As is appropriate in times of national tragedy like the mass killings in Tucson, Arizona over the weekend, President Obama called on Americans to remember victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers. It's the kind of request we have had to hear from national leaders all too often in response to suffering at the hands of senseless violence.
Even the most cynical among us would not find in such an occasion the opportunity to question the religious sincerity of the President. At least that's what I would have thought. Prominent blogger and regular CNN contributor Erick Erickson, however, believes strong evidence can be found in Obama's choice of conjunction.
In yesterday's "moment of silence" he wanted prayer or reflection. Here's the problem — when conservatives push for school prayer and advocate for a "National Day of Prayer," they include "or reflection" to get around namby-pamby atheist objectors.
But the left uses it too. The left uses it to accommodate atheists.
…That things like this keep coming up suggests the general public is right in their skepticism of the sincerity of his faith.
I'd like to write a sentence or two taking great offense at this notion that somehow respecting the rights of atheists is a sign insincere religious beliefs. But I'm really having too much trouble getting beyond the logic of this complaint, let alone the nerve of lodging it at a time like this.
So, let me see if I have this correct: when conservatives use "or" to allow for reflection, it suggests they are slyly thumbing their nose at the rights of atheists? And when Obama uses "or", it suggests his religious beliefs are not sincere? So then, I guess, if he had used "and" instead of "or", it would show that he is more sincere in his faith? Really? This is even more ridiculous than the recent criticism he received from the Congressional Prayer Caucus for mentioning e pluribus unum as a national motto, without mentioning "In God we trust."
Does this line of…obsession with the President's faith make any sense at all? And can it not wait respectfully through a day or two of national mourning and a moment of silence?
