Even as Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama’s detractors have kicked off a widespread internet campaign to stain his image among Christian voters, alleging that he has tried to hide his Muslim identity.
Internet campaign alleging he is a covert Muslim fails to cut ice with the clergy
NEW DELHI: Even as Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama’s detractors have kicked off a widespread internet campaign to stain his image among Christian voters, alleging that he has tried to hide his Muslim identity, the Vatican and the Indian church seem least perturbed by it.
While the Vatican has maintained a studious neutral stand on the US presidential election, the Catholic church in India said it is not concerned about Obama’s roots, though some senior Vatican officials are not comfortable with the Illinois senator for his support to stem cell research, abortion, homosexuality etc. Church sources, however, said Obama has since moderated his stand on these controversial issues.
“We are not concerned about his roots, it’s his policies that matter. This is a global world and Christians live in many non-Christian countries as well. What’s important is an honest move to ensure religious freedom in all countries,” said Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) spokesperson Father Babu Joseph.
Maintaining that it is not unduly worried about the so called Islamic identity of Obama, a senior official of the Protestant church represented by Church of North India (CNI), who did not want to go on record, said CNI would welcome a president in the White House “who would have good relations with India, will not perpetuate atrocities or adopt a big-brother attitude, but will have cordial relations with the world, unlike George Bush.” Asked specifically if the church had a problem with Obama’s alleged Islamic roots, he said: “We Christians believe in transformation. If his transformation is genuine, the matter should end there.”
Obama has refuted the allegations, saying: “I’ve been to the same church for almost 20 years.”
k_benedict@dnaindia.net
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