Reply #18: I just watched a speech Obama gave on faith and politics earlier in the year. [View All]

It was very good. Obama is no fundamentalist, and he understands deeply the constitution and the separation of church and state. He also understands the historical role of religion, particularly in the black community. He understands the role and power of religious metaphor in the words of Lincoln, King, etc. I think some may misinterpret what he means by these statements, unfortunately, because they don't understand where he's coming from well enough. One thing I remember him saying was that the faith community has no monopoly on morality. I get a sense he joined the church in his community organizing days more to truly feel he was part of the community than anything else. The historical dimensions of the church, particularly the "black church," in fighting for social justice run very deep.

Here's the link. It's a 39 minute speech, but I really understood Obama better after watching this.

"In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life."

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/faith/