The New York Times reports that while Barack Obama has not found a new church since he left Jeremiah Wright’s den of anti-American, socialist hate-mongering, he has assembled a new club of pastors for “private prayer sessions on the telephone and for discussions on the role of religion in politics.”
The Times tells us none of those Obama sought out are affiliated with the religious right, but “the group can hardly be characterized as part of the religious left either.”
Oh yeah?
One of those selected by Obama is Jim Wallis. Show me an issue in which Wallis is not in lockstep with the religious left and I’ll eat my hat.
Wallis supports redistribution of wealth, not only domestically but also internationally to end poverty. He is a zealot of global warming, which is nothing more than a thinly veiled fraudulent crisis designed to attack national sovereignty and lay the groundwork for subverting individual sovereignty through the higher calling of international authorities.
The Times claims he opposes abortion. But he opposes abortion the same way Mario Cuomo does – by upholding unequivocally the right to kill one’s unborn child, opposing efforts to make it illegal. In other words, he’s “personally opposed” – for whatever that’s worth.
Wallis’ Sojourners magazine has been one of the must-reads of the religious left for a generation.
“What most say they share with Obama is the belief that faith is the foundation in the fight against economic inequality and social injustice,” reports the Times.
Is that right?
Is Obama urging that churches and synagogues take the lead in the fight against poverty and social injustice? Or is he using the heavy hand of government to achieve “economic equality” in the form of spreading misery rather than encouraging achievement and prosperity for those who work for it?
I don’t think I have to answer that question.
It’s obvious.
But not to the Times.
One of the five pastors mentioned by the Times as a part of Obama’s inner spiritual circle is the Rev. Otis Moss, Jr.
Asked about Obama’s theological leanings, Moss answered: “I would simply say that he is a person of great faith, and I think that faith has sustained him.”
I have no doubt.
But Obama’s faith is clearly manifest in government, not God.
Let’s be honest about that.
And that is, indeed, what the religious left is all about.
Its adherents love to make allusions to the prophetic. They love to use the compassionate language of the Gospels to bring their audiences to their feet. But they always resort to using the coercive power of government – the bigger the better – to enforce their will upon the rest of us.
Their religion is government.
Their faith is in government.
Their god is government.
It’s hardly news that Obama would surround himself with those who share his values. But it’s interesting that the Times would try to disguise what’s going on here.
It’s true none of those Obama is seeking out carry quite as much political baggage as Jeremiah Wright. His fiery anti-American rhetoric was clearly an embarrassment for Obama during the campaign – and that’s why he tried to distance himself from him after sitting at his feet absorbing the vitriol for 20 years.
Nevertheless, does anyone seriously doubt that Obama would still be sitting in the pews of the Trinity United Church of Christ had he not run for president? That’s where his heart is. That’s where his soul is. That’s where he was married. That’s where his children were baptized.
Obama hasn’t changed his stripes – not politically, not theologically. He’s as lost and confused as he ever was. And this cabal of spiritual advisers isn’t going to clarify a thing for him.
