There is ample controversy surrounding Obama's religion of choice. I have voted in presidential elections for three decades. I have never considered religious affiliation as a factor in my decision making. What I have observed is that the people who are so unduly concerned about Obama's religious affiliation are not even practicing the tenets of their own religions. The most popular religions of the world all teach tolerance, love, peace, service, caring, harmony, respect, honor, thrift, charity, honesty and numerous other virtues . The views and opinions of Obama's religious scrutinizers often represent the exact opposite of these virtues and are slanderous, mean spirited, hateful, racist, divisive, disrespectful, dishonest, and attempt to incite fear. One person commented that Obama cannot be of the one right religion as he is not white. Most of all, these views are predominantly self serving and therefore not in the best interest of America. I dare say that a fringe of these detractors are behaving in a manner consistent with terrorism by promoting fear, the largest component of terrorism.
I have no religious affiliation, but I vehemently support an individual's right to practice the religion of his or her choice. The words of the constitution of the United States guaranty this freedom. Whether a person chooses to adopt Christianity, Buddhism, Islam or Hinduism is of no other person's concern.
Some people believe that by virtue of his name Obama is tied to Islam and the middle east. Others claim that his Muslim heritage automatically ties him to Islam and terrorism. Obama has stated on numerous occasions that he is a mainstream Christian. No other president I know of has been questioned so vigorously about his religious affiliation. No matter his religious practice, it is ridiculous and delusional to even conceive that a person would be allowed to run for the office of the President of the United States while having any remote ties to terrorist activities.
The terrorists of this world, some of whom are Muslim, represent an extreme fringe of individuals who do not practice the tenets of the religion they profess. They claim ties to religion, but in fact what they are doing is simply using religion; twisting its premise to meet their personal sadistic needs. The vast majority of people who truly practice their chosen religion are avid about adhering to the tenets of their religion. I cannot name a single religion that actively promotes terrorism.
All religions have had terrorist fringe elements. Some early Americans used religions as an excuse to slaughter millions of American Indians. There have been countless terrorist actions tied to different religions throughout history. People claim that terrorist actions are no longer practiced in Christianity and are endemic only to other religions. I beg to differ. George W. Bush claims to be a reformed Christian yet he started a war that has killed, maimed and tortured hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children. He did as God told him, to paraphrase his words. I don't believe that any God would incite such an abomination, especially given the fact that the Iraq war is an undeniable mistake and failure. George Bush acted on a delusional belief based on his ego and in his personal self interest. An act such as this committed by a Muslim under the same pretense would automatically be considered terrorism.
I am not condemning anyone's choices concerning religion. My point is that no matter what, where, when or who, there have been and always will be those who use religion to justify their self serving, sadistic and delusional beliefs, and actions. They incite fear and might through violent language and action to achieve their misguided personal goals. By definition this is terrorism. Regardless of his religious beliefs, Obama is the first president to actively reach out and promote peace.
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