It is impossible for human beings to be truly irreligious. A person who chooses not to belong to one of the "traditional" religions -- Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc. -- may not express religious devotion in quite the same way, but it will still be very much a part of their life.
An editorial by Kathleen Parker from The Orlando Sentinel suggests that for many young Americans, this religious fervor is now being directed to Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Parker writes, "[Obama's] rhetoric...drips with hints of resurrection, redemption and second comings.... He's a rock star. A telegenic, ultra-bright redeemer fluent in the planetary language of a cosmic generation. The Force is with him."
She goes on to add with frightening insight, "In post-Judeo-Christian America, the sports club is the new church. Global warming is the new religion. Vegetarianism is the new sacrament. Hooking up, the new prayer. Talk therapy, the new witnessing. Tattooing and piercing, the new sacred symbols and rituals.
"And apparently, Barack Obama is the new messiah."
Monday, February 25, 2008
Obama as America's new religious hope
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Watch out for "spam" comments left on this post. I have already seen and deleted two of these comments that were actually links to some fake anti-spyware site.
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