withallyourmind.net

A few days ago, I blogged on the recent Obama controversy concerning his association with and membership in the church pastored by Jeremiah White. Since that time, Obama has made an excellent speech in which he addresses the issue. John Mark Reynolds, whose insight I always find instructive, has some commentary on the speech here.

On whether the recent flap should affect how one votes, Reynolds states:

In my opinion, Obama’s religion and even his association with his pastor do not disqualify him from office in and of themselves. Understood contextually, he stands in the mainstream of liberal thought about Christianity and politics.

However, as a I pointed out with Mitt Romney, the implications of his religious views mean that no conservative or moderate voter is likely to vote for Barack Obama. Obama’s choice of church home confirms his general instincts as a person, just as Romney’s did.

Obama’s membership in the very liberal (very, very liberal) United Church of Christ suggest a deeply liberal view of the world. A conservative is not being a religious bigot to say:

“Obama’s religion does not disqualify him nor does his pastor, but what it implies about his politics will mean I shall not vote for him. Of course, I might examine his political views and discover that he is a conservative in a liberal church.”

Andrew Jackson, at Smart Christian was not at all impressed.