Obama the self-hating Muslim
One day, Barack Osam ... er, Obama, is a madrassa-educated closet Muslim whose outward Christian faith is merely overcompensation. Next thing you know, the Democratic presidential candidate is hurting Muslims by being seen at every kind of worship house but a mosque.
Some of the recent criticisms of Obama are more fair than others; take the Times Op-Ed today by Salam Al-Marayati and Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, which rakes both John McCain and Obama over the coals for alienating Muslims in their rush to draw support from Jewish groups:
Just one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton dropped out of the Democratic race, Sen. Barack Obama rushed to receive the blessing of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Last week, his campaign volunteers rushed to remove Muslim women wearing head scarves from a Detroit rally. Though Obama apologized, Muslims felt stung by a candidate supposedly running on a platform of inclusion and change.
But the snubs aren't limited to Obama. Sen. John McCain recently dismissed a Muslim American businessman from an important campaign committee. In March, McCain visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem but made no similar visit to the adjacent Muslim holy site, the Dome of the Rock. And although both candidates have made frequent stops at churches and synagogues, neither has made a campaign stop at a mosque.
Some pundits, however, spare the rod on McCain. In the New York Times today, columnist Roger Cohen employs the "campaign stop at a mosque" criticism, but aims it only at Obama. For Cohen, the stakes are high — a casual drop-in by Obama to a mosque could save (wait for it) ... the world!
As Andrea Elliott chronicled in an important article in The Times, Obama has visited churches and synagogues, but no mosque. He had to apologize after two Muslim women wearing head scarves were barred from appearing behind him at a recent rally in Detroit.
Obama should visit a mosque. He has repeatedly shown his courage during this campaign; Americans have responded to his intellectual honesty. One of the important things about him is the knowledge his Kenyan and Indonesian experiences have given him of Islam as lived, rather than Islam as turned into monstrous specter....
Fear-mongering about Islam is a global industry. It thrives on ignorance. Obama has a unique power to break the cycle, not least by emboldening moderate Muslims to denounce terror. Nothing would do more in the long run for the security of the world.
It must be beyond frustrating for Obama that his exotic-sounding name and globe-trotting childhood saddle him with some kind of "responsibility" just as much as they lend themselves to foolish rumors. Just last March, the Pew Research Center released a poll showing all kinds of confusion over Obama's religion: 10% of Americans thought he was a Muslim, a whopping 79% had heard rumors to that effect and barely half could identify his true faith, Christianity.
Considering how the faith pendulum has swung from an irrational fear of his inner Muslim to furor over his exclusion of Muslims in a matter of a few months, I'm surprised Obama hasn't decided to become an atheist — but that conversion would really ruin his chances.
Photo: Associated Press
ME THINKS HE PROTESTETH TOO MUCH
Posted by: papeehara | June 26, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Whats funny is the Fear americans have against Muslims
Have you ever talked to one about what they believe?
America are not infidels.......dont believe it
the muslims responsible for 911 and other like crimes are equated to Hitlers men in ww2......they say they represent christianity, but they do crimes on behalf of it.......
Posted by: Oregon4Obama | June 26, 2008 at 11:36 PM
How about something even more though provoking, like Muslims speaking out and fighting against extremism? Leave it up to a journalist to ignore the obvious and focus on a nothing-argument involving Obama. Some Journalists are so full of liberal White Guilt that suggesting such a novel concept, in their drama filled world, is akin to "racism". When extremist Mormons, Jews, Christain Catholic, Italians, blacks, rapers, hippies, feminists ect. had bad elements in their community they always took action against their own people to kick them out. Not Muslims and I have decades of empirical evidence on my side, Missy. But then again why should I expect a story of this nature from Journalists? I mean we are talking about a group of people who criticize others for a living, but never criticize themselves. When YOU do something wrong its front page news. When a Journalist screws up, its corrected on a Tuesday morning, on page 18, in the news papers smallest print and they never run negative stories about other news organizations. Free speech indeed! Then again, most Journalists I meet spend most of their time yelling at non-threatening faceless giants, instead of really solving any problems.
Posted by: Joe | June 26, 2008 at 11:37 PM
This is an irresponsible media article. Rather than focusing on real issues, the article is trying to play on the religion and emotional cards.
Posted by: CalifIndependent | June 27, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Why should he apologize? Radical Islam has caused many American deaths and continues to threaten us all. The reponse of most of the US Moslem community is a deafening silence. I wouldn't want to be identified with Islam either.
Posted by: Amir | June 27, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Do you really think Obama would risk the political fall-out by visiting a Mosque? It would confirm the Fears (however unfounded) people have that he will turn America into an Islamic state. Yes, I know that is ridiculous, but I think it would happen.
Furthermore Obama would alienate all of the Jewish and "Christian" Voters. Let's be totally honest about the Muslim situation in the world. Any violent News headlines in just about any country are "typically" Islamic extremist related (too many to list inthe last 3 years alone). That is an undeniable fact. The Muslim community in America needs to be more vocal at denouncing violence throughout the world before their political need to be counted is ever considered
Posted by: Robert | June 27, 2008 at 02:54 AM
Revisiting these inflated rumors does more harm then good to this polarized nation and one wonders if LA Times is doing is best to perpetuate this kind of hate fear or helping this nation heal the wounds of such ignorance.
Posted by: chui | June 27, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Obama is an extremely sensitive and diffiicult situation in regard to his relation to his Muslim father, family and background. One reason for this is that present day Islam is not present day Bahai'ism or Buddhism. It is not just another 'exotic' non- Christian religion. It is not simply the religion but the flag of the world's most extreme terrorists. Islamism is today the enemy of freedom and Democracy..
To be endlessly explaining the difference between 'moderate Muslims' and 'Islamists' between his few years of Muslim schooling and his adult Christian practice and faith can only make a 'defense Obama' lose points.
He is not helped by the fact that there are extremist elements at the heart of the Islamic political establishment in America, the people of C.A.I. R.
Posted by: Shalom Freedman | June 27, 2008 at 03:14 AM
The seven laws of noah (without the whimsical extensions) have been referenced as a foundation for secular society.
Sharia law of arabism is akin to the 613 mitvot (less the 10 commandments) under israelism.
Those laws of tradition are specifically intended for the genetic and traditional preservation of their patriarchal (eponymous) lineages of ishmael or isaac.
Those laws are specific to arab or israeli peoples and as government for their specific city states.
The jurisdiction of those laws does not extend beyond those borders, those laws are not universal.
Israelism defines its borders, respectful of alternative cultures.
Arabism is rogue and misinformed, it believes that all cultures must adopt its ideologies.
Non-ishmael arabs are not obligated to mosques or to the practices of arabism.
Hinting, that arabism is universal is the errant reason why it is being politically avoided.
Arabism's claims are marauding and lack humble restraint.
Posted by: Dragoon | June 27, 2008 at 03:17 AM
Haven't you heard? Obama was a member of a black supremacist Christian cult whose leader thinks we deserved 9/11, until his very public fallout with the good Reverend prompted him to drop out. After tossing the man who taught him the Audacity of Hope, married him, and baptized his daughters under the bus, Grandma had better watch out!
Posted by: Alex | June 27, 2008 at 03:19 AM
His inner muslim? What are you talking about? He has never had any muslim influence in his life. Clearly, you have never ready any of his books.
In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household." He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He describes his Kenyan father as a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his Indonesian stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." In the book, Obama explains how, through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties, he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change."[
Posted by: Lee Watkins | June 27, 2008 at 03:35 AM
"Fear-mongering about Islam is a global industry. It thrives on ignorance."
Tell that to all the "ignorant" innocents that died in the World Trade Center disaster.
Paul,me thinks that perhaps you use the word "ignorant" from a deep familiarity with it.
Posted by: J.L.Greer | June 27, 2008 at 03:36 AM
His inner muslim? What are you talking about? He has never had any muslim influence in his life. Clearly, you have never read any of his books.
In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household." He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He describes his Kenyan father as a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his Indonesian stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." His parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced. Obama's father returned to Kenya and saw his American-born son only once more before dying in an automobile accident in 1982. In the book, Obama explains how, through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties, he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change." Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives of Jefferson Davis, president of the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War.
Posted by: Lee Watkins | June 27, 2008 at 03:44 AM
Obama must visit mosques to gain muslim voters' confidence that he really working for change in America
Posted by: mohammed ziauddin | June 27, 2008 at 04:06 AM
Once a Muslim, always a Muslim. His father was Muslim, and his mother was atheist. A practicing Christian does not have the views and beliefs Barack Obama has, and does not attend a church for twenty years where congregants cheer when the the anti-White, racist, hateful rhetoric is being spewed from the pulpit. And it was his wife Michelle Obama who chose Trinity Church?
Posted by: Diana in California | June 27, 2008 at 04:08 AM
Obama may not outwardly say that his is muslim. But the Muslim World will tell you that once a Muslim always a Muslim. And the United States is way past giving away Wome's Rights. If, in fact Obama is a Christian, He is a Christian that I wouldn't associate with. The Christian Church of his choice for over 20 years is racist. The Theology behind the Trinity Church in Chicago is beyond the norm. Obama is an extremist. An extremist I can live without in my life. I fear his values of Life and don't want him to be able to impose them on Society.
Posted by: DHuston | June 27, 2008 at 04:13 AM
“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ” -- Until further notice we live in a country that allows us to worship any religion, so I really would not care what his religion is as long as Obama is fair to people of all religions
Posted by: kevin | June 27, 2008 at 04:18 AM
its amazing that with the state that America finds itself the debate is about what religion Obama belongs to. His faith should have very little to do with his abilities as a leader, yet in a secular country like America religion seems to be the focal point of this campaign.
Posted by: Shakir | June 27, 2008 at 04:20 AM
Barack Obama should visit a mosque and with this single act he will have done more to curb the War on Terror and the indoctrination of the next generation of young people in the MIddle East than the Bush Administration has done since they first waged the Iraq War!
Obama 08
Posted by: Philip | June 27, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Obama has fed this notion that "his exotic-sounding name and globe-trotting childhood saddle him with some kind of 'responsibility'."
Many people still snort and shake their heads recalling Obama's claim that he had more international experience and understanding than any other candidate because of his background, including two weeks vacationing in Iran.
His overblown rhetoric and his arrogant, inflated idea of his abilities are a lightening rod for misunderstanding and rightful criticism.
Posted by: R Lamb | June 27, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Obama's campaign is pushing a false personal narrative with the cleverly-worded "fight the smears" website. Claiming that pointing to his Muslim heritage and childhood classes comprise "smears", Obama's website "fights" the "smear" that he is Muslim. But Obama was born Muslim, took Muslim schooling, and he was a non-practicing Muslim until converting to Christianity at Trinity Church.
Obama's Kenyan Half-Brother, Malik has said both that Obama is now a Christian and that he was raised Muslim. Long ago, Malik told reporters and investigators that Barack Obama was raised a Muslim and showed a picture he has of Obama in 1985 dressed as a Muslim on a visit.
Malik Obama Says Barack Obama Raised Muslim
(http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/P ... /12918.htm)
Malik Says Barack Obama is a Christian
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6333496)
Obama's book says that he got in trouble for making faces during "Koranic Studies" class. When he attended the Catholic school in Indonesia, if he was registered as a Muslim he would have been taking Muslim classes. If he was registered as a Christian, he would have been taking Christian classes.
Obama isn't being accused of attending a "madrassa" (Islamic religious school), as his cleverly-worded "fight the smears" website claims. He isn't accused of being a Muslim now (he converted to Christianity as an adult). Obama is accused of being a phony and a Muslim-denier.
Obama has denied knowing about the kind of sermons being preached at Trinity Church even though he was an active, contributing member for 20 years. Obama now denies he's comfortable with its sermons and that Rev. Wright, its pastor, is acting like the man he knew for 20 years.
Obama's autobiographies are, he admits, "historical fiction" with "composite characters".
What about Barack Obama's personal spiritual narrative is true?
Posted by: AsperGirl | June 27, 2008 at 06:50 AM
In a perfect world it would be wonderful if Obama could and would embrace all peace loving faiths openly. In a post 9-11 political environment it would be political suicide to be photographed near a Mosque. For some it would be perfect proof of Barack's supposed "closet Muslimism". I could only hope that Muslims can recognize a true man of peace and justice without requiring the political impossible.
Posted by: Craig | June 27, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Why should either of them have to visit a mosque? That should not be the deciding factor in who gets the Muslim vote. Both candidates consider themselves to be Christians-with strong roots in Judeo-Christian values. Not Judeo-Christian-Musli-Hindu-Buddhist-etc-etc values. You cannot fault the men for only going to places of worship that coincide with their beliefs. That would be like asking a Scientologist to visit a Catholic Church; it just wouldn't be right.
Posted by: Sara | June 27, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Lame. This is the political discourse this election cycle. Be afraid of Obama, he's not like 'us'. He's not really who he says he is. He's not really a Christian, etc. etc. People who are really paying attention can see that Obama is more like 'us' than any politician in recent memory. Not perfect, but decent, smart, effective, and classy.
Posted by: Michael | June 27, 2008 at 07:20 AM
wow, don't tell me you are trying to spread these awful rumours. I am sure if you did a bit of fact finding you would see you are helping compound a problem we have. Most citizens don't really research their candidate. They take force fed bite size portions of "news" from media outlets who generally tend to lean towards a "conservative republican" mindset regardless of facts. Which is why your "Freudian slip" of Osama is not just you it's Fox news, I've seen much video of it's and MSNBC correspondents "accidently" saying it.
Otherwise, I see no real value in this article. You are not trying to dispel the rumours. You are repeating them in a tone as if you believe them. The only thing you brought up is how hard it is for us agnostics to ever have a chance to bring a bit of rationality to the realm of politics. Maybe if everyone stopped believing in fairy tales we could live in a peaceful world, because no god or prophet has yet brought peace to this world...
Posted by: Sean Carter | June 27, 2008 at 07:21 AM