The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in Obama and Mecca

Re: Obama and Mecca

Slamfu — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:54:21 -0000

"It is not the political divide that is the source of anxiety between the west and the Middle East, it is the cultural and theological differences of western secularized Christianity and Islam."

Hehe, some sweet irony to that statement and your idea as the muslims go berserk over the idea of letting an infidel into their holy city. And considering how hard he worked to convince less informed Americans how not muslim he is, it would be a shame to undo all that work.

Re: Obama and Mecca

jeff_pickens — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:14:44 -0000

"A thoughtful speech that focuses on our similarities, rather than our differences, is clearly needed between both communities of faith."

Tony it is my humble opinion that these two "communities of faith" are at odds in many fundamental, elemental ways, and any attempt at recognizing similarities begins within a secular framework. Leave religious reconciliation efforts between faiths to the faith leaders--our "similarities" are admittedly more important, but (I don't think) begin in the areas of superstition and dogma. And besides, world history hasn't been too promising considering successful reconciliation of religious differences. If Ghandi couldn't do it, I doubt Barack Obama could.

And let's move on from United Nations resolutions that protect the "faithful" from criticisms, and disregard those messages from the Pope and others in our Religious Right sphere regarding the inappropriateness of skepticism and criticism of a "faith community" or an individual's "faithful beliefs." If it's in the public square, if it is used as incentive to harm or divide or to generate policy, meet it head-on with a purely secular challenge. Make no mistake about this: there is a radical religious element intent on a worldwide caliphate, that won't be influenced by the seductive talk of an American politician. And in our own neck of the woods, there's plenty of activity under the wider radar working to further Christianize this nation.

And I agree with Tube and Davebo--can you imagine Fox News on Barack HUSSEIN Obama's talk from Mecca? Sarah Palin would have a field day there, maybe her most articulate future interview.

Re: Obama and Mecca

Davebo — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:04:43 -0000

You beat me to it Tube.

Re: Obama and Mecca

Tube — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:20:02 -0000

Under Saudi law, non-Muslims are forbidden from entering Mecca, and according to Wikipedia that Saudi law is based on a passage from the Qur'an. Even if Saudi officials waived the law for special circumstances, speaking from Mecca would re-stoke the "Obama is a secret Muslim!" issues and/or anger Muslim groups that see it as a violation of scripture.