Obama and Religion-by Ahmed Olayinka Sule, CFA

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

Calvary greetings in Jesus name.

For the past one year, I have been keenly following developments in the forthcoming US election, which takes
place on the 4th of November 2008. There are currently two formidable candidates contesting for the most
powerful position in the USA, namely Barrack Obama and John McCain.

Despite not being a US Citizen or resident, I have stayed up late at night to watch the debates, campaign
rallies, speeches etc.

However, I am concerned regarding recent developments in the presidential race. For long, I have remained
silent and chosen not to comment on these developments. But now, I have reached a point whereby I feel it is
necessary to voice my concern as I believe that public interest requires me to add a few comments regarding
the question of Senator Obama’s suitability as a potential president of the USA from a biblical perspective.

Before I go any further, I would like to state that I am by HIS grace a born again Christian who has
acknowledged and still acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I would also
like to state that I was born into a Muslim family and I have a Muslim name, however, I am sold out to Jesus
Christ. Furthermore, I am a supporter of Barrack Obama.

What is the issue that is I find quite disturbing? I have noticed that ever since Obama declared his interest to
run for the highest post in the USA a number of religious leaders and some section of US Christian community
are manipulating the scriptures to support what appears to be their political ideology. Unfortunately, Obama
has been the subject of most of these assaults.

What are some of these assaults? Some question Barrack’s Christian faith due to his Islamic name and his
Muslim origins (i.e. he was born into a Muslim family). Other argue that he is the anti Christ. For instance,
there are currently emails and pictures going around the net suggesting Obama is the anti Christ. Also, in a
recent John McCain campaign rally, a minister who was invited prayed that God should not let Obama win the
election in order to protect his (God) reputation as millions of non-believers around the world were praying to
their gods for Obama to win. Moreover, I recently read an article written by Rick Joyner in which he states that
one way in which God judges a nation is to give them immature leadership. He then subsequently wrote that
Obama is the most inexperienced presidential candidate in history and that “if we vote such inexperience into
office during such a crisis (economic), we are under judgment as a nation”. Others argue that Obama is the
most liberal presidential candidate.

Personally, I disagree with some of Obama’s policies such as his view on abortion and free trade in much the
same way I disagree with George Bush’s invasion on Iraq and Sarah Palin’s support for gun rights. However,
much emphasis has been on Obama’s policies while George Bush judgement in invading Iraq, which has
resulted in the death of thousands of innocent US soldiers and Iraq civilians, has gone unquestioned.
Furthermore, the gun right policy which Palin supports which has resulted in guns infiltrating the black
community thereby exacerbating the black on black crime receives minimal condemnation. I am a strong
believer of the saying “What is good bad for the goose is good bad for the gander”.
Here are my comments on some of the questions regarding Obama:

First on the issue of Obama’s Christian faith:

Obama professes to be a Christian; however his salvation is still questioned due to his Islamic roots. This
touches a nerve, as like Obama, I also have Islamic roots. I was born into a Muslim household and gave my
life to Christ several years ago. Though I still bear my Muslim name, I know that I am washed by the Blood of
the Lamb and nothing can separate me from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ. However, I would not be
happy if my salvation was called to question just because of my Islamic roots. What has happened to the
doctrine of Justification and Redemption?

Second - Obama the anti Christ:

Though I doubt that Obama is the antichrist, however, what seems surprising is the reason for this claim. Some
claim that it is because he is charismatic; others say it is due to his message of change, while others argue that
he came nowhere to challenge for the highest political position in the US. Despite these claims, there is no
scriptural basis for this claim. Could this be a ploy to discourage Christian voters from voting for Barrack?
Only time will tell.

Third on the issue of the issue of America being under God’s judgement if an inexperienced Barrack
Obama is elected:

I find Rick’s comment very interesting. Agreed, sometimes an inexperienced leader could be used to judge a
nation. Furthermore, an inexperienced leader could cause problems for a nation. However, the question to ask
is what makes Barrack Obama inexperienced? Is it his age or the fact that he has not held any executive
position before? Sometimes, the best candidate for a job is not the person with the most relevant experience,
but a person who is confident, calm under pressure and committed to excellence. These are all traits which I
believe Barrack Obama possesses. Furthermore, the Bible is full of young and inexperienced people who made
a significant impact for their people and nation. Two cases come to mind.

First, David, the greatest King of Israel was a young shepherd tending to his sheep when God anointed him
King of Israel. This was inspite of being the youngest and least experienced among his brothers. In addition,
inspite not having the military experience of his brother, David was able to kill the giant Goliath and deliver
Israel from the oppression of the Philistines. The second person in the Bible is Joseph, who like David was one
of the youngest among his brothers. Despite being an official of Potiphar’s house and subsequently a prisoner,
Joseph was still selected to become the Prime Minister of Egypt. From these two examples, it can be seen that
the argument of Obama’s inexperience is without merit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to point out that as Christians, we should be wary of using the scriptures out of
context to suit our political ideologies. If Christians want to vote for Republican, Democrat, Labour, Tory,
Obama, McCain, Brown or Cameroon etc, then let’s focus on the issues at stake rather than use scriptures to
support our political leanings especially as God’s kingdom is not an earthly one.

Ahmed Olayinka Sule, CFA

22 October, 2008