AVERAGE USER RATING
Recently On Home
Featured Sponsors
Christian Living Resources, Bible Study Tools, Jesus Christ
Barack Obama: "I believe in Roe versus Wade"
Dr. Warren Throckmorton
Columnist, Speaker, Professor of Psychology and Fellow for Psychology and Public Policy at Grove City College
Barack Obama and John McCain answered the same questions from pastor Rick Warren tonight regarding a wide range of issues at the
Televised by CNN and FOXNews, I thought the format was well-conceived and allowed viewers to compare candidates on the same questions.
One immediate controversy was Barack Obama’s reply to the question, “when does a baby qualify for human rights?” Obama took an agnostic position saying theologically and scientifically the answer was “above his pay grade.” McCain answered directly that life begins at conception. Obama also said the number of abortions had stayed the same through the Bush presidency, a claim immediately contested by the Americans United for Life via one of the Fox News commentators. I am looking for some documentation on the matter but I do not think Obama is correct on that point.
The debate may have helped Obama with Evangelicals in one sense: he made a clear profession of faith in Christ. However, in my opinion, Evangelicals will now have to do a real check of what they consider basic. Is the sanctity of life a core issue or can it be considered a second tier issue in order to vote for a candidate who articulates an orthodox testimony? McCain’s responses seemed more at home at Saddleback with many more applause pauses from the crowd than received by Obama.
As for McCain, I think he helped himself enormously with Evangelicals via his performance in this forum. He demonstrated an emotional connection with the audience and had stories which connect with people. I found him much more persuasive in that setting and with that audience than Sen. Obama. Ronald Reagan comes to mind and was invoked on more than one occasion by Sen. McCain.
But then I am biased and I suspect Obama supporters will view the evening as a win in that Obama played reasonably well in a ballpark unfamiliar to prior democratic candidates.
UPDATE: According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group with close ties to Planned Parenthood,
Most Recent User Comments
Robertt8
8/29/2008 8:05 PM
Do you have an "issue" that you consider core? In listening to the debate, it seems many religious persons in Jesus' day had an issue surrounding the Sabbath. In fact, they were willing to overlook justice and mercy, and condemn even the innocent because their issue was so central to their identity. That means their issue was more important to them than anything else, and any political leaders that wished to remain in power (lest the Romans come and remove us and our nation) could use that issue to rally support for themselves. You've got the Supreme Court decision. If it had gone the other way, you'd be happy. But what are you doing NOW to lift the burden off the poor and treat the stranger within your gates with compassion (for you were once aliens in Egypt) ? Look out, lest a politician capture your allegience with catch phrases about the sanctity of life, but use his power to blow up half the world and give the contract to his buddies in Haliburton. www.robertsessford.com
Report this post
Furnituremaker
8/22/2008 7:59 AM
Dr. Throckmorton
I will compare the idea of a "core" issue defining whether a politician is truly saved? Obama says he is saved but strongly supports the right to abortion, a position I hate. But... Mr. Bush is adored by evangelicals but his stance as Commander in Chief to allow torture of military prisoners is certainly a cause to question his salvation by the same test. McCain will just continue the Bush policies. Politicians and even christians have many different views but we are saved by Grace, thank God, not by our opinions.....
Incidentally the link showing the decline of abortions shows DOUBLE the decline during that most hated by evangelicals, Bill Clinton, than during the Bush years.. I will leave you to ponder that possibly other factors lead to the reduction of abortion such as economic good times and general prosperity for ALL, not just the very wealthy...something this present administration won't address!
I will compare the idea of a "core" issue defining whether a politician is truly saved? Obama says he is saved but strongly supports the right to abortion, a position I hate. But... Mr. Bush is adored by evangelicals but his stance as Commander in Chief to allow torture of military prisoners is certainly a cause to question his salvation by the same test. McCain will just continue the Bush policies. Politicians and even christians have many different views but we are saved by Grace, thank God, not by our opinions.....
Incidentally the link showing the decline of abortions shows DOUBLE the decline during that most hated by evangelicals, Bill Clinton, than during the Bush years.. I will leave you to ponder that possibly other factors lead to the reduction of abortion such as economic good times and general prosperity for ALL, not just the very wealthy...something this present administration won't address!
- Read more feedback
- Give us your feedback on this article - (login required to comment)
