Politics

President Obama Says on The View That He Will Respect Religious Freedom on Gay Marriage Issue

President Barack Obama stopped by The View Monday during his trip to New York for a pre-recorded segment that aired Tuesday. During the interview before a$35,800-per-plate fund-raising dinner later that night at the apartment of Blackstone Group President Tony James, the president chatted with the ladies on his parenting techniques, favorite T.V. shows and took the majority of the segment’s focus on policy discussing his decision to endorse same-sex marriage. In addition to rehashing his opinion that the issue should remain decided on the state level, President Obama may have surprised some when he stated support of the religious liberty of churches regarding same-sex marriage:

“I’m very respectful of peoples differences on this issue” President Obama said, going on to add; “I think it’s very important for us to make sure that churches and other religious institutions have the freedom to make their own determinations about what their religious sacrements are.

“But when it comes to civil law, when it comes to the rights that are recognized by the state, then I think it‘s very important to make sure that everybody’s treated fairly, everybody’s treated equally.”

Following his announcement declaring support for same-sex marriage last week, The New York Times reports that President Obama was on the phone with religious leaders explaining his new position:

In the hours following Mr. Obama’s politically charged announcement on Wednesday, the president and his team embarked on a quiet campaign to contain the possible damage among religious leaders and voters. He also reached out to one or more of the five spiritual leaders he calls regularly for religious guidance, and his aides contacted other religious figures who have been supportive in the past.

[...]

The issue of religious freedom has become a delicate one for Mr. Obama, especially after the recent furor over an administration mandate that religiously affiliated organizations offer health insurance covering contraceptives. After complaints from Catholic leaders that the mandate undercut their faith, Mr. Obama offered a compromise that would maintain coverage for contraception while not requiring religious organizations to pay for it, but critics remained dissatisfied.

In taking on same-sex marriage, Mr. Obama made a point of couching his views in religious terms. “We’re both practicing Christians,” the president said of his wife and himself in the ABC News interview in which he discussed his new views. “And obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others.”

He added that what he thought about was “not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the golden rule, you know? Treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

After the interview, Mr. Obama hit the phones. Among those he called was one of the religious leaders he considers a touchstone, the Rev. Joel C. Hunter, the pastor of a conservative megachurch in Florida.

“Some of the faith communities are going to be afraid that this is an attack against religious liberty,” Mr. Hunter remembered telling the president.

“Absolutely not,” Mr. Obama insisted. “That’s not where we’re going, and that’s not what I want.”

Although the president criticized the Defense of Marriage Act on The View Tuesday, he would not directly answer whether or not he would fight to repeal the act, instead saying that “Congress is clearly on notice” that he thinks the act is “a bad idea.”

While the president says now that he believes religious institutions should not be infringed upon for their position on same-sex marriage, he also once stated his support of traditional marriage and a preference for civil unions over same-sex marriage.

Do you see the stance of religious institutions on same-sex marriage as a threat down the road for their religious freedom? Will those as adamantly supporting same-sex marriage now in civil law, ever respect or accept the rights of religious institutions to exclude same-sex marriage form their sacrements?

 

Comments (118)

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  • Tri-ox
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:16pm

    You LIE!

    Tri-ox  
    • lexington_green
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:30pm

      again.

      Report Post » lexington_green  
    • subic
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:42pm

      Its part of the communist manifesto, get everyone thinking its ok for society to accept sodomites and carpet munch-ers.

      Report Post » subic  
    • indianajim
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:10pm

      Hold it, I am still trying to find out what a typical white person is.

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:46pm

      My fellow Americans, please don’t panic. President Obama has voiced the opinion that personally believes same sex marriage should be legal, but has also his opinion that the decision should be left up to the states. He’s excluded federal legislation that requires states allow same sex marriage, that’s explicitly not his opinion. He doesn’t want to the federal government to make the decision whether states allow same sex marriage, he thinks that should be up to states.

      I think we can all agree on that. None of us want the fed to legislate what is right or wrong. That’s government overreach. If state chose to make same sex marriage illegal or legal, well that’s a power they have. Keep the feds out of it. The federal government is already too powerful and we don‘t want them telling churches what they can or can’t do.

      That‘s not Romney’s opinion though. He is in favor federal legislation that tells states that it is illegal for marry two people of the same sex, and by extension that churches can’t either. His plan is to legislate morality from the Office of President. To tell churches what they can and can’t do. I’m against that.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:12pm

      Who the hell is he to judge! If you plan on voting for Obama again you are a complete drooling idiot!

      Report Post »  
    • typical white person
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 12:19am

      To INDIANAJIM:

      I am too.

      Report Post »  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:57am

      Ah but you don’t understand(tongue firmly in cheek. ) Progressives respect everybody. Democratic
      politicians respect the religious beliefs of others– they just prefer to grant the force of Law to the
      Reprobate -to the Communist– to the Muslim– to the enemy.And they prefer to deny protection to
      the Christian- to the Patriot– to anybody they do not own.

      Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:14pm

    Reid is no more a Mormon than Hilter was a Christian. (As defined by the Bible)
    Pelosi is no more a Catholic than Hilter was a Christian
    Obama is no more a Christian than Hitler was a Chistian

    Hitlers Own Words —-

    “AS A CHRISTIAN I HAVE no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice. Adolf Hitler

    I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
    Adolf Hitler

    Report Post »  
  • madloosli
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:13pm

    He respects their religious opinion on gay marriage but not their opinion on contraception. DH

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:17pm

      Wow .. sounds just like a dictator .. doesn’t he!

      OMG 2012 LIBERTY!

      Report Post »  
    • ScienceIsNotEvil
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:16pm

      Are you going to respect the Catholic opinion on war and immigration? Should Catholics be able to not pay taxes that go to wars and immigration enforcement that their religious leaders tell them are wrong?

      Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:13pm

    Reid is no more a Mormon than Hilter was a Christian. (As defined by the Bible)
    Pelosi is no more a Catholic than Hilter was a Christian
    Obama is no more a Christian than Hitler was a Chistian

    Hitlers Own Words —-

    “AS A CHRISTIAN I HAVE no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice. Adolf Hitler

    I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator.
    Adolf Hitler

    Report Post »  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:04pm

      Sounds like the professors and speakers at Falwell’s Liberty U. took their understanding of Christanity from Hitler.

      Report Post »  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 6:38am

      Only a shallow mind doing shallow research would think Hitler was a Christian. Nazism was all about restoring the Aryan myth and replacing all things Christian with some goofy new age/old age mix of teutonic religions.

      Report Post »  
  • Gypsy123
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:13pm

    For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
  • sandy21957
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:07pm

    Yeah, like he’s respected other things in the past. He is a shape-shifter extraordinaire.

    Report Post » sandy21957  
  • okaaay
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:05pm

    I really wished when people lied their pants would be on fire. This guy would be burning.

    Report Post »  
  • revron
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:01pm

    first, marriage was between a man and a woman and now its evolved into;.”its o.k. as long as we respect the views and opinions of people of faith,” How long before that evolves?

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:10pm

      gay…wow, liberals will do ANYTHING. for a vote…anything…
      next it will be a “civil rights” issue.. even the black pastors are saying they will stand with POTUS, because they can understand he’s in the “political” world and things are different there…HEY, AXXHOLES, either you believe in the bible or you don’t, PERIOD.
      You cannot pick and choose…They just need to say,
      “hey, Obama, he’s black, i’ll lick his books and he can poop on my car.” and get it over with.
      A few weeks they were against gay issues, now they’re for them..typical obama crap

      Report Post »  
    • inblack
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:16pm

      Indeed – his word is worth nothing and he only modifies his positions for getting re-elected or raising money.

      Once elected, he WILL attack the churches.

      Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:01pm

    Google For Yourself & Study………This guy, excuse me Gay, is one sick puppy.

    BARACK’s GAY PAST – COVERED UP BY THE MEDIA –

    1. Rahm & Barack – past memberships to Man’s Country Chicago (gay bath house) link below
    2. 3 openly gay members of Trinity United Church die within 30 days of Barack announcing His 2008 bid.- 2 are shot to death.- l was the choir director for the church – members are afraid to talk about this – media coverup – murders unsolved
    3. multiple men have claimed a gay relationship to Barack in the past. – media coverup.
    4. Death Threat – Chicago Police Dept. Warn Victim’s Mom – Mom leaving Chicago
    5. Obama’s teen mentor – Frank Marshall Davis – Openly Bisexual & Communist

    GOOGLE AND STUDY THIS FOR YOURSELF

    Report Post »  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:24pm

      Rumored widely that Frank Marshall Davis bedded the tooo young Stanley Dunham and then cuckoled the bigamist alcoholic kenyan communist obama sr with litttle baracktrayvon. Probably helping obama sr stay in the cIA program to destabilize kenya.

      But now, was Frank Marshall Davis actuallly doing Stanley and their son Barrack?

      Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:59pm

    … “BUT when it comes to civil law, when it comes to the rights that are recognized by the state, then I think it‘s very important to make sure that everybody’s treated fairly, everybody’s treated equally.”

    So … is what he‘s saying is that he’ll respect the doctrines and sacraments of religions EXCEPT when they conflict with State Laws? If a State makes a Law allowing homosexuals to marry, then the Church has to marry them because it’s a “right” of that State?

    Report Post »  
    • IDONTTHINKSO
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:10pm

      That’s a good point! He never states anything out right and to the point, it leaves him no out!

      Report Post »  
    • Inlightofthings
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:20pm

      NO NO NO….!
      What he is saying is that progressives will dance until a liberal SCOTUS court is in place to approach the topic just like Roe V. Wade. Plain as day.

      Next POTUS needs to address this legislatively to avoid a future SCOTUS interpreting it any other way. Mr. Obama is buying time and a few votes, that’s it.

      Report Post »  
  • tarpon
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:57pm

    Roflmao …

    Report Post »  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:55pm

    POTUS quote: “I want to spend the next 5 years transforming the country….” (not heard on video)
    POTUS quote: “Congress is clearly on notice…”

    POTUS clearly has little understanding about his role in the US government….

    Also…why does POTUS look at the ground and not Barbara Wa Wa?

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:53pm

    Anyone… whom considers his Words & Stated Opinions… is an IDIOT!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:53pm

    If this country falls apart but hope it don’t… The churches will be the first thing most will run too. Just like the 2 weeks after 911.

    Report Post »  
    • FromSeaToSea
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:07pm

      Yea, and the Churches in America signed a gag order with the gov. to get their 501C3 tax exempt status. Most churches sold Gods people out for tax exemption. Now no one can talk against any public servant or candidate. Thank you past Sen. Gerald Ford. This was intentional.

      The pastors in America are effectively silenced. Ask Your church to change their status.

      Report Post »  
    • MEANS2RESIST
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:34pm

      The churches are going to be the first ones to be encouraging frightened citizens to go to the FEMA Camps, search engine (I use startpage.com, they don’t spy on you like google) “CLERGY RESPONSE TEAMS’”…GOVERMENT SNICTHES

      BTW back on topic of the VIEW, did you see the bod on that blonde Elizabeth Hassleback? OMG!!!!!

      Report Post » MEANS2RESIST  
  • spirited
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:52pm

    “not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the golden rule, you know?”-Obama
    ~~~> gag, ~~~> Do Christians repeatedly mention “Christ sacrifing himself on our behalf” ?

    And, the “golden rule” does tie in nicly with that whole “social justice” & “redistribution” narrative.

    “We’re both practicing Christians,”-Obama
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>“practicing”, as in pretending, acting.

    Report Post » spirited  
    • Inlightofthings
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:58pm

      SPIRITED:

      Admit it…you were surprise the quote: “not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf but it’s also the golden rule, you know?”-Obama

      Did not come out as: “not only Christ sacrificing himself on MY behalf but it’s also the golden rule, you know?”-Obama

      Apologies if sounding blasphemous…not intended…

      Report Post »  
    • spirited
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 9:29pm

      Thanks –but– there was no surprise.

      Both Obamas deliberately use Christian doctorine in their (blasphemous) speeches.
      They use race, gender and religion for their personal agenda of contempt for all-things-American.

      “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do”- Jesus Christ
      > most likely ~~> will not apply to either of them; as they do know what they are doing.

      Report Post » spirited  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:49pm

    The guy’s a chameleon. He hasn’t got a core.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Bob_R_OathKeeper
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:48pm

    Everything that comes out of that sausage sucker under his nose, is a lie.

    Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:48pm

    I know you want to but you can not have it both ways… There’s only one right way on this !

    Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:45pm

    Playing the Obama word game is easy. Anything he says, you take the opposite and you get the truth.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:45pm

    Voting for Obama is like hiring a wasted drunk driver to pickup your children and wife at home and take them to the airport to catch a flight. He is one sick puppy.

    Report Post »  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:43pm

    Every nation that has embraced homosexuality has perished. Dictator BO is going against history here and he is going to get burned for it in November.

    Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:47pm

      can you cite to some source for your bigotted “fact”. Rome only fell after it embraces Christianity.

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:07pm

      Rome had fallen well before it embraced Christianity.

      Report Post »  
    • momprayn
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:16pm

      ENCI — There were many factors that caused the fall of Rome over hundreds of years. When the Christians finally got some control, it clashed with the other pagan systems people wanted, vandals, etc. A nation divided cannot stand — plus the Caholics were probably not practicing true Christianity & committing other sins (if not homosexuality). There are many other sins out there that God will finally bring His just judgements on and yes, not all who call themselves “Christians” aren’t – too many sadly.

      Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 8:42pm

      encinom
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:47pm
      can you cite to some source for your bigotted “fact”. Rome only fell after it embraces Christianity.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      How about The “BIBLE” …As the source …And “Sodom and Gomorra” …The Place…

      But I’m guessing like most fools …That isn’t good enough for you.

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:58pm

      @Momprayn, you are just an ignorant little bigot. First Rome became Christian in 313 and fell in 476 (Eastern Empire fell even later). Second, Rome’s version of Christanity was the only game in town. Nothing like the evangelical bias ignoring the facts and logic.

      @sawback As for the Book of goat herder’s fairy tales, yeah it doesn’t agree with your theory.

      Now this was the sin of Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. —Ezekiel 16:49-

      Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 5:26am

      Encinom.
      Yeah…We have girls pretending to boys and boys pretending to be girls ..
      Strapping on devices that they pretend is really their own junk and then…
      They play pretend roles ..We have people having sex changes and then
      pretend they have been that way from birth…
      Then they call everyone a bigot to silence anyone that apposes
      their perverted life style…
      They see a pedophiles perversion while ignoring and pretending that theirs is ..
      a different normal.. They pretend that their perversion is justified due to a society
      that has lost it moral compass and they too join in on the delusion..
      All along knowing ..There is a difference between this perversion and
      normal.. They choose this fictitious life style instead and pretend they
      are using the equipment God gave us …as directed …
      All because they want to erase any Fact from fiction …
      They even have this society give them the right to raise children in this
      perverted pretend lifestyle as so to give them more legitimacy.. Another lie …
      So they can pretend to procreate…
      There whole Life is nothing more than …Pretend … Pretend…Pretend….!
      Instead of a life lived in a world of reality…
      They live in a land of …FALLACY..!!
      And want to force… EVERYONE… To join them.

      AND IM THE ONE THAT BELIEVES IN FAIRY TAILS.

      NO THANKS..!!!!.

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • encinom
      Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:03am

      @sawbuck
      You believe in a zombie jewish carpenter, that does party tricks. You base your morality on the writtens of a flaming shurb.

      Report Post »  
  • spirited
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:42pm

    “I think it’s very important for us to make sure that churches and other religious institutions have the freedom to make their own determinations about what their religious sacrements are.”-Obama

    >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>YOU “think” –ha!

    Report Post » spirited  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:40pm

    No he wont.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:38pm

    Please listen to:
    Same Sex Marriage is an OBAMANATION.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6eHsrjDpJw&feature=player_embedded

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 7:37pm

    Just digs that hole deeper huh? It’s a good thing the demoncrats have already dumbed down the masses with their “amazing” teaching abilities!! It’s a wonder the classes of 2012 can even tie their own shoes!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • DSTSS2010
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 11:38pm

      Sadly, it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better. If it gets better.

      Report Post » DSTSS2010  
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