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Obama Skips Church, Heads To Gym
politico.com ^ | November 23, 2008 | JONATHAN MARTIN & CAROL E. LEE

Posted on 11/23/2008 2:46:52 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY

President-elect Barack Obama has yet to attend church services since winning the White House earlier this month, a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors.

On the three Sundays since his election, Obama has instead used his free time to get in workouts at a Chicago gym.

Asked about the president-elect's decision to not attend church, a transition aide noted that the Obamas valued their faith experience in Chicago but were concerned about the impact their large retinue may have on other parishioners.

"Because they have a great deal of respect for places of worship, they do not want to draw unwelcome or inappropriate attention to a church not used to the attention their attendance would draw," said the aide.

Both President-elect George W. Bush and President-elect Bill Clinton managed to attend church in the weeks after they were elected.

In November of 1992, Clinton went to services in Little Rock, Ark., on the three weekends following his election, taking pre-church jogs on the first two and attending on the third weekend a Catholic Mass with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, with whom he was trying to smooth over lingering campaign tensions.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: asheadsistails; bho2008; gym; hopeyouguessmyname; husseingobama; inneedosomerestraint; muslim; obama; obamaandgod; obamatransitionfile
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To: Saint Reagan

Yes. I guess we have gotten change. Change from 2 previous presidents that attended church and one now who does not. That is change apparently that we can believe in. Don’t won’t those girls whom he does not want to make a mistake. Will not being going to church to get a solid foundation in which they could use when confronted with their first possible sexual experience to say no. Guess he will rely on teaching them about abortion instead.


61 posted on 11/23/2008 3:37:44 PM PST by GOP Poet
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To: MrB

I think that scripture is so funny in light of Obama’s campaign. Proverbs 24:21-My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change... This is also funny. Ecclesiastes 2:14-A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.


62 posted on 11/23/2008 3:42:33 PM PST by christianhomeschoolmommaof3 (I homeschool because I have seen the village and I don't want it raising my kids.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

There are too many hypocrites at the gym.


63 posted on 11/23/2008 3:42:38 PM PST by gitmo (I am the latte-sipping, NYT-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, PC, arrogant liberal. -BO)
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To: GOP Poet

Real issue is Obama is being lazy and selfish, he doesn’t have to be dying to atend church, but as the newly elected president it would send a good message and indeed offer hope to many people. Instead he blows off church like any lazy guy who wants to spnd his time doing whatever else.


64 posted on 11/23/2008 3:43:07 PM PST by Williams (It's The Policies, Stupid.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

LOLOL!!!!!

America’s-Chickens-Have-Come-Home-To-Roost Bump!


65 posted on 11/23/2008 3:43:42 PM PST by gimme1ibertee (Sarahloution!!!!!)
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To: CharlesWayneCT

I think he’s afraid. There are no security screens there.


66 posted on 11/23/2008 3:43:47 PM PST by sarasota
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To: Doe Eyes
"Where in the Bible does it say you need to go to church?"

Some things I have learned from my Lutheran Pastor: The book of Acts, which shows the history of the formation of the early Christian Church, by those who knew Jesus personally during his life on earth (with the obvious exception of Paul), is almost all about corporate worship. In addition, the Gospels show Christ spending three years teaching his Disciples how to form and lead the early church as a group entity. How about: "...where two or three are gathered in My Name...."?(Can't find the Biblical citation, right now, sorry)

Biblical Christianity has never been "do-it-yourself". The preached Word is immensely important for Salvation, and you don't get that sitting at home, even from reading your own Bible. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the preaching of Christ" (Romans 10:17). The preached Word has salvific effect above and beyond its cognitive content. You ordinarily need to show up at church to hear it, and, BTW, you also need to take care that you are not listening to a false prophet like Wright.

67 posted on 11/23/2008 3:43:58 PM PST by Irene Adler (')
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To: CharlesWayneCT
I wonder why Obama thinks he would disrupt the Lord’s Worship so much?

One messiah in the church is enough?

68 posted on 11/23/2008 3:44:27 PM PST by gitmo (I am the latte-sipping, NYT-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, PC, arrogant liberal. -BO)
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To: Clemenza; Free ThinkerNY
> Reagan wasn't a very devout churchgoer (although he was a believing Christian), neither was Lincoln (ditto). Jefferson never went to church at all for services during his presidency.

I believe this brouhaha is being generated because of the uproar about O's religion (i.e. Christian or Muslim? Rev. Wright etc.) It has nothing to do with entourages, and everything to do with "sending a message" about his beliefs. So instead he sends the message that he wants only to avoid controversy. He can't make a decision.

Think of it like his habit of voting "PRESENT".

> I don't care what he does in his personal Sunday time. I am more concerned with what he does as President.

That is exactly correct. Thanks for the sanity.

69 posted on 11/23/2008 3:49:20 PM PST by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: knarf
Matthew Chapter 6:

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

70 posted on 11/23/2008 3:53:25 PM PST by Doe Eyes
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To: theJoker

is that suppose to be a picture of the Anti-christ..damn he looks scary in that photoshop..maybe what is behind the mask


71 posted on 11/23/2008 3:56:46 PM PST by RummyChick
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To: dayglored; Clemenza; Free ThinkerNY

> I don’t care what he does in his personal Sunday time. I am more concerned with what he does as President.

That is exactly correct. Thanks for the sanity.<

There is the thought that one may speak to or influence the other.


72 posted on 11/23/2008 3:58:12 PM PST by John W (Voters were more afraid of losing their money than losing their souls.)
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To: nodumbblonde
Exactly. Can you imagine the uproar if he returned?

Frankly, I can't blame the guy for skipping it right now. No matter where he went he'd be criticized extensively.

73 posted on 11/23/2008 3:59:52 PM PST by mad puppy (Never have I felt so politically radical and I swear I didn't move an inch.)
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To: Doe Eyes

Prayer is not worship. Prayer is not instruction. Prayer is not prophecy. Prayer is not sharing communion. Prayer is not building each others faith.

In short,your verse is not applicable to corporate worship.

Corporate worship is not for the individuals benefit although it benefits the individual.


74 posted on 11/23/2008 4:00:30 PM PST by Raycpa
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To: Free ThinkerNY

this is simple to explain — not enough mirrors in Church for Obama’s taste...

if you think about it — gym is like “church” for Obama — he spends the time contemplating the object of his true devotion and love... himself.


75 posted on 11/23/2008 4:01:44 PM PST by NYC_BULLMOOSE ("extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice" -- BG)
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To: Williams

Instead he says things like a million job may be impacted next year. Offering to the American people instead of hope—fear. Easier to manipulate them when he is president. Hitler knew this too. When to instill fear to serve his agenda and when to instill hope (the answer usually being something that defined or had only to do with him, not God.). Obama has been a good student of evil. I believe he will have us coming and going for the next four years at his whim. Good thing we conservatives—many of us—have a core that cannot be penetrated by such tactics.


76 posted on 11/23/2008 4:03:45 PM PST by GOP Poet
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To: John W
> There is the thought that one may speak to or influence the other.

Of course. I would imagine that his spiritual beliefs would inform his decisions as President, insofar as they are consistent with his sworn responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The President has to make many decisions that are moral as well as practical.

But ultimately, what matters is that in his capacity as President, he does what's right for America, and in line with the Constitution, regardless of whether it's consistent with his personal religious beliefs or lack thereof.

77 posted on 11/23/2008 4:05:23 PM PST by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

And we should be surprised, why?


78 posted on 11/23/2008 4:05:56 PM PST by taxesareforever (Quick justice for the senseless killing of Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Crutchfield.)
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To: brytlea

As long as he prays 5 times a day to the east, he’s good.


79 posted on 11/23/2008 4:10:05 PM PST by Sig Sauer P220 (The White House may have changed, but there's still the Cracker Barrel.)
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To: Raycpa
In short,your verse is not applicable to corporate worship.

You don't pray in your church?

The whole point of this is Obama is not being seen worshiping. Does God what him to be?

80 posted on 11/23/2008 4:13:03 PM PST by Doe Eyes
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