These questions and concerns became an even bigger issue after some clips from "sermons" of Obama's pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, were shown on the media earlier this year.
Now, John McCain and Sarah Palin have started accusing Obama of "palling around with terrorists" and being a socialist or communist.
Senator Obama has described himself as "a committed Christian," and he has said that he prays to Jesus Christ every night, and that he believes Jesus is his Savior who died for his sins. Obama has also said in the past that he tries to base his decisions and his life on the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount, and Christ's other teachings.
Now, it is true that anyone can claim to be a Christian, and anyone can say that Jesus is their Lord. Christ said that we would be able to know the difference between a true Christian and a false one, by the quality of their "fruitage" -- their actions, not just their words. So, in order to know the truth, we must examine the "fruitage" that Barack Obama has been producing thus far, and compare this "fruitage" to the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and His apostles, as recorded in the Holy Bible.
So let us take a look at Christ's and His apostles' teachings (from the New Testament) to see if they match up with Barack Obama's actions, policies, and words:
Jesus Christ said (Matthew 25:34-40, World English Bible, aka WEB):
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
[...] “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Jesus said that if you do kind things for "the least of these, my brothers," you are actually doing kind things for JESUS Himself! Those who do this will be rewarded when the Lord returns.
But if you ignore the needs of those people, and refuse to help to them, you are actually refusing to help JESUS Himself! I would not want to be in that position on Judgment Day!
Jesus Christ felt compassion and pity on the people who were poor, sick, downtrodden, suffering, struggling just to survive, those who were neglected, and abused, and mistreated by their proud, rich, leaders. Christ blessed the children and put curses on anyone who hurts a child, or makes it hard for a child to follow Him. He desired to give rest and to lighten the burdens of the average working person.
Barack Obama's policies and plans are to help "the little guy," to help those who are downtrodden, suffering, struggling just to survive from paycheck to paycheck -- those who are trying to find out how they can afford to pay their rent or their car payment or their medical bills. He wants to help the the poor, the middle class, the disadvantaged, the discouraged.
Barack Obama has a plan to give 95% of working families in America a TAX CUT! He also has a plan to ensure that each and every man, woman, and child who is a citizen of the United States of America can afford the health care that they need. He also has a plan to make college education affordable for EVERY child in America! However, Obama is planning on increasing taxes for those who make more than $250,000 a year of taxable income. But, if you make less than $250,000 a year, your taxes will NOT be raised -- not even by a penny!
McCain accuses Obama of having "socialist" or "communist" policies, but actually, Senator Obama's policies are very similar to Judeo-Christian principles, such as the ones found in Acts 2:44-45 and Acts 4:32-35 (WEB):
"All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. [...] Not one of [the Christians] claimed that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. [...] For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need."
The same principle is taught by the Apostle Paul:
"Listen to my advice. ... It doesn't matter how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have. I am not trying to make life easier for others by making life harder for you. But it is only fair for you to share with them when you have so much, and they have so little. Later, when they have more than enough, and you are in need, they can share with you. Then everyone will have a fair share" (2 Corinthians 8:9-14, Contemporary English Version)
"Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. Instruct them to do as many good deeds as they can and to help everyone. Remind the rich to be generous and share what they have." (1 Timothy 6:17-18, CEV)
And Jesus once said this to a rich ruler, who asked Him what he should do:
"Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me." (Luke 18:22, WEB)
Jesus had also told His disciples: "Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy." (Luke 12:33, WEB)
James, the brother of the Lord, once wrote this:
"What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world. [...] Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, "God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!"---if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead." (James 1:27, 2:15-17 Good News Translation)
The Apostle John taught the same thing:
"If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? ... our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." (1 John 3:17-18, Good News Translation)
All throughout the pages of the Bible, God promises to bless those who help the poor, the needy, the sick, and the helpless. (Isaiah 58:7-10; 58:10; Luke 3:11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Proverbs 19:17)
The Sermon on the Mount, and Christ's other teachings, showed that Christians must not retaliate, or say hateful, cruel things about others, or slander others, and they must not lie or deceive others. Christians should remain calm and kind and respectful when they are reviled or abused. They must "turn the other cheek" and "go the extra mile," and must seek peace with all people. Most of all, Christians must love God, love their neighbor, and treat others just as they want to be treated.
Which candidate has followed that Christian path in this election? From all that I have seen and heard, the choice is obvious, Senator Barack Obama has shown that he is following Jesus Christ's teachings. And he has proven that he does NOT subscribe to the outrageous beliefs of Jeremiah Wright.
And remember, it was the proud, money-loving, hypocritical Pharisees who used the same tactics that Senator McCain and Governor Palin have used against Barack Obama -- the ugly, ungodly, logical fallacies of "ad hominem" (personal) attacks, character assassination, fear, and guilt by association ("McCarthyism"). The Pharisees told people they shouldn't trust Jesus because He had associated with "sinners," "corrupt tax collectors," "scum," "prostitutes," and one of His own apostles had been a Jewish ZEALOT -- a "terrorist" fighting against the Roman government!
Jesus proved that just because you associate with certain people who may have done bad things in the past, does not mean you are a bad person.
So, if you are a Christian, I encourage, no, I URGE you to closely examine the policies, actions, and words of each candidate, and then make your wise, prayerful decision on who you should vote for to lead this country for the next 4 to 8 years.
This could be the most important decision you ever make.
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