Obama’s Sermon on the Mount citation inaccurate, say religious leaders

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 12

Washington D.C., Mar 6, 2008 / 05:09 am (CNA).- Democrat presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama in a speech before a Hocking College crowd on Sunday claimed that the Sermon on the Mount justifies his support for legal recognition of same-sex unions, Cybercast News Service reports.

Obama’s speech drew perplexed responses from commentators who did not see the connection.

"I don't think it [a same-sex union] should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state," said Obama. "If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans."

The Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, includes the Beatitudes, an endorsement of scriptural moral commandments, and condemnations of murder, divorce, and adultery. The passage in Romans (1:27) referred to by Obama condemns those who have rejected their creation in God’s image by their actions, among the acts mentioned is homosexual sex.

Kiera McCaffrey director of communications for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, responded to Obama’s remarks on same-sex unions.

"It seems pretty bogus using (the Bible) to justify civil unions," McCaffrey told Cybercast News Service. "He should be using secular reasons to back it up.

"He can search the whole Bible and not find anything that justifies gay marriage or same-sex unions," she said.

Other religious leaders were also puzzled by Obama’s connection of the Sermon on the Mount and same-sex unions.

"If he's finding support for same-sex marriage from the Sermon on the Mount, he's reading a different Bible than I've ever read," Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy with Focus on the Family, told Cybercast News Service.

Reverend Jesse Peterson, founder and president of the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, told Cybercast News Service that he too saw no connection between the cited passages and Obama’s platform.

"When I first heard Obama comment on the Sermon on the Mount and homosexuality I couldn't grasp any relationship between the two," Peterson said.

"There is no correlation at all. The Sermon on the Mount is for the saints, and it explains their suffering and their reward as a result of suffering for what is right for Christ's sake. It doesn't give blessings or approval to homosexual unions," he said.

"I think maybe Senator Obama came up with the wrong passage," Peterson said. "Unless he is just trying to deceive the people. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he could be so desperate to win he'll just say anything."

Obama recently published a letter on his campaign website promising that he would use the presidency as a “bully pulpit” for homosexual causes.

Comments: 12

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Aimee
cleveland ohio 04/16/2009 06:07 AM EST

Obama is not a christian. He calls himself one but he couldn't be further from the truth. A true christian and follower of God would not support abortion and gay marriage like he does. He needs to get right with God.

Published by: Robin C
Yakima, WA, USA 05/13/2008 05:14 PM EST

Rate: Good

Obama has proven himself to be a fraud. How dare he call any portion of God's Word "obscure" and insinuate that it isn't important. Does he think God perhaps didn't mean it? Is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah also "obscure" and irrelevant? As a Christian, he should know that the Bible is the Word of God and that God does not lie.

Published by: Kathy
Chicago, Illinois 03/25/2008 05:23 PM EST

Thank you, Commonsense for your response. I do have to take issue with the supposedly "obscure" reference from Romans. It is actually St. Paul's letter to the Romans...Romans 1 25:30 or something close to that. I think St. Paul spells it all out very clearly.

Published by: commonsense
NM 03/25/2008 11:39 AM EST

Kathy-- You don't sound like a "hater" to me, but others commenting here certainly do. Also, one could easily argue denying equal rights to homosexuals under the law is a form of unjustifiable discrimination (and therefore hateful). You appear to contradict yourself in this regard, by the way. I think Obama is of the belief that homosexuals who enter a same-sex union are entitled to the same benefits under the law as heterosexual couples who legally marry. I don't believe he's asking anyone to condone homosexual behavior. Just because we grant equal rights under the law to people who cheat on their spouses or neglect their kids doesn't mean we condone their behavior. The above offenses, by the way, are far more harmful to the family unit and to society as whole than two consenting adults of the same gender engaging in a sexual act, yet nothing will get a Christian more up in arms than the subject of homosexuality. In any case, I basically agree with Barack that we should spend more time drawing from such core Christian values as peace, humility, mercy and kindness (among others) contained in the Sermon on the Mount in our approach to matters of homosexuality instead of losing sleep over some obscure passage in Romans. Where I differ from Obama is in his stance on adoption rights for homosexual couples. (I believe children require close parental nurturing from both a man and a woman.) Also, I disagree with Obama's stance on abortion.

Published by: Darren
NM 03/25/2008 11:10 AM EST

Did it occur to anyone that perhaps Mr. Obama was referring to the Golden Rule, which is arguably the single most important philosophical basis for human rights in modern society? How about specific beatitudes... say... "Blessed are the peacemakers" or "blessed are the merciful?" How about the notion of "judge not lest ye be judged?" All of these passages come from the Sermon on the Mount. If you believe homosexuality is a benign characteristic, or even if you don't, is it wrong to want to protect the God-given rights of others? I think too many Christians get worked up worrying about homosexuality. Is homosexuality a greater threat to the family unit than heterosexual infidelity or child abuse, for example, which is much more prevalent in society today than homosexuality? Why are so many Christians filled with such vitriol and such hate? I don't think this is very Christ-like. Oh, and "potential dictator and deceiver?" Please... that sounds more like George Bush to me. GW is just another foul-mouthed republican who highjacked Christianity to win votes. I bet most of you here voted for him, too. Just shows how easily manipulated (deceived) and intellectually feeble you really are. P.S. - I agree with the other posters' comments about abortion. There's no justification for Obama's views on abortion. P.P.S. - And just so you know, I'm not gay. I'm just a Christian who refuses to dismiss such attributes as love, forgiveness and compassion as merely left-wing.

Published by: Kathy
Chicago, Illinois 03/24/2008 10:29 AM EST

Common Sense,
Why is the assumption always made that if someone doesn't agree with homosexual behavior they are a hater? My niece "came out" as a lesbian about 6 years ago, though she had confided in me many years prior of her feelings. She now lives openly with her partner. Nothing has changed in terms of feelings toward her or treatment of her by our family. She and her partner are warmly inlcuded in EVERY family activity. Does that mean I accept her choices? No. Does that mean I feel like her situation is normal? No. But, she is the same niece I have always loved and that will NEVER change.
Would I support discrimination against gays in jobs, housing, etc. etc. NEVER!! Would I support the legalization of gay marriage? NEVER!! I love my niece and hold NO hatred for ANY gay person. However, the homosexual sex act will always be an aberration in my eyes. Don't criticize how people feel or what they believe.....they have every right to feel and believe what they do. This does NOT make them haters! God requires us to treat everyone with love and respect. He does not require us to accept aberrant behavior. Please stop sounding so self-righteous. Calling people who don't agree with you intellectually feeble?? Now that's Christian behavior at its best!!

Published by: CommonSense
NM 03/20/2008 10:20 PM EST

Did it occur to anyone that perhaps Mr. Obama was referring to the Golden Rule, which is arguably the single most important philosophical basis for human rights in modern society? How about specific beatitudes... say... "Blessed are the peacemakers" or "blessed are the merciful?" If you believe homosexuality is a benign characteristic, or even if you don't, is it wrong to want to protect the God-given rights of others? I think too many Christians get worked up worrying about homosexuality. It's no greater a threat to the family than heterosexual infidelity or child abuse, for example, which is much more prevalent in society today than homosexuality. Honestly, you people should be ashamed of yourselves. You're so filled with hate... not very Christ-like. Oh, and "potential dictator and deceiver?" Please... that sounds more like George Bush to me. GW is just another republican who high-jacked Christianity to win votes. I bet most of you here voted for him, too. Just shows how easily manipulated and intellectually feeble you really are. P.S. - I agree with the other posters' comments about abortion. There's no justification for Obama's views on abortion. P.P.S. - And just so you know, I'm not gay. I'm just a Christian who refuses to dismiss such attributes as love, forgiveness and compassion as merely left-wing.

Published by: Stephany
Weslaco, TX USA 03/07/2008 08:53 PM EST

Mr. Obama has demonstrated his ignorance once again. Fr. Mitch Pacwa gave an irate response to Obamas use of scripture to justify homosexual unions during his telecast on Tuesday night. I am glad that someone actually struck back using the TRUTH, instead of the feeble "searchings" of the scriptures by those quoted in the article. This truth is well known. As Fr. Mitch explained, scripture is often used to lead others into error. He also pointed out that Obama had denied abortion surviving babies the right to life. Thank God for priests like Fr. Mitch Pacwa who care enough for our souls to step beyond the "political correctness" and actually be truthfully correct. God bless him.

Published by: viola m. rose
raton, n.m. usa 03/07/2008 07:11 PM EST

It is good to know what Obama's agenda and beliefs are. Thanks

Published by: David
Bronx, NY, USA 03/07/2008 01:24 PM EST

Obama proves himself to be a fraud as a Christian with these statements. Gross incompetence is the only way to explain his position on this matter and his use of the Bible to support it. It is an incompetence that can only come from someone who does not recognize Church leadership, or someone who has not really taken the time to commit to Christ through daily Bible reading as an act of devotion. Here he actually pits Christ's servant on the mount against the Lords servant St. Paul, this is the use of the Bible not against the Chruch this time but used against itself. It was just a stupid thing to say.

Published by: Charlene O'Brien
Seattle 03/07/2008 11:10 AM EST

Let's hope that any decent American will not
place a vote for this
potential dictator and
deceiver!

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, Mn 03/06/2008 10:02 PM EST

And what verse from The Bible does Obama enlist to explain his complete and total support for abortion? Where does it say the Old or New Testament that it is a good idea for a country to abort over 49 million children since Jan 22, 1973?

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com