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Archive: January 18, 2009 - January 24, 2009
Obama and the Blessings of the Dawn
Barack Obama has been teaching and preaching for close to two years now that blessing obligates one to action and that action itself is an enormous blessing. For right action builds community, makes life worthwhile, and nurtures hope. The new president reiterated that lesson.
By Arnold M. Eisen | January 23, 2009; 9:17 AM ET | Comments (1)
Obama's Religious Message: Grow Up, America
Neither the invocation nor the benediction could equal the daring of the core Pauline theme of President Obama's Inaugural Address: Time to grow up, America. Grow up and act like adults.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | January 23, 2009; 8:03 AM ET | Comments (7)
A Very Presidential Beginning
President Barack Obama's inaugural address was a solid, inspiring message for the time and season that we are experiencing.
By Lyle Dukes | January 23, 2009; 7:10 AM ET | Comments (30)
Nonbelievers are Believers Too
President Obama made positive inaugural mention of a word that rarely crosses the lips of lesser politicos, and the online crowd of religious skeptics went wild. I too was pleasantly surprised to see the President return to his previous practice of extending a rhetorical hand to my community in his oratory.
By Greg M. Epstein | January 23, 2009; 6:35 AM ET | Comments (18)
Biblical Literalism Kills -- Literally
Leilani and Dale Neuman stood by as their diabetic daughter slipped into sickness, then acute illness and finally death from diabetic ketoacidosis.
By Brad Hirschfield | January 21, 2009; 6:37 PM ET | Comments (30)
The Legacy of King's Letter
Today's guest blogger is Angie Chan, a senior Linguistics Major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, most of Angie's time is spent working with the Interfaith Youth Core's Fellows Alliance program, as well as acting as...
By Eboo Patel | January 21, 2009; 1:44 PM ET | Comments (0)
Take the Vow of Non-Violence
We, at the Alliance for a New Humanity believe that if a critical mass of people commit to this vow, the world would be transformed.
By Deepak Chopra | January 21, 2009; 1:03 PM ET | Comments (10)
Moving Pro-Life Forward
Four years from now, at the end of Barack Obama's term, I hope that the pro-life movement won't exist.
By Matt Maher | January 21, 2009; 10:35 AM ET | Comments (1)
Religious Rhetoric: Obama Tones It Down, And Chief Justice Roberts Bungles Secular Oath
Yes, he mentioned God, but as an atheist, I have no objection to a president who believes in God making such a reference. What he did not do was invoke a Higher Power as a source of and a justification for public policy. Most important, he is the only modern president to include "nonbelievers" in his litany to Americans of diverse faiths.
By Susan Jacoby | January 21, 2009; 8:38 AM ET | Comments (518)
Religion on Inauguration Morning '09
I smiled with satisfaction at the deft solution to the question whether the presidential oath of office should include the words, "so help me God."
By Willis E. Elliott | January 21, 2009; 7:16 AM ET | Comments (53)
Inauguration Prayerful, Not Religious
I did not hear religious rhetoric, but I saw and felt what I think true religion produces: community, cooperation and commitment.
By Susan K. Smith | January 21, 2009; 6:25 AM ET | Comments (4)
Inauguration of a New Spirituality
It's not good enough that he becomes the first African-American President, the first green President, or the first digital President. Nothing less than spiritual renewal is needed across the board, and there is no one of equal stature to lead it.
By Deepak Chopra | January 21, 2009; 5:55 AM ET | Comments (33)
Warren's Inclusive Invocation and Obama's Jewish Speech
The combination of Pastor Rick Warren's invocation and President Obama's inaugural address set the stage for a new kind of public religion in this country. It is both more inclusive and simultaneously proud of particularity than anything we may have seen before.
By Brad Hirschfield | January 21, 2009; 3:37 AM ET | Comments (1)
A Hopeful Soul
On Inauguration Day, I could hear that message of hope and determination again. If we can make these kinds of strides against racism, there is nothing that we cannot do.
By Susan K. Smith | January 20, 2009; 5:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
Obama Should Seek Divine Blessings the Way He Sees Fit
The religious aspects of the inaugural celebration not only do not offend the Establishment Clause, but arguably serve the President-elect's rights under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause.
By J. Brent Walker | January 20, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (2)
Pastor Rick's Evolution
Sally Quinn: Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation is a canny move by a supremely confident politician.
By Sally Quinn | January 20, 2009; 9:49 AM ET | Comments (21)
We Need a New Etiquette for Prayer in Public
We've entered a moment in our cultural and national history where we need to have a conversation about the etiquette of religion in public.
By William Tully | January 20, 2009; 8:18 AM ET | Comments (4)
Keep the Inauguration a 'Proper Ceremony'
Asking a clergyman to say a prayer is not the same thing as establishing a particular religion over others
By Charles "Chuck" Colson | January 20, 2009; 4:13 AM ET | Comments (20)
Warren Reaches Out in Bad Form
Pastor Warren reaches out to African American community with a form letter.
By Susan K. Smith | January 19, 2009; 9:27 PM ET | Comments (3)
Pray in the Spirit (Not the Name) of Jesus
In a public prayer outside a Christian institution, I think Christian ministers can and should pray to God without bringing in Jesus. This does not deny Jesus. It simply invites everyone in our pluralistic society to join our prayer to the fullest extent that they can. Would Jesus mind? I don't think so.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. | January 19, 2009; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (13)
So Help Me Allah
The demographics of Congress suggest that someday, America will have a non-Christian President. When that day comes, I hope that they feel free to celebrate as they see fit and to pledge their service to the country as they feel best honors the tradition of the Presidency.
By Jim Wallis | January 19, 2009; 9:22 AM ET | Comments (28)
Inaugural Prayers Fit America as a Civilization
A presidential inauguration combines ceremonial (actions) with ritual (words). Obama should submit to both, including "so help me God".
By Willis E. Elliott | January 19, 2009; 7:06 AM ET | Comments (10)
In God We Trust
Mr. Obama soon will be my president. As head of government, I will pray for him daily and honor him. When he acts as head of his party, I will act as the loyal opposition. Like all Americans, I am delighted that Mr. Obama is acknowledging the religious traditions and roots of our nation.
By John Mark Reynolds | January 19, 2009; 4:42 AM ET | Comments (7)
