Religion Dispatches
Obama’s civil religion, like JFK’s and Bush’s before him, emphasizes the connection between God and American ideals. But Obama spoke not of “endowed rights” but of “God-given promise.” Rights are inherent in the creature while promises are to be fulfilled.
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Indignant responses to the Janet Jackson nipple slip and the somber post-9/11 halftime show reveal glimpses of the sanctity of this yearly ritual, but it’s also in the creation of icons, the reinforcement of rules, and Americans telling themselves stories about themselves.
Read MoreLike Lincoln, Obama has the ability to bring those of different creeds together under the American flag. But let’s hope obama doesn’t forget that genuine disagreements exist and that sometimes sides must be taken.
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