<p>I am an AA. Many of my AA friends will be mad to start this thread. I guarantee that they will attack me on this. But I am a Obama supporter not a true blind follower. As a follower we have to say what is right and what is wrong. I have been thinking about it as I am very religious person. But I respect all religions as they all teach human dignity. But in the name of religion, politicians divide us. Election and politics are intertwined. Religious tolerance is not a forte in America.</p>
<p>Obama did change his religious views because he knew as an atheist he will never get elected. Like any smart politician, he did this change of election to fit in. He went to a Black church and was a participant for more than twenty years. If Obama remained an atheist, he would have got my respect in much higher way but he would have not won the election. This is the reality of life.</p>
<p>Same way Bobby Jindal changed his views from Hindu to Roman Catholic. He knew that as a Hindu he can not be elected as governor of a southern state. As a catholic he will be a president too. </p>
<p>No matter what they say, it was political convenience over religious views. But both people are decent human being.</p>
<p>The person, I have most respect in this matter is Romney who as a Mormon took a flack on his religious views. The guy did not flinch. This is a sign of a great person. Same think Jack Kennedy did not change his views from Catholic to Baptist. These people stick to their religion despite they knew they can lose. This carries a lot of respect in my mind. </p>
<p>I hope in future people do not have to change their religious views just to fit in and to get elected as a US president. Unfortunately religious tolerance is a long way to go and may not be here for another 100 years.</p>
<p>You may like this link. </p>
<p>[Sam</a> Harris and Andrew Sullivan on Faith, Religion, Tolerance, Moderates, Bible, God, Islam, Atheism, Jesus, Christian Nation – Beliefnet.com](<a href=“http://www.beliefnet.com/story/209/story_20904_1.html]Sam”>Sam Harris and Andrew Sullivan on Faith, Religion, Tolerance, Moderates, Bible, God, Islam, Atheism, Jesus, Christian Nation - Beliefnet)</p>
<p>tokenadult :</p>
<p>In human history, in the name of religion we have killed millions of people. Yet all religion teaches us that we need to be nice to human beings. They tecah us to be tolerant to other faith. How a muslim GOd is superior to a Christian God. How a HIndu God is superior to Buddhist God. Or vice versa. It is sad. Religion is very private matter. We need not impose our religious views on others. God is faith. If someone believe in it is fine. If someone does not believe in it is fine. But respect humanity. Why hate others and kill others in the name of religion. We need to love human being. We need to respect others. This is a sad part of us human.</p>
<p>People don’t kill people because of their religion. People kill people because they are angry about money, land, or some other perceived wrong. They simply use religion as a convenient excuse. Very rarely (except in the case of extremists and/or fanatics) do they believe that what they are doing is really what their God/deity actually wants them to do.</p>
<p>Yes you are right they do not kill for religion. Yet they do it in the name of religion. They justify killings in the name of religion. And that is sad.</p>
<p>It is sad, but that doesn’t mean you should put others down for changing their religion, when you don’t know them personally and don’t know for a FACT that politics is the reason they changed religions (unless you have direct quotes from credible sources, which I’ve yet to see).</p>
<p>I did not put anyone down. I am just stating the facts. This is called political convenience. And his Gracefills me too. Nice name.</p>
<p>I hope to see a jewish, a muslim, a hindu, a marmon, or even atheist become a president too. They are all children of same God. God is same whether one believe it or not. Hopefully they will not divides us in the name of religion.</p>
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<p>Can you please provide some kind of reference that indicates this is why he became a Christian? </p>
<p>aapride - when people have religious conversions or births, it often leads them to re-evaluate what they want to do with their lives. The process of spiritual transformation often causes them to question where they’ve been in their lives, and what they might do to serve others. Frankly, I’ve found that the people who make a major change in their religious affiliation (as long as isn’t done for the purpose of marriage alone) have done so after great reflection and soul searching. I believe it takes much more effort and energy to grieve the loss of one’s previous affiliation (even if it’s atheist or agnostic) and commit to a new tradition than it does to stay with the same denomination throughout their whole life because that’s what they were born into. Those who have made the choice to change as an adult are often more motivated to get involved in their new communities.</p>
<p>While my story is that of a born and bred Catholic, fourteen years ago I left the tradition because I found little satisfaction and direction in the rituals of the Catholic tradition. However, I have met people who, as adults, converted to Catholicism and became engaged students and participators, much more so than some of those who were Catholic their whole lives because that’s how their parents raised them.</p>
<p>In my own conversion, I was able to connect to my faith in a way that inspired me to give back to the community in ways that the Catholic church did not offer me. I was able to attend seminary and am in the process of being approved for candidacy within my religious tradition. I consider myself fortunate that I found a match for my spiritual needs, that challenges me as well as nurtures me.</p>
<p>I would be offended if anyone said I joined a Protestant denomination only because I wanted the support of the church in regards to my intended vocation, or because it was convenient for me.</p>
<p>^Exactly.</p>
<p>What exactly are you trying to accomplish with this thread, aapride? Do you want all the people who never change religions to be given a medal for sticking with it in the face of adversity? You’ll have to give out a lot of medals…I get “flack” for my religion constantly.</p>
<p>I was not, by the way, born and raised in the church. I didn’t even become a Christian until I was 14 years old (I’m now 17). Did I join the church just so I could find a candidate I wanted?</p>
<p>Do you honestly think when people go to vote, they think about the candidate’s religion? I’m pretty sure a vast majority don’t. They think about the issues that person does and doesn’t support, and whether or not they agree with those stances.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, if I agreed 100% with a candidate, I would vote for him/her whether he/she was an atheist, agnostic, buddhist, hindi, you name it. Why? Because America (while many of our values are Christian-based) is NOT a theocracy, and my religion plays no part in my political stance.</p>
<p>terwitt </p>
<p>"you said “people who, as adults, converted to Catholicism and became engaged students and participators, much more so than some of those who were Catholic their whole lives because that’s how their parents raised them.”</p>
<p>Obama did not stay in as a preacher. Did he? </p>
<p>Now on adifferent note, he knew that public service is his call. That is why he did not take a job in a big affluent firm where he could have been rich. He has done lot of good for people. Religion has nothing to do with service. You will find many people who are not religious serving others. </p>
<p>I have always belived in that Obama is a true person. But he did not change his religion to serve people. I am proud that he is going to serve this country.</p>
<p>HisGrace:</p>
<p>Do you think America will vote for an atheist?</p>
<p>Are you telling me that America will elect a Muslim as president? </p>
<p>If you think answer is yes that in present time majority will elect a muslim, then I am will take my words back.</p>
<p>Actually, I think they would. At least, the people I know. Call me naive, but I really think so.</p>
<p>And, as a matter of fact, Lincoln, Johnson (Andrew), Grant and Hayes all had no religious affiliation.</p>
<p>I feel economy is a big thing in voters mind, but majority will not vote for a even a white person who is an atheist or Muslim or a jewish religion. </p>
<p>Then chances for a AA who is atheist is even slimmer. Obama did what he has to do.</p>
<p>That time you did not have republicans running a negative campaign either. No television to chnage views. Only literate or people people with money were allowed to vote. </p>
<p>Look what happened in Ohio in 2004. How Kerry lost? Do not underestimate Karl Rove.</p>
<p>And how many of those negative campaigns mention religion? I haven’t seen too many, have you?</p>
<p>Look in 2008 what is happening in Appalachian? If Obama remained an atheist, he would have lost elections everywhere.</p>
<p>I did not say religion is bad, I am a devout religious person. I am saying in the name of religion people divide us. That is the bad thing</p>
<p>So you’ve realized it.</p>
<p>Did you want a cookie or a brownie?</p>
<p>no wine will be just fine. Only church was allowed to brew wine in old time 
Economy - hehehehehehhe</p>