Part 1 ~ Bridging the Great Divide
"In other words, if we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, then the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons and Alan Keyeses will continue to hold sway."
I'm so glad that the Democratic party is reaching out, and discussing faith. I'm glad that they are offering an alternative to the rut of divisiveness our country has fallen into.
So how is Obama proposing that we bridge the divide? By talking about issues in a way that everyone can agree on. Take, for instance, his opinion on abortion:
"I think that we should put more of our tax dollars into educating poor girls and boys. I think that the work that Marian Wright Edelman has done all her life is absolutely how we should prioritize our resources in the wealthiest nation on earth. I also think that we should give them the information about contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancies, lower abortion rates, and help assure that that every child is loved and cherished.
But, you know, my Bible tells me that if we train a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it. So I think faith and guidance can help fortify a young woman's sense of self, a young man's sense of responsibility, and a sense of reverence that all young people should have for the act of sexual intimacy."
I love how Obama is planning to do EXACTLY what the Christian leaders want to accomplish (save babies from being aborted), in a way that EVERYONE can agree on!!! I love how he has found a new approach to an age-old issue. I love how he is bringing the government (preventing under age pregnancies through education) and faith (preventing underage pregnancies by lowering risk factors that lead to underage sex) together to work towards a similar goal.
What do YOU think about all this?
7 comments:
Ever heard of a "wolf in sheeps clothing?"
So, now he wants to give contraception to "girls and boys" and teach them the proper way of preventing pregnancy? What about abstinence? Wait until marriage? Avoid incurable diseases and death?
"Lower abortion rates" which indicates he still supports infanticide.
And as for his quoting the bible, about "Train up a child..." We are to bring up our children on what the bible teaches us. And it is is VERY clear about sexual purity. God intended sex for marriage and to be fruitful and multiply.
I am not impressed with his deceptive words.
Leti, Obama specifically adressed how faith can help with the abortion issue:
"So I think faith and guidance can help fortify a young woman's sense of self, a young man's sense of responsibility, and A SENSE OF REVERENCE that all young people should have for the act of sexual intimacy."
Umm... if he speaks about having a reverance for sexual intimacy, doesn't that sound the same as sexual purity to you? It does to me... *shrug*
Also, I belive it's idealistic and possibly downright foolish to assume that abstinance-only education will result in no abortions... if anything, it will result in more. This world is not set up for that... when a child goes out and sees older sibblings having casual sex, mom or dad having casual sex,... they will most likely follow the examples they SEE and not the words they hear.
Personally, I'm all for teaching abstinance to kids, while giving them protection in case they make a different choice. Because really, how often did WE listen to the adults in our lives growing up? LOL
And on abortion... how does working to lessen the amount of abortions happening equal being pro infanticide? Is it better to scream "I'm against abortion" to the Religious Right, and then whine when you can't get any bills passed because you alienated everyone not as fundamental as you? I have not noticed a decline in abortions during Bush's term... have you?
Jana - you are so patient. I so admire people who can do that in writing! As for me: Go Obama. He's been my guy from the git go. Of course I don't have the problem of parsing every word he speaks because I am pro-child/family/choice and very very (did I mention VERY) pro-contraception. Every child a wanted child!
Anne Lamott (i wrote about her in a previous post of yours today) says: "I was - I am - so confused about why we still have to argue with patriarchia sentimentaility about minuscule zygotes when real, live, already born women, many of them desperately poor, get such short shrift from the government now in power...Most women like me would much rather use our time and energy fighting tomake the world safe and just and fair for the children we do have and do love, not to mention the children of New Orleans and Darfur,,,It is a moral necessity that we not be forced to bring children into the world for whom we cannot be responsible and adoring and present. We must not inflict life on children who will be resented; we must not inflict unwanted children on society." Right on, Sistah.
Jana - you are so patient. I so admire people who can do that in writing! As for me: Go Obama. He's been my guy from the git go. Of course I don't have the problem of parsing every word he speaks because I am pro-child/family/choice and very very (did I mention VERY) pro-contraception. Every child a wanted child!
Anne Lamott (i wrote about her in a previous post of yours today) says: "I was - I am - so confused about why we still have to argue with patriarchia sentimentaility about minuscule zygotes when real, live, already born women, many of them desperately poor, get such short shrift from the government now in power...Most women like me would much rather use our time and energy fighting tomake the world safe and just and fair for the children we do have and do love, not to mention the children of New Orleans and Darfur,,,It is a moral necessity that we not be forced to bring children into the world for whom we cannot be responsible and adoring and present. We must not inflict life on children who will be resented; we must not inflict unwanted children on society." Right on, Sistah.
Jana, he used the word "reverence" as a concept nothing more.
I am against abortion in all forms and Obama is okay with it. President Bush doesn't wield all the power that people think he does. Congress, which the majority are Democrat, are the deciders.
Anyhoo, I find that he is ashamed of the fact that he is partly white, he has a Muslim background, was mentored by a racist and is pro-homosexual, pro-choice and LACKS experience.
Jana - Great post! I agree whole-heartedly with what Tammy has already said. (Must be the name! :) )
I am very pro-choice - and I think that only teaching abstinence is irresponsible. Your point of "how many times did we listen?" is right on! Not giving them options/tools in case they don't choose abstinence is wrong! (This is MY opinion only - and I'm not trying to be inflammatory!)
Love your willingness to post about your points and ideas!! Good stuff!
Leti, I have heard that at one point in time Obama was ashamed of the white part of himself, but we all go through identity issues growing up at various times. I don't really see the relevance of that?
Tammy V, the older I become, the more "pro-contraception" I become.
My personal pet peeve? My insurance company won't cover my birth control! I'm being responsible with my sexual health, but the insurance would rather pay thousands and thousands of dollars for pregnancy & baby care than $20 per month for me to get a low-estrogen birth control pill!! Makes me wanna throw things.
Tammy M... I agree with you about choices and options... the more choices you can give to prevent pregnancies from happening, the better off everyone is.
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