It shouldn’t be as it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary at my church, but hey, the public debate has been skewed.
Eric makes a point here that really misses the substance of the speech:
The idea that this demand is hostile to religion is a common and popular strawman — I understand why Obama is espousing it as he sidles toward the political middle — but it’s also completely wrong.
The speech is in no way a feint to the middle. The reason I and some others have reacted so positively–including Austin-Mayor, is that it is very radical in current discourse. Obama not only sets out that faith is a part of political action for many, but makes clear, concise, coherent arguments concerning how one can be a Christian and support liberal positions.
After all, the problems of poverty and racism, the uninsured and the unemployed, are not simply technical problems in search of the perfect ten point plan. They are rooted in both societal indifference and individual callousness ? in the imperfections of man.
Solving these problems will require changes in government policy; it will also require changes in hearts and minds. I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities, and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun manufacturer?s lobby ? but I also believe that when a gang-banger shoots indiscriminately into a crowd because he feels somebody disrespected him, we have a problem of morality; there?s a hole in that young man?s heart ? a hole that government programs alone cannot fix.
I believe in vigorous enforcement of our non-discrimination laws; but I also believe that a transformation of conscience and a genuine commitment to diversity on the part of the nation?s CEOs can bring quicker results than a battalion of lawyers.
I think we should put more of our tax dollars into educating poor girls and boys, and give them the information about contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancies, lower abortion rates, and help assure that that every child is loved and cherished. But my bible tells me that if we train a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it. I think faith and guidance can help fortify a young woman?s sense of self, a young man?s sense of responsibility, and a sense of reverence all young people for the act of sexual intimacy.
He doesn’t discuss the above in shame of justification of how can he disagree with the ‘obviously more religious conservatives’, he does it from a position of simple faith that is unapologetic. It challenges ever assumption the media holds about faith, and the media didn’t get it. Unfortunately neither did many progressives from the reaction on the blogs.