A quote by Colin Powell

[BostonPirate]

I think Unclean and Hitchen's make a good point - his conversion was awfully convenient and he definitely does not come from a background that suggests that he ever was, or would be susceptible being converted to Christianity. Can we prove it one way or another? Of course not. But we are free to suspect. I know I saw plenty of fake Christians in the church...as I like to say 99% of them give the other 1% a bad name. I might actually gain a little respect for him if he really was our first truly atheist president.

I am free to suspect that you are a child molester.

is it fair or accurate?

I doubt it.

 

[jdoe4822]

I am free to suspect that you are a child molester.

is it fair or accurate?

I doubt it.

two main differences: first and most obviously, its a problem to suspect child molester because that's a negative characteristic. Are you saying there's something wrong with being an atheist?

Secondly, you have no reason to suspect that I'm a child molester. Obama's narrative gives us reason to suspect his conversion may be less than genuine.

 

[BostonPirate]

two main differences: first and most obviously, its a problem to suspect child molester because that's a negative characteristic. Are you saying there's something wrong with being an atheist?

Secondly, you have no reason to suspect that I'm a child molester. Obama's narrative gives us reason to suspect his conversion may be less than genuine.

what part of his narrative is that? the part where he says he believes in christ? or the part where he went to the same church for twenty years?

and once again, negative or positive, you cannot prove that something doesn't exist.

Prove to me that you are not a child molester.

 

[jdoe4822]

what part of his narrative is that? the part where he says he believes in christ? or the part where he went to the same church for twenty years?

and once again, negative or positive, you cannot prove that something doesn't exist.

Prove to me that you are not a child molester.

the part where someone who's background is not only unchristian, but includes overt hostility to organized religion, suddenly becomes a Christian and begins attending a politically beneficial church when it helps his career, and then suddenly leaves said church when it becomes a political liability, claiming he never heard the inflmatory statements that drove him away. Having spent 8 years very involved in a church, I'm calling bullshit. Even if you miss the sermon, people still talk about whatever was said. the only way you miss statements like that is if you weren't listening, weren't there, and never actually participated in your church community.

You also never addressed my point about the fact that one suggestion is slanderous to one's character but the other has no negative connotation about it.

 

[BostonPirate]

I didn't address it, because it changes nothing but the motive, not the flawed logic.

well if its any consolation, I take you at your word. In spite of what Ive heard, I dont think you're a child molester.

 

[LilBit]

While Obama is almost certainly not associated with any terrorists who aren't heads of state, and McCain is an ass for saying so, Obama can hardly be accused of wearing his heart on his sleeve where it comes to his religion.

Why should the leader of a secular country have to make a big deal out of his religion?

There is something intensely wrong with a religion where one is expected to betray one's country.

What part of Muslim theology requires Muslims to betray their countries?

 

[Kulindahr]

Not sure how that is even remotely relevant.

Besides,

wikiquote

I like a down-home version I heard at the county fair:

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than shitting in the pasture makes you a cow.

 

[Kulindahr]

what part of his narrative is that? the part where he says he believes in christ? or the part where he went to the same church for twenty years?

I should think the part where Obama wrote that you can't be in politics in Chicago without a church you go to.

Personally I'll grant him the benefit of the doubt and conclude that he went from young agnostic to theist to Christian -- but the statement is bound to make many people wonder.

Meanwhile....




I like Powell's statement. It shows a quality of his that got him in trouble with Bush: pointing out uncomfortable truths.