07/07/2009
Wrestlemania: Obama Tells Catholic Media of His "Solicitude and Regard and Concern" for Gays
Hat tip to Queers United: In a 45-minute interview with reporters from the Roman Catholic media that happened before the holiday weekend, President Obama summed up his views on gay rights and his faith:
"For the gay and lesbian community in this country, I think it's clear that they feel victimized in fairly powerful ways and they're often hurt by not just certain teachings of the Catholic Church, but the Christian faith generally. And as a Christian, I'm constantly wrestling with my faith and my solicitude and regard and concern for gays and lesbians."
The "God & Country" blogger for U.S. News & World Report says:
"Religious folks, cultural conservatives included, will appreciate that Obama takes his faith seriously enough that he's struggling with how to reconcile it with his commitment to gays and lesbians. Social liberals and the LGBT community will appreciate that he's unequivocal about that commitment."
Okay, LGBT community: Hate or appreciate? I'm not sure this will be read as favorably as the blogger believes. As with most of the president's actions and words on gay issues, the glass can just as easily be judged half full of gay power as half empty of resolve.
President Obama will meet with the Pope at the Vatican this Friday.
Posted 11:22 AM EST by Matthew Rettenmund in Barack Obama, Catholic Church, Pope Benedict | Permalink
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I do not care what Pres. Obama personally believes, what matters is that Church and State remain (or should become) separate. I am alarmed that Pres. Obama admits to allowing his personal beliefs trump the rights of a minority. This does not make me feel confident that we have a "fierce advocate" in the White House, perhaps we should ask Pres. Obama to define "fierce".
Posted by: Cj | Jul 7, 2009 11:27:03 AM
Less talk, more action, Mr. President.
Posted by: ichabod | Jul 7, 2009 11:34:41 AM
Maybe Obama should go to the National Cathedral (Episcopal). The Bishop of Washington is very supportive of gay marriage, and there are a number of gay clergy.
http://aguyinthepew.blogspot.com/2008/06/bishop-chase-on-gay-marriage.html
Posted by: Joel | Jul 7, 2009 11:35:18 AM
The following is my letter to the White House this morning regarding this latest from Obama:
So Mr. President... now I read that you are "struggling" with your Christian faith and LGBT rights? What gives? You didn't seem to be struggling when, as a candidate you needed our money and votes. You didn't seem to be struggling when you said you were a "fierce advocate" for us. You didn't mention your "struggle" Monday a week ago when you invited a few of your gay "friends" to once again remind us of just how fierce an advocate you supposedly are.
Why as a Christian are you struggling? Is it because LGBT people are somehow inherently disgusting, in your belief system? Is it because you actually DO believe that we ARE different enough to warrant the laws which are designed to discriminate against us? Is it because as a Christian you are somehow superior to LGBT people? Maybe if you hold your nose long enough to keep out our stench, you could muster the courage to be a bit of that advocate and actually do something meaningful for us. In other words, be a real Christian.
Once again your words speak much louder than your actions, and once again you disappoint. You simply are not the leader you claimed you'd be, or if you are, we sure aren't getting any of the benefits from your leadership, such as it is.
Posted by: Jim Ross | Jul 7, 2009 11:41:27 AM
Since Obama already views himself as Messiah -- I think the GLBT community has a real problem with this shithead.
Posted by: Rocco | Jul 7, 2009 11:42:41 AM
"I think it's clear that they feel victimized in fairly powerful ways"
Translation: The poor dears let their feelings get hurt.
I'm sure it helps so many survivors of anti-GLBT violence and survivors' families to know that they only "Feel victimized." It's good to know that Matthew Shepherd only "felt" victimized. I'm sure that brings his family great peace.
It would certainly be asking a but much to say they "ARE" victimized... by the very people he is pandering to - the religious community.
Well, I do believe there will be a day when religionists are treated with exactly the same "love and respect" with which they treat everyone else.
...and I can't wait!!
Posted by: MikeinSanJose | Jul 7, 2009 11:44:02 AM
Wrong as it is, his position is absolutely the majority consensus among Americans. Most have faith, strong faith even, and most want us to have the rights and privileges afforded all Americans. Could he be a "fiercer" advocate? Of course. He could be Gavin Newsom. But then, he wouldn't be president.
No surprise to any of you, but I like our president, and I love that he talks about us the way he does, and I don't mind that he struggles to reconcile his faith with our rights. Of course I would prefer no one struggles with our right to equality under the law, but I refuse to believe that everyone who is currently struggling with their beliefs is our full-on enemy because they don't see it the way I do.
We're lucky he's our president, and I do believe we will look back on his administration with joy, even if that makes me a "conservative" among my gay family.
Posted by: JeffRob | Jul 7, 2009 11:45:51 AM
We've seen Obama walking the middle line time and time again. We don't need someone mollifying all parties by saying that everyone is right. We need someone to stand up and say that federal marriage will never force any religious institution to marry gays and will fiercely defend against encroachments on religious rights and IN EXCHANGE the federal government will make FEDERAL marriage gender neutral. I don't understand why this is an issue that people believe threatens their way of life and why a president committed to uniting people won't champion the most basic of unions.
Posted by: Kuhnsy | Jul 7, 2009 11:48:48 AM
When he has thesame "struggle" with his faith in dealing with Jews on muslims and buddhists and hindus, who reject the whole of his faith, and not just this tiny part that allegedly has something to do with gay people...
well, you get the drift.
Posted by: Ben in Oakland | Jul 7, 2009 11:49:19 AM
UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE! WHEN IS RICK WARREN GETTING A CABINET POSITION?
The subject is an interview with a relgious media which I have no problem with, but this brilliant, articulate man, who regularly performs major surgery on which words and phrases to carefully employ, is INCAPABLE of NOT signaling to religio homohaters that "YOU'RE RIGHT...JEBUS DOES HATE NOT JUST THE SIN BUT THE SINNERS!!! POOR SHAT UPON US ARE BEING ASKED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND CIVIL RIGHTS! HOW DARE THEY PUT THIS BURDEN ON US!!"
One more time: "GOD IS IN THE MIX!!!!!!"
Posted by: Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com | Jul 7, 2009 11:52:23 AM
he's a religious man, and perhaps not as bright as we hope for.
don't expect much from Obama if he wrestles with superstitious fiction...
...anything he grants us will be bonus.
remember, he is only a politician.
Posted by: NSFW | Jul 7, 2009 11:55:21 AM
He's a bible thumper, full stop. I stopped taking him seriously after the Donnie McClurkin fiasco, I voted for Clinton in the primary, I voted for him against McLame/Bailin' Palin while holding my nose and he's done nothing since his Inauguration to change my view that he's a pandering fence sitter. Instead, we'll get more "studies" and "consensus building" and nothing will change. He could end DADT with a stroke of the pen, but he's a coward.
Posted by: Henry Holland | Jul 7, 2009 11:55:30 AM
I'm trying to imagine what Obama's reaction would be to, say, a Mormon politician who said he was "wrestling" with his faith's teachings about the inferiority of black persons (remember, they could not be ordained until 1978) vs. his "solicitude" for black people's rights.
Posted by: Glenn | Jul 7, 2009 12:04:04 PM
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States"
Nope, don't see anything about Christianity in there.
Posted by: Mike | Jul 7, 2009 12:07:21 PM
ugh...feelings, solicitude, concern...all about perception, emotions, talk...nothing about BOLD ACTION against INJUSTICE about USING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS LIFE. It's very possible to use faith to combat faith, and Obama could have led these religious people by showing how their own religion exhorts them to the path of supporting justice, inclusion and equality...even to the point of quoting scripture back at them. Instead, it seems like he chose this opportunity to be SOLICITOUS of the Catholics.
The glass ain't half full for us in this speech, it's still ALL EMPTY..full of empty promises, talk, feelings, emotions, feeling our pain. Nothing will begin to fill it up except for ACTION. Only action has substance. Words are an ethereal NOTHINGNESS.
Posted by: Edo | Jul 7, 2009 12:07:58 PM
It's a perfectly statement and state of mind on Obama's part. The fact is that religion broadly tends to frown on homosexuality. A person who does not want to be EITHER an atheist OR a bigot is going to struggle with his/her faith. That's reality, and it's not an inherently homophobic position. The trouble with Obama is not he's trying to balance faith and equal rights. It's the inaction that's the problem. And that's where the focus of our discontent should lie. It's a losing proposition in America to demand a stark choice between religious faith and gay rights. You know how that would turn out for us.
Posted by: Clay | Jul 7, 2009 12:12:08 PM
He doesn't go to Church -- considering how all mainstream Christian religions require regular attendance, I question the extent of his devotion.
Posted by: Terry | Jul 7, 2009 12:16:50 PM
"I'm constantly wrestling with my faith and my solicitude and regard and concern for gays and lesbians."
These are not the words of a man keeping his promise to be a "fierce advocate" for us.
Posted by: Rob Tisinai | Jul 7, 2009 12:18:59 PM
I'm glad to see genuine anger here, because it is of course, justified. However, try and take a step back and see what Obama has done here:
1. Unequivocally draw a straight (no pun intended) line from religious bigotry to our rage.
2. Show that one can be deeply religious and still treat gay people with respect.
I know - DUH, right? But consider who he is speaking to. Outright condemnations of anti-gay hostility to the Pope and Roman Catholic media would most certainly fall on deaf ears and instantly paint him as a "far-left Libral" beholden to a gay "agenda". I'm not making excuses here - I get frustrated with his "my religious side battles with my compassionate side", too, because it's all so much horseshit and I also feel that one's personal religion should not be used to make decisions about other people. It's just something to think about.
Posted by: Joe M | Jul 7, 2009 12:21:18 PM
My feeling is he's no more of a Christian than he is "fierce" advocate for LGBT issues. There's only BARACK--and his narcissism. There's no half/half empty--there's NO DAMN GLASS!
Posted by: Nick | Jul 7, 2009 12:24:06 PM
Great letter Mr. Ross!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Jul 7, 2009 12:24:30 PM
"a stark choice between religious faith and gay rights"????
No, Clay, it's called Separation of Church & State...religious belief vs. CIVIL rights and it is the President's obligation to enforce it both in action AND WORDS!
He COULD HAVE SAID, "I know there are differences of opinion about how religion should apply to gay rights but as the leader of a nation which treasures separation of Church and State as much as we treasure our freedom of belief I must remind everyone that the latter must never be allowed to cancel out the former."
As a state legislator once noted about his own responsibility: "I put my hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution not my hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible!"
This kind of INDEFENSIBLE BULLSHIT is what helped Prop H8TE pass after the H8TERS used a recording of Obama saying "God is in the mix" in robocalls to millions of California voters.
He just endorsed Biblical homohatred!!! Stop treating him like a goddamn five year old who didn't mean to spill scalding soup on his baby sister. He's the most powerful man in the world and he must be held responsible for the harm the power of his words do.
Posted by: Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com | Jul 7, 2009 12:25:13 PM
The teachings of Christ do not require that anyone struggle with "regard and concern" for gay people. Only an ugly corruption of that message causes people to "struggle." Many Christian churches have completely integrated a theology of gay acceptance, including his own Church of Christ. He need only look for it.
Posted by: sam | Jul 7, 2009 12:26:23 PM
I bristle at his word choices. Feeling "victimized" and "hurt" by "teachings" and "faith" makes it seem like our response to religious intrusion into our lives is based on feelings rather than on real-life consequences. The indisputable fact is church leaders have been and continue to be instrumental in depriving us of civil rights upon which religious belief should have no bearing.
Obama may genuinely be wrestling with his personal feelings re: abortion and marriage, and it's obvious by his choice of words (some might say SPIN) who he's talking to here (he wouldn't have used the same language at a gathering of abortion rights or gay equality leaders), but our appreciation of him will come down to nuts and bolts policies not airy commitments, something the blogger, from his comfy--and presumably straight--desk, fails to appreciate.
Posted by: Ernie | Jul 7, 2009 12:26:50 PM
Mr. President, this might be a good time to have a meeting with Peter Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard College, and Rev. Irene Monroe--articulate gay Christian voices who could speak to him with wisdom about scripture. Heck, maybe he should invite Mel White. This could help him with his internal spiritual debate.
As for the political debate taking place in his mind, he would do well to let his inner Diest take over, remind himself of the brilliance behind the notion of separation of church and state, and push forward full civil rights--a corner stone upon which this nation was built.
As Jefferson and Payne both opined, there is all sorts of mischief that arises when one gives difference to one's religious belief system in the political process.
Posted by: MackMike | Jul 7, 2009 12:28:31 PM