of people bemoaning the evils of our government and the money it spends to protect us.
The tithe is a tenth of your income given to the church for the secondary purpose of supporting the pastor and the primary purpose of helping the needy. Is is the government’s responsibility to look after the poor? Only insofar as they are citizens. The government is there to defend its wards, and to establish laws that accomplish the same thing. It isn’t the government’s job to support people permanently. It is the church’s job to do care for the needy, and one of its primary functions. If you don’t like that some of the money goes to the pastor, fine. Designate it to go to a benevolent wing of the church. Nearly every church is involved in ministry to the poor (not proselytising, feeding the poor and clothing the homeless). If yours isn’t, that may be an indicator that it’s time to find a new church.
Politics and religion are BOTH evil, that’s why the Founders wanted them separate.
I’m sure glad America “erred on the side of caution” in Iraq!
Thanks for your insight Father Jonathon. One thing I can plainly see among those so angry with you, is that liberals are such losers. Get over it you liberals - Obama is nothing but a fraud and if you liberal losers want to believe he is your next savior, you’ll be in for a real treat ……IF he beats McCain.
Rev. Jonathan, my husband is a big fan of yours, but I seldom get around to reading your articles. He urged me to read this article, and I’m glad I did. I agree with you 100%. I especially agree with your statement “…while a certain separation of church and state is very good for our republic, it is dangerous and un-American to advocate for the divorce of religiously motivated moral values from politics.” That was very well said. Thank you for your insight.
In response to Jay’s response to my own comment:
Good point. I can’t argue with what you said, and as presidential candidates they both ought to have considered questions like these. I still respect Obama’s decision to not reduce the question to one sentence, which I still feel is too simplistic. Consequentially, what John McCain did.
Apart from being Democrat at heart, I plain just don’t like McCain. He’s creepy.
While I genuinely enjoy reading these forums, it always strikes as a bit odd how so many self professed Christians can post so much judgmental, mean spirited, holier than thou garbage about liberals, Democrats, Obama…ect. Maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t Christians supposed to try and emulate Jesus? Maybe its just me, but when reading so many of these posts I really find it hard to believe this is how Jesus would talk about others.
Thank You Father, It All Starts W/Life, Please keep up the Good Work! Many Thanks, David Barlage,Milan MI.
This is an opinion piece, so Father Jonathan can pull for a particular candidate if he wants to. And for all you people who love that race card, I really hope Condoleezza Rice runs for president someday so you can occupy yourselves with wondering how all us evangelical bigots can support her.
God bless you, Father Jonathan
Again F Jonathan Morris is trying to throw his corrupt view of what America should be down our throats :
” it is dangerous and un-American to advocate for the divorce of religiously motivated moral values from politics. The candidates proved this in their own words by explaining how their religious and moral values shape their policy proposals.”
And in opposition we have the view of one of the Greatest American
Religious freedom : Address of Senator John F. Kennedy
” I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish–where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source–where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials–and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all. “
What does Al from Illinois call HIS father? “Late for breakfast”? I am so sick of those Bible Bangers with their verbatim insults toward anyone of the Catholic persuasion. It is really rude not to address Fr. Jonathan as “Father”….Al, you are going way too far with your silliness. Pro choice is pro death. I would never be as rude to the Evangelical pastors as you are to Fr. Jonathan and you should be ashamed of yourself. If you want to vote for the Anti-Christ, be my guest.
Congratulations to Pastor Rick Warren for doing what the main stream media should have been doing from day instead of swooning.
As for the question on abortion answer from Senator Obama I suggest readers should check out the New York Post article by Mr. Lowery posted yesterday and who has printed out the Bill that Senator Obama voted against while in the Ill. Senate.
Like it or not at least John McCain is for America and the rights of the citizens of America first and foremost.
When did Christianity become nothing more than a campaign against abortion rights and homosexuality? Neither of these issues were addressed directly by Christ. Is abortion the only “immorality” connected with reproduction? Is bearing an unwanted or grossly defective child moral? Is conceiving an unwanted child moral? Is murdering a person (already born) less immoral than aborting a fetus?
Who started all the nonsense about a fetus being an “unborn child”? A fetus is the promise of a child, not a person. Our Constitition is quite clear about citizenship: you must be born, first. The New Testament is clear about spirituality: it applies lt to “man born of women”. You have to be born to have the rights of citizenship or to be morally accountable!
Get over your abortion obsession and get on with your moral responsibilities toward your fellow man, and citizenship responsibilities for an effective government!
I am from the Asia, and I am so very happy to know that America may still vote for a pro-life candidate, and continue to hope of the possibility of over-turning Roe vs. Wade in the future. That day will be a turning point for the entire world, and McCain will be the man to make it happen.
Voters are not theologians or scientists,they understand life of a human being begins when a woman becomes impregnated with sperm. It is that simple even for those who are illiterate. To think that Obama considers this issue above his pay grade while running for president demonstrates his incompetence and ignorance. The danger to America is to have an incompetent leading this nation surrounded by enemies like AL Qaeda, Iran and the Russian bear. Should we trust America’s destiny to an incompetent?
I feel that it is very unfortunate that a man of color has finally running for President of the US, and that person is Obama.
He is a man that has governed as a politician, only based what popular opinion thinks. He never states his plans clearly. He wants “change” based on consensus only! His idea of “change” would be a catastrophe for this country! What great President governed on consensus? Did Lincoln, Roosevelt or Regan govern by consensus?
How can a person with less than 150 days experience in the US Senate run for the Presidency of the US?
How can a person who states that the determination of a child’s human rights is “beyond my pay grade,” still say that abortion OK; or even after an abortion, when the fetus survives, does not have human rights? Obama clearly appears to be ruthless!
Obama wants to raise taxes in a time of economic downturn! A High School Graduate would hesitate to do that! He graduated from Columbia and Harvard Universites?
Obama lacks the moral courage to President of the US. His “color” has nothing to do with his unacceptablility for the office of the Presidency of the US! His lack of moral character and personal judgement has determined that!
BRAVO Father!
I never actually got to hear either candidate speak until this event. It just confirmed who I’m voting for and who I know will be one of the greatest presidents ever.
MCCAIN 08!
Dear Fr. Morris,
I am always pleasantly encouraged at how clearly you perceive circumstances and how adeptly you express your opinion. Are you sure we can’t talk you into being McCain’s running mate?
The old testament is a manual for terror in the service of the Israelites, detailing all manner of murder, rape, abduction, pillaging, torment, war-making and hate for all who don’t believe. It is much in the manner that we believe the Koran to be. Both books were written by MEN who claimed to be influenced by God. All who cite passages from those books are complicate in all the damage done to humanity in their names. The so-called “evangelicals” are no more than modern-day shock troops for the continuation of religions that insist that all must “believe ” or die a most terrible death, in this life or the next.
I reject ALL religions that believe that there is only One Way to “heaven.”
I reject ALL people that would judge Me, or anyone else. Let he/she who is without sin cast the first stone. Remember that one?
Who is going to insure that the next generation and generations hence have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, a quality education, a safe life, a good job … I’m guessing most of the confused in here think it is McCain. guess again? Mac will continue the campaign to dismantle the country for all save the rich and the corporations.
If Mac is elected, America will get exactly what it deserves.
Comment by Shay
I AGREE
Well said father Jonathan! Obama’s true colors were exposed and who can ignore it? Only those that have blind faith in his talk about change which is the most over used cliché in politics. Thanks to Rick Warren for facilitating this event that unveiled Obama’s true self. If Obama doesn’t care about babies, he won’t care about you either.
One thing that is always left out of the abortion debate is IVF (invitro-fertilization). If you truly believe that life begins at conception than you will have a hard time supporting IVF. Many of the embroyos that are created in the procedure are discarded because of the surplus of embroyos (sometimes in the dozens) that may be created. Yet without IVF many children would never have been born. I have two daughters and my brother has three kids that were all created through IVF. We both have many frozen embroyos left over that likely will never be born. Yet without the procedure the beautiful children that we have would have never seen the light of day.
This creates a moral conundrum that is hard for both pro-lifers and pro-choice advocates to rectify.
Hi,
I do believe that Senator John McCain will win this election and for good reasons I might say. Our country is at stake and the safety of this country must be first.
America has always been a great country and as I type this letter I can not express enough to you how low my level of frustration has reached. I am extremely FED-UP and disappointed with the once big entity we all knew of called the U.S CONGRESS. Fed-up with the BORDER PROBLEMS! FED-UP with NANY POLISKI! FED-UP WITH ALL THIS COUNTRY’S JOBS GONE OVER SEAS, and fed-up with SENATOR OBAMA. I am saddened at this Senator’s willingness to put this great county at further risk when he himself should know that he is not well experienced to run this country. When this election began I heard of all this talk “called change” even thought I am a democratic I knew better and needed more than just the promise of change, but instead needed someone who indeed knew how to tackle the possibilities of rising issues to come. Now today, we got this big! Big! Problem and that is the possibility of a cold war. Please America, let’s smarten up and think about the SAFETY OF THIS COUNTRY AND WHATS AT STAKE. It is one thing to want to see change, but remember bullies and desire for power never change!!!!!
On a final note, I hope our president is seriously considering building back up our military forces and quietly thinking about bringing our troops home.
Thank you for taking time out to read my coments
Yours is one of the few forums on Fox that allows people to make comments.
Many times I do not agree with you, but I greatly enjoy being able to respond.
Thank you
John,
I too am pleased that on this forum we can share ideas. I will try to do better at responding to some of the comments and quesetions. Respectful dialogue makes all of us better.
Father Jonathan
The only reason the forum was brought about was for McCain. It’s interesting, anything white people decide to do, its always right and okay! So they believe!!!! Here to tell you, NOT!
A lot of these evangelicals in church don’t know what the Bible says and wouldn’t vote for any person of color if their life depended on it! I see most of these people as bigots and they believe their way is the only way. They believe that ONLY they speak the truth.
I am sick of these religious know it alls, and holier than thou! You know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gee, I wonder who you’re pulling for to win the Presidency. I believe that someday in the not too distant future, abortion will not only be condoned but it might be mandatory in some cases. With 7 Billion souls on this earth and in a single lifetime 7 Billion more on the way, only a fool couldn’t see the problem. In a period of time less than the history of the United States there could be 28 Billion people on the earth. And you guys don’t even want birth control. Sorry, but you’re not going to get your way.
Dear Jonathon, (sorry the bible says not to call anyone father, but God almighty)
Bible Bashers and Bible Bangers will never see eye to eye.
Having been on both sides of the book, I finally realized our forefathers had enough insight and intelligence to model our society after Biblical principals. Ah but that crafty devil twisted understanding into confusion, truth into deceit, and life into death for those who refuse knowledge. Our own english language confirms this:
Abortion: now means = CHOICE
Adulterer: now means = AFFAIR
Sinner: now means = FREE SPIRIT
Happy: now means = GAY (Webster’s what gives?)
Deceiver: now means = Attorney (sorry coudn’t resist)
Bible: now means = RELIGION
Through this type of justification, God now also means religion. But, the flaw here is, Man created religion not God. (Sorry Bashers I too was shocked to discover this) God gave us his own set of rules, and free will. With free will you’ll have the right to follow the commandments for entry into the kingdom, OR you can march to your own drummer, and pay the check when it comes due. (please don’t ask for a loan)
For me the big guy already answered my prayers. If McCain wins our country will do ok.
If Obama wins; for those of us who live in Illinois, we’re glad he’s going to Washington. If anyone can raise taxes to a new level, and still be broke; It’s the good ole boy’s from Illinois!
I watched the discussions on Saturday and was very pleased with the way it all went. Sen. McCain was clearly the ‘winner’. I’m not at all surprised by the load cry’s from Sen. Obama’s camp about unfair and how Sen. McCain seemed to be rehearsed. Its a clear sign that should the Democrats loose again, there will be four more years of hate filled fighting and political debauchery of America.
I pray that God will give us what we desire and not what we deserve, Sen. McCain for our 44th President.
To LANCE:
Thank you for that inspirational addition at the end of your post. I couldn’t agree more!
I thought in the forum that Obama was trying to please all sides. Guess he never learned the old saying “people that try to please everyone end up pleasing none”.
McCain’s answers were based on his beliefs. He needed no time to think because he answered what he believed.
The question is which one are you willing to vote for? The person that hedges his bets or the person that believes in personal values?
I have always wanted a way to understand what the candidates actually believed and I’m so thankful that Rick Warren paved the way. Hopefully this kind of forum will be utilized more rather than less in the future.
Very insightful comments and I agree with all you said. Amen.
For the first time, I agree with 100% of your statements.
Thanks a lot.
In response to Fredrik Bjorkeroth:
Fredrik, you rightly point out that the question of “when life begins” is very deep. I don’t think Father Jonathan was trying to minimize the issue, but rather to point out that this deep issue should have already been thoughtfully considered by a person whose Senate votes reflect a strong conviction on the subject.
For a newcomer to have to reflect carefully on the question would be reasonable. For Obama to have voted so many times in favor of denying the right to life of the unborn and the “accidentally born”, and now to be running for president with a strong pro-choice platform… he should already have given the matter as much consideration as it deserves.
To c.c.Carter
That’s 100% Volunteers…
Retired Army
Hua!
We need more of these kinds of forums to question these candidates, instead of those staged and stilted “debates” on CNN. These questions were FAIR and straightforward, and gave each candidate enough time to answer them. We got to see more of who these men are and what they believe in this one forum, than in ALL the debates. Had primary debates been in this format, I daresay we would have wound up with 2 different candidates to choose from.
Before this, I wasn’t sure who I was going to vote for, since I wasn’t that thrilled with either candidate. That said, John McCain showed himself to be decisive and string, while Obama showed himself to be inexperienced and equivocating. So I will throw my support to McCain now.
To c.c.Carter
There is a very big difference in a soldier who is a 100% being k.i.a. and millions of unable and unprotected lives being flushed down the toliet. What choice did they have? Get that log out of you eye before you start judging others….
Father,
I disagree with your analysis
McCain named four justices that he did not agree with most of the time, a politician’s view.
Obama picked two justices who he thought had questionable legal reasoning, a layer’s view.
Babies have human rights at the age the U.S. government says they do.
McCain disagrees with the U.S. government and says rights begin at conception.
Obama is unwilling to contradict the U.S. government in this matter and so does not really answer the question, again a layer’s perspective.
Bottom line - do you like McCain’s view of the world (more politician) or do you like Obama’s view (more lawyer).
Father,
I have to point this out really quick. It’s ironic that most of the “stupid posts” (and other obscene remarks) have the most grammatical errors. “YOUR STUPID!” “Uh…My stupid what?”
Anyway, thank you for sharing your veiws with the world. I enjoy reading your blogs. Please, keep up the good work. May God continue to bless you.
-Elizabeth
I AM THE WAY THE TUTH AND THE LIFE:
NO MAN COME TO THE FATHER
BUT BY ME. Jesus
OBAMA SAYS THAT JESUS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVENS BUT,
JESUS THE CHRIST SAID IN JOHN CHAPTER 14 VERSE 6
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE:
NO MAN COME TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
I wish Pastor Warren could have asked Obama what he considered the fetus in his wife’s womb when
they were expecting their two precious girls. Were they just a blob of tissues? When he saw the ultrasound of a viable form of an infant with a beating heartbeat, did he not consider them his child until they were actually born. If his wife had decided to end the pregnancy because of a variety of issues, such as they would intrude on her work, or it was just not the right time for children, would he then be willing to end the life of his own? Would he be ok with that?
I don’t even have to think about which candidate I will vote for based on this very question. I will vote pro-life every time.
Great analysis. Father John stated, in precise terms, why I have been thinking that McCain will probably win. I can still see how he could easily lose, but I think he will probably win.
Many of those on the Obama side, especially the pundits, simply cannot fathom how others think, or more precisely, cannot believe that anyone could really think differently than they do. Since they cannot believe it, they will not defend against it