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Sunday, August 17, 2008 12:00 AM

Are we now officially a Christian nation?

I admire Obama's courage in going to the Saddleback Church forum, but I regret he did it. I hope he doesn't come to feel the same way.
Joan Walsh

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  • Sunday, August 17, 2008 03:10 PM

    OMG, Obama's a Christian?

    Really? Are we officially a Christian nation? You really need to ask?

    I'm an atheist, or more accurately a non-theist, and even I accept that most of America identifies with one form of Christianity or another. Correct me if I'm wrong, but with the lone exception of Joe Lieberman's 2000 VP run with Al Gore we've never had another non-Christian candidate on either major party's ticket.

    I'm also a registered Democrat, though independent minded, and I've voted for politicians that clearly pandered to their "faith-based" base, as it were.

    Why then are we still being subjected to this worrisome analysis that Obama is now somehow 'too Christian' and therefore a disappointment to his party?

    Maybe, just maybe, if the press would only begin to worry about the candidates and their ability to govern our nation through some truly awful times ahead then maybe they wouldn't find it a necessity to a pledge of faith in order to get elected.

    Joan, I think your question should be re-phrased, "Why are we in the media making our candidates prove to the electorate who is more Christian?"

    Maybe, Salon could host a live online pray-off!

    —it matters Read it matters's other letters

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