The very last thing on my list of important things the President-elect should be doing right now is worrying about attending church. However, as noted by Attaturk at FDL, this is apparently a big deal to Politico and the hysterical handwringers who operate the Drudge Report.
From Politico:
"President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since winning the White House earlier this month, a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors."OMG!!! The world is going to spin right off its axis if we don't bundle Barack Obama off to a suitably acceptable church immediately! What can he possibly be doing that's more important than taking time to worship the Lord?
Well, I think he's putting together a transition team and selecting cabinet members who will be crucial in repairing the myriad problems left by the outgoing lame dork president; who, as we all know, is an active church-goer and remarkably shitty leader. I'd rather have Obama worry about that right now than waste time in a church. God will be just fine without his worship for a few weeks.
Plus, the Republican shillsters seem to think taking care of your health is nearly on par with Satan worship! More from Politico:
"On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym."Jesus help us! The world's obviously gonna end any minute now, because Obama is working out instead of humbling himself before (let's face it) the television cameras and the media. Of course, a good workout helps not only your physical health, but also releases endorphins and has a psychologically calming effect that will help the president-elect make better decisions. Maybe if George Bush spent a little less time sweating in a church and more in a gym, he might not have made such awful decisions. (No, I'm just kidding...there's no way George Bush could have made anything BUT awful decisions!)
And, although he doesn't need to explain his actions to anyone, Obama's people offer up a reasonable explanation about the situation:
"Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners.That's fine with me. It should be fine with everyone. It really sucks that a person's religious beliefs needs to be such a public matter and, more to the point, a political issue.
"Because they have a great deal of respect for places of worship, they do not want to draw unwelcome or inappropriate attention to a church not used to the attention their attendance would draw," said the aide."
In an age where politicians are frequently hypocrites and liars, who often use the idea of religion as a cover for their awful policies, and who make it a point to end every single speech with "god bless you and god bless America", I happen to find it somewhat comforting that our president-elect isn't exhibiting the same behavior.
I'm sure this will lose him some support from the ultra-religious fundies (not that there were going to bat for him anyway!); but ultimately, he will stand as proof that we CAN successfully keep church and state separated, as guaranteed by the Constitution. He should be allowed to decide IF and WHEN to attend church.
And a note to the rabid GOPers out there: you got him wearing that flag pin now. Isn't that enough for you guys?
8 comments:
I agree! I think it should be illegal to even bring up the SUBJECT of religion in any sort of political connection!
Jesus! That's not what I'm saying at all!
I'm saying that whether the president-elect goes to church or not is the LAST thing he should be worrying about right now. I'd be a lot more worried if he spent more hours in a church than putting together a team that will help save our economy and our jobs. THAT'S what I'm talking about.
And yeah, I'll admit I did take a shot or two at the religious hypocrites because, after all, they're an easy target and I have column space I need to fill! :)
You might think I'd agree with Susan, but I don't. I'm all for the cynical use of religion in politics, I just prefer that it be kept out of government and policy-making.
And what's interesting about this is that much ado has been made about the faith and convictions of GWB, yet he doesn't even go to church! Supposedly for the same reason that Reagan didn't go to church: because it's a security risk. That didn't stop the Clintons from going damn near every Sunday though.
This article at BeliefNet even kind of picks apart the whole "we don't want to draw too much attention to the parish" argument (as used by GWB, but could be applied to Obama).
IMO, you're right Bob. He's got more important things to worry about than picking a church to go to. However, I think that most of this "which church" bullshit is being pushed by the same people who tried to push the idea that Obama is some kind of "secret muslim". This isn't about whether Obama goes to church, because I think that doing so obviously presents a huge security risk to the church and to himself, but it's about GOPers trying to nurture the seeds of doubt they planted about Obama's faith during the campaign.
So just remind those fuckers that George W. Bush doesn't go to church.
i recall seeing a picture of gwb riding a bicycle, so take that, bob!
LOL! You're right!
And he fell off it!
Ouchie!
It would be different had Obama not gone to the trouble to reach out those of faith, but he did.
Besides, it's only an hour or so and most decent churches toss in a pretty good cup of coffee afterwards.
Well yeah, especially in states like South Carolina, where everyone goes to church; and in small towns that use the church as their main public meeting place.
But still, it's his decision whether he goes or not; and with so much that needs to be done right away, that "hour or so" is better spent working on vetting good people for his cabinet.
He'll get around to settling on a DC church, and I'm sure he'll go at least as regularly as Bush has for the last few years.
The way things are going, maybe we should be more concerned about going to church ourselves, and stop wasting time on what others do.
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