There's still lots of heat in the columns and blogs after last week's poll by the Pew Research Center on President Obama's religion.
In case you missed it, 18% of Americans surveyed said they think President Obama is a Muslim.
While many are still arguing that he is, or he isn't, or he appears to be, some are also questioning the point of the debate in the first place; this from an LA Times editorial ...
... in protesting too much that he is a Christian -- and one, moreover, who prays daily -- the White House may be encouraging the impression that there is a religious test for the presidency and that a Muslim would fail it.
The same piece points to part of the US Constitution to argue that any American of any religion should be able to hold any office.
If the President didn't say he was a Christian, but instead said he followed some other religion - including Islam - would that be a problem?
Clearly, the thrust of many of the articles that claim he is indeed a Muslim is that that is inherently a bad thing for the United States.
Others are not so much concerned about his beliefs as about whether he is being straight about his beliefs (and their evolution).
This blogger isn't a fan of Obama, but says the religion debate isn't helpful in solving the country's wider problems:
while we are arguing over is-he-or-isn't-he, we are losing jobs, going deeper in debt, destroying our health care system, and running our economy into the ground. There are plenty of excellent reasons to oppose this President and his policies, his religious affiliation, or lack thereof, is not one of them.
Finally, what about the way in which the other politicians are getting involved in this discussion?
Much has been made of leading Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's answer to the question of whether the President is a Muslim: "I take him at his word," said McConnell on MSNBC's Meet The Press on Sunday, which some interpreted as rather evasive.
Hillary Clinton once rebutted the same question about Obama with a similar caveat, "as far as I know".
Are politicians of all sides guilty of letting this linger for their own political ends? Or are journalists, bloggers and conspiracy theorists reading far too much into comments like these for their own ends?!
Tell us what you think - does President Obama's faith matter? Or are there more important discussions to be had in the United States?
This silly debate says way more about who we are as Americans than who he is as President. Tim in Florida.
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18:32
113631290
Donald in North Carolina
I am amazed at how supposedly intelligent people let religious fervor lead them into hysteria.
From my learning’s of history, I conclude that more wrongs have been perpetrated in the name of religion than any other cause.
How can the three major religions, Jews, Muslims and Christians, find it so easy to forget that they are supposed to be worshiping the same God, and should love each other.
Maybe the communists had the right idea, in banning religion. I believe in God, but find it difficult to accept any organized religion, particularly any that is so egotistic as to believe they have the only right way.
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18:30
113631290
pat bannister
wfdd high point, nc
Someone labeling him/herself Christian, has little bearing on the behavior of most, in my opinion. I am far more afraid of the extreme so-called Christian Right than of any other force in this country at this time.
As for the President's reliigion, I feel how he lives his life is more illustrative of who and what he is rather than what building he attends or what book he holds most sacred.
At the end of the day, he is the President of the entire country and the primary protector of the Constitution.
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18:30
113631290
Dave in Ohio
This is getting ridiculous. Of course Obama is a Christian, that's clear to anyone who has not drunk the right wing koolaid. But that should be beside the point. We have this thing called separation of church and state, and whether Obama is a Christian or a Muslim or a Druid shouldn't matter in the least. We are living in crazy times when this is a topic of conversation.
Comment sent via SMS
18:30
109484132
The poll just shows how illetarate some Americans are on certain matters. 18 percent of them would probably give a wrong answer whatever the question. So -missing Fragment-
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18:29
113631290
Milan in Washington
Bringing the issue of religion, whether christian or islamic, will not unite USA. There should be appreciation on act of president than criticism. He wanted to bring all together, its not bias, its policy to make country.
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18:28
113631290
Steve
Is it important? Absolutely not. I find it absurd that in an age of instant information that people can't simply look up the information themselves. This just goes to show how functionally illiterate my fellow Americans appear to be.
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18:27
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From Kenton B, Indianapolis IN
I think its no concern of anyones what our presidents religion is. This is a country that supports all religions, i'm personally an aethiest and feel that everyone should drop this subject and get on with their lives.
Thank you very much.
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18:27
113631290
Steve in Maryland
Personally it does not matter to me but it would matter if he was dishonest about it in anyway.
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18:26
113631290
John
It no more matters to me whether Obama is a Muslim than whether Roosevelt was wheelchair bond. This seems to me to reflect a combination of that peculiar American ignorance and wil full political hostility.
John in Manassas Virginia
This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of the message. Thank you very much.
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18:22
108567876
In reply to Jeff : Islam frowns upon stem cell research too :) Lubna...
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18:20
113631290
Andrew in Arizona
To me, a President's religion isn't important, but unfortunately it is important to many Americans. The opponents of President Obama portray him as a Muslim in order to make people think of him as an outsider, un-American and overall bad for the country. Sadly these ridiculous statements hold weight with a lot of people and is a testament to the power of the blogosphere. If someone is opposed to Obama's politics and wants to believe he's a Muslim, there's enough information online to make them believe it. I respect those who disagree with me politically, but people like this are like absent-minded lemmings who do nothing but pollute the political narrative and distract others from more important issues. What's most disgusting, however, is that being Muslim is apparently taboo in American politics.
Comment sent via SMS
18:19
108567876
A Q. : To those who believe that Obama is a Muslim, do you view that as a good thing or a bad thing ? Lubna, Baghdad...
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18:17
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Zamunda Martin Obama's faith is personal. But being the president of USA I think he has to be clear in matters of faith as also in marriage.
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18:17
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Merry Gerry With respect to WHYS, and the great that it does, perhaps a more appropriate issue would be whether or not Americans are going to return Democrats to Congress come November. And if they don't what does this mean for President Obama's future and hopes of securing a second term? There is so much more to discuss on this point.
Does Obama's faith matter?
| Wednesday, 8 Aug. 2010 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
There's still lots of heat in the columns and blogs after last week's poll by the Pew Research Center on President Obama's religion.
In case you missed it, 18% of Americans surveyed said they think President Obama is a Muslim.
While many are still arguing that he is, or he isn't, or he appears to be, some are also questioning the point of the debate in the first place; this from an LA Times editorial ...
... in protesting too much that he is a Christian -- and one, moreover, who prays daily -- the White House may be encouraging the impression that there is a religious test for the presidency and that a Muslim would fail it.
The same piece points to part of the US Constitution to argue that any American of any religion should be able to hold any office.
If the President didn't say he was a Christian, but instead said he followed some other religion - including Islam - would that be a problem?
Clearly, the thrust of many of the articles that claim he is indeed a Muslim is that that is inherently a bad thing for the United States.
Others are not so much concerned about his beliefs as about whether he is being straight about his beliefs (and their evolution).
This blogger isn't a fan of Obama, but says the religion debate isn't helpful in solving the country's wider problems:
while we are arguing over is-he-or-isn't-he, we are losing jobs, going deeper in debt, destroying our health care system, and running our economy into the ground. There are plenty of excellent reasons to oppose this President and his policies, his religious affiliation, or lack thereof, is not one of them.
Finally, what about the way in which the other politicians are getting involved in this discussion?
Much has been made of leading Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's answer to the question of whether the President is a Muslim: "I take him at his word," said McConnell on MSNBC's Meet The Press on Sunday, which some interpreted as rather evasive.
Hillary Clinton once rebutted the same question about Obama with a similar caveat, "as far as I know".
Are politicians of all sides guilty of letting this linger for their own political ends? Or are journalists, bloggers and conspiracy theorists reading far too much into comments like these for their own ends?!
Tell us what you think - does President Obama's faith matter? Or are there more important discussions to be had in the United States?
Your comments
Comment sent via SMS
This silly debate says way more about who we are as Americans than who he is as President. Tim in Florida.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Donald in North Carolina I am amazed at how supposedly intelligent people let religious fervor lead them into hysteria. From my learning’s of history, I conclude that more wrongs have been perpetrated in the name of religion than any other cause. How can the three major religions, Jews, Muslims and Christians, find it so easy to forget that they are supposed to be worshiping the same God, and should love each other. Maybe the communists had the right idea, in banning religion. I believe in God, but find it difficult to accept any organized religion, particularly any that is so egotistic as to believe they have the only right way.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
pat bannister wfdd high point, nc Someone labeling him/herself Christian, has little bearing on the behavior of most, in my opinion. I am far more afraid of the extreme so-called Christian Right than of any other force in this country at this time. As for the President's reliigion, I feel how he lives his life is more illustrative of who and what he is rather than what building he attends or what book he holds most sacred. At the end of the day, he is the President of the entire country and the primary protector of the Constitution.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Dave in Ohio This is getting ridiculous. Of course Obama is a Christian, that's clear to anyone who has not drunk the right wing koolaid. But that should be beside the point. We have this thing called separation of church and state, and whether Obama is a Christian or a Muslim or a Druid shouldn't matter in the least. We are living in crazy times when this is a topic of conversation.
Comment sent via SMS
The poll just shows how illetarate some Americans are on certain matters. 18 percent of them would probably give a wrong answer whatever the question. So -missing Fragment-
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Milan in Washington Bringing the issue of religion, whether christian or islamic, will not unite USA. There should be appreciation on act of president than criticism. He wanted to bring all together, its not bias, its policy to make country.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Steve Is it important? Absolutely not. I find it absurd that in an age of instant information that people can't simply look up the information themselves. This just goes to show how functionally illiterate my fellow Americans appear to be.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
From Kenton B, Indianapolis IN I think its no concern of anyones what our presidents religion is. This is a country that supports all religions, i'm personally an aethiest and feel that everyone should drop this subject and get on with their lives. Thank you very much.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Steve in Maryland Personally it does not matter to me but it would matter if he was dishonest about it in anyway.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
John It no more matters to me whether Obama is a Muslim than whether Roosevelt was wheelchair bond. This seems to me to reflect a combination of that peculiar American ignorance and wil full political hostility. John in Manassas Virginia This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of the message. Thank you very much.
Comment sent via SMS
In reply to Jeff : Islam frowns upon stem cell research too :) Lubna...
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Andrew in Arizona To me, a President's religion isn't important, but unfortunately it is important to many Americans. The opponents of President Obama portray him as a Muslim in order to make people think of him as an outsider, un-American and overall bad for the country. Sadly these ridiculous statements hold weight with a lot of people and is a testament to the power of the blogosphere. If someone is opposed to Obama's politics and wants to believe he's a Muslim, there's enough information online to make them believe it. I respect those who disagree with me politically, but people like this are like absent-minded lemmings who do nothing but pollute the political narrative and distract others from more important issues. What's most disgusting, however, is that being Muslim is apparently taboo in American politics.
Comment sent via SMS
A Q. : To those who believe that Obama is a Muslim, do you view that as a good thing or a bad thing ? Lubna, Baghdad...
Comment sent via Facebook
Zamunda Martin Obama's faith is personal. But being the president of USA I think he has to be clear in matters of faith as also in marriage.
Comment sent via Facebook
Merry Gerry With respect to WHYS, and the great that it does, perhaps a more appropriate issue would be whether or not Americans are going to return Democrats to Congress come November. And if they don't what does this mean for President Obama's future and hopes of securing a second term? There is so much more to discuss on this point.