Idle State

Firstly - I'd preface my comments with why am I interested in reading about the Faith of Barack Obama. Frankly, I'm not really interested in his particular brand of faith - but I am interested in what motivates people. On the other hand, I am enthusiastic about reading. Anything and everything I can get my hands on, no matter what. Thirdly, I do have a vested interest in the future of the free world since it tends of have an effect on my life, on the odd occasion, varying from subtle to profound. Like it or not, the President of the US influences lives in many other countries (So why is it that I'm not allowed to press the buttons on a dubiously programmed voting machine?)

Lastly, being Australian, the idea of religion being deeply married to politics is somewhat foreign to the public (and my) psyche - so it's an interesting window on to how the other side think. (Needless to say, having spent four years living in Islamic countries with the confluence of "church" and state has had me rethink some of these ideas. Arguably, these Islamic states have better and more respectful sociosphere than any the West has to offer - at a different price... but that's a whole other post.)

Having come to "The Faith of Barack Obama" from this angle - I found some of my quests satisfied but equally some (mostly those specifically about Barack Obama himself) confusingly unanswered - and in some cases raising doubt in my mind as to the man's ideology.

As far as actually reading the book is concerned - it was fluid and a fairly quick read - a few hours by the pool sorted that out. The book sets out to examine the influences in Barack Obama's life in a sort of mini biography. It's all well and good. Later chapters in the book compare Obama's faith with that of John McCain, Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush. This further cemented my impression that in the US the perceived backbone of faith for their President and Presidential candidates is a big-deal. Or is it hats and canes because Barnum is in town? There's clearly more there too - but you can read the book to find out.

Which brings me neatly to the biggest reason of my interest in this book. What drives Barack Obama? The book would suggest there is a great deal of thinking, contemplating and meditation on ideas going on inside Barack Obama. My contention would be that deep thinking leads to integrity. (Unless of course, you're Danny Ocean, in which case deep thinking has a completely different purpose.) So the depth of character and faith is there. The confusion starts in Obama's (advertised) position meld of many different lifestyle choices and religions - and it would seem to me that, at some point, trying to reconcile them all will be difficult at best.

I probably have to read this book again now - to solidify my thoughts a little.

Overall, well worth reading.