Obama Accused of ‘Abusing’ Faith-Based Office
- Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:50pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
Former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson.
Former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson is speaking out about what he sees as a misuse of office in the Obama White House. The Washington Post columnist recently spoke with CBN News’s Jennifer Wishon about the president using the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to sell health care reform:
I think he’s abused that office in political ways doing outreach on healthcare and other federal initiatives instead of focusing in on what religious based charities can do for the poor.
Gerson is the co-author of the new book, along with Peter Wehner, City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era. The book includes a forward by renown pastor Dr. Tim Keller.
Update from The Blaze Managing Editor Scott Baker: Earlier today Michael Gerson joined me on The B-Cast live program for an extended discussion of “City of Man.” I also asked to expand on his criticism of Obama’s actions with the faith-based office. To see the interview click here.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 711 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 564 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 389 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 379 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 365 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 379 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 389 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 318 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 149 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 379 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (106)
Midwest Belle
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:55pmThis pres talks out of both sides of his mouth. He (and the liberals) have been against anything remotely religious (Including that prayer breakfast which Obummer didn’t attend) but when he thinks it’s a good idea – he has no qualms about using churches to promote his agenda. What a mess.
Report Post »Ken
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:35amBy our vote, we need to stand up to this piracy of the churches, or they’ll be called mosques instead!
Report Post »Jamestown
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:53pmFor twenty years …with ears the size of saucer …he says he never heard “GOD D_MM AMERICA…IN EVERY STEP HE TAKES HE INTENDS TO GOD DA_M AMERICA…WHEN COLLEGE SL_TS LEAVE YOU BARY…ITS OVER…ONLY EVERY SINGLE FALLOUT DETAIL IS YET TO. BE WITNSSED…THE THINS WE TOLD TWO YEARS BEFOREHAND WOULD BE THE RESULT OF PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAD A LOB….NEVER EARNED A PENNY…..LOOK AT THE BLACK SLAVE IN 2010 HE DOES WHAT THE MASTER TELLS HIM TO DO…
Report Post »Jimmers46
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:16pmHas any one ever seen a Veteran who enlisted to fight for Islam,Socialism,Communism, Liberalism?? Wake up America!!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:40pmWell the Taliban/terrorists for Islam…that’s all I can think of. I get your point though…sometimes you need to fight for what you love (ie freedom).
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:52pmI think he means U.S. Veteran.
Obama only cares to make Islam unquestionable by anyone in this country.
Report Post »Re-read his Cairo Speech people.
AngryTexanFromAmarillo
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:15pmThis just prove that it is possiable to learn from our past. Liberals figured out it was the church that led the way to America being born in the first place and now they are trying to switch hit and use it to destroy the country so they can get what they want!…I have to agree with beck LEARN ALL YOU CAN FROM THE PAST SO YOU CAN SEE YOUR FUTURE!
Report Post »Darryl Kirschner
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:06pmAfter the November 2nd election the goal of all patriotic Americans should be to impeach Obama. We can site him for abuse of Presidential power and dereliction of duty. He has failed to enforce the laws of the land including voters rights and immigration. Let’s vote in the people who will have the courage to do this. God Bless America
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:02pmobama has severely abused the American presidency, period. he had no business ever being elected.
Report Post »swigs
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:53pmThe DNC had no business nominating him. He’s not eligible to hold that office as per
Report Post »COTUS A2S1C5.
igetit
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:54pmObama abuse of power. No. You’ve got to be kidding me!
Report Post »teahugger
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:00pmI know! Shocking isn’t it? Whoda thunk?
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:51pmThis is a blatant attack on local and faith based assistance to make it irrelevant in competition with big government welfare. To make government indespensable in terms of emergency assistance and thus requiring larger government organizations is the ultimate goal.
Report Post »This is 180 degrees away from the tenets laid out and espoused by our founding fathers.
Zcat
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:51pmWhat don’t the freak abuse and lie about!
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:40pmReach out to Chrisitans – are you kidding me – worst part of all the evangelicals fell for it. WERE BLIND TO ALL THE LIES obama was spewing out.
Report Post »saneromeo
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:24pmMt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Report Post »RobR
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:38pmPresident Obama along with his co conspiritor wife Michelle abuse the American people as he continues to violate / desacrate the sacred trust between the president and the citizens of the United States.
He must be thouroughly investigated , impeached and imprisoned as soon as the new Republican majorities are sworn in on January 20th , 2011.
We the People must insure that never again shall a foreigner become the president of the United States of America.
Even if Obama was somehow born in Hawaii , he spent his formative years in muslim countries surrounded by his America hating , communist mom and grandparents. Then upon coming to America he willing sought out the radicals , blacks , chicano’s , socialists , etc. to carry out his scheme to fundamentally transform this country.
He has never made one mention of seeking out regular middle class white folks…….I often wonder….and would love to get a chance to ask him face to face…….WHY this is so and doesn’t that speak volumes about his character?
Every day I just have to ask myself , what the F$ck was the 68% of this country thinking when you put this manchild of questionable character , background and motive in our White House……..and do you agree that he’s been there for more time than he deserves…….and we should demand he leave…..while there is still some semblance of the greatest nation on earth America still standing.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:36pmTim Scott is the best and we are praying for his win. What a difference when the candidate is a TRUE CHRISTIAN and conservative. Actions speak louder then words.
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:33pmProgressives have always envisioned a true “state” religion…..one that is not about God, but one that is completely designed and controlled by the elites in society. Progressives love anything that places controls over the citizenry. Taxes, entitlements, corrupt media, Progressive programs, liberal religious groups, and government institutions have far too much influence in our daily lives. I am not advocating rebellion or not paying a fair tax burden. As Americans, we must help each other and do our civic duty. This is patriotism. However, when people seek power at our expense, be they corrupt politicians or corrupt clergy, they must be exposed and removed from positions of authority by lawful means. This is also patriotism. I am not a hater, racist, homophobe, or anything else that the Left calls any who disagree with them. I believe in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe in my family. I believe in my country and my fellow Americans. Faith-based organizations are far more efficient with helping the needy because they meet the people’s needs on a personal basis. Progressives will never understand that. Progressives will never understand us. They absolutely hate the things that they cannot control.
Report Post »BRAVEHEART
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:04pmHumanism is the statist favorite religion, its “evolutionary” like Progressivism and tolerates most left-wing radical idealologies. Being evolutionary it has no real foundation for justice or morality and allows the Elitist to engage in Globalism , Socialism and arbitrary law and morality, (immorality)
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:19pmObama blah blah blah I was more interested in this Tim Scott fellow. Just from what I saw I hope he wins.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:18pmI’m sorry, Blaze editors, but what I’m hearing does not match your headline. I did not hear anyone saying he’s abused the “faith-based” program. Someone tell me what I missed.
Report Post »Hobart_the_Fat
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 5:52pmUnless they editted the story headline, I think you missed the part where he says “I think he’s abused that office in political ways doing outreach on healthcare and other federal initiatives…” 1:13 seconds in. The Gov’t should not be leaning on religious leaders to push agenda issues.
Report Post »libertyordeath87
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:16pmHe abuses the office of the President just by showing up for work everyday.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:35pmI agree totally! :) Personally I think they are ignoring what the people want and passing bills that hurt Americans to punish us for the Bush years…they really hated that man!
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:40pmLiberty: When has he shown up for work everyday? All I read about are his 52 days of golf, his many vacations PLUS personally viewing all his campaigning trails. Who the devil is working at the Oval Office???? It’s definitely not Obama!!!
Report Post »NoMarxist
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 5:26pmDon’t forget the endless parties with the morally corrupt Hollywood elites designed to keep Michelle “proud of our country” and off camera where she’s not likely to play along with the Teleprompter in Chief.
Report Post »Jezreel
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:16pmIt is wonderful to have a godly man who is genuine be elected into office as we need them desperately. With issues as abortion etc, we need men with guts and who are not spineless to stand up and defend those who need defending and give voice to those who have no voice. I am shocked at the fact that many so called black Christians voted for Obama just because he was black knowing his stance on abortion. This is dispicable and shameful. I sincerely doubt their Christian faith for voting for a man, no matter what color, if they are for killing of the unborn and for gay marriage etc.
Report Post »Our founding fathers had great faith and sought God for the decisions that they made and we need to have that again.
NoName22
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:29pmCan’t get mad at a black man for voting for a black man. I would do the same thing if the tables were turned.
Here’s a fun joke…..First black president ever……and he runs up the deficit…….now if that’s not bad credit, I don’t know what is.
Report Post »Kisha Majors
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:15pmMy step father told me once (on the topic of the obama-care)…
“It’s the Christian to do.”
*rolls eyes*
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:12pmHow much longer is the Marxist in the White House going to get away with his crap? Why is he not being challanged by the Republicans? Things had better be a lot different, starting as soon as the new Congress is sworn in or we will have to take things into our own hands. It won’t be pretty! We are mad as hell and are not going to take it any more! That is more than a slogan!!
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 5:48pmPlease explain to me what a Marxist is really? And give me one example of Obama being a Marxist. And do the same with communism, fascist, socialist – he can’t be all of them!! So explain with the words me and then point out where Obama is any of them. http://wp.me/pYLB7-ec
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:25am@ Walkwithme1966
This link will tell you all you need to know about what a Marxist is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxist
Maybe that will open your eyes.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:32am@ Walkwithme1966
Here are some examples of how Obama has a socialist agenda (by the way socialism is the stepping stone that leads to communism…can‘t have communism until you’ve had socialism…read up on the link i sent you):
Redistribution of wealth; single payer health care system (and he wants it); and collective salvation…just to name a few.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 3:57am@ Sunnyr
We are right about Obama – it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see through his lies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI87K_4CGJw
Report Post »BloodSweatandTears
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 11:19amDear Sunnyr,
Please don’t throw around threats, empty or otherwise. When the regime changes and the bar is already too high with expectations, it will take time, composure, wisdom and patients to turn this around. Otherwise we will not LOOK any better than the present administration.
Report Post »Awakenow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:09pmNo longer do our legislators take pride in the result of their efforts they just hire a PR firm to cover their selfserving tracks. The time to sway public opinion was before you passed the bill, afterwards trying to justify is contemptous.
Report Post »john seven eighteen
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:06pmSame song, second (or eightieth, I lost count) verse!! It’s just getting real old.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:59pmWhat else is new, President Obama abuses the office of the White House every day with his ideals and attempts to smash our country with all of the Progressive methodology he is cramming down our collective throats – regardless of what the people do not want!!!
I do agree that the charity groups of america can do more, I volunteer with one here in phoenix, but it needs to be done in a way coordinated among the charities, not by the government telling them what or whom they can help out – something becoming more and more common each month.
America can help our needy, and fill in many of the gaps out there that need to be covered, if we just decide as a people it will get done, one person at a time.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:29pmVolunteer time at food banks and soup kitchens donate food and money to legit organizations and help your fellow man. We don’t need the govt to tell us how to do that.
Report Post »CapitalistforGod
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:56pmI truly believe WE ALL know we Should/could be doing more of these kind of things to help each other, even when we really don’t want to, To do the most for someone when the conditions are at their worst. because here in the near future that could be all we are left with that has any true value,…….Each other.
Report Post »El Paco
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:59pmWhoa wait. So you’re telling me that the presidency is trying to hijack religion??? NO WAY!!! So this is completely unrelated to Madam Pelosi telling the religions to promote illegal immigration.
Oh wait, it is. Congratulations on “separation of church and state” you fabians.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:58pmWhat is wrong with this, thought everyone knew that the left could use churches to promote political goals, but the right can’t.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:34pmWhat’s wrong with this is that the left is abusing it. Actually, they shouldn’t be using it at all because you know what happens when government gets into our churches? Liberals… that’s what. How dare they say Jesus is for “redistribution of wealth” and “social justice” and “universal healthcare” just to advance their agenda!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:37pmUnless we stop them … and I hope to help! What is fair for one is fair for all …. out the hypocrites on the left …
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:01pmRight on Swampy! Nothing burns me more than to hear “separation of church and State!” coming from the left, yet they mysteriously keep silent when Al Gore and many other libs found their way to the Sunday morning pulpits during campaigns.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 6:55pmI get so mad at groups like the southern baptists for letting the government threaten to take their tax exempt status away from them, so what if they do. Is there faith so weak, they don’t think they can survive with donations being taxed? Is there God so week they don’t think he can resist the evil on the left?
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:55pmI absolutely agree that it is an abuse of power. Our religions are now controlled by the state. HMMMMM?
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:06pmThe way it works is simple with the government, each non-profit organization, like the churches, are threatened with revocation of the 501-c-3 non profit status if the smallest bit of “Political Touting” is believed to be going on…and having run a church once, that is what did it for me, they told me to shut up just for telling people they have the right to vote. Not who to vote for, just exercise the right of the constitution to vote for whomever they wanted to, or not vote for anyone as they wanted to.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:12pmTHIS is why Obama hired so many Czars! He has a “hit man” in every category (that is not elected or even approved by Congress, and doesn’t have to be impartial) to go out and bastardize every department of the government, so it is morphed into a far left propaganda machine.
Obama is: “the ends justify the means”, “I am brilliant you are stupid”, “the truth is what I say it is (or, I can lie all I want)”, “I’m gonna fundamentally transform your country even if it destroys the Democrat party and limits me to one term”.
Lord God, we must have done something that caused this. Whatever it was, we repent. Please heal our land. Remove this abomination!!
anOpinion
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:37pmObama has abused power wherever he can. I’m still fuming over all the “czars” and others appointed by his administration without any vetting whatsoever.
Report Post »timeisnow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:26pmSt Andrews Methodist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ has a board that is all about Social Justice and was going to join that Socialist March on Washington, but pulled their support because of Beck bringing it to the member’s attention,, but let me say there were not happy about being exposed
Report Post »ME
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:42pmMe gosh the shock that this morally bankrupt president would stoop so low. Sorry it may have been a reach up for him. Like Hillary he would sacrifice his children and worse mine for his goals.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 6:24pmPEOPLE! The mask has been off this marxist revolutionary for 2 YEARS NOW! Stop the shocked indignation! IT’S TIME TO CALL A SPADE … A SPADE!!
[Gabby Johnson on roof with spyglass sees the new sheriff riding to town]
GABBY: Hey! The sheriff’s a nig… [loud church bell tolls]
HARRIET JOHNSON: What did he say?
DR. SAM JOHNSON: He said the sheriff’s near.
GABBY: No, goshblangit dagnabit! The sheriff is a nig… [loud church bell tolls again]
-Blazing Saddles
2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:06pmThis is what the Founders worried about. Not Kids praying in school, but the state using any faith for their own work.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:42pmSeriously though, isn’t that how dictators start? Get to the people through religion, replace their beliefs through God with our beliefs through men.
Report Post »CottonMPG
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 10:22pmOf course it’s an abuse of power! That’s what power is for….at least that’s the way most politicians see it. Power corrupts. We need to limit it as much as possible. What gets me is the fact that people who claim to be Christians would lend any credence to what he says when he has said and done so many things that show how antiChrist he really is. Someone ought to put together a montage of his saying things about us clinging to our Bibles and news reporters talking about him refusing to enter Notra Dame a Catholic colledge unless they covered all the pictures of Jesus. They could even mix in Pelosi’s attempt to manipulate us with her allusions to the incarnation and other blatent attempts to decieve.
Report Post »Redhawk
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 4:04amForgive me if I‘m wrong but isn’t it the democrates/ liberals who are always screaming, “separation of church and state.” when a conservative use’s religion (namely the christian religion) to explain why they support a certain cause or agenda? Then… why is it ok for democrates/ liberals to use religion as a way to push or justify their cause or agenda and not the conservative? The democrates/ liberals are very hypocritical in this area as in others.
Report Post »josie
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 5:57amObama is a cancer for this country, he must be removed …… before we are removed
Report Post »mimitweetin
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 8:03amNot Mine! My religion is controlled by GOD.
Report Post »Promotefreedom
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:24amObama did the same health care promotion about a month ago when he asked all the leaders of religion to tell their congregations about the benefits of ObamaCare.
I agree that he totally abuses power at all levels. Through Czars and under the radar through left wing organizations, and don’t forget unions.
I was peeved when I saw Warren (heading the new Consumer Protection Bureau that Obama just created) on Cavuto and she (although “just an organizer and not the head”) was being interviewed AS IF she had been approved by congress and was legitimately in charge. BS.
Oh what a smooth talker that marxist Warren is (straight out the sixties). She and her whole bureau needs to be kicked to the curb. Maybe the new congress can get some action on this.
Report Post »