Christian Hypocricy In Light Of Obama’s Notre Dame Commencement Address

Obama At Notre Dame

 

By now, we all know about President Obama’s visit to Notre Dame. It was filled with controversy for Christians and especially for Catholics. Please! Get real! I have 2 quick observations:

First, I find it fascinating that the Republican party – the party that prides itself on less regulation and more personal responsibility – is so determined to pursue Constitutional Amendments against gay marriage and abortion. Whatever happened to leaving regulations to the States? Whatever happened to leaving personal matters to individuals’ decisions? Clearly, all that big talk apply only if they agree with your religious views and political agendas.

Second, let’s assume abortion is killing a living baby. I can truly accept and, in a way, believe that. Now, some one tell me how abortion can be viewed as a much worse act than killing a living person. Remember the 10 Commandments? Remember the sixth one: thou shalt not murder? No where does it say thou shalt not murder only the unborn. 

I find it absolutely hypocritical that most Christians who are so against abortion are precisely the same individuals whose core ideology is the same as that of Rush Limbaugh’s and Dick Cheney’s. The same ideology that merits we (the U.S.) are the king of the world, we should govern the world and protect ourselves at any cost, and if some innocent lives are lost in the process, so be it. Every time we drop bombs and rockets to kill terrorists, we inevitably kill some innocent by-standards in the process. Some of those innocent souls are children, newborns and even unborn. Therefore, we are violating the sixth commandment. Where’s the outrage? Where are the protests? 

In no way am I suggesting that we should not fiercely protect ourselves or avoid pre-emptive strikes. And I’m not so naive to think that we can do all that with no non-military casualties. But then I don’t have an existential crisis, and I’m not hypocritically against abortion while practically supporting the deaths of unborn and pregnant women in war. That is not for me to resolve. Those of you Christians who are against abortion and thought Obama’s visit to Notre Dame was an abomination must work this out between yourselves and your God. And be careful what conclusion you reach. If you believe that God agrees with your views and supports your plan, you have reached the wrong conclusion. It should be exactly the opposite!

Eternal damnation is not just for those who support or perform abortion. It is also for those who violate the sixth commandment. That could be you. Think about it.

You Shall Not Take The Name Of The LORD Your God In Vain – A View Into The Ten Commandments

The third of the ten commandments. 

We all know it. So highly symbolic are the Ten Commandments that almost all human beings on earth – even non-Christians – are aware of their existence. It is mostly because of the third commandment that shouting ‘Jesus Christ’ in conversation is frowned upon. I’d like to challenge that notion.

The Ten Commandments, The 10 Commandments

Does your God think less of you or possibly even punish you if you utter ‘Jesus Christ’ or ‘God damn it’? That’s too bad. Mine doesn’t! My God does not exhibit human-like pettiness. He does not care whether his name is used as an expression of surprise, anger or frustration. My God does not view uttering ‘Jesus Christ’ as a sign of disrespect. The need for respect from others is purely a human notion. God transcends all human reactions and emotions. He’s an entity that is much more grand than that.

Trust me folks. Your God cares much more about other things: kindness and helpfulness toward others; supporting those in need; sense of awe at his creations; sympathy; empathy; humility. You get the idea.

Who decided that the third commandment means saying ‘Jesus Christ’ is a blasphemous act? I want to meet that person. That’s just silly. Did that person talk to God personally? Who’s to say that the correct interpretation of this commandment should not be “You are not to make use of the name of the Lord your God for an evil purpose.” That would make much more logical sense. Here’s an example. In the dark ages, the church punished, in the name of God, those who did not believe the earth was the center of the universe. See what I mean? Here’s a more recent example: clergies abusing boys and covering it up.

Be skeptical of anyone telling you what God wants of us, or what he cares about (including me). No one knows that for sure. The only thing we can do is to employ logic, intuition, knowledge, and experience to arrive at a reasonable conclusion regarding God’s wishes and plans. That is why you are bestowed the gift of intelligence. One way or another, you must use your brain to untangle the mysteries of the ten commandments.

Here’s my personal belief: God doesn’t care about words. That is just silly! At this very moment, somewhere in the world, a child is dying of malnutrition or disease. At this very moment, a desperate person is praying to his creator, and asking for nothing more than a bite of food. At this very moment, innocent American and Iraqi lives are being wasted. At this very moment, someone is dying of cancer, and his family is grief-stricken. At this very moment, a woman is giving birth to a child. At this very moment, a new star is born in the universe. God is busy!

Does your God really make an adverse note about your foul language? Not likely! Don’t be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom (even religious ones). The Church has not always been correct in its teachings or its behavior. Exercise your remarkable and awe-inspiring gift of intelligence that God has given you. Think about it.

I welcome all respectful comments, including any of the ten commandments.