No.

I’m glad Barack Obama took the time to explain his religious conviction and how it relates to the way it drives his views, as well as how he understands that we live in a country that is not only Christian.

This is an intelligent man who has faith, but recognizes that there are people in this country that either don’t or don’t share the same faith as him. That doesn’t make him a bad Christian. It also makes an excellent example of why Christians who refuse to accept the fact that we are not a Christian Nation (this is not a theocracy), but a nation of diverse people (Muslims, Buddists, Jews, Atheists, and more), make bad politicians. This is because they’re only seeing to make true to their own personal convictions and refusing to recognize the beliefs of others. He’s an excerpt from his speech:

Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God’s will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all.

I’m not trying to say that I’m personally pro-choice or any number of different beliefs that I may or may not have. I’m very much on the side of life and do not agree with abortion, but I’m also very well aware that there are people out there who do not agree with my view. I’m not going to agree with them, I’m willing to tell them why I believe what they’re doing is wrong, and I’ll share other options that they have, but I’m not going to blatantly force my views on anyone. People believe what they believe because they’re different. God didn’t give humans free will because He wanted all of us to be the same. He also knew that doing so would allow for such diversity to exist.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have civilized discourse and present your views and arguments to people. I love having intelligent discussions with people. I’m saying that once someone affirms their beliefs and you make your argument for what you believe in and they still are steadfast in their opinion - let it go. We, as Christians, are not supposed to “beat” our beliefs into people. That is a system that doesn’t and will never work. Only by sharing the love of Christ with people can you have a positive outcome. Negativity produces more negativity. Hate breeds anger, anger leads to malice, malice to pain.

Anyway, I’ve ranted enough about this subject. I implore you to listen to Barack Obama’s speech on religion, no matter what your faith (or lack thereof) may be.

Watch the video.