Positively Non-Religious

More articles about Obama’s religion?  Yes I know its been done to death.  This one has some gems in it. Notably the historical information about past presidents or historically significant people.  Here are a few. 

“Abraham Lincoln, who never joined a church and was notoriously ambiguous and secretive about his religious beliefs, famously said, “The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession.” … he reiterated, “My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures, have become clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them.” “

“Thomas Jefferson, who famously wrote to Joseph Priestley in 1801 that Christianity was “the most perverted system that has ever shone on man,” constructed his own version of the Bible, the Jefferson Bible, by snipping out the supernatural aspects of Christianity like angels and the Trinity, and including only the aspects relating to the life and morality of Jesus Christ.”

“Benjamin Franklin, also famously suspicious of organized religion, penned a dissertation detailing his criticism of Christian principles, and openly questioned the divinity of Jesus Christ.”

Its a great article especially for when you encounter people who don’t actually know anything about history, and claim that the US is a Christian country with Christian founders.  Like if you encounter some guy speaking at the Lincoln memorial about the country needing to “turn back to God.”

So those of you reading this may be thinking “Who cares if people think Obama is Christian or not.”  That is certainly my first reaction, but as usual NPR does a pretty good job explaining why things like this matter to voters.

“lots and lots and lots of people in this country go to church, and do talk much more outwardly about their religion. It’s a way in which they often feel as though they can connect with someone who’s, you know - the president of the United States, not exactly a job that a lot of people have.

And empathy matters in politics. Feeling as though - you need the people who vote for you to feel as though you understand their problems, you understand their life.”

I think this is a good reason to show Christians, especially ones not familiar with non-religious people, that atheists are non-scary normal people pretty much like they are.. just without the magic crap.