Barack's cross to bear?

By Nichole Christian - Detroit Free Press, Opinion
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Web Link
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August 11, 2008

While we are in principle a nation that keeps a bright line drawn between church and state, questions about Barack Obama’s religious faith will not fade into the background of this historic campaign. A new book calls it fair game. Should it be?

The New Yorker’s recent idiotic cover attempt at satire, of course, brought it front and center in the worst of ways. “The Faith of Barack of Obama,’’ out this month, will certainly set tongues to wagging anew. It's piqued my curiosity. (Below, you'll find a PDF link of the first 48 page provided by the book's publisher.)

I’m hoping the book will help me understand why Obama’s faith is so much more of a question than the beliefs of Republican John McCain. Where’s the equality?

I say bring on the full scrutiny of both, along with a civil discourse. I don’t believe nearly enough has been said, written or argued about where McCain stands.

Of course, the Obama religious debate centers on the M word: Is he, was he, and what would it mean for America to elect a man who has even the slightest ties to a faith other Christianity. I wish we could ask the question without somehow maligning all of Islam. There’s something so troubling to me about the corner one faith has been backed into. People of all faiths should know better. Or is it even possible to raise a fair debate without denigrating an entire religion?

"The Faith of Barack Obama" is written by Stephen Mansfield, the same author who questioned George W. Bush’s faith. I’m giving it a wide open read, reserving all judgment until the very last page.