Pravoslavnik wrote:Macrina,
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My questions for you are mainly semantic in nature. My intention is to separate possible disinformation/propaganda from reality. I am, or course, aware that well-funded Republican propagandists like Karl Rove and the directors of Fox News, the Heritage Foundation, et.al. have been deliberately promoting the idea that Obama is a covert Moslem and a radical socialist during the past two years.
1) In what sense do you view Obama as a "supporter" of Islam? Can you define your terms, as used in your original statements about Obama?
I've already pointed out Obama's code switching technique. Since your interested in semantics, what do you think he is relating linguistically? I think you'd have to agree with me in that it depends on who he is talking to. ie. see link to Cairo speech posted in my first post
So I view him as a supporter of Islam in that he doesn't disagree with it. If you want to label him, then perhaps 'ecumenical' would be choice of word for it.
2) How do you define "socialism," as the term is used in your above commentary? For example, do you consider the community of the Apostles and the early Church to be "socialist?" Do you consider Medicare, Social Security, police, fire departments, schools, or highways to be "socialist?"
First off, I am not saying that we can clearly see socialism at work in the government. However there are certain tenets of socialism that are evident. That is, as I would define socialism by government. A serious socialist believes in government control of industry and takeover of private enterprise. I do not think this describes the Apostles in the early church. That may be what you would call a commonwealth society much like original cooperative banking.
Really I don't understand your comparison.
Is Medicare, Social Security, police, fire depts, schools and highways controlled by the government? If so, then you have your answer.
3) Do you believe that the American government should ban the construction of mosques, and/or ban Islamic worship in America? Should they ban immigrants who are Moslems?
No. I also don't believe that government should support it. Government is a civil authority not a religious authority.
4) Which "Christian" values, in your view, have been supported by Republicans and undermined by Obama?
Have I posted anything about supporting certain parties such as Republicans. So how can I answer your question. As far as Obama is concerned we have no "Christian values". He has been quoted numerous times saying the following to many different peoples: ""We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."
This is the man who is speaking for our nation, meaning on behalf of us. My question is, when did we become not a Christian nation?
The threads about Obama's religiosity here at St. E's are in the "Miscellaneous" section-- and were first posted here back in January of 2008. One is entitled "Is Barak Obama the Antichrist?" Another is "Obama, Satan's Messiah?" I was first raising these issues long BEFORE Obama was ever nominated by the Democratic Party for the Presidency. Most people nowadays who are still asking these questions are Republicans, who began to focus on this subject AFTER Obama had won the Democratic nomination. I still don't presume to know the answers, but I am highly skeptical of the widespread Republican disinformazia on the subject.
I am quite aware of such confusion and misinformation myself. Use to address some in emails in fact. This is why I asked the OP why the particular question.
Actually I am not up to date on any Republican disinformation or otherwise. I'm just a Constitution carrying American. Many times I have pulled out the Constitution with it's amendments to correct others misunderstanding about how the US government works, as well as what the government can and can't do. Last subject was on the census conducted. Most view the federal census as a good thing for various reasons. Opinions aside, according to the Constitution, the president must conduct a census before further taxation. So quite simply, the census meant that the president was about to do some creative restructuring of our nations finances.
