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February 3, 2012 in Nation/World
Obama says faith guides his policies
Decisions stem from ‘biblical call,’ he says
President Barack Obama attends the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
(Full-size photo)
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, who rarely speaks of his faith, defended some of his administration’s policies Thursday by saying they reflect his religious convictions.
Speaking at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, Obama said his efforts to regulate Wall Street financiers, health insurers and “unscrupulous lenders” reflected in part his belief in “God’s command to ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’ ”
“I do so because I genuinely believe (the policies) will make the economy stronger for everybody,” the president said. “But I also do it because I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years.”
He also said that some of his policies stemmed from a “biblical call to care for the least of these: for the poor, for those at the margins of our society.”
“Caring for the poor and those in need. They are values that have always made this country great … and they’re the ones that have defined my own faith journey.”
The president, whose administration came under fire over the weekend from religious groups, including Roman Catholic bishops, for requiring some faith-based employers to include contraceptives in their insurance plans, didn’t address that conflict in his remarks Thursday.
At the White House, spokesman Jay Carney said that no individual would be required to use or prescribe contraception.
“This rule does not force anyone with a religious objection, such as a Catholic doctor, to prescribe or provide contraception,” he said. “It merely requires that insurance companies provide coverage for contraceptives to patients who want them.” He said the policy was a recommendation of the nonpartisan Institute of Medicine.
The president, whose outspoken former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, imperiled his race for the White House in 2008, has largely shied from overt demonstrations of his faith. He and his family haven’t formally joined a congregation in Washington, but they’ve attended services at several churches and at the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland.
But Obama offered a glimpse of his spiritual life Thursday, telling the crowd that he says a brief prayer upon waking each morning and spends time “in Scripture and devotion.” He said he prayed “from time to time” in the Oval Office or by phone with several pastors who were present, pointing out Joel Hunter, a spiritual adviser and senior pastor of an Orlando, Fla., megachurch, and Bishop T.D. Jakes, founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas.
Stocks plummet as outlook in Europe dims 
Benaround on February 03 at 9:46 a.m.
Yea…he spends a lot of time with scripture and prayer. This very
fine spiritual leader is “Ministering to America”…pretty much in
same fashion as Bill Clinton “Ministered” to Monica Lewinsky.
Even with the Media Cheerleaders, America is starting to find
out how unintelligent this Divider-Agitator is.
DHF on February 03 at 9:57 a.m.
(Benaround) Truer words were never spoken. You gave me a good laugh and made my morning.
Arbeautis on February 03 at 6:16 p.m.
Spokesman Review, this article is miscatigorized. Should have been in the funny papers
Traveler on February 03 at 7:38 p.m.
I don’t understand why some people are so self-righteous as to mock another person’s belief, but then, I’m not so sure of my salvation.
I suppose I should envy you guys, but I actually fear for your souls. You better hope St. Peter only listens to your professions, and doesn’t read your posts. I’d pray for you, but you obviously don’t need it.
Benaround on February 03 at 7:59 p.m.
56 traveler: I have no qualms facing St Peter as I know in
my heart the nature of my actions. Our President’s distortions of the truth and reality is the product of selfishness and disdain
for so many in our country. His divisiveness-greed-and playing
favorites causes my contempt for his disgusting behavior.
Traveler on February 03 at 8:10 p.m.
Wow, and you’re so humble, too.
I know I shouldn’t rattle your cocoon, but I gotta ask: What “selfishness” and “greed” are you referring to? Obama may be pushing Robin Hood economics, but how much of that is for personal gain?
And I guess you think Obama’s asking the rich to pay more is divisive, but EVERY REPUBLICAN’S claim that “half of Americans don’t pay taxes” (i.e., the poor) isn’t class warfare, but rather just what Jesus would want.
detroitdude on February 03 at 8:13 p.m.
I’d actually welcome a President who didn’t discuss his religion all the time and use it as a means to get votes.
Traveler on February 03 at 8:33 p.m.
detroitdude, you mean like the one we have? But then he’d be accused of being un-religious, and of pandering whenever he does.
DickAdams on February 03 at 8:41 p.m.
I wonder what his close friend for over 20 years had to say about Obama`s prayer? I`m speaking about his good friend, the Reverend Wright, his minister, who sounded as though he hated our wonderful country. The Obama`s socialized with the reverend too. Of course Ms. Obama said shortly after her hubby was elected, she felt like an American for the very first time ever. WOW!
Traveler on February 03 at 9:31 p.m.
So, Dick, if you’re going to tar Obama with his association to a Christian minister, I can assume you’ve never believed he’s a “closet Muslim”?
As for the Rev. Wright, I also assume you never heard more than the “Well, I say God DAMN America!” bit, and you didn’t go any farther than that, such as hearing the rest of the sermon, or researching any more of his stuff. Sean Hannity told you all you needed to know, right? Check out the Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Wright_controversy).
In that article, you’ll also find something you may have forgotten:
You might also take a look at some of his other controversial statements at (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Wright_controversy) — you’d probably like some of them, ‘coz he bashes Bill Clinton.
greenlibertarian on February 03 at 10:35 p.m.
Your patience is impressive, 56T…
Traveler on February 03 at 11:01 p.m.
Actually, it’s my optimism. It’s practically eternal.
Benaround on February 04 at 5:41 p.m.
56 traveler: “Eternal” is the debt dumped on our children and
grandchildren by central-planners who cannot accept the
concept of personal responsibility…personal charity… decency…
…family… and freedom. I feel so sad for the misery caused
by oppressive-socialist-totalitarian governments. I am so
amazed that our nation is led by a divisive-hating-golfer who
can only campaign…and avoids logical thought.
Traveler on February 04 at 6:37 p.m.
Benaround, you just provided the reason I said my optimism is only “practically” eternal. This will be my last post on this matter with you.
There’s a great quote from St. Francis’ Prayer of Peace in today’s Paul Graves column (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/feb/04/paul-graves-planting-seeds-of-love-part-of-the/): “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.”
I don’t see you sowing much love — only lies (unless you really think our current president’s actions are the same as someone getting oral sex from a willing, indeed eager, participant) and ridiculing someone else’s belief — and feeling completely at ease with your conscience. To misquote Richard Marx: I hope there’s room in heaven for your ego and you.
Speaking of golfers who avoid logical thought, here’s a great quote, on Sept. 11, 2008: “Americans lost their regular way of life that day; its time to - WHOA, will you look at that shot! Way to hit that ball Beanie you nasty son of a bitch! Wasn’t that a helluva shot guys? As I was saying, its time to try and infuse our lives with a little normalcy.”
Can you guess who said that on the anniversary of one of America’s darkest days? The same guy who said this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3p9y_OEAdc
The last word is yours …
Benaround on February 05 at 8:24 a.m.
Thank you for allowing my last words…at least their mine and not from your apology links. I have seen the misery you don’t care
about caused by people who cannot tolerate freedom or any
non-collective behavior. I am truly sorry you seem so miserable
about your idols.