Who is Barak Obama?

[Treasure]

I looked for otherinformation (specifically what I heard on fox news about his oath for senate) but wasn't able to find anything that wasn't just a blog. As interested as I am in the opinions of others, I'm more interested in what he himself has to say about what he believes both politically and spiritually. He gives great speaches, he has charisma and I'm in no way comparing him to the anti-Christ, but is it not true that the anti-Christ will be those and much, much more?

I think that what we see and know about Mr. Obama is only the surface stuff.

As far as the Presidential election is concerned; however, I don't think that the United States is prepared for a president who has such a family background. Just as I don't think that Hilary has a chance. This country just isn't ready for it.

[georgesbluegirl]

I think the country will tell what it is "ready for" when it elects someone. There have been surprises before. And if now is not the time for a black man or a woman, then when do we say we're ready?

[MorningGlory]

Even without the Islamic background, Obama will not be President. The guy leans so far left he has to be propped up! He's young and smart, well educated and all that....but no one with the middle name of 'Hussein' will be elected President of the United States. At least not in our lifetimes. And, you're right kat; you CANNOT leave Islam.

[kat8585]

This is all silly. Barack is not Muslim, and the idea that he spent time in a "radical Muslim school" was debunked months ago. Have you even seen the visits various media outlets did to the alleged "madrassa?" Come on, folks. If we are going to debate the candidates then let's do so in an intelligent way rather than rely on boldly false statements and spin.

How about we talk about Obama's position on health care, education, the war? You know...things that matter?

His positions on everything I've seen are wrong, too.

[georgesbluegirl]

First of all, can you explain to me why anyone "cannot" leave any religion at any point for any reason? Freedom of choice and all. Why would a Muslim be any less able to decide that they don't believe in the tenets of Islam any less than a Christian or a Jew or a Hindu, etc.? Or an atheist, for that matter.

Second, kat, saying something is "wrong" as a blanket statement doesn't lend itself to reasonable discussion. I'd love to debate the issues. What, specifically, don't you like about his different positions?

[forrestkc]

In taking a few moments to look for information about Obama I found this article.

article

I also remember hearing about his wanting to take his oath of office on the quaran but wasn't able to find any related information in searching online.

You are thinking of Congressman Keith Ellison, a Democratic Congressman that represents a district that includes the Twin Cities. Congressman Ellison is a Muslim. He has always been completely forthcoming about his religious beliefs. As a muslim, he was sworn in on his faiths holy book the Koran. That really only makes sense being that it would be pretty pointless for a muslim to take the oath of office on the Bible.

Obama is a Christian. He has never been a Muslim.

[forrestkc]

He is talking about his spiritual journey. His father was an avowed atheist. His mother did not know what she was. That is the environment he was raised in. He did not become a Christian until he was 22 years old. What is wrong with that? The man became a Christian as an adult. We ought to be commending that. Then he is honest about having questions. Well, everyone on here has questions.

For that, he has been slandered on here as Muslim. Which is total fabrication that is being spread on a Christian Forum. A total lie being spread on CHRISTIAN FORUM!!!! I mean accusing this man of being a covert radical islamist, you might as well be calling him a child molester. How many times does this lie have to be proven wrong before its no longer drug out of the sewer on to this forum?

Moreover, he is called disingenuous. If he were disingenuous, then he would not be so open about his faith and the questions that linger in his heart. People who are disingenuous don

[MorningGlory]

First of all, can you explain to me why anyone "cannot" leave any religion at any point for any reason? Freedom of choice and all. Why would a Muslim be any less able to decide that they don't believe in the tenets of Islam any less than a Christian or a Jew or a Hindu, etc.? Or an atheist, for that matter.

Sure, I will explain why a Muslim can't leave Islam. Read the Qu'ran; under Sharia law, the Imams decree a death sentence for any Muslim who disavows Islam or anyone who attempts to convert a Muslim; there is NO freedom of choice. That sentence can be carried out by any devout Muslim without fear of retribution because he or she would be defending their faith. Totally different from Christianity or Judaism.

[georgesbluegirl]

I am no scholar of the Quran, but I have read much of it in the last several years and since you raised this I've done a little more research. My impression - which seems at the moment to be correct, from what I've read - is that the idea of the death penalty for apostasy comes from tradition rather than Quranic directive. Surah 2:256 - "Let there be no compulsion in religion." A detailed wiki on this - perhaps not the best source outright, but I'm looking into it - asserts that apostates receive punishment in the afterlife rather than being sentenced in life in every instance of apostasy occuring in the Quran.

And regardless, even if the Quran DID say that giving up your Muslim faith was worth the death penalty, that doesn't change the fact that one is still free to do so, whether or not he or she would fear repercussions (mostly within an Islamic or Islamo-fascist state, I'd imagine).

[MorningGlory]

I am no scholar of the Quran, but I have read much of it in the last several years and since you raised this I've done a little more research. My impression - which seems at the moment to be correct, from what I've read - is that the idea of the death penalty for apostasy comes from tradition rather than Quranic directive. Surah 2:256 - "Let there be no compulsion in religion." A detailed wiki on this - perhaps not the best source outright, but I'm looking into it - asserts that apostates receive punishment in the afterlife rather than being sentenced in life in every instance of apostasy occuring in the Quran.

And regardless, even if the Quran DID say that giving up your Muslim faith was worth the death penalty, that doesn't change the fact that one is still free to do so, whether or not he or she would fear repercussions (mostly within an Islamic or Islamo-fascist state, I'd imagine).

True, it may be that the interpretation is at fault; nevertheless, these sentences are handed down every day. There are even those who hide in the U.S. because they have been sentenced to death by a Imam in the Middle East. And, you're right, anyone can give up any religion. Islam just makes sure that it's followers are too terrified to do so. See below.

Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57:

Narrated 'Ikrima:

Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

Source: Dinocrat.com