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Title: Obama's believers: There’s a theological underpinning to what’s going on with the Illinois senator’s campaign. Engaged, well-informed young Americans are being moved to act and follow in what feels like a religious awakening.
Source:
USA Today
URL Source: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/obamas-believer.html
Published: Apr 7, 2008
Author: Mary Zeiss Stange
Post Date: 2008-04-09 14:36:18 by aristeides
Keywords: None
Views: 951
Comments: 72
Obama's believers There’s a theological underpinning to what’s going on with the Illinois senator’s campaign. Engaged, well-informed young Americans are being moved to act and follow in what feels like a religious awakening. Never mind the flap over his "Muslim-sounding" middle name, or the controversy generated by his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. Over the past several weeks, a far more interesting question about Barack Obama's "true" religion has emerged in the news media's fascination with the "Obamessiah." Even though, as Newsweek's Eleanor Clift recently observed, his media halo has "tarnished" a bit, pundits and political operatives remain at a loss to explain what Hillary Clinton herself referred to, in a Feb. 26 interview on Pat Robertson's The 700 Club, as the Obama "phenomenon." They are particularly befuddled by the intense involvement of so many young people, many of them university students and first-time voters. They dub them Obamaniacs and Obamabots: "glassy-eyed, brainwashed cult worshippers," who chant "mantra-like" slogans and "swoon with euphoria." New York Times columnist David Brooks has likened them to Hare-Krishna people and to Moonies — "Soon they'll be selling flowers at airports and arranging mass weddings." Joe Klein of Time has dubbed their "mass messianism" to be "just a wee bit creepy." And William Lowther, Washington correspondent for the Telegraph (United Kingdom), reported something "unnervingly akin to the hysteria of a cult, or the fervour of a religious revival" at Obama events. Picking up on the hysteria theme, syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker has dismissed their "New Age glossolalia" as spiritual hunger gone terribly wrong, seduced by Obama's rhetoric, which "drips with hints of resurrection, redemption, second comings." MSNBC's Chris Matthews, going Parker one better, was quoted in Australia's The Age as saying, "I've never seen anything like this. This is bigger than Kennedy. Obama comes along and he seems to have the answers. This is New Testament." If it feels like religion … Actually, Parker and Matthews may, however unwittingly, be onto something here. It has to do with two concepts that are deeply embedded in the Protestant theology that derives from the New Testament. And these concepts go a long way toward accounting for what is going on at Obama rallies. The first is kairos (in the biblical Greek), which refers to an "opening" in ordinary time, a historical moment when a collective sense of deeply meaningful change is in the air. The other is metanoia (another Greek term), which refers to a radical change of mind or consciousness. Paul Tillich, the great 20th century German theologian of culture, whose thinking was shaped by the upheaval of World War I and the subsequent rise of Nazism (he emigrated to the USA in 1933), applied these concepts to politics, and to what Obama, echoing Martin Luther King Jr., would call the "fierce urgency of now." Kairos, a transformational moment presenting an opportunity to literally turn things around, is the kind of opening that comes around, at best, only once every generation or two. The last time U.S. politics witnessed such a time was arguably in 1968, during the presidential campaign — tragically cut short — of Robert F. Kennedy. It might be this spirit — and I use that term intentionally — that Obama's audiences are picking up on. They are, as we hear again and again, enthused, also from the Greek and roughly meaning being "god-filled" or inspired. He is, we also hear repeatedly, charismatic — "charisma" being the term coined by sociologist Max Weber to describe a certain kind of powerfully attractive religious personality. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, whose endorsement of Obama led Clinton backer James Carville to liken him to Judas, put Obama's effect on the crowds he attracts this way: "There's something special about this guy. I've been trying to figure it out, but it's very good." You don't have to be young to be so powerfully moved. Terry Housholder, publisher of the Fort Wayne, Ind., Daily News, described experiencing "Obama-mania" firsthand at an event in Toledo before the Ohio primary. Housholder likened it to the impact of Bobby Kennedy on his, and my, baby boomer generation. For those who cannot make it to an actual rally, the Black Eyed Peas' video Yes, We Can has a similarly powerful, cross-generational effect. In it, Obama's campaign slogan is set to music and chanted by several celebrities, intercut with excerpts of Obama's stump speech. A colleague of mine — a political science professor many of whose best friends are Republicans — admits to tearing up every time he sees it. (Yes, every time.) Nonetheless, Obama's support among younger adults is nothing short of revolutionary. In 30 years of college teaching, I have never seen anything like it. It is truly, to use the student vernacular, awesome. It is not politics as usual. Not only is Obama attracting huge crowds of enthusiastic young people — up to 22,000 at Pennsylvania State University on March 30 — his 37-minute Philadelphia address on race and religion, "A More Perfect Union," has been seen more than 3 million times on YouTube and is a top-shared link among Facebook users. Politics, religion and me I am a child of the '60s. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated a week before my high-school graduation, and the Rev. Martin Luther King two months before that. My political consciousness was shaped by the anti-Vietnam War movement, under the leadership of two Roman Catholic priests, Daniel and Philip Berrigan, and by the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention, when anti-war activists, objecting to politics as usual, chanted, "The whole world is watching." The world is watching once again. And, for the first time in their young lives, the so-called millennial generation is riding the wave generated by a genuinely inspiring leader, sensing the incipience of a movement. This isn't to suggest that Obama is a messiah or a God-like figure, of course. Nor does the magnitude of this movement ensure that revolutionary change will necessarily follow what his critics call mere words. But it does suggest that there is something transcendent about any man, or woman, who can move a people to believe for the first time — or once again. You see it in churches on Sundays, and we're seeing it in Obama's rallies today. Call it enthusiasm, if you will, call it wildly optimistic, exuberantly hopeful. But it is not irrational any more than religion itself is irrational. And his followers are not just carried away by lofty rhetoric. They are actually, increasingly well-informed on the issues. They know what kind of world my boomer generation is bequeathing them. They have every reason not to hope, yet they're audacious enough to try. If it takes a little bit of what Tillich would have recognized as that good old-time religion to mobilize a generation that up until now has been largely indifferent to politics, I say Amen. Mary Zeiss Stange is a professor of Women's Studies and Religion at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and a member of USA TODAY's board of contributors. Posted at 12:15 AM/ET, April 07, 2008
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#1. To: aristeides (#0)
If that is true, why did you find it necessary to broach the subject?
And, talking about manias, what's to say about a nation or a civilization that remorselessly bombs defenseless people after being fed lies of mushroom clouds, remotely controlled paper planes spreading massively destructive diseases, where people calmly agree not to take 'water' when traveling via airplane and where a f___ed up animal like George W Bush is elected and the re-elected after he had 4 years to demonstrate his complete cretinism and where a f____ed up, totally senile Dr. Strangelove impersonator is his major party's standard-bearer and the hysterical wife of a priapic snake oil salesman has a pretty good chance to be elected by her party to represent her. The maniacs in charge seem to be able to persuade the general public of the necessity of 'victory' in a foreign land where thousands of their compatriots are sent to die and their nation's leftover wealth is being blown up and wasted away. Should anyone be surprised that at least some people would be impressed by Obama who, at least on surface, appears not to be a mentally-diseased psycho-murderer moron and acts and talks almost like normal people used to?
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
I realize that that question is probably directed at author Stange, rather than me. But I will try to answer it as though it is addressed to me: I posted this piece because it presented somebody else's take on the very issue discussed by the article at the head of another thread now on this forum.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
The author in one short sentence denies the "messiah" not once but twice in adding the "of course". Affirming her already negativity. Of course that thought just MIGHT take residence in some minds.
Brilliant take - thanks.
Imagine that!
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
It's no surprise at all. When given the choice of being shot in the head or shot in the knee-caps, most Americans would chose the latter. Few would ask why they must be shot all at. Obama is a shining example of just how rotten American politics is today. People latch onto him with a fever because he won't destroy the nation as quickly as Hitlery or McInsane. For that same reason, the elites loath him and are doing everything possible to deny even this small concession to the voters.
"The more I see of life, the less I fear death." - Me. "If violence solved nothing, then weapons technology would have never advanced past crude clubs and rocks." - Me.
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)‡
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)‡
I tend to agree. Even a hint of normalcy and true humanity makes this candidate stand out. I was too young at the time but, I believe, Obama has some of the appeal that Jimmy Carter had, following fish-eyed Nixon and the man who pardoned Nixon. (And... I do NOT believe that Jimmy Carter was a failure.) Because of his background and because of whom he's displacing in the WH, Obama is likely to be rated a better president than Carter and superior to all of his predecessors since Reagan. Reagan's appeal was that of a normal man with common sense, rebelling against and loathing the huge, impersonal government. Obama agrees with Reagan on the current state of government but he promises to use the government as a tool for removing the evil that the government created. Well... he will be presiding over the nation that elected Clinton twice and W Bush twice. He will need miracles.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
Author Stange thinks the support for Obama has features of a religion or cult, but she certainly doesn't seem to think that that is a bad thing.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
seriously
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
There are a hell of a lot of folks banking on another tragic outcome. Lot of young, idealistic hearts are going to be broken.
ROFL! If there were fake fainters at Romney rallies, I'm SO SURE the same narrative would prevail. ...........THUD.............. oops, I fainted, can I get an Obama Water Bottle please................ .....thud............... Crimeny, they're dropping like flies.
"The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." -- Herbert Sebastien Agar (1897-1980) Source: The Time for Greatness, 1942
lol
does anyone else remember the adulation gore got when he kissed his wife? it takes almost nothing for americans to behave like cultist idolators of politicians
I don't remember adulation. My memory was that of a sense of embarrassment and widespread derision. I believe that the kiss came in the wake of Naomi Wolf coaching him on what colors to wear and other matters.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
Being rather jaded about politics, my personal litmus test is this...any new face put forth by the "system" needs to demonstrate his ability to walk on water, sans that, get in line with the other misfits.
:)
"The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." -- Herbert Sebastien Agar (1897-1980) Source: The Time for Greatness, 1942
I remember that! Didn't he catch her off guard and then kept slobbering longer than is publically comfortable. Ewwww. Gave her a dip back and eehhhhhhhh. it takes almost nothing for americans to behave like cultist idolators of politicians THAT is a fact. There are just some folks that CRAVE attention and will make that walk to get smacked in the forhead and flail about the floor. It's embarassing to watch, and too many people just go along with it. Hi Mom what'd you do today? Well my little cheeto, I went to a rally and a fainting party broke out. I showed'em.
"The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear." -- Herbert Sebastien Agar (1897-1980) Source: The Time for Greatness, 1942
What you're seeing, Professor Stange, are our children pretending to be part of the magical 1960s, using Obama as their version of MLK. The years of politically correct indoctrination you and your colleagues have pushed down their throats has paid off; in Obama we have racial mixed empty suit, disguised as a politician, promoted by Madison Ave and offered to a weary, naive American populace. After eight years of GWB, he was an easy sell. For the moment, the public is biting, but have no fear. By September, Mr. Obama will be carrying the scars of his battle with the Clinton Dynasty and the GOP attack machine. His hollow core will be exposed for those Americans who are not as yet comatose. In the end, Obama's legacy to the nation will be President McCain and 100 years of war. It isn't that America isn't ready for a black man for president. It isn't ready for a complete media creation.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
What do you consider John McCain?
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
I consider him our next president thanks to the national Obama infatuation.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
I refuse to believe that McCain could be elected W's successor. But, sadly, I didn't think possible for W to be re-elected and he was. McCain/Condi shouldn't do much better vs. Obama/Webb than Mondale/Ferraro did vs. Reagan/LaBouche.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
I consider him our next president thanks to the national Obama infatuation. Isn't John McCain a "complete media creation"? I thought you said the American people were not ready for that.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
It wouldn't surprise me if McCain/Condi did about as well as Hoover/Curtis in '32.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
I consider him our next president thanks to the national Obama infatuation. Well put! What the press never reports is the total contempt Joe Six-pack feels toward the college smart-asses and liberated femi-Nazis and their idols.
A vote for Obama is a vote for McKooK.
Is that the latest talking point from Hillary headquarters?
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
No, he has been a forever fixture in the Senate and therefore on national political stage.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
Yep. Clinton has it all figured out. Clinton/Obama ticket is a sure winner as it will garner 99 per cent of the black vote, all of the white guilt vote,all of the "gender" oriented vote, of course all of the usual far far left wing fantasy land types and lastly the die hard democrat voters. All of that equals a winner and then McKook joins the team and it is a win, win, win situation.
Were you in hiding during the Vietnam war???? This slug has been wallowing around for forty years.
Bingo! And if more than 30% of those swooning, acne coated admirers wake up to vote on Nov. 4th, I'll be shocked. McKooK's operatives are preparing the Willie Horton ads as we speak.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
I'm thinking poison ivy.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
I was in the U.S. Air Force at the time. And, however long McCain has been in the news, he is a media creation.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
I recall negative TV about McKooK and Walter Wilber way back in the 1960s.
Doing what???? It is possible to be in the military and still be in hiding. I know first hand. Then you do not recall news of McKooK, Wilber and the other collaborators?
Certainly I recall news of McCain. McCain was very much a media creation.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
Here's the way I see it and folks can get all upset if they choose to; middle America isn't going to buy Obama and his connection to the Black Panthers and African theology. They'll turn out in droves to keep him from getting in. The buzz you see is b/c he's beating Hillary, which is quite amazing. But when push comes to shove, Obama will be painted a black racist and then be politically destroyed.
I will grant you that, let's say that there's 10% about Hillary Clinton that we don't know yet, I will grant you that, but I would say there's also about 50% about Barack Obama that we don't know yet," Ed Rendell said.
Now that's a Guinness Book LOL!
I cling to hope of a 50 state repudiation of the traitorous, neocon Plutocrat Party
Comments (42 - 72) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestThis isn't to suggest that Obama is a messiah or a God-like figure, of course.
#2. To: aristeides (#0)
#3. To: Cynicom (#1)
If that is true, why did you find it necessary to broach the subject?
#4. To: aristeides (#0)
Obama for president 2008
#5. To: aristeides (#3)
#6. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#2)
Should anyone be surprised that at least some people would be impressed by Obama who, at least on surface, appears not to be a mentally-diseased psycho-murderer moron and acts and talks almost like normal people used to?
#7. To: aristeides, *Obama 2008* (#0)
They are particularly befuddled by the intense involvement of so many young people, many of them university students and first-time voters.
#8. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#2)
Should anyone be surprised that at least some people would be impressed by Obama who, at least on surface, appears not to be a mentally-diseased psycho-murderer moron and acts and talks almost like normal people used to?
#9. To: aristeides (#0)
#10. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#2)
#11. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#8)
#12. To: ghostdogtxn (#9)
#13. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#2)
Should anyone be surprised that at least some people would be impressed by Obama who, at least on surface, appears not to be a mentally-diseased psycho-murderer moron and acts and talks almost like normal people used to?
#14. To: aristeides (#0)
The last time U.S. politics witnessed such a time was arguably in 1968, during the presidential campaign — tragically cut short — of Robert F. Kennedy.
#15. To: aristeides (#0)
If it takes a little bit of what Tillich would have recognized as that good old-time religion to mobilize a generation that up until now has been largely indifferent to politics, I say Amen.
#16. To: Peppa (#15)
#17. To: aristeides, Pissed Off Janitor, lodwick, Peppa, ghostdogtxn, Jethro Tull, robin, a vast rightwing conspirator, Cynicom, ALL (#0)
celebrities.
#18. To: christine (#17)
#19. To: christine (#17)
does anyone else remember the adulation gore got when he kissed his wife?
#20. To: christine (#16)
lol
#21. To: christine (#17)
does anyone else remember the adulation gore got when he kissed his wife? it takes almost nothing for americans to behave like cultist idolators of politicians celebrities.
#22. To: aristeides, Professor Stange, the thread (#0)
Nonetheless, Obama's support among younger adults is nothing short of revolutionary. In 30 years of college teaching, I have never seen anything like it. It is truly, to use the student vernacular, awesome. It is not politics as usual.
#23. To: Jethro Tull (#22)
It isn't ready for a complete media creation.
#24. To: aristeides (#23)
What do you consider John McCain?
#25. To: Jethro Tull (#24)
#26. To: Jethro Tull (#24)
What do you consider John McCain?
#27. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#25)
McCain/Condi shouldn't do much better vs. Obama/Webb than Mondale/Ferraro did vs. Reagan/LaBouche.
#28. To: Jethro Tull (#24)
What do you consider John McCain?
#29. To: aristeides, Jethro Tull (#27)
#30. To: Cynicom (#29)
#31. To: aristeides, karelian, Cynicom, all (#26)
Isn't John McCain a "complete media creation"?
#32. To: aristeides (#30)
Is that the latest talking point from Hillary headquarters?
#33. To: aristeides (#26)
Isn't John McCain a "complete media creation"?
#34. To: karelian (#28)
What the press never reports is the total contempt Joe Six-pack feels toward the college smart-asses and liberated femi-Nazis and their idols.
#35. To: Cynicom (#33)
Were you in hiding during the Vietnam war????
#36. To: Cynicom (#33)
Were you in hiding during the Vietnam war????
#37. To: Jethro Tull (#35)
#38. To: aristeides (#36)
I was in the U.S. Air Force at the time.
#39. To: Cynicom (#38)
#40. To: a vast rightwing conspirator (#25)
(Edited)
McCain/Condi shouldn't do much better vs. Obama/Webb than Mondale/Ferraro did vs. Reagan/LaBouche.
#41. To: Cynicom (#19)
Being rather jaded about politics
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