redblueamerica.com

Well here we go again? When is White America going to stop spreading fear and hatred.. ex:I am from Jamaica and never had I been exposed to any racial hatred on accounts of my skin color, yet upon migrating legally here to this country in 1975; realized that the color of my skin mattered. I have been happily married to a caucasian man, have children that most white Americans have mistakenly thought were white, until they met mother, then they are ostracized, because mother is of color. Yet these same whites will get 2nd and 3rd degree burns to get a so called tan, the color of my skin that I exist in so naturally, at the same token turn around and hate me for mine. Yes we have differences, not dificiencies, my husband for instance can really kick up his heels when it comes to country western dancing, you see he goes to a different beat, I on the other hand is excellent at adding some hip hugging whine to the same dance, all of which is done without alcohol in my system,which turns him and the other white men on to no end, yet makes other white women want to lynch me immediately. I am also a 8y/r USAF veteran, served in the first gulf conflict, my 24y/o daughter is an officer at this very time in the USAF, speaks 5 languages, this we do yet WHITE AMERICA, including my in-laws exhibit IRRATIONAL FEAR(FALSE-EXPECTATIONS-APPEARING-REAL) towards myself and their grand children... Rev. Wright spoke about the things that I am still living in this good old America.

Obama is running for president, not Rev. Wright. What intelligent person on this earth agrees with everything their pastor or any other human says. Since when does a person's name become what they are inside. Unless I missed something, none of us have a choice in what we are named when we are born. If someone names their child Jesus, does that automatically make him a Christian? I think not. Get a grip America and stop obsessing on unimportant stuff and focus on the real issues; the economy, health care, the war in Iraq, etc.
That's my two cents worth!

"By association, Obama is a Muslim"

Sounds familiar...

"By association" the US sent thousands of innocent Japanese to interment camps in WWII.

"By association" Cambodia sent millions of innocent people to die in forced labor because they were "educated" or for merely wearing glasses.

"By association", millions of innocent Chinese were "reeducated" for saying or doing the wrong things.

Remember McCarthy? Oh ya. Hundreds of innocent lives were ruined because they "associated" with the wrong person.

So when you say someone is guilty by association, you're putting yourself in some pretty sad company.

Yet, you believe that Bush is the devil! In Islam, they have a doctrine called 'Al Tekayya. This doctrine allows for any muslim to LIE! One can lie to protect yourself from harm, or your religion, or to end spousal disputes or neighbor disputes, one can lie during war or one can disown ones religions & rituals for nefarious reasons. Believe Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Islamic Sharia laws conflicts with our 1st amendment rights & believe therefore that if Obama gets elected there will be more muslim immiragting to this country & our rights as free Americans will wither away slowly as in the Netherlands, Sweden, France & England.

Did Obama take the Oath of Office on a bible? Where are the normal pictures of his oath.
Does he do the pledge of allegiance? Why does he always show up late to his meetings after the allegiance was taken..We should be able to let him show up and then do the Allegiance to see what he will do...
If he is a Christian, why the Muslim name and not his christian name?
Why does he surround himself (staff) with Muslims??? Where are the Christians???

How about addressing the other 10 points from the posting.

1. He was born from Muslim blood. (Which in Islam makes him automatically a Muslim)
2. He was educated in a school where as Muslim he was educated on Islam for a minimum of two hours weekly.
3. For a better education he attended a Catholic school, which many Muslims do.
4. He had nothing to do with Christianity until he married his wife.
5. He joined a cult church, a non-Christian church.

a) The church teaches separatism (black and white)
b) They teach black theology, not Christ Theology
c) The church honors and respects Islam and Muslims to the point they welcome Muslims to be members of the church and gave Louis Farrakhan an award for being the man who will unite the true Christian to the true Muslim to the true Jew. WHAT A CHRISTIAN CHURCH!
d) Why would Obama leave Islam to join such a church? He joined skillfully to cover-up, knowing that a Muslim in America would have little chance to become a senator or the president.
e) When you believe in Mohammad you deny Christ.
6. He never denounced Islam or Mohammad or the Qur'an.
7. There is no record that he was baptized.
8. From his own words, we can judge him, for he made fun of Christianity, the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, which proves he is not a Christian.
9. When a Muslim leaves Islam to Christianity, there would be a 100% fatwa (decree for him to be killed) issued against his life.
a) A Fatwa has never been issued on Obama. But the opposite is true, for the Muslim world is endorsing and supporting him. This includes Louis Farrakkan's endorsement. Some may say that Obama has distanced himself from his radical minister and from Louis Farrakkan but my response is very simple, it is an act because he, his pastor , and Farrakkan, know if he does not say that. he will lose the vote of the rest of the country.
b) He was welcomed to Kenya as a Muslim hero recently.
c) Muslims in America support him, even financially “One dollar for one nation under God “(Allah).
d) As a senator, he has and continues to employ members of The Nation of Islam. Cynthia K. Miller was the treasurer of His U.S. Senate campaign. Jennifer Mason is Obama’s director of Constituent Services in his U.S. Senate office and is also in charge of selecting Obama’s senate interns. - (debbieschlussel.com)
10. His agenda for the Whitehouse clearly shows he is Muslim.

a) Remove our army immediately from the Middle East.
b) He sits and eats dinner with Muslim jihadist.
c) Removing the idea of the use of nuclear weapons in any circumstance.
d) Passing a hate crime bill that will silence anyone who speaks against Islam.
11. His stance on the issue of gay marriage and abortion proves he is not a Christian.
http://www.dontvoteobama.net

Interesting to ponder is: Could Obama be the "sleeper" to outdo all "sleepers"? Americans, muslims and non-muslims should ponder this very seriously. There are links with extreme muslim teaching in his childhood school in INdonesia. And if he has been prepared to be the "sleeper" to outdo all "sleepers", then I believe he is a grave risk to the United States of America. Wake up America. Your "democratic" thinking could well be your undoing. We need to pray a lot.
Teresa Sydney Australia

Therese, Sydney Autralia

It is very simple to tell exactly what OBAMA is. Obviously Obama is what his natural father is. His father is not an Afro American or a Black American, because he is from Kenya. This would mean his father is an Arab African and has Arab African blood running through his veins. Obama having Arab African blood running thru his veins can not be an Afro American or a Black American. Obama is being very deceptive capitalizing on being an Afro American or a black American to capture all the Black votes. The Black voters don't know the difference. They will vote for him because his darker complexion is dominate, unlike his white mother.

Obama was born as an Arab Afro American as his mother is a whte American.
Obama was born as a Muslim into the Muslim religion as his father is. Obama did spend his early life as a Muslim registering in a Muslim school. According to the Muslim Islamist doctrine, any one that is not a Muslim is an infidel and must be killed. When one converts to another religion, they are also to be killed. Family members must kill them because they become an infidel by converting. This makes over 300 million Americans infidels and are supposed to be killed. OBAMA by birth is born a Muslim. When born a Muslim, a person is a Muslim until death unless they are killed as an infidel.

Allah, the god of the Muslim Islamists is the god of hate and death. Jehovah, the God of the Christians is the God of love who teaches to love your enemies and to do good to those that hate you.

Muslim law says that a Muslim must keep an agreement made with another Muslim and not with any one else. Muslims are even allowed to lie to their own wives. How can any non-Muslim trust a Muslim? How can any one trust OBAMA who was born a Muslim?

Amadinajad from Iran tells the world he is gong to fly the Muslim flag on top of the White House. It will be a lot easier if OBAMA is occupying the White House.

Why must the United States allow Mosques to be built every day in America when Saudi Arabia the center of the Islamist religion disallows any other religion to enter their country? Saudi Arabia is financing the building of all these Mosques! Saudi Arabia is also subsidizing professors in universities to steer their students to the Islam religion.

Recently Saudia Arabia would not allow an American female worker to enter Saudi Arabia because she was carrying a Christian Bible. Americans are a stupid group of people. We should prevent all Mosques in the United States until Muslim countries allow Christians and other religions of the United States to enter their countries.

I have been to Riyadh and familiar with their customs. I helped to remodel the Dome palace for King Kahlid for the OPEC meetings. Saudi Arabia is not the friend of the Unted States, but they certainly like us defending them. If it wasn't for us OSAMA BIN LADEN would make short work of them.

Russia has resorted to building Mosques all over over Russia and rejecting Christianity. This is no surprise since it is prophesied in the Christian Bible. It is also prophesied that two thirds of the Russians and their Muslim partners will be destroyed ny Jehovah God when they go to attack Israel. He will leave the one third to live and go back to their countries to tell them how the two thirds were destroyed.

In the final analysis, OBAMA is a Muslim and should not be nominated to the Presidency of the United States.

Please, Please let this Blog die. Enough already. I know I do not have too read it, but it is like a car wreck. Hard to turn your head away. If no one blogs, then I will not have to peek. Thank you all, Good Night

I don't think he's a Muslim, but that still doesn't mean that he'd make a good president.

Who would believe cnn on anything?

I hear what you are saying, but I am asking you as a Christian to not be discourage this too will past, because we are in the business of hope. I personally believe that God's is on the side of Obama because the only way the candidates and the pundits and political operatives can attack him is through his pastor. Through lies and misinformation. But that which is covered will come to the light and the truth will set this country free. I am with Mr. Obama. "Not this time"

you are aware that Rev. Wright was a marine?
Submitted on May 1st, 2008 by Anonymous

you are aware that Rev. Wright was a marine? And this whole spill about kill whitey, well Rev. Wright has never said he wanted to kill anyone. Are you also aware that Blacks during War World II we strongly encouraged not to wear their uniforms or associate with "whitey" because the average "whitey" could not stomach the idea of negro or colored(whichever you preferred) fighting for the freedom of this country even though they were not free. Sir, this country is not just made up of whitey, it is made up of all peoples with different colors and backgrounds. Your comment is unamerican, but i respect your right to say it because in American you are free to speak your mind, and it is for that reason that i will not tell you to take your unamerican attitude back to some socialist, godless, European country.

you are aware that Rev. Wright was a marine? And this whole spill about kill whitey, well Rev. Wright has never said he wanted to kill anyone. Are you also aware that Blacks during War World II we strongly encouraged not to wear their uniforms or associate with "whitey" because the average "whitey" could not stomach the idea of negro or colored(whichever you preferred) fighting for the freedom of this country even though they were not free. Sir, this country is not just made up of whitey, it is made up of all peoples with different colors and backgrounds. Your comment is unamerican, but i respect your right to say it because in American you are free to speak your mind, and it is for that reason that i will not tell you to take unamerican attitude back to some socialist, godless, European country.

I wish people would stop saying what they think and feel and go find facts to back up what they say... either he's Muslim or not... Christian or not... American or not. Stop showing how ignorant you can be and show some wisdom in your thinking process.

Is Hillary and lier or not... the facts are there... build your foundation on truth and facts not 'feelings'!!!!

I have to agree with you!
Black people are the most racist people I have ever met. They don't want anyone using the N word, except themselves; They're upset with all racial implications, except their own; They want nothing to do with foreign Muslims, but it's OK for them to be Muslim.
They feel entitled to these examples (plus many many more) because their ancestors were enslaved. When are they going to get up off their butts and go back to Africa or shut-up. Obama can't live an Afrocentric/militant life; then denounce it because it doesnt fit his image as the "President of the US."
But on the other hand, Hillary is the epidome of a typical politican. I have NO IDEA WHY anyone believes what comes out of her mouth. She's a liar just like her husband.

I'm one of those people Hillary takes for granted for the vote. White, female and nearly middle aged. And voted for Obama in the PA primary. What you said about "beat up, knock down, ect...just to win" sounds exactly like what Hillary is doing. Which is one of the many reasons why I wouldn't vote for her and hope she doesn't get the nomination because I'll have a hard time giving her my vote come Nov. She claims her time as First Lady makes her qualified to be president. If that's the case, I'd rather have Nancy Regan as the first woman president than Hillary Clinton.

He is a Muslim, no doubt. Just ask his Father, or any Imam.

There is NO EXIT DOOR in Islam.

(Unless your head is separated from your body first.)

Wow - don't most have you have a lot of crap to say! First of all, the main question is if Obama is Muslim or Christian? He's Christian (or somewhat of a christian but definitely not a Muslim)! Second of all, for those that said Obama is an Arabic/Muslim name, you are WRONG! Thw word Obama isn't even Arabic!
Also, please don't believe everything you see, or read on the Internet - and start ranting about it. I know some of Sunshine308's so-called lies are not lies. Most have references to blogs, and phony websites. That's not reliable, is it? So, research in depth the crap you believe to find the truth, then comment about it in nasty ways.
Also, whoever thinks that Islam openly promotes killing is wrong and a bigot. No feelings for American Muslims, huh (I don't see them killing!) And whoever thought that IF Obama is Muslim and becomes president, then he will impose sharia and kill all infidels, I have news for you. Whoever believes that must be the ultimate ignorant idiot! From what I read, I see those people saying that all Muslims kill infidels, even an unpractioning (if he were even a Muslim) Obama, especially if he becomes a president. Apostacy is not the highest crime in Islam, and the person who said it is is misinformed, as I inquired with American Imams. I feel that you are unfairly branding all muslims as infidel-killers and terrorists, although less than 1% - .5% of all muslims have those intentions - due to misinterpretation. There are Christian terrorist groups around the world - you know. Its a sad fact. And Kenya is not a Muslim country. The majority is christian - whosoever said that.
For those people that say Obama is a racist, and elitist, and a hate-monger, I'll have to inform you that you are wrong. Obama is actually for equality - check out the facts - and he doesn't carry the responsibility of his pastor. A commenter also proved how Obama is caring to tthe small-town citizens that have been mostly forgot by Bush. Therefore, he is not an elitist. All these lies told and spread by anti-Obamas' are just a sign of how desperate, racist, bigotic, and anti-reformist they are. I mean does wearing a flag pin affect you patriotism? That was one of the retorts to the supposedly "lie" of Barack Obama, when he said I am patriotic.
All in all, I feel that Obama will help heal our country, and aid in foreign matters, as he may have some experience. He is the best of all candidates, so Go Obama!

WRIGHT, OBAMA, AND THE REST OF THE "KILL WHITEY" CREW HAVE THE FREEDOM TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND SAY WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE OF THE SACRIFICES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES, BOTH BLACK AND WHITE. THEY, THE WRIGHT /OBAMA CREW, ARE RIDING ON THE COATTAILS OF BRAVE AMERICAN'S WHO BELIEVED IN THIS COUNTRY AND MADE, IN SOME CASES, THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO FURTHER OUR FREEDOMS. FREEDOMS THAT THESE SCUMBAGS TAKE FOR GRANTED AND RANT ABOUT HOW UNFAIR IT ALL IS FOR THEM AND THOSE THAT BELIEVE LIKE THEY DO. DOESN'T SEEM THAT EITHER OF THEM ARE LIVING TO BADLY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT THEY HATE SO...I FOR ONE WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO FUND THEIR ONE WAY TICKET BACK TO ANY 3RD WORLD AFRICAN COUNTRY THEY CHOOSE!! THEN THEY COULD SCREAM ALL THEY WANT ABOUT HOW HORRIBLE AMERICA IS...WHILE TRYING TO DODGE THE BULLETS OF SOME DESPOT WHO WANTS TO RUN THE COUNTRY OF THEIR CHOOSING THAT WEEK.

I'm dismayed, to say the least, at the bigotry I have seen & heard displayed by some of my fellow American Jewish voters. They are terrified of this "big,black bogeyman", though they refuse to admit it. Shame on them, owing to the history of our own people. They have been sucked in my innuendo, false claims, and they have chosen to believe them. I shall pray for them.

Obama has been an elected official longer than Hillary so you can throw the inexperience line out the window. He has actually had successful legislation. If you want to know what it is check ontheissues.org it will tell you alot about all of the candidates. Research is a good way to find information as opposed to taking the press for gospel. By the way the irony of you calling him by Hussein ,which is an obvious attempt to shame him by what you think is a lesser culture is best described as bigoted. Then blame obamanites for calling you that is beyond a total lack of self awareness. I do not care if you do not like any of the choices that is your right ,but do humanity a favor and get a clue.

I'm not racist and I don't care whether or not Hussein is a Muslim. I completely disagree that he is the best candidate and I would even venture to say that he is not a worthy candidate by any standard.

I challenge the Obama faithful to talk about his voting record since coming to the Senate in 2004. Nevermind that he has no real experience in national government, let's just talk about his record. I bet you guys don't even know about the 129 "present" votes.

The gauntlet is tossed. You want to talk about the issues, then let's do it.

Really.. calling people names is not polite.

Clearly the Reverend Wight issue is a perfect storm in a team cup for the right wing . Take some sound bites out of context and then present that as the whole story. By dumbing down the whole thing it prevents people from getting confused by real facts.

This whole thread is just the same: just a lame excuse to raise FUD about an issue. Even asking the question just unjustly stirs up the mud. Also the somewhat convoluted way the question was put I am sure was done to mix up the result.

If the results of the survey are to be believed then it just goes to show how successful this campaign has been to distort the truth. Very very sad.

Obama can wait until he grows up and we know more about him.

Lets let the lady take over and see how she does compared to the many men who have run this country.

GO HILLARY !!!

It's not so much his regligion. It's just that he's unamerican,anti christian, and a racist.

check out "wake up america", article by Alan Peters.

No, he is a cyborg sent from planet Uranidiot to rid Earth of all card carrying NRA members, anti-choice emb ryo worshippers and belieivers in everything Medicare. Seriously, look what I found:
http://www.freakingnews.com/Cyborg-Barac...

Marriage is "for better for worse......" that's a little different than sitting in a church where the preacher screames hate about white people. I don't think ANYBODY has the right, and that includes YOU, to decide when a woman should leave her husband. On the other hand we ALL, and that includes YOU, have the right to demand that our elected leaders are not racists and do not attend a church for 20 count 'em, TWENTY years listening to some hatemonger scream hatred about the very people same elected leader wants to lead and protect!!!

How did you get past the CAPTCHA?

but Obama's uncle, Odinga, is a leader there of an Islamic extremist party and that is exactly what they are doing..if you do a search on google you will find the information to verify this..

Sorry but to be honest..I do not believe the church that Wright or Obama belong to is Christianity in it's theology. You see..Wright admitted on TV that they embrace Cones Black liberation theology.. it is based on the hate of whites and the blame of all whites for what has happened to blacks.. They went so far as to say they could not accept our God because He loves whites so they made their own and a black Jesus.. and said then that God (their God) loves blacks and hates whites .. Therefore this church represents hate and racism and that makes Wright and Obama racists and hate mongers. I do not consider that this is a religion to be honest it represents to me social and political insurrection.

im sorry to say but do believe he is a muslin also his preacher is a insult on his church. he doesnt like white people and is a biget obama should had left that church a long time ago // Americans better wake up and see whats going on and not put obama in office . He seems to be a nice guy but dont trust him.

Hi, I saw all the attacks against Obama. I feel truly sorry for all the Christians than who waste time trying to convert Muslims to Christian. Why? Well according to all the hate mongers here... even if a person accepts Christ and gets baptized in a Christian church and publicly declare they are a Christian... they are still a Muslim. I guess this applies to Catholics who also convert. Since most Catholics are baptized as Infants. I guess my mother should be informed that she can't be a Baptist or Pentecostal if she would like. Because her parents were Catholics and baptized her as a Catholic...she must be one forever with or with out her choosing.

I hope that the above statements help all of you to see how foolish you sound when you deny a person the right in America of all countries to choose their own religious following.

I also, wish those who fear Obama, would simply admitt that they would fear him just the same as if he were the son of a well known Baptist Preacher. Why? Because they must first acknowledge their fear and hatred of blacks and non-whites inorder for us to begin an intelligent dialouge regarding Obama's run for the democratic nomination.

The facts are that Americans have been voting for So called White Christian men since the founding of this country. However, no one is actually any better off. So, Obama can't do anything more or less than what the others have done. In another sense he could actually make things better. However, you would have to get past your bigotry to begin make sense of what it means. So, I hope all the haters will vote for John McCain and get the lesson you did not learn from Bush. Perhaps then you will start to vote for your well being and not for the sole purpose of keeping the White house White! That hasn't gotten white people and everyone else who is a citzen of equal rights in this country a damn thing!!!!!!!

One last thing since White Women are having fewer babies these days and many don't even want to be mothers... the other percentage are having mixed race children. Get the hint... Whites will soon be the minority race in the US. You will then want to be friends with all the people you now hate. I hope they will show you mercy and forget about the many hateful statments hateful whites have made here today! Peace

Tell me - I got an e mail today with a enlightening idea - the story pertained to Kenya and that Obama has long been a champion of the strong over the weak in that country with what was described as a group called "friends of Obama" burning churches in the area and the people in them burned alive.
His real name being: Hassien Muhamud Obama
True or False - DO YOU THINK?? ANY WAY TO PROVE SUCH A THING?? LOVELY ONE

Barack Hussein Obama says he is
a Christian,his children were
baptise in his church but not him!Is he a muslim or not

Hussein Obama, the president of the U.S.? That seems both frightening and laughable. He has no substantial experience expected of a legitimate candidate. He has an obvious lack of credibility. (He denies his Muslim ties, which is not a problem regarding religion, but rather questions what he is hidding/and why.)

If he were of any other race(he self-identifies with the struggle of the black man, so I assume he is black until it is politically advantagous to be white), we would not even be having a conversation about the legitimacy of his campaign. If Obama were white, he would not be considered for the nomination, but politics as usual comes to play and he gets the affirmative action pass for election. If one really looks at his nearly 130 "present" votes, it becomes easy to see that he has made no real stand for anything. That is scarier than even McCain with his open borders mentality.

The scariest thing about Hussein is that seems to have blinding Messiah-like calling to his flock of lemmings. If you have ever tried to reason with an Obama supporter, you know how truly frustrating it is. Between wanting to ask what medications they are currently on and getting past the dull, hopeful stare in their eyes, there is a point when you give ontrying to reason and opt for a reality slap. Anyway, it seems pointless to argue with them. Whether they see him as the great Black Messiah, the vote of redemption for all the guilt over slavery (which happened before anyone living today was even born.), or perhaps just Democrat(Communist sub-affiliate)party loyalty; these people are lost to the cognitive disability that is an Obama supporter. Mourn them and pray that they do no harm. They know not what they do.

I like many Democrats in the USA do believe soon to be president Obama that he is not a muslim. He was however raised a muslim and to the world of Islam, he is to be called an apostate, someone who has known Mohammed pbuh and Allah and turned his back on him. This is much worse than the Jews and Christians who have never truly known Islam and are considered uneducated. They would follow Islam had they ever known the truth of Islam, but they've never known it and so following other religions is considered a mistake, but not a grave violation. Apostates are to be considered the greatest of enemies and this is the basis for the conflict between the Sunni and the Shia Muslims. This infighting in Islam is confusing to many Americans, but is really quite simple. The UN pleas to the new Afghan government to spare the life of a muslim turned christian two years ago was evidence of this. We watched with baited breath while the death sentence imposed by the new "ally" of the US was examined the world over. We all went back to our busy lives when we heard his life was spared and he was just removed from the country. Apostacy is the gravest crime against Islam. We know soon to be president Obama will make the greatest efforts to cooperate with Islam of all the candidates on either side. Is that why no Imam has called him an apostate yet? Are the absolutely religious Muslims waiting for the benefit of his presidency to come to pass before he comes to the forefront of the religious Fatwa against Irtidad, the Arabic word for apostacy. Below is the details of how the religious Muslim world teaches it to their children. The Americanized Muslims are muslims that have chosen to live slightly away from Islam and they are the ones in this country that we non Muslims consider peaceful. They have a lot of guilt though, as we non Muslims do when we live slightly away from our religions. That's how the Mulim priests (imams) can guilt trip the Muslims into doing things we consider "Radical". Anyway...it's detailed below if you want to read it in somebody elses words.

The very notion of apostasy has vanished from the West where one would talk of being a lapsed Catholic or non-practicing Christian rather than an apostate. There are certainly no penal sanctions for converting from Christianity to any other religion. In Islamic countries, on the other hand, the issue is far from dead.
The Arabic word for apostate is murtadd, the one who turns back from Islam, and apostasy is denoted by irtidad and ridda. Ridda seems to have been used for apostasy from Islam into unbelief ( in Arabic, kufr ), and irtidad from Islam to some other religion. A person born of Muslim parents who later rejects Islam is called a Murtadd Fitri - fitri meaning natural, it can also mean instinctive, native, inborn, innate. One who converts to Islam and subsequently leaves it is a Murtadd Milli, from milla meaning religious community .The Murtadd Fitri can be seen as someone unnatural, subverting the natural course of things whose apostasy is a willful and obstinate act of treason against God and the one and only true creed, and a betrayal and desertion of the community. The Murtadd Milli is a traitor to the Muslim community, and equally disruptive.

Any verbal denial of any principle of Muslim belief is considered apostasy. If one declares, for example, that the universe has always existed from eternity or that God has a material substance, then one is an apostate. If one denies the unity of God or confesses to a belief in reincarnation, one is guilty of apostasy. Certain acts are also deemed acts of apostasy, for example treating a copy of the Koran disrespectfully, by burning it or even soiling it in some way. Some doctors of Islamic law claim that a Muslim becomes an apostate if he or she enters a church, worships an idol, or learns and practises magic. A Muslim becomes an apostate if he defames the Prophet’s character, morals or virtues, and denies Muhammad’s prophethood and that he was the seal of the prophets.

KORAN

It is clear quite clear that under Islamic Law an apostate must be put to death. There is no dispute on this ruling among classical Muslim or modern scholars, and we shall return to the textual evidence for it. Some modern scholars have argued that in the Koran the apostate is threatened with punishment only in the next world, as for example at XVI.106, “Whoso disbelieveth in Allah after his belief –save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with the Faith but whoso findeth ease in disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom.” Similarly in III.90-91, “Lo! those who disbelieve after their (profession of) belief, and afterward grow violent in disbelief, their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray. Lo! those who disbelieve, and die in disbelief, the (whole) earth full of gold would not be accepted from such an one if it were offered as a ransom (for his soul).Theirs will be a painful doom and they will have no helpers.”

However, Sura II.217 is interpreted by no less an authority than al-Shafi’i(died 820 C.E.), the founder of one of the four orthodox schools of law of Sunni Islam to mean that the death penalty should be prescribed for apostates. Sura II.217 reads: “… But whoever of you recants and dies an unbeliever , his works shall come to nothing in this world and the next, and they are the companions of the fire for ever.” Al-Thalabi and al -Khazan concur. Al-Razi in his commentary on II:217 says the apostate should be killed.

Similarly, IV. 89: “They would have you disbelieve as they themselves have disbelieved, so that you may be all like alike. Do not befriend them until they have fled their homes for the cause of God. If they desert you seize them and put them to death wherever you find them. Look for neither friends nor helpers among them…” Baydawi (died c. 1315-16), in his celebrated commentary on the Koran, interprets this passage to mean: “Whosover turns back from his belief ( irtada ), openly or secretly, take him and kill him wheresoever ye find him, like any other infidel. Separate yourself from him altogether. Do not accept intercession in his regard”. Ibn Kathir in his commentary on this passage quoting Al Suddi (died 745) says that since the unbelievers had manifested their unbelief they should be killed.

Abul Ala Mawdudi [1903-1979], the founder of the Jamat-i Islami, is perhaps the most influential Muslim thinker of the 20th century, being responsible for the Islamic resurgence in modern times. He called for a return to the Koran and a purified sunna as a way to revive and revitalise Islam. In his book on apostasy in Islam, Mawdudi argued that even the Koran prescribes the death penalty for all apostates. He points to sura IX for evidence:
“But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief Lo! they have no binding oaths in order that they may desist.”(IX: 11,12)

Hadith

Here we find many traditions demanding the death penalty for apostasy. According to Ibn Abbas the Prophet said, “Kill him who changes his religion,” or “behead him.” The only argument was as to the nature of the death penalty. Bukhari recounts this gruesome tradition:
“Narrated Anas:Some people from the tribe of Ukl came to the Prophet and embraced Islam .The climate of Medina did not suit them, so the Prophet ordered them to go to the (herd of milch ) camels of charity to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine).They did so, and after they had recovered from their ailment they turned renegades (reverted from Islam, irtada ) and killed the shepherd of the camels and took the camels away. The Prophet sent (some people) in their pursuit and so they were caught and brought, and the Prophet ordered that their hands and legs should be cut off and that their eyes should be branded with heated pieces of iron , and that their cut hands and legs should not be cauterised, till they die.”

Abu Dawud has collected the following saying of the Prophet:
“ ‘Ikrimah said: Ali burned some people who retreated from Islam. When Ibn Abbas was informed of it he said, ‘If it had been I, I would not have them burned, for the apostle of Allah said: ‘Do not inflict Allah’s punishment on anyone.’ But would have killed them on account of the statement of the Apostle of Allah, ‘Kill those who change their religion.’ ”

In other words, kill the apostates (with the sword) but certainly not by burning them, that is Allah’s way of punishing transgressors in the next world. According to a tradition of Aisha’s, apostates are to be slain, crucified or banished.

Should the apostate be given a chance to repent? Traditions differ enormously. In one tradition, Muadh Jabal refused to sit down until an apostate brought before him had been killed “in accordance with the decision of God and of His Apostle.”

Under Muslim law, the male apostate must be put to death, as long as he is an adult, and in full possession of his faculties. If a pubescent boy apostatises, he is imprisoned until he comes of age, when if he persists in rejecting Islam he must be put to death. Drunkards and the mentally disturbed are not held responsible for their apostasy. If a person has acted under compulsion he is not considered an apostate, his wife is not divorced and his lands are not forfeited. According to Hanafis and Shia, a woman is imprisoned until she repents and adopts Islam once more, but according to the influential Ibn Hanbal, and the Malikis and Shafiites , she is also put to death. In general, execution must be by the sword, though there are examples of apostates tortured to death, or strangled, burnt, drowned, impaled or flayed. The caliph Umar used to tie them to a post and had lances thrust into their hearts, and the Sultan Baybars II (1308-09) made torture legal.

Should attempts be made at conversion? Some jurists accept the distinction between Murtadd fitri and Murtadd milli, and argue that the former be put to death immediately. Others, leaning on sura IV.137,“Lo! those who believe, then disbelieve and then (again) believe, then disbelieve, and then increase in disbelief, Allah will never pardon them, nor will he guide them unto a way,” insist on three attempts at conversion, or have the apostate imprisoned for three days to begin with. Others argue that one should wait for the cycle of the five times of prayer and ask the apostate to perform the prayers at each. Only if he refuses at each prayer time is the death penalty to be applied. If he repents and embraces Islam once more, he is released.
The murtadd of course would be denied a Muslim burial, but he suffers other civil disabilities as well. His property is taken over by the believers, if he returns penitent he is given back what remains. Others argue that the apostate’s rights of ownership are merely suspended, only if he dies outside the territory under Islam does he forfeit his property to the Muslim community. If either the husband or wife apostasizes, a divorce takes place ipso facto; the wife is entitled to her whole dower but no pronouncement of divorce is necessary. According to some jurists, if husband and wife apostasize together their marriage is still valid. However if either the wife or husband were singly to return to Islam then their marriage would be dissolved. According to Abu Hanifa, legal activities such as manumission, endowment, testament and sale are suspended. But not all jurists agree. Some Shi’i jurists would ask the Islamic Law towards apostates to be applied even outside the Dar al -Islam, in non-Muslim countries.

Finally, according to the Shafites it is not only apostasy from Islam that is to be punished with death, but also apostasy from other religions when this is not accompanied by conversion to Islam. For example, a Jew who becomes a Christian will thus have to be put to death since the Prophet has ordered in general that everyone “who adopts any other religion” shall be put to death.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR,1948] states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”.

The clause guaranteeing the freedom to change one’s religion was added at the request of the delegate from Lebanon, Charles Malik, who was a Christian. Lebanon had accepted many people fleeing persecution for their beliefs, in particular for having changed their religion. Lebanon especially objected to the Islamic law concerning apostasy. Many Muslim countries, however, objected strongly to the clause regarding the right to change one’s religion. The delegate from Egypt, for instance, said that “very often a man changes religion or his convictions under external influences with goals which are not recommendable such as divorce.” He added that he feared in proclaiming the liberty to change one’s religion or convictions the Universal Declaration would encourage without wishing it “the machinations of certain missions well- known in the East, which relentlessly pursue their efforts with a view to converting to their faith the populations of the East”. Significantly, Lebanon was supported by a delegate from Pakistan who belonged to the Ahmadi community which, ironically, was to be thrown out of the Islamic community in the 1970s for being non-Muslim. In the end all Muslim countries except Saudi Arabia adhered to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

During discussions of Article 18 in 1966, Saudi Arabia and Egypt wanted to suppress the clause guaranteeing the freedom to change one’s religion. Finally a compromise amendment proposed by Brazil and the Philippines was adopted to placate the Islamic countries. Thus, “the freedom to change his religion or belief” was replaced by “the freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of his choice.” Similarly in 1981, during discussions on the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, Iran, under the new regime reminded everyone that Islam punished apostasy by death. The delegate from Iraq, backed up by Syria, speaking on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference expressed his reserve for any clauses or terms that would contradict the Islamic Sharia, while the delegate from Egypt felt that they had to guard against such a clause being exploited for political ends to interfere in the internal affairs of states.

The various Islamic human rights schemes or declarations - such as the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights (1981) are understandably vague or evasive on the issue of the freedom to change one’s religion, since Islam itself clearly forbids apostasy and punishes it with death. As Elisabeth Mayer says, “The lack of support for the principle of freedom of religion in the Islamic human rights schemes is one of the factors that most sharply distinguishes them from the International Bill of Human Rights, which treats freedom of religion as an unqualified right. The [Muslim] authors’ unwillingness to repudiate the rule that a person should be executed over a question of religious belief reveals the enormous gap that exists between their mentalities and the modern philosophy of human rights.” Islamic Human Rights Schemes are clearly not universal since they introduce a specifically Islamic religious criterion into the political sphere, whereas the UDHR of 1948 places human rights in an entirely secular and universalist framework. The Islamic human rights schemes severely restrict and qualify the rights of individuals, particularly women, non-Muslims and those, such as apostates, who do not accept Islamic religious orthodoxy.

As for the constitutions of various Muslim countries, while many do guarantee freedom of belief (Egypt,1971; Syria, 1973; Jordan, 1952) some talk of freedom of conscience (Algeria:1989), and some of freedom of thought and opinion (Mauritania: 1991). Islamic countries with two exceptions do not address the issue of apostasy in their penal codes; the two exceptions are the Sudan, and Mauritania. In the Sudanese Penal Code of 1991, article 126. 2, we read: “Whoever is guilty of apostasy is invited to repent over a period to be determined by the tribunal. If he persists in his apostasy and was not recently converted to Islam, he will be put to death.” The Penal Code of Mauritania of 1984, article 306 reads: “…All Muslims guilty of apostasy, either spoken or by overt action will be asked to repent during a period of three days. If he does not repent during this period, he is condemned to death as an apostate, and his belongings confiscated by the State Treasury.” This applies equally to women. The Moroccan Penal Code seems only to mention those guilty of trying to subvert the belief of a Muslim, or those who try to convert a Muslim to another religion. The punishment varies between a fine and imprisonment for anything up to three years.

The absence of any mention of apostasy in some penal codes of Islamic countries of course in no way implies that a Muslim in the country concerned is free to leave his religion. In reality, the lacunae in the penal codes are filled by Islamic Law. Mahmud Muhammad Taha was hanged for apostasy in 1985, even though at the time the Sudanese Penal Code of 1983 did not mention such a crime.

In some countries, the term apostate is applied to some who were born non-Muslim but whose ancestors had the good sense to convert from Islam. The Baha’is in Iran in recent years have been persecuted for just such a reason. Similarly, in Pakistan the Ahmadiya community were classed as non-Muslims, and are subjected to all sorts of persecution.

There is some evidence that many Muslim women in Islamic countries would convert from Islam to escape their lowly position in Muslim societies, or to avoid the application of an unfavorable law, especially Sharia law governing divorce. Muslim theologians are well aware of the temptation of Muslim women to evade the Sharia laws by converting from Islam, and take appropriate measures. For example, in Kuwait in an explanatory memorandum to the text of a law reform says: “Complaints have shown that the Devil makes the route of apostasy attractive to the Muslim woman so that she can break a conjugal tie that does not please her. For this reason, it was decided that apostasy would not lead to the dissolution of the marriage in order to close this dangerous door.”

Just to give you one recent example among many, others are discussed in my book, Leaving Islam Apostates Speak Out (Prometheus Books, 2003):
“A Somali living in Yemen since 1994, Mohammed Omer Haji, converted to Christianity two years ago and adopted the name "George." He was imprisoned in January, 2000 and reportedly beaten and threatened for two months by Yemeni security police, who tried to persuade him to renounce his conversion to Christianity. After he was re-arrested in May, he was formally put on trial in June for apostasy, under article 259 of Yemen's criminal law. Haji's release came seven weeks after he was given a court ultimatum to renounce Christianity and return to Islam, or face execution as an apostate. Apostasy is a capital offence under the Muslim laws of "sharia" enforced in Yemen. After news of the case broke in the international press, Yemeni authorities halted the trial proceedings against Haji. He was transferred on July 17 to Aden's Immigration Jail until resettlement could be finalized by the UNHCR, under which Haji had formal refugee status. One of the politicians who tabled a motion in July 2000 in the British House of Commons was David Atkinson. “Early Day Motion on Mohammed Omer Haji. That this House deplores the death penalty which has been issued from the Aden Tawahi Court in Yemen for the apostasy of the Somali national Mohammed Omer Haji unless he recants his Christian faith and states that he is a Muslim before the judge three times on Wednesday 12th July; deplores that Mr Haji was held in custody for the sole reason that he held to the Christian faith and was severely beaten in custody to the point of not being able to walk; considers it a disgrace that UNHCR officials in Khormaksar stated they were only able to help him if he was a Muslim; and calls on the British Government and international colleagues to make representations immediately at the highest level in Yemen to ensure Mr Haji's swift release and long-term safety and for the repeal of Yemen's barbaric apostate laws.”

Amnesty International adopted Haji as a prisoner of conscience in an "urgent action" release on July 11, 2000 concluding that he was "detained solely on account of his religious beliefs”. The government of New Zealand accepted Haji and his family for emergency resettlement in late July after negotiations with the Geneva headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However charges of apostasy, unbelief , blasphemy and heresy whether upheld or not clearly go against several articles in UDHR of 1948 , and the legally binding International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR] of 1966 to which 147 states are signatories. General comment No 22, adopted by the UN Human Rights Commission at its 48th session (1993) ( HRI/GEN/1/Rev.6 of 22 May 2003 , pp.155-56 ) declares (quote):“Article 18 protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The term “belief” and “religion” are to be broadly construed”.

As with my statement to the U.N. Human Rights Commission delivered by the President of the IHEU, I urge the U.N. Human Rights Commission to call on all governments to comply with applicable international human rights instruments like the ICCPR and to bring their national legislation into accordance with the instruments to which they were a party , and forbid fatwas and sermons preaching violence in the name of god against those holding unorthodox opinions or those who have left a religion.

My friend, Does your imposition create a polarized view of your world. A gut feeling is not a responsible position to take on matters of such high importance. A roll of the dice or a lottery ticket has one fundamentally wrong principle...a great number of people have to loose for you to win. Get it? So, given the poor choices we have at this point, let us be more poised to choose based on the running mate Mr. Obama chooses. I am looking forward to seeing how God will play this out. I can tell you one thing for sure. Based on your accusing and defensive interpretation of the current affairs in politics, your emotions could lead you astray. When you think about the contribution of black men in this country you have a good reason to believe that he has the deck stacked up against him. Well, not quite. It has more to do with the nation's perception of his integrity and genuine convictions. These have currently been the focus of attention on him. The same goes for Hillary. Such hearts are not bound to find grace in the presence of The Lord. By their fruit you shall recognize them... If you can think for a moment, This country was founded by moral, ethical, and faith in God. Blessings for those who believe. No guarantees for those who don't believe. Believe in what? That you are Loved by a merciful and loving creator. He made Mr. Obama and Hillary the same. Black and White. Now see The Truth before you. Can you see why at this time, The Lord Jesus Christ, whether you beleieve in Him or not is putting our hearts as a nation to the test? Have you found yourself passing or failing this test? Think about what you said. "She is a Liar."
All government will be the dominion of God and we are not to judge the person that comes before us because that is ultimately the sole right of God almighty. Before you throw the stone, see that you yourself are not guilty of sin. Read thoroughly in your Bible (GET ONE) and know what God's will is and in particular what he wants from and for you. Jesus said, "in this world, you shall find persecution; but, fear not for I have conquered the world!" Yes He did! He paid the price for your sins when he was crucified and rose from the dead. You too will rise from the dead in everlasting life if you believe that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son and whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but will have Life eternal. Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No other way to Live or be in the presence of God. Leave aside the pain and persecution issues and get on with the real issue. God is to whom you should open your heart. People will find a candidate to Idolize... Idolatry is a mortal Sin. I have only love for you my friend. May your spirit be lifted up. Peace and prosperity be unto you and your family. Your friend, Ronald.

Is Barrack a what? ok;is Hillary a liar? Yes she is;is Hillary a lesbian? well everybody knows she is a Liar;well that runs in the family right?But what is behind all this? why don't you people open your heart and be sincere? Obama is a black man;a negro;and this country does not accept that racism is the main reason why all this digging in Mr Obama's life.Well like it or not;he is the next president;got it?

Obama is a very good man. Is your father the
anti-christ, or are you a Muslim. Are you racist? What GOD do you pray to? Who told you
you are better than other people fool? Maybe
if you do a DNA test you might find out who you
really are. Even when you really research about
how this world got started you would not speak
negatives you know nothing about. Any minister
will tell you where the GARDEN of Eden is near
Euphrates and Tigris Rivers Met. I do not hate
a soul, GOD is love. If you do not love your
brothers then GOD will not love you. I love
everything GOD made period so, don,t hate. In
closing, really read the OLD TESTIMENTS, it will lead you to the truth.

I am sick and tired of the untruths and attacks on Barrack Obama. It is obvious he is not a Muslim so the only reason this is continued is to create doubt about the best person we have had run for president in a long time. Even if he were a Muslim this should not be a deterrent to vote for him for president or any other office. The constitution of the United States gurantees freedom of religion and a person should be judged for his ability to lead not his religion.

How do you think the United States citizens that are truly Muslim feel when they see these ads and statements made. The Muslim religion is not the problem, it is the radical segment of the religion. If we think back in history the Christian Religion hasn't always been so pure and has done some horrific things to people.

When will we grow up to the point that we judge people for who they are and not their religion or race. Although I support Obama for other reasons other than his race or religion, electing him president of the United States would go along way toward creating a better and more open society.

I read your comment and I began to wonder whether half of those items were true, half-true, misunderstandings or rumors. The burden of proof is squarely on you. My suggestion: Rather than create a huge comment here, post your evidence -- thoroughly sourced -- as a blog item and link to it from here.

Number 5, for instance. Are you sure Obama wasn't referring to his grandmother on his mother's side? The context of the "lie" you are trying to refute is important.

Number 13, on Ebony, is another one. Needs context and specificity. Where's the direct quote from Obama? Where's the Ebony article questioning or refuting the quotation?

Same with number 14 on Life magazine. Where's the quote? What's the context?

I could go on. Bottom line: You need to be very, very careful when throwing around the word LIAR. I seem to recall reading something, somewhere about bearing false witness. But if you've done your research, then present your sources, give us the context, and let the readers evaluate whether your charges hold up.

read the posts.. I was ASKED TO POST THIS and yes I have done lots of research on my own.. and try to post factual information.. If someone disagrees they can do their own research.. if I posted all the links it would be 10 pages long..