Obama emphasizes faith in S.C.

Posted: Sunday, October 07, 2007 1:54 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
Greenville, SC -- At the Redemption World Outreach Center, Barack Obama had a hard act to follow Sunday. Church elders had breakdanced, spoken in tongues, and lead the 12,000 congregrants in choral worship to a thumping beat that would have been at home at a Saturday night disco before the presidential hopeful took the stage.

"I don't know if anybody warned the senator how bad I spit, and they sat him in the front row," Pastor Ron Carpenter joked in his introduction.

Obama spoke for only fifteen minutes, but the message he wanted to communicate was clear from the minute he took the microphone: he was a politician whose political ambitions were motivated by a deep religious Christian faith. As he prayed with the crowd, Obama established himself as one of the faithful rather than a man apart from them.

He connected with the crowd by telling them his own story of redemption, when he became a Christian through his work as a community organizer in the south side of Chicago. "I thought I was coming to save a ministry but in fact I was being saved, and I accepted Jesus Christ into my life," Obama said.

Obama also turned his message of bringing red and blue states together into a spiritual call.

"As I travel around the country I feel hopeful and optimistic. There's God's spirit in each and everyone of us that's waiting to be released and to be let out," Obama said. "He wants us to join together and break the partisan divisions."

Obama concluded by asking the congregration to pray for him and his family, making a plea that the prayers of the assembled would keep him on a righteous path.

"Sometimes you can become fearful, you can become vain, sometimes you can seek power for power's sake," Obama confessed and asked the crowd to "pray that I can be an instrument of God" as he ran for president.

Located in Greenville, S.C., Redemption is a multicultural church in one of the most conservative parts of the state. Bob Jones University is just miles away, and residents of Greenville can choose to worship in one of 714 different churches within the area.

Pastor Ron encouraged his members to embrace and be kind to all visitors, despite any differences that might exist with them. His welcome stretched all the way to the media in the back pew, who stopped their frenetic typing to receive hellos and handshakes from the congregants.

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Comments

As a Christian and a Democrat, I have felt alienated by the church in these last few years. I have felt unwelcome in my mainstream denomination. I had to leave my church of 45 years to find a church (still in my denomination) that was not political. I welcome Barack Obama's message of reconciliation. We can acheive so much more together when we focus on what we have in common instead of what divides us.
There's alot of work to be done in a hurting world. Let's get busy and put partisanship behind us now!

Merri (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 2:27 PM)

Yea, the media needs your prayers. Talk about the important issues of the day, not about who wears a flag pin, Hillary has all but wrapped up the election including the general. Talk about who does offer problem solving, who will bring this country together, who is not tarnished by lobbyists, corrupt fundraisers, will say and do anything to get a vote. Someone who can say what team he/she supports, who will meet with our foes not just our friends. Someone who will repair the damage done to our image around the world and not send the spouse to do it. Someone who is a true leader and offers hope to this country.

carolyn grace (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 3:06 PM)

Amen. That is exactly what a person of any faith shud request. Praying that we will be blessed and guided into making the right choices. Not like a certain current president right now who seems to be hearing voices from somewhere telling him to bring fear into the hearts of fellow Americans. Thank you B Obama for that candor. While some right now are relishing in the divisiveness, I am sick of family dynasties that have wrought hell on the poor/middle classes of this country.
Another candidate(no name mentioned) brings forth the most negative of feelings in us all. All one needs to do is look across the blog world to see how this candidate makes the Dems spend their time defending her(just like in the 90's) and can hardly see the thru the fog. The Dem party have wasted so much time and energy defending this family. Yet, the status quo remains.
TURN THE PAGE,indeed
Obama08

Marbw (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 3:32 PM)

now my we finally have an end to those either through mere error or intentional misleading, that claim obama is not a Christian. Christians must accept a man at his word as to what is in his heart. Please spread this word on every post so that these lies about his faith will stop. If you disagree with him on policy that is one thing and reasonable but to spread the label of muslim on him just to encourage fear and hate is despicable. The name Barrack appears in the King James version of the Bible(OT), by the way.I am an Edwards supporter so I have no dog in this hunt other than to not see a good man tarnished.

Oh yeah-- republicans hate America and middle class children. the cap for schip should be 125,000. cmon these are kids for the sake of Christ.

by the way , should not howie kutrz be made to disclose every Sunday before his show that his wife is high powered republican operator sheri annis? seems like a conflict of interest for an UNbiased journalist. but then who could accuse ole howie of being unbiased. so much for the liberal media mythology.
fairness doctrine needed
list of repub journalists- mathews,scarborough, carlson,kurtz,oreily,limbaugh,russert, gibson,hannity, new york post,washington times

list of liberal-- olberman?????

the bias shines through like a lighthouse!!!!!!!!!!!

leon houston (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 3:57 PM)

I think that if nominated Obama could pick off some evangelicals, especially if Rudy is nominated. Faced with 2 pro-choice candidates, some voters who care about character might choose Obama over Rudy. Most probably won't but some might. If Hillary is nominated, they'll fall in line and turn out heavily to stop her no matter who the Republican nominee is. Clinton will unify the Republican party around a socially moderate candidate who could pick off some blue states. Defeat will be snatched from teh jaws of victory. Regardless of what polls say now, democrats are deluding themselves if they think Hillary is the most electable.

RKA, IL (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:03 PM)

Obama has become the Prince of Pandering in the Democratic Party.
He and Romney should form their own Par-tee

Tuck,Realiltyville, Kansas (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:18 PM)

I find it very hard to believe that someone confessing to be a Christian would support abortion. Faith and deeds must be united, and his speeches about his faith shouldn't fool anyone as his deeds (support for abortion) don't match; don't let him fool you. He does not have the mindset of the Messiah.

Chris, Vientiane, Laos (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 8:21 PM)

This is exactly why Repubicans would rather not run against Obama. He would get all the Christian votes that George Bush got.

This is exactly why as an Evangelical Republican, I would vote for Obama, unless we nominate Mike Huckabee, a true conservative.

In the meantime, I'll pray for the young Senator from Illinois. Although I will be pleasantly surprised if the Dumbcrats diss their no-good queen.

Anyone who believes that a POLARIZING, highly flawed WOMAN, called CLINTON who's the OPPOSITE OF CHANGE and who VOTED FOR THE IRAQ WAR before she voted against it will win the general election in 2008 is smoking something different from cigarette.

Jeremiah Walker, Greenville, SC (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 8:34 PM)

I'm voting for the first secular humanist I can find
in this race - has anyone admitted to their true non-denominational colors yet?? Go ahead, just say it all you pious born-again candidates - "I'm bored with religion". There now, doesn't that feel better???

Now, let's get down to the business of saving the nation ..... religion can fend for itself.

prayinghard (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:52 PM)

While it's encouraging to read that Mr. Obama has invited Jesus Christ into his life, he is mistaken when he states that God's Spirit is in "each and everyone of us waiting to be released and let out." God's Spirit is only in people who have invited Him in. Although Mr. Obama appears to be trying to reach out to the christian community, his comments raise the question as to whether he can accurately identify members of that community.

Kelly Middleton, El Dorado, Kansas (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:25 PM)

there was no speaking in tongues, unless you mean using your tongue to speak.

John Doe (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:53 PM)

He approves of homosexual "civil unions" and abortion. What Bible is he reading? He thinks the God of Christianity approves of these things? He's kidding himself.

Hopefully real Christians will use some kind of discernment and not be fooled by this man.

TheObserver (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:19 PM)

I do not go to church. One reason is the heavily republican ideas that have been adopted and the negativity towards democrats.
To have Obama show you can be a true person of faith and still hold and believe in progressive values shows many who were duped into thinking all democrats are evil to see that they, too, are religious and believe in many of the same ideas. Family and community.
With Obama, maybe some of the vileness 'preached' by the republicans and their puppets will be torn away and we can see that there is good in people of all political beliefs and that hating people solely on the political party they identify with is wrong.
Stories like the first poster who had to leave her church after 45 years because she suddenly became an object of scorn because she was a democrat is heartbreaking.

diane (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:48 PM)

I like Barak and I might vote for him but it gives me a shiver of fear when he says he is an instrument of God -- that is the same think Bush thinks.

nuanced (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 12:02 AM)

This is exactly why Repubicans would rather not run against Obama. He would get all the Christian votes that George Bush got.

This is exactly why as an Evangelical Republican, I would vote for Obama, unless we nominate Mike Huckabee, a true conservative.

In the meantime, I'll pray for the young Senator from Illinois. Although I will be pleasantly surprised if the Dumbcrats diss their no-good queen.

Anyone who believes that a POLARIZING, highly flawed WOMAN, called CLINTON who's everything CHANGE IS NOT and who VOTED FOR THE IRAQ WAR before she voted against it will win the general election in 2008 is smoking something different from cigarette.

Jeremiah Walker, Greenville, SC (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 3:36 AM)

All things considered, this is a man with Lincolnesque potential ! Just hope he is well protected against the slurs of outrageous design and the Hillary-Billary circus. And worse. He's just what America needs in this perilous time !

Jack Buchanan (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 6:45 AM)

So God has stopped talking to Bush and Pat Robertson and is talking to Obama Now?!?

Nana (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 8:37 AM)

If I had my doubts about Obama, this solidified them. This country and the world do not need another politician who thinks he walks with the grace of his God. The last 7 years of that has proven disastrous. I want a leader who is going to be intelligent, insightful, and nimble of thought to maneuver through a constantly changing world and issues. Being a slave to religious doctrine only limits your choice and increases intolerance. Why does seem like when politicians go to South Carolina they become instant lobotomized? What is good for SC though is usually not good for the US.

afmca (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 8:51 AM)

List of liberals newsies? Just a quick view:

Rather
Jennings
Cronkite
Couric
Williams
Blitzer
Cafferty
Moyers
Russert
Koppel
98% of the reporters at the NYT's
Helen Thomas

On the other side, Fox news. Yeah, thats balanced.

Tony Snow (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 9:00 AM)

Obama's done for now - if he's seen as pandering to the evangelicals and lays claim to preaching in his spare time, you can forget reasonable democrats getting behind his nomination - Hillary's building momentum anyway, but bringing religion front and center will not help Obama's cause. It's guilt by association - given the alleged born-again idiot in the Whitehouse that is running the nation into the ground at the present time.

Of course we're talking South Carolina here, so audience must have had something to do with the text of the message. If anything, people are regionally predictable...and a politician's first rule is to 'tell them what they want to hear'.

Whatever happened to that 'separation of church and state idea' that used to be so popular?? Now every candidate is beating the drum of religion, hoping to get the rhythm right. Will it ever be possible for politicians to get back to the job of managing government, and letting religion fend for itself? One wonders......

I'm not a Ron Paul fan but at least he's got that part right - unlike either democrats or republicans.

boredwithreligion but prayinghard (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 9:40 AM)

It's over before it starts. Obama can't decide what he is, a politican or a preacher. Hill is the one for the Democrats. There was only one way for the Democrats to mess up and lose next year, and they did it.

Thad Colloney (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 10:21 AM)

We have had 7 years of "born again", "Christian" leadership and it has not been good. We don't need more of the same. A president should not think he is "chosen" by God, as the present one does. This type of thinking has led us into Bush's "crusade" in the Middle East.

Utahreb, Veyo, UT (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 10:22 AM)

I too have friends that have been run out of church----and also friends(born-again)that swear Bush is speaking to God and doing Gods bidding.I just think rove used the christians to believe Bush was something he isn't.The same thing as claiming he was a uniter----the only thing Bush has united is how we feel about each others politcal leanings.Hate and intolerance.

HMT-MI (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 11:34 AM)

Oh my goodness! When did the Dems lose religion? To ppl who believe this, they are kidding themselves. One of the biggest supporters of Dem party are religious ppl(the base of the party). To compare 'our fearless leader' to B Obama is insulting to many of us. We,who believe in God, know the difference between someone who speaks of his faith in a church setting and uses it in a proper way to guide them(B Obama); and our current 'our fearless leader' who hears voices telling him to bring forth misery and destruction. The beauty of the Dem progressives is that they are inclusive of all faiths(or lack of). So pls, spare us all with this 'fake' outrage.
Obama 08

Marbw (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 11:57 AM)

Obama playing the God card! This is to scary. I do not trust God huggers to get what they want.
Does Obama want the frantic fringe as his support group, they could derail his meager lead.
I knew there was something unholy about him now I can put my finger on his preachy, teachy, lingo.

H P Boston (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 3:04 PM)

I wasn't impressed by him. I think he talks a good game. Redemption is a great church. It isn't rock music but radical praise and worship which is why I attend. It isn't a dead church like you see and Pastor Ron is a wonderful bible teacher who has a beautiful heart toward the guest and his congregation.

Glenda Noronha, Spartanburg, SC (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 3:24 PM)

We saw some of the Democrats ''community and family''jive over at Friscos PBS station,KQED, this morning.
It appears that the US Navy and Marines would like to return to the city for ''FLEET WEEK'',which has been disparaged by the liberals and leftwingers as ''militaristic'' and ''dangerous''. [So much for the ''support ''of our ''troops''. The Navys ships while in-port and their BLUE ANGELS have been a portion of wholesome family and community entertainment since the late-1940s. Millions of Americans have walked the decks of their ships,and witnessed their exciting air shows. Thousands of these sailors and Marines have recently served in Iraq and the Arabian Sea].
The critics opted for entertainment of a more dubious ''family value''. Instead,they took their kids to the Folsom St. S&M street fair where gay men engaged in open,public, anal and oral sex,masturbation, nudity and leather-clad ''barebacking''skits,despite the near-absence of any warnings that unsafe sex could lead to HIV/AIDS which disproportionately affects this community. Even mainstream gays were aghast at allowing children to witness what ''is supposed to be a private act'',said one gay man.''Where were the cops''? asked another. Others critiqued the ''fair''for giving the ''phobes''more ammo and deplored a city where this crap was wide open and allowed,but the sight of a uniformed soldier or sailor caused apoplexy among the cities liberal denizens.

Also see: The Bay Guardian [Frisco-based GLTB News and events magazine] www.bayguardian.com

Lee Holmes (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 4:00 PM)

"Stories like the first poster who had to leave her church after 45 years because she suddenly became an object of scorn because she was a democrat is heartbreaking.
diane (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:48 PM)"

Ever hear of the Southern Baptist Convention?
Just before the Civil War started the question came up "should a man be barred from office in the Church if he supported slavery even though it was not against the laws of the land".
The question was whether the Baptist Church should put morality above legality, this split the Church even though 80% or more of its Southern members were against slavery.
Guess which Party promoted slavery and hoped to spread the institution of slavery into the western territories, the Democrats thats who.

Christians don't agree on every social issue automatically.

I for one have no problem with believing that Obama is sincere about his faith but that doesn't automatically make me agree with his politics.

There are plenty of fakers like Fred Phelps out there, we've run him and his crew out of Tennessee before.
Democrats like to point at fakers like Phelps and pretend that they are representative of "Fundementalist Christians", nothing would be futher from the truth.
You'll also see Democrats claiming that somehow or other the two major parties switched skins between the days of the Jim Crow laws and today. That won't wash either.

As for Abortion, if medically necessary so be it, but only if medically necessary. Its not like a boob job or tummy tuck, its the ending of a Human Life before it can begin.

As for Gay Marriage, why should anyone support redefining the institution of marriage to please a tiny fraction of a very small percentage of the population.
Civil Unions on the otherhand are purely secular and a matter of convenience which can be held separate from the type of physical relationship the parties chose to engage in. This might even be a useful method of avoiding the "marriage of convenience" and allow couples not interested in, (and perhaps not capable of due to age or illness), a sexual relationship to share expenses and help provide a home for children of a previous relationship.

Wayne, TN (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 9:59 PM)

The messages on this board both astonish me and confirm my suspicion that many people equate Christianity with Republicanism. As a liberal Christian like Mr. Obama, I want to say to you with this view: please, read the Gospels. You will find that Jesus is anything BUT a Republican.

Calvin Johnson (Sent Tuesday, October 09, 2007 12:01 AM)

The best bumper sticker I ever saw said "GOD IS TOO BIG FOR ANY POLITICAL PARTY".

Utahreb, Veyo, UT (Sent Tuesday, October 09, 2007 9:49 AM)

What happened to... He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone? I will vote for Obama. I will pray for all the world to find peace.

ByTheSea, Port Angeles, WA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:13 AM)

um... ANTI CHRIST ANYONE?

Hello.. but does those remarks not worry anyone?

Josh Gross, Nashville , Tennesee (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:43 PM)

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