More than a year after he was forced to disown his Chicago pastor, President Obama has begun to attend services led by a Christian chaplain who views Islam as a violent faith.
Obama has been an irregular church attender since becoming President, but has expressed a fondness for Carey Cash, the navy chaplain at the Camp David presidential retreat who has been criticized for proselytizing in the military and his mistrust of Islam.
The White House insists that Cash, the great-nephew of the singer Johnny Cash, has not become Obama’s new pastor, but it appears that the President has heard more sermons by him than any other minister since taking office.
The emergence of Cash, 39, who was profiled on the front page of The Washington Post yesterday, will pose some tough questions for the White House — and for President Obama, whose father was Muslim. In a 2004 book describing his deployment to Iraq the year before, Cash calls Islam violent, a faith that “from its very birth has used the edge of the sword as a means to convert or conquer those with different religious convictions.” (Read the rest here)
Love the title, but as usual, it’s a bit misleading.
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
New blog posting, Obama's New Pastor Views Islam as Violent Faith – http://tinyurl.com/ykpo52r
Christians just seem to happily and merrily skip along our way ignore our histories of oppression and violence and throw so much behind the case of Islam as a violent faith. Is there historical evidence that Christianity has been a religion of peace? If that is the case, why is the just war theory more popular than Christian pacifism in churches?
I do believe it was Jesus who said, if his words mean anything anymore, before we take the stick out of our neighbors’ eyes, we need to take the log out of ours.
Sorry Rod, but this is kinda liberal social theological jargon to me. Soft gospel stuff, confused dialectic, with no real back bone in biblical theology!
Fr. R.
What are you talking about, Fr. Robert? Where is Rod bringing in ‘liberal social theological jargon’? Or the rest of the stuff you accuse him of?
First, it is not an accusation so much as a theological difference. It is perhaps a difference of his statements of compilation in both history (lack of) and theology (non-historic). These are at least my thoughts. I am seeking both history and theology, and not just the mere opinion stage. There has been way too much of this of late. Again, history and theology, with perhaps some personal perspective. These are my goals at least!
Fr. R.
This applies to Rod’s statements on this post where?
Further, regarding history and theology, ‘lack-of’ and ‘non-historic’ is a matter of opinion. Calvin was accused of the same thing.
As I said, it is a compilation in both history & theology. He always seems to beg the question. I myself, I just go for the central issue of arguments and statements…I can care less about blog mentality. In fact, this goes (as I have said) to the weakness of the blog. Too often, especially with people like me, who type slow and must go on and off the blog…plus the time element. If we were face to face, we would know what the other really means. These are some of my points as to the nature of the blog. This is a poor place sometimes!
Fr. R.
Christians just seem to happily and merrily skip along our way ignore our histories of oppression and violence and throw so much behind the case of Islam as a violent faith. Is there historical evidence that Christianity has been a religion of peace? If that is the case, why is the just war theory more popular than Christian pacifism in churches?
I do believe it was Jesus who said, if his words mean anything anymore, before we take the stick out of our neighbors’ eyes, we need to take the log out of ours.
Sorry Rod, but this is kinda liberal social theological jargon to me. Soft gospel stuff, confused dialectic, with no real back bone in biblical theology!
Fr. R.
What are you talking about, Fr. Robert? Where is Rod bringing in ‘liberal social theological jargon’? Or the rest of the stuff you accuse him of?
First, it is not an accusation so much as a theological difference. It is perhaps a difference of his statements of compilation in both history (lack of) and theology (non-historic). These are at least my thoughts. I am seeking both history and theology, and not just the mere opinion stage. There has been way too much of this of late. Again, history and theology, with perhaps some personal perspective. These are my goals at least!
Fr. R.
This applies to Rod’s statements on this post where?
Further, regarding history and theology, ‘lack-of’ and ‘non-historic’ is a matter of opinion. Calvin was accused of the same thing.
As I said, it is a compilation in both history & theology. He always seems to beg the question. I myself, I just go for the central issue of arguments and statements…I can care less about blog mentality. In fact, this goes (as I have said) to the weakness of the blog. Too often, especially with people like me, who type slow and must go on and off the blog…plus the time element. If we were face to face, we would know what the other really means. These are some of my points as to the nature of the blog. This is a poor place sometimes!
Fr. R.
‘was’ and ‘is’ are two separate things.
Its easy to acknowledge Christianity has a history of being violently oppressive. Its also easy to say there are subcultures within Christianity that oppress certain groups. Its even cool and PC to say both. There’s no beam/log in our eyes when we say that.
But somehow calling Islam violent is having a log in our eyes?
How does recognizing the dangerous teachings of Islam of lying to and murdering non-believers have anything to do with Christians having a log/beam in their eyes? Its recognizing truth. Jesus did not say to be blind, or stupid, but shrewd.
‘was’ and ‘is’ are two separate things.
Its easy to acknowledge Christianity has a history of being violently oppressive. Its also easy to say there are subcultures within Christianity that oppress certain groups. Its even cool and PC to say both. There’s no beam/log in our eyes when we say that.
But somehow calling Islam violent is having a log in our eyes?
How does recognizing the dangerous teachings of Islam of lying to and murdering non-believers have anything to do with Christians having a log/beam in their eyes? Its recognizing truth. Jesus did not say to be blind, or stupid, but shrewd.
I fought in Gulf War 1, not to mention other special force type stuff against or in that part of the world. Islam is nothing like Christianity, people have no idea how repressive that religion is! And sadly, but in reality, the just war is no theory…it is the history of a fallen, broken and sinful world. And the Christian cannot change that reality either!
Fr. R.
I fought in Gulf War 1, not to mention other special force type stuff against or in that part of the world. Islam is nothing like Christianity, people have no idea how repressive that religion is! And sadly, but in reality, the just war is no theory…it is the history of a fallen, broken and sinful world. And the Christian cannot change that reality either!
Fr. R.
Thought I might weigh in.
I believe that Islam is a violent religion, but so was, and is, Christianity. Many Christians forget the Crusades, and other issues of violence in the name of Christ which Christ has been used to excuse. While Christianity has been used to cover murders, political mistreatments, etc… we should all strive to show what Christianity really is. Many today would use Christianity for political purposes, with or without a gun in hand.
However, not all Muslims are violent suicide bombers. I have met several in a my previous line of work who are working along side Christian groups for worker’s rights, poverty, and even to reach the violent Muslims. While I believe that Islam is at the heart a violent and indeed oppressive religion, some Muslims are starting to adopt a liberal form of Islam.
I think grouping all Muslims into one batch is wrong. While I believe that Islam started as a violent religion, unlike Christianity, I believe that by classifying all fundamentalist Muslims and secular Muslims together, we do more harm than good. More than a few Muslims that I know cringe and bemoan the Islams of the Middle East. If we just blindly label Islam as violent, do we not then do these other Muslims a mis-service?
Further, the post was about the President having a pastor, which Cash is not, who supposes that Islam is a violent religion. I find it odd that just a few days after everyone saw the President attend St. John’s, and after a denial that the President has picked a church, that a news organization would run the headline as they do, and then merely acknowledge that the President has attended services there, not that he has selected that congregation as his parish.
Thought I might weigh in.
I believe that Islam is a violent religion, but so was, and is, Christianity. Many Christians forget the Crusades, and other issues of violence in the name of Christ which Christ has been used to excuse. While Christianity has been used to cover murders, political mistreatments, etc… we should all strive to show what Christianity really is. Many today would use Christianity for political purposes, with or without a gun in hand.
However, not all Muslims are violent suicide bombers. I have met several in a my previous line of work who are working along side Christian groups for worker’s rights, poverty, and even to reach the violent Muslims. While I believe that Islam is at the heart a violent and indeed oppressive religion, some Muslims are starting to adopt a liberal form of Islam.
I think grouping all Muslims into one batch is wrong. While I believe that Islam started as a violent religion, unlike Christianity, I believe that by classifying all fundamentalist Muslims and secular Muslims together, we do more harm than good. More than a few Muslims that I know cringe and bemoan the Islams of the Middle East. If we just blindly label Islam as violent, do we not then do these other Muslims a mis-service?
Further, the post was about the President having a pastor, which Cash is not, who supposes that Islam is a violent religion. I find it odd that just a few days after everyone saw the President attend St. John’s, and after a denial that the President has picked a church, that a news organization would run the headline as they do, and then merely acknowledge that the President has attended services there, not that he has selected that congregation as his parish.
Its not that there are not people who claim Islam as their religion and dont follow its teachings. Its the teachings inherent in Islam that makes the religion violent.
I agree.
We compare Christ and Muhammad. Christ said that His kingdom was not of the sword. Muhammad brought about Islam through the sword.
Of course, the early history of Islam is still controlled/written a generation after his death, and dictatorially maintained.
Amen, and thank you! English speaking people need to read the Koran some, and see just what these supposed revelations of Mohammed are! The mind-set of Islam is to rule the world, in both the religious and the secular. This is their ideology! Sure there are some monastic type sects, but they are nothing in real numbers, etc. No the West is in real threat here!
Since I am pre-millenial, but historical and covenant, the Mid-East…Israel and her surrounding neighbor countries, will surely come to the fulfillment of scripture and the prophetic eschatological end! ( Ezek. 37-39 / Zech. 12;14 / Rev. 1:7) Islam will also be part of this without doubt, in both God’s purpose, grace and judgment! It’s time for the whole of Christendom to wake up here (God’s grace or His judgment?) It is here, that we always need the proper doctrine of law and gospel!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert, have you read much about how the Koran was formed?
Further, about the life of Muhammad himself.
Joel,
I have read my share. On the surface the Koran seems certainly religious and presents a monotheistic God, but the ideas that this God, Allah – the Supreme Being; he seems to have little or almost nothing of the character of the Judeo-Christian God, who is though ‘totally other’ is always also “Immanent”, and finally for Christians became Incarnate Love! But the other issues are also very important. Islam presents a God of simple deterministic ideas and character, which even Calvinisim never does.
Fr. R.
The God of Islam is tyrannical, in my opinion, incapable of true love (in that we were yet sinners) but requires something from the individual before the love can be bestowed.
Yes, thank God for that precious verse…John 3:16!
Its not that there are not people who claim Islam as their religion and dont follow its teachings. Its the teachings inherent in Islam that makes the religion violent.
I agree.
We compare Christ and Muhammad. Christ said that His kingdom was not of the sword. Muhammad brought about Islam through the sword.
Of course, the early history of Islam is still controlled/written a generation after his death, and dictatorially maintained.
Amen, and thank you! English speaking people need to read the Koran some, and see just what these supposed revelations of Mohammed are! The mind-set of Islam is to rule the world, in both the religious and the secular. This is their ideology! Sure there are some monastic type sects, but they are nothing in real numbers, etc. No the West is in real threat here!
Since I am pre-millenial, but historical and covenant, the Mid-East…Israel and her surrounding neighbor countries, will surely come to the fulfillment of scripture and the prophetic eschatological end! ( Ezek. 37-39 / Zech. 12;14 / Rev. 1:7) Islam will also be part of this without doubt, in both God’s purpose, grace and judgment! It’s time for the whole of Christendom to wake up here (God’s grace or His judgment?) It is here, that we always need the proper doctrine of law and gospel!
Fr. R.
Fr. Robert, have you read much about how the Koran was formed?
Further, about the life of Muhammad himself.
Joel,
I have read my share. On the surface the Koran seems certainly religious and presents a monotheistic God, but the ideas that this God, Allah – the Supreme Being; he seems to have little or almost nothing of the character of the Judeo-Christian God, who is though ‘totally other’ is always also “Immanent”, and finally for Christians became Incarnate Love! But the other issues are also very important. Islam presents a God of simple deterministic ideas and character, which even Calvinisim never does.
Fr. R.
The God of Islam is tyrannical, in my opinion, incapable of true love (in that we were yet sinners) but requires something from the individual before the love can be bestowed.
Yes, thank God for that precious verse…John 3:16!