THE OBAMA ERA IN RESTROSPECT (2)

"Today, four years later, it is certainly fair comment to say that God and the things of God, have received continuous bashing under Obama’s watch... It is evidence of the kind of pedestal that God is placed that God was initially removed from the Democratic Party platform for the next election and had to be virtually rigged back through a voice vote that was at best 50-50 where a two-third majority was required."

 

I recalled last time and copied copiously from a piece published shortly after Obama’s inauguration as the United States of America’s 44^th President and the first black ever. In that piece “Now, the Obama Era” (January 25, 2009), I recall paying glowing tribute to the fighting spirit of the man, acknowledging the historicity of his election, but expressed cautious hope about the possibilities of an Obama presidency.

With another election a few weeks away and his reelection a strong possibility, I began a revisit of what I considered the one issue critical for the future of the United States and, indeed, all nations of the world. The issue, as I recalled, was and remains the place of God in the running of the affairs of state.

I know that many of my readers were too ecstatic to worry about that kind of issue. Everything else had paled into insignificance by the very fact that a black man with the audacity of hope had, in a free and fair election been elected president of the most powerful country in the world. That is not about to change. But then, my convictions are also not about to change, either.

So, let’s continue where we left off last time, reviewing Obama’s inaugural speech to see what he thought was the role of God in the assignment he was about to take on.
As I wrote then, “He went on and on, analyzing the challenges, hinting at the response of his administration to them and rationalizing those responses in broad colourful strokes. He was at his inspirational best. But it is his references to the ideals of their forefathers and the place of God in it that I chose to focus.

“Making his only passing reference to the Bible he said: ‘We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things…’ and spoke about ‘that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.’”

Obama told his compatriots then: “‘Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake…Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.  …Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history…This is the source of our confidence— the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. …Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations…’
As I said then, “All of these made good music to my ears. And for once, I am excited at the possibilities that an Obama Era might hold. He spoke of ‘the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.’  How wonderful. Whom God calls, He equips by talking directly to and sending prophets of truth to for confirmation. So, if as Obama says, this was a call from God, then he really has to stay close to the one he says has called him. Compromise might be the stuff of politics; it is anathema to an ever faithful, ever true, unchanging God. And He sure will accept no less from those who claim to answer His call to service. 

“His copious reference to the values and convictions of the founding fathers also resonates with me. And I hope and pray that he weans America away from political correctness by hearkening to the voice of America’s first president, George Washington who in his Farewell Address in 1796 warned: ‘And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.’ Let him also take to heart the wise words of Washington’s successor, John Adams who said: ‘We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.’”

Today, four years later, it is certainly fair comment to say that God and the things of God, have received continuous bashing under Obama’s watch. More states have endorsed same-sex marriage; after years of “evolving” his views on the subject, he has finally thrown the weight of the presidency behind this sin; Obamacare, with all its strong points, has a clause that makes it mandatory for all employers, including faith-based organisations, to fund contraceptives and abortion. It is evidence of the kind of pedestal that God is placed that God was initially removed from the Democratic Party platform for the next election and had to be virtually rigged back through a voice vote that was at best 50-50 where a two-third majority was required.

I conclude today in the same words as I did four years ago: “... All the wisdom in the world will not rescue the US economy or guarantee her safety and security, if Obama does not back off from, and actively resist, policies that would replicate Sodom and Gomorrah in that wonderful land of opportunities” – in spite of the widespread “informed delusions to the contrary. “As Edwin Louis Cole once said, ‘a nation is not great by virtue of her wealth; a nation is great by the wealth of her virtues.’”