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February 10, 2016
Title: The President and Religion: Does it Matter?
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Stephen Mansfield
with Stephen Mansfield www.StephenMansfield.TV
Part 1 of 2
Stephen Mansfield is the author of several books, including “Mansfield’s
Book of Manly Men”, “The Faith of George W. Bush”, “The Faith
of Barack Obama”, and “Lincoln’s Battle with God”. He has researched the Presidents’ faith, what it means to them, what it means to their Presidency, and what their faith means to the American people.
Stephen Mansfield reveals that religious Conservatives were the majority of the Iowa caucus. “That gave Republicans more of an edge.” Furthermore, half of all Americans want the President of the United States to share their faith.
In fact, Stephen discusses a recent study which showed: “Americans are looking for more discussion of religion…and more disclosure by the candidates.” More importantly, when a candidate talks about faith, they better be able to back it up. They can’t just talk the talk; they need to walk the walk. Listen in as he discusses the study in more detail.
Why are so many religious leaders torn between the various Presidential candidates? “The Evangelical movement has matured and is more diverse,” Stephen Mansfield believes. This is why it is so important for the average citizen to be informed and involved in the political process – to make their own decision based on research and fact. Don’t simply follow a leader. Be a leader!
Now about Bernie and Hillary…..
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Title: Part 2 of 2 - The President and Religion: Does it Matter?
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Stephen Mansfield
with Stephen Mansfield www.StephenMansfield.TV
Stephen Mansfield’s newest book, “Ask
the Question: Why We Must Demand Religious Clarity from Our Presidential
Candidates”, is the topic
of discussion for this second segment. Stephen believes that
religion and faith will be the most important issue among many voters this year.
“Everyone except Bernie Sanders is in some way a Christian and in some way
strongly faith-based in their politics,” he says.
Stephen discusses JFK and why many people opposed his Presidency. He was
Catholic and some were concerned about where his “duty” fell: to the church or
to America. Whether or not a President will allow their religion to take over
America isn’t so much of an issue now. However, according to Stephen, what we
are concerned about now is this: the individual views of each candidate.
Stephen says that we need to make a clearer picture of religion and politics. “We
must begin to ask mature, non-angry questions of the candidates.” He urges
everyone – moms, dads, teens, college kids – to use social media to ask
questions. Use hashtags on Twitter. Comment on Facebook posts. Even sending a
good old-fashioned email works! Let the candidates know what your concerns are.
Secondly, Stephen says that we cannot give religion and faith a pass when it
comes to candidates, especially the President. “When we do that, we make
religion a co-President in the oval office,” he says. We cannot simply turn
the other way when they say one thing when they are running for office and do
another once elected. After all, what is done in America is usually emulated
around the world. It’s time we got back to root of our foundation.
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July 14, 2015
Title: The Comforter-In-Chief
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
Part 1 of 2
Please keep an open mind and an open heart when listening to these two
segments, no matter what your preconceived opinion may be.
President Obama’s religious faith is often misunderstood.
Is he a Muslim? Is he
a Christian? Does he affiliate with a specific type of religion at all? Over the
past six years, Obama has been called on numerous times to unify and encourage
our nation in times of great sorrow. The latest display was the eulogy he gave
for Pastor Clementa Pinckney, who pastored the church in Charleston where eight
others were murdered.
Professor Gary Scott Smith has researched and written about the faith of many of our Presidents in an
attempt to better understand them and their political tendencies. Today, he is
here to discuss President Obama’s faith and the common misconceptions about what
he believes.
Professor Smith says, “Every President tries to influence voters and Congress
and the press. They’re going to use every weapon at their disposal to achieve
that and religious rhetoric still carries weight with a lot of American people.”
But does Obama have too much influence from too many varieties of religious
leaders to have a clear head when it comes to faith in God?
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Title: Part 2 of 2 - The Comforter-In-Chief
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
Many Christians have begun
questioning President Obama’s Christian faith due to his support of homosexual
marriage and abortion, as well as his attitude toward social justice and equal
rights. He often cites God’s grace to humanity as the foundation of his faith.
Professor Smith explains how virtually every President has used God’s Word to
explain their political practices. But has President Obama gone overboard trying
to convince Christians that he is right?
You can learn more about Professor Gary Scott Smith
here.
You can orders copies of his books
here.
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May 21, 2015
Title: The Faith of the President of America
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
In February, we
celebrate the births of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two presidents
whose deep but somewhat unconventional faith has evoked great debate.
But, does the faith of a President really matter? Does it significantly affect
how they think, live, and govern? Concluding that it does not, most biographers
have treated presidents’ religious convictions as no more important than hobbies
such as collecting stamps or playing golf.
Professor Gary Scott Smith believes that the faith of a President does, in fact,
matter; it matters a great deal. “We should all pay close attention to the faith
of Presidential candidates…particularly asking them how their faith impacts
their policies and what they would do while they are in office,” he says.
Professor Smith also considers that a President’s active worship, prayer life,
time spent reading the Bible, church attendance, and the types of religious
leaders they consult greatly affect their decisions as a President. Prayer is
essential. Abraham Lincoln said that he was “driven to his knees many times by
not having anywhere else to go”.
America obviously does not have a “Pastor-In-Chief”, so the President often
becomes the beacon of life, light, and hope for the nation. The faith of a
President shows on his sleeve; it impacts the nation as a whole, no matter what
that faith may be.
To order a copy of Professor Gary Scott Smith’s newest book “Religion in the
Oval Office” on Kindle or hardcover, click [here].
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March 12, 2015
Title: The Faith of the President of America
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
In February, we
celebrate the births of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two presidents
whose deep but somewhat unconventional faith has evoked great debate.
But, does the faith of a President really matter? Does it significantly affect
how they think, live, and govern? Concluding that it does not, most biographers
have treated presidents’ religious convictions as no more important than hobbies
such as collecting stamps or playing golf.
Professor Gary Scott Smith believes that the faith of a President does, in fact,
matter; it matters a great deal. “We should all pay close attention to the faith
of Presidential candidates…particularly asking them how their faith impacts
their policies and what they would do while they are in office,” he says.
Professor Smith also considers that a President’s active worship, prayer life,
time spent reading the Bible, church attendance, and the types of religious
leaders they consult greatly affect their decisions as a President. Prayer is
essential. Abraham Lincoln said that he was “driven to his knees many times by
not having anywhere else to go”.
America obviously does not have a “Pastor-In-Chief”, so the President often
becomes the beacon of life, light, and hope for the nation. The faith of a
President shows on his sleeve; it impacts the nation as a whole, no matter what
that faith may be.
To order a copy of Professor Gary Scott Smith’s newest book “Religion in the
Oval Office” on Kindle or hardcover, click [here].
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July 11, 2007
Title: Religion and the 2008 Part One
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
Even though the Presidential Election is nearly 18 months away the contenders are vying for the Religious Vote. Is this the first time in history that religion may play an important part?
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Title: Religion and the 2008 Part Two
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)
Even though the Presidential Election is nearly 18 months away the contenders are vying for the Religious Vote. Is this the first time in history that religion may play an important part? Are the Democrats finding a 'true religion'?
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