Obama: No Religious Litmus Test

[struggle4progress]

By HENRY C. JACKSON
Associated Press
February 11, 2007 updated 7:45 pm EST

OWA FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Senator Obama of Illinois said Sunday he does not think voters have a litmus test on religion, whether evangelical Christianity or his childhood years in a largely Muslim country.

"If your name is Barack Hussein Obama, you can expect it, some of that. I think the majority of voters know that I'm a member of the United Church of Christ, and that I take my faith seriously," Mr. Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press.

"Ultimately what I think voters will be looking for is not so much a litmus test on faith as an assurance that a candidate has a value system and that is appreciative of the role that religious faith can play in helping shape people's lives," he said.

In the interview, Mr. Obama also said his race might be a "novelty" this early in the presidential contest, sparred with the prime minister of Australia over Iraq, and said he has a higher burden of proof with voters because of his relative inexperience. Obama formally announced his candidacy in Illinois on Saturday and made a beeline for Iowa, site of the first nominating contest next Jan. 14 ...

http://www.nysun.com/article/48414

[illinoisprogressive]

1. thanks for this great article.