February 8, 2008 8:23 PM
Obama as Messiah
Tripp forwarded this to me with the subject line "I don't think Hillary can overcome this."
While this is a powerful piece of footage, I'm struck by the fact that it is devoid of substance. Completely emotion-driven - appealing to a place deep inside each of us that longs for a better world. Obama is undoubtedly charismatic and - as I pointed out months ago on my other blog - he certainly looks like he will take the White House because of the cultlike devotion he inspires in people who are looking for - well, as he says, change.
Though Obama's rhetoric and cadence seem inspirational, it's all very vague. Does anyone else find it alarming that he posits himself as a Messiah/Savior? It's not surprising, really: for leftists, politics is a replacement for religion and they are driven by the vision that they can create a paradise on earth (you have my word as a former leftist that this is true - and abortion is the sacred sacrament).
Obama, whether consciously or unconsciously, has positioned himself to appeal to this religious aspect - which is why though he doesn't say exactly what he wants to accomplish (other than change and hope) or how he will accomplish it, he awakens such fierce devotion in his followers. True believers are emotionally bound to their savior - which means that people who represent themselves this way can become dangerous. I'm not saying that Obama is dangerous, but he is in a dangerous position.
In The True Believer, Eric Hoffer analyzes how mass movements such as fascism and communism spread. "To be successful, these mass movements need the adherents to be willing to sacrifice themselves and others for the future goals. To do so, mass movements need to devalue both the past and the present. Mass movements appeal to frustrated people who are dissatisfied with their current state, but are capable of a strong belief in the future. As well, mass movements appeal to people who want to escape a flawed self by creating an imaginary self and joining a collective whole. Some categories of people who may be attracted to mass movements include poor people, misfits, and people who feel thwarted in their endeavors." (from a summary at Wikipedia).
I don't think there is much that could change the mind of anyone already committed to Obama. Add to that the excitement and momentum of his campaign as it continues to build and I think you have an unbeatable candidate. I was a young teen when John F. Kennedy ran. Obama's campaign reminds me of that, as well as of the Beatles' conquest of the hearts of America's youth shortly after his assassination (I was at their first concert in DC screaming so loudly I couldn't speak for a week afterward). Obama's candidacy reminds me of these events - as well as of the Reverend Moon. He is like a combination rock star/cult religious leader.
I was disappointed that Romney withdrew from the race. He has all my respect though, as he seems the only candidate who actually made decisions based on what was good for his country. McCain, in my opinion, is untrustworthy and narcissistic - he loves his image of himself as a "maverick." Though a year ago I admired Huckabee, watching him during the campaign I have thought him to be insincere and manipulative - almost Clintonesque - on many occasions. And as for the Clintons, I can hardly wait until they shuffle off the national stage, hopefully taking with them the era of personal dysfunction and psychodrama.
Now, I'm not really supporting anyone, just watching events unfold and reminding myself that in actuality what matters is not what's going on in the White House, but what's going on in my own. Yes, I know that just as the personal is the political, the political is the personal. But if I focused on my sense of utter helplessness in what appears to be the inevitable sweep of a very untried and inexperienced young man toward becoming our Commander in Chief, that could be debilitating.
So I have decided to begin praying every day for Obama, that if and when he assumes the Presidency that God would give him the wisdom he needs to head the executive branch of our nation. While I find his rhetoric eloquent but empty of substance, I have never sensed that it was insincere. I have never seen him take the low road in attacking his political foes. He seems to have good control of his campaign operatives as well, and they have followed his lead. No dirty tricks. No double talk.
So I am praying that God would give him substance and specific vision for the more positive direction for our country he preaches. I pray that he will be good defender. I pray that with his ascension to the Presidency, we will see the end of the victimization mentality in this country.
I am especially praying that Obama will come to respect life. He has boasted of being more pro-abortion than Hillary, and - though she argued with him for this dubious distinction - according to his record, he is right. I'm praying that God will use the spiritual leadership Obama claims in leading the Democratic party to "change the world" to recognize that true change begins with each of us. I pray he will himself find - and then lead others to find - more authentic spiritual bearings, bringing our country back to a place where we recognize that every human being is endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I am praying that he will lead his party back to the recognition that those rights - as our founding fathers wrote - are ours through our Creator and not granted by the state nor by a mother who has "the freedom to choose." I am praying that Obama will recognize and shine the light of truth on black genocide in this country and on Planned Parenthood's eugenic roots.
I am praying that he will not just preach about a better world but will be unafraid to confront our nation about where we began to depart from an ethic of sacrifice and service while careening toward self-aggrandizement and self-destruction.
No matter where you are on the political scale, I invite you to begin praying too.
Posted in Current Affairs, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink
Comments
One can certainly pray that Obama will
expose the black genocide problem
but that seems highly unlikely, given
his refusal to allow the Born Alive Infant
Protection measure to have a hearing in
Illinois. Townhall's Terry Jeffrey writes
that Obama is the most pro-abort candidate
ever.
Posted by: Leslie Hanks | February 8, 2008 10:05 PM
Good insight and information. I've noticed the way leftists tend to substitute politics for religion, and preach the gospel of utopia. I've noticed Obama's charisma, preacher-like cadence (with MLK references), and the zeal of his followers. I just hadn't quite reached the full realization of how much he himself really is positioned as a Messiah. Wow.
While the vague appeal to hope, change and a better world can't help but resonate with the longing for Heaven placed within me, the thought of Obama as President has produced a profound alarm in my spirit for many months, particularly when I hear him speak about Iran and the Middle East.
Thank you for the reminder and call to pray! What God wills, He wills. Sitting with this ominous sense doesn't do any good, but praying does. And you're so right, God ruling our hearts is more important than who rules the nation.
Your wrist must be feeling a little better to type such a long post. =)
Posted by: marian | February 9, 2008 1:18 AM
I appreciated the last part of your post here. It can feel a little hopeless looking around at the candidates that are posed to take the White House, but praying puts the sense of power back where it belongs - in His hands.
As a side note, my husband looked over at me as I was watching the video and asked "what are you watching?" and I asked why and he said "it sounds cultish." :)
Posted by: Laura | February 9, 2008 7:44 AM
How can you even argue against something like that? Change, Hope, Yes We Can. It's all so vague. And I love-LOVE-how all these rich celebrities, of all colors and sexes and religions (or non religions), are talking about a need for change in our country. Scarlett Johanson probably spends more on makeup, hair, and spa treatments in a month than what some people they're talking about,some people who read this blog, make in six months.
All I know about Barak at this point is that, according to his voting record, he is the most liberal senator in the senate. He is rabidly pro-choice, and he's going to save us all. That last part is what I can't quite figure out. The news media is doing nothing to tell us anything about this man. I guess that will happen closer to the general election--I hope at least.
Posted by: Alison | February 9, 2008 8:49 AM
I've seen this video as well and you've put into words exactly how I was feeling after I saw it. I was left wondering, Yes, we can, WHAT exactly. Because I certainly did not know.
On another note, I just found your blog and love it! I can't wait to try your Montessori ideas with my 3 YO. I am making her a reading nook today and I love the idea about hanging pictures at her level.
Posted by: Christine | February 9, 2008 10:23 AM
You're right Alison -
except, as my daughter Sophia noticed, there are no Asians in the video.
barbara
Posted by: barbara | February 9, 2008 11:25 AM
Wonderful thoughts!
Obama (& his chief cheerleader Oprah) = evidence of the emptiness of our culture. The United States of Entertainment, it is shameful.
My prayer each day is that my children and grandchildren can grow up and be able to celebrate what is truly special about this great nation. I will vote for the person who will uphold the Constitution and protect our borders from all threats domestic and foreign.
It is unfortunate that we have allowed the role of the Federal branch of our government to become so distorted.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: ohapizgud | February 9, 2008 6:17 PM
I call Obama's rhetoric "Hip Hope". I like what you've said and I will begin to pray too.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Jody
Posted by: Jody | February 9, 2008 7:01 PM
I loved your openness in your observation of our political news each day......"reminding myself that in actuality what matters is not what's going on in the White House, but what's going on in my own (home)".
Our prayers are "mighty for the pulling down of strongholds".......
(2 Corinthians 10:4,5) but if we are not watchful of our own homes and thoughts, how will we make a difference in our world?
As I find so often on your blog......Wonderful Words to Think on......
Bless you, Carolyne
Posted by: Carolyne | February 10, 2008 12:30 AM
What struck me about this rah-rah video was its striking resemblance to the Wizard, delivering his words through the hype-machine back at OZ. Fearing his own words, and their delivery, won't seem powerful enough...he amps them up to be delivered by another, more impressionistic face on a screen.
When you touch on the emptiness of the words, it makes me think of the pulling back of the curtain.
I hope we aren't all wishing to be back home after the election.
Posted by: Kelly | February 10, 2008 10:36 AM
http://www.thesoccermomvote.com/the_soccer_mom_vote/2008/01/on-king-obama-a.html
Posted by: angie | February 10, 2008 12:06 PM
Wow, that was an amazingly well done video. First of all, whoever writes Obama's speeches knows exactly what they are about. It is stirring, and emotive, and sends tingles down ones spine. 6 or so years ago that video alone probably would have had me as an Obama supporter. I mean, how can you argue against such goodness as changing the course of America (as almost everyone wants something to change) and desiring hope for all. But, as has been pointed out, changed to what? Hope for what? Do I think the country has been run perfectly for the past 8 years? No. Nor do I think it has been run perfectly ever. There is of course always room for improvement. Change for the sake of change though is not necessarily improvement. Hope in something without substance (or perhaps a substance which is poisonous) is not hope. It is death. Do I think Obama could be a good president? Perhaps. The fact of the matter is, I'd have to know what he stands for, not just that he is captivating. He certainly seems like he could be a powerful leader for the nation, but I'd just like to know where he would lead us.
Posted by: Tiffany | February 10, 2008 10:21 PM
If your main concern, beyond human life and the family, is the war in Iraq, you have a choice between Alan Keyes (who is for it) and Ron Paul (who opposes it). Both are pretty honest people who have enough ego strength not to compromise on principle.
Posted by: Fr. Larry Gearhart | February 11, 2008 1:46 PM
Obama can speak but you said it yourself he is "devoid of substance" but I'm even more concerned that he thinks he is a savior.
No thanks Barack Hussein Obama.
BTW, did you see the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl this year?
The media and Las Vegas said the Patriots were supposed to win hands down, BUT Eli Manning, the Giants defense, and God said otherwise.
Real conservative voters should NOT SETTLE for second best or vote for the most likely to win candidate. The liberal media wants McCain to win - does that tell you anything?
Please remember to vote your values tomorrow, February 12th.
Stand up and vote for Faith, Family, and Freedom.
VOTE FOR MIKE HUCKABEE
Read more at http://www.virginiansforhuckabee.org
Posted by: Veteran Voter | February 11, 2008 2:36 PM
I've been a bit alarmed by the cultlike devotion to Obama for a couple of weeks now, which inspired me to pick my copy of The True Believer back up and re-read it. I decided to google "obama mass movement" and it brought me here. Needless to say I feel a little less nutty to see that I'm not the only one who shares this concern. I'm happy I stumbled on your blog. :)
I thought I would share this quote from the end of the first chapter:
"When hopes and dreams are loose in the streets, it is well for the timid to lock doors, shutter windows and lie low until the wrath has passed. For there is often a monstrous incongruity between the hopes, however noble and tender, and the action which follows them. It is as if ivied maidens and garlanded youths were to herald the four horsemen of the apocalypse."
Just thought i would share. :)
Posted by: marie | February 13, 2008 8:06 PM
