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The Obamas have finally ended the speculation about which D.C. church they would join - by picking none of them, Amy Sullivan reports in Time magazine. Instead, President Obama has reportedly decided to make the same choice as George W. Bush, and worship at Evergreen Chapel, the nondenominational church at Camp David.
Given that the Obamas have appeared comfortable and even eager to be out in the city and part of the D.C. community, there had been some expectation that they would join a local church. They had even visited a couple of D.C. churches already. But the decision, according to Time, came down to having some privacy:
Obama was reportedly taken aback by the circus stirred up by his visit to 19th Street Baptist in January. Lines started forming three hours before the morning service, and many longtime members were literally left out in the cold as the church filled with outsiders eager to see the new President. Even at St. John's, which is so accustomed to presidential visitors that it is known as the "Church of the Presidents," worshippers couldn't help themselves from snapping photos of Obama on their camera phones as they walked down the aisle past him to take communion.UPDATE: The White House disputes this story, saying the Obamas are still looking for a church.
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When your church leaders tell the congregation the week before that next week they will be visited by a very special guest and to arrive early, is it any wonder that the Obamas may be a bit miffed at being treated like a carnival attraction?
I'm happy the Obamas are ignoring all the local churches, if only b/c they at least want their worship to be a private affair, rather than a publicity coup for some local pastor.
Shiloh Baptist Church?
But far more important; why does religion have any role in government.
I can't wait for a president to answer the question "What is your religious preference?" with the answer; "Religion has caused far more problems in the world than it has solved, and it puts the intangible ‘faith’ in place of logic”. “No ignorant religious beliefs in this White House”.
Man, you must be dieing since West Wing went off the air. ;-)
How right you are...
Wanting your president to be an atheist really just amounts to the flip side of wanting your president to be a Catholic/Southern Baptist/Mormon/whatever. You're still demanding that he/she have a particular belief system. All I ask of a US president is that he or she make clear that religious belief and practice are private affairs. Obama seems to be doing pretty well on this score so far.
Well said.
gmg, I couldn't agree more, as atheism is just another religion, only more annoying and smug than the rest. And that's saying a lot, as most religions are pretty damned smug.
*Agnostic rolling his eyes at the athiest*
Religion has no role in government. Religion has a role in politics. Show me a candidate, in the present or future, who answers the question as you suggested above, and I'll show you an antagonistic prick that has no business in a job that requires diplomacy.
Were did I say anything about Atheism? Labels applied on one's behalf don't count.
I called for the absence of the affect of organized religion in the White House. I didn't call for the president to be any of the labels associated with religion, just that he or she not subscribe to calling on a deity to help in solving problems, or providing guidance.
As for diplomacy, treating others with respect, listening to other points of view, and acknowledging the rights of those who have different opinions are common sense and courtesy.
Organized religion doesn't have the copyright on being good.
Agnosticism is for gutless losers. And if atheism is "another religion" then the word "religion" is meaningless.
Not to take away from anyone's personal set of beliefs but--for me--to believe in the ridiculous is not normative behavior. And to reject the ridiculous is not "a religion".
Substitute "people who recognise there's no proof either way and think it's ridiculous to pick a side under those circumstances" for "gutless losers," and your characterization of agnosticism becomes scarily accurate.
There's no proof that unicorns exist, but we don't coin a special name for an extreme skepticism in their existence, just to spare the delicate sensitivities of those who do believe.
Do you consider yourself a unicorn agnostic? What about a green-cheese moon agnostic?
The last shall be first.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
One ring to rule them all.
One ring to rule them all.
Smart choice. This way he can do what he wants to do without subjecting himself to idiotic scrutiny.
A good practical decision. It is not only eliminates the burdens Presidential attendance places on a congregation while providing another good reason for family weekends at Camp David, it dispenses with the inevitable avalanche of backbiting that would have transpired after the selection of one DC church over 599 others.
Even at St. John's, which is so accustomed to presidential visitors that it is known as the "Church of the Presidents," worshipers couldn't help themselves from snapping photos of Obama on their camera phones as they walked down the aisle past him to take communion.
How tacky. I thought Episcopalians were supposed to have some class.
Agnosticism is the religion of the hipsters.
Well, f**k yeah. They lost their faith in atheism.
And I totally read that headline as, "Obamas Pick Camp David Lynch."
Do you see that church? I used to know a kid who went there. He had the biggest tongue in the world.
They're still browsing...
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/06/29/obamas-still-dont-have-regular-church-to-attend/
Here's an idea: they have a minister meet them at Ray's Hell Burgers or Five Guys to do a weekly service while they grab their lunch. Spiritually uplifting, tasty, and it will minimize traffic disruptions.
"Not a sermon, just a thought!"