About six years ago, inspired by "The Daily Show," I started a weekly feature called "This Week in God," covering news related to religion, politics, and government. Today, it returns to its traditional time slot: Saturday mornings.
The God Machine has plenty to offer this week. First up is a high-profile reversal from the Rev. Franklin Graham, the controversial son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, who recently appeared on MSNBC and questioned the sincerity of President Obama's Christianity. In fact, when asked if he would declare that the president is not a Muslim, Graham replied, "I can't say categorically, because Islam has gotten a free pass under Obama."
This week, he expressed regret for his on-air comments.
Evangelist Franklin Graham apologized Tuesday for comments he made about President Barack Obama's faith.
"I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama," Graham said in a statement. "The president has said he is a Christian and I accept that (and have said so publicly on many occasions).
"I apologize to him and to any I have offended for not better articulating my reason for not supporting him in this election -- for his faith has nothing to do with my consideration of him as a candidate."
Graham, who announced his public support for Donald Trump during his birther endeavor last year, did not explain why he made his recent comments, or why it took him more than a week to issue an apology.
Also from the God Machine this week:
* As the race for the Republican presidential nomination continues, the emphasis on evangelical voters is intensifying.
* The latest anti-sharia nonsense is moving forward in Florida's state legislature.
* According to a new court filing, Roman Catholic Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua ordered aides to "shred a 1994 memo that identified 35 Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests suspected of sexually abusing children."
* And in Iowa, Walker Nickless, the Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, is so outraged by the Obama administration's policy on contraception access, he's arguing that his allies "have to stand up and violently oppose this," in order to prevent being overtaken by "darkness."
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Everyone loves Jesus, it's Christians they can't stand.
Hopefully you do not hate me! I am a Christian, and I stand against the GOP in their stupid, homophobic, misogynistic, anti-female stances on the issues.
I agree with the comments on this topic in regards to the church paying taxes if they want to be involved in politics. In addition, I think that this is a smoke screen on the part of the church, and the Republican Party.
For example, I do not think the church is concerned so much about the “separation of church and state,” so much as they are concerned about the money that they would be required to spend to provide their workforce with healthcare.
As for the Republicans, this was there idea originally! And now all of a sudden in an election year they are opposed to their own idea! Ridiculous! And who are the ones that would suffer if the Republicans got their way? The working poor.
It appears to me that this is a double standard. The Church believes in the separation of Church and State as long as the government is not involved in the church; however, the church does not seem to have a problem when in comes to involving themselves in government. Outrages!
I would like to say that I am not a Catholic. However, I did go to church today. I was astonished when the pastor, the man who is suppose to be feeding (teaching) the church about Jesus Christ, said that Christ became sin when he was nailed on the cross! That one statement says a lot about the ignorance of the Church in American society today.
Moreover, in regards to the fight against the separation of church and state disguised as an attack on women’s health, and in particular the constitutional right for a woman to have an abortion: the church misses the boat on this topic as well.
The church bases their whole entire argument on the Ten Commandments. In particular, the Holy Bible’s book of Exodus, chapter 20 verse 13. Every Christian knows this commandment right? Thou shall not kill.
Therefore, because of this one verse in the Bible, according to the “Church,” If a woman has an abortion, that woman has committed murder.
Once again, the “Church” shows their ignorance of the word of God! The word “kill” as used in Exodus chapter 20 verse 13 is “ratsach” in the Hebrew tongue (The original language of the Old Testament). Strong’s concordance (Hebrew Dictionary) number 7523. The word means (being correctly interpreted) thou shall not commit criminal homicide. The word of God even gives us an example of what he considers criminal homicide. Based on God’s definition of the word kill (as used in this context), I do not believe, nor do I believe that the Lord considers an abortion criminal homicide.
Unfortunately for women, the Republican Party, and the “Church” (traditions of men), would surely disagree with me. Jesus warned us. Jesus said, “you have made my words of none effect by the traditions of men.”
I mean after all, let’s not forget who crucified our Lord?
On the other hand, I see far fewer churches involved in politics today than even 8 years ago! They have for the most part separated from politics, as most of the candidates are pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and pro-everything else that is a religious issue. Thank God for that, as I have never been comfortable with the church endorsing a political party or candidate.
Alright folks, let's tell it like it is. You are only a spirit derived from God existing inside of a magnificent wonderful body living on a beautiful paradise we call Earth. Read my web page at www.mybetteramericaplan.com and on my Religious Section you will see an article entitled The Absolute Truth of Life. This article will open your eyes to reality. My web page also shows in many ways how the Republicans are evil people who have been destroying America for the last forty years.
I have to pay more for car insurance when junkies like Rush smash up their cars --and I am forced to buy car insurance.
I have to pay more for home insurance when junkies like Rush smoke in bed and burn down their houses and I am forced to buy home insurance( if I have a mortgage) I have to pay more for health care one way or the other when fat pigs like Rush and Chris Christie have heart attacks and need expensive care to make up for decades of gluttony (a sin)---and I don't see the GOP going after any of that ---just going after woman and if you think we are going to be over it by Nov --forget it. Sincerly , He!! Hath No Fury
I am an evangelical Christian, and I am totally turned off by the GOP/TP assaults on contraception, gay marriage, taxes, unions, and just about everything else they oppose! I used to call myself a Reagan Democrat, I was convinced to switch to the Democratic Party by Ronald Reagan and his penchant for invading other countries. I am now a Tea Party Democrat, I stay a Democrat because the TP has hijacked to GOP and taken it so far to the right it is no longer recognizable as the GOP.
Faith can remain, religious ritual must go along with heinous indoctrination of
children's minds before they can understand what the motive really is.
Religion as it is now is used as a device, especially by the conservatives.
I have to think that the balance of sociopaths populate the Right.
After thousands of years we still drag all that damn baggage along.
From what I have read and witnessed, one would have to be insane or
severely challenged to even think of voting any Republicans back in
office at this time.
OF course its about world domination, if necessary by violent means. N if a priest has to work off some pent up frustration on a child hey, cover it up, and pray for the man.. all is forgivable in Christianity.
I prefer the Japanese tradition, if You screw up n bring dishonor on yourself and your family by hurting a child, woman, etc. etc. Just go Hang or Disemboul yourself, n your family's name MIGHT be respected again.
As someone who is a progressive Christian, I guess I'd like to see a smidgeon of coverage of those of us who actually believe in Jesus' words on taking care of the hungry, sick, poor, etc.
For example, this camp is doing some great stuff ecologically, and connecting young adults to a deep spirituality that involves Jesus:
http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/3/7/creating-space-something-new-be-born/