WASHINGTON, D.C., June 5, 2007
Hillary: Faith Got Me Past Bill's Affair
Dem Candidates Talk About Role Of Religion In Lives And Politics
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Play CBS Video Video Hillary 'A Woman In Charge' Harry Smith speaks with author Carl Bernstein about his Hillary Clinton biography, "A Woman In Charge," in which he offers private revelations into the senator's very public life.
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Sen. Hillary Clinton credited her faith with sticking with her husband after learning of his infidelity: "I am very grateful that I had a grounding in faith that gave me the courage and the strength to do what I thought was right, regardless of what the world thought," she said. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Sen. Barack Obama warned against using the dichotomy of good vs. evil in explaining, or rationalizing, U.S. policy, such as our nation's treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. "It may lead us to be not as critical as we should about our own actions," he said. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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John Edwards said he doesn't feel his belief in evolution is inconsistent with his belief in Christ, and said as president he would not impose his belief system on the rest of the country. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Interactive Eye on Religion Find out more about the beliefs, practices and history of some of the world's major religions.
Clinton stood by her actions in the aftermath of former President Clinton's admission that he had an affair, including presumably her decision to stay in the marriage.
"I am very grateful that I had a grounding in faith that gave me the courage and the strength to do what I thought was right, regardless of what the world thought," Clinton said during a forum where the three leading Democratic presidential candidates talked about faith and values.
"I'm not sure I would have gotten through it without my faith," she said in response to a question about how she dealt with the infidelity.
The forum, sponsored by the liberal Sojourners/Call to Renewal evangelical organization, provided an uncommon glimpse into the most personal beliefs of Clinton and rivals John Edwards and Barack Obama. The three candidates were invited by Sojourners founder Jim Wallis; most of the other Democratic candidates appeared on CNN later Monday to discuss their faith.
The most intimate question came about the Clintons' relationship, one of the world's most debated marriages but one that the husband and wife rarely speak openly about.
Clinton said she's "been tested in ways that are both publicly known and those that are not so well known or not known at all." She said it's those times when her personal faith and the prayers of others sustain her.
"At those moments in time when you are tested, it is absolutely essential that you be grounded in your faith," she said.
Obama's appearance focused more on policy than the personal. Asked whether he agreed with President Bush's portrayal of the current global struggles in terms of good verses evil, Obama said there is a risk in viewing the world in such terms.
He said he believes that the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, were the result of evil. But he said that the United States' treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay is unjust.
"The danger of using good verses evil in the context of war is that it may lead us to be not as critical as we should about our own actions," Obama said to applause.
Edwards revealed that he prays — and sins — every day. The crowd gasped loudly when moderator Soledad O'Brien asked Edwards to name the biggest sin he ever committed, and he won their applause when he said he would have a hard time naming one thing.
"I sin every single day," said Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee. "We are all sinners and we all fall short."
Edwards, wearing a purple tie to match Sojourners' signature color, promoted himself as the candidate most committed to the group's mission of fighting poverty. He said he doesn't feel his belief in evolution is inconsistent with his belief in Christ and he doesn't personally feel gays should be married, although as president he wouldn't impose his belief system on the rest of the country.
"I have a deep and abiding love for my Lord, Jesus Christ," Edwards said, but he said the United States shouldn't be called a Christian nation.
He said he has been going to church since he was a child and was baptized as a teen. He said he strayed from his faith as an adult and it came "roaring back" when his teenage son died in 1996.
"It was the Lord that got me through that," Edwards said, along with both of his wife's cancer diagnoses.
Clinton acknowledged that talking about her religious beliefs doesn't come naturally to her.
"I take my faith very seriously and very personally," she said. "And I come from a tradition that is perhaps a little too suspicious of people who wear their faith on their sleeves."
Each candidate was given 15 minutes to appear before the packed auditorium at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium and a live audience on CNN. They were questioned by O'Brien and by church leaders across the country.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- My goodness, I would love to have the faith of some of you folk on here...
First of all you believe that there was nothing out there, and then all by its self this nothing exploded... WOW that is incredible...Man that is real faith, and then this nothing grew into dinosaurs, viruses, fish, plants etc,, of all sizes, they survived their disfuntions to grow over billions of years to end up with perfect functions of their organs and bodies, many just grew to help each other and without each other they die.. WOW.. this sure is a miracle, a miracle that the first to become alive out of all this nothing, acturally wasn't destroyed. They say that we came from an amoeba, is that true???... Oh perhaps some didn't evolve because are they still around...and just as they have done since the beginning of time, they seem to still be happy just dividing.. - Reply to this comment
"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side."
- Aristotle (384-322 BC)
au.org- Reply to this comment
- ttinsly.....There is no excuse to have the right to murder a child whether in the womb or not. How about governing your own attitude and desire to not harm someone else like your parents could/would not. I know it can be done as I have seen the most wonderful kids display better than noble attitudes, yet the parents......UGH!! Just forgive and forget the shortcomings of your parents and go on with your life. Set your soul to abtain an excellent goal and never give up. After all, to be an excellent Dad or Mom, the bad example of how not to be has already been made clear to you. Just don't do like they did and you'll do fine.....Besides, there are so many couples that long to have a child as they can't naturally. My father has adopted 6 kids after having 5 of his own.
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- Is this "faith" that helped her get through her husbands escapade the same faith that says to her it is all right to perpetuate the murder of innocent un-born girls and boys? And with no anesthesia either! Go and abort some cute little puppy dogs the way that they do and see how many years you get in prison!
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- I don't understand how people Of any nationality can always find themselves in position to see other people faults. No politician on this earth is to be trusted. That is my personal opinion. The good seems to have to suffer for the bad. To willingly put your life under scrutiny. I guess somebody has to do it. Personally, I will vote, but I have come to the conclusion, that government will do what they want regardless. So what their beliefs are in public is what they say it is and whether you want to believe it or not. Truly who knows - none of us live with the real politician. What you see is what you believe in the microwave generation. Judging needs to left up to God not man. All of us have shortcomings our are just not on display. How many women stay with cheating husbands? And who cares. It is their personal choice. So what Hillary is running for office she is still a woman not ready to leave her husband. Should she not be elected because of it? What is your area of weakness- question to the judger...
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- The Clintons are known for lying their way across politics posted mudrose 1:15 Have you ever read the book,"the American Dynasty" by Kevin Phillips. when it comes to lies and we are still being lied to. Please don't go there.
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- Hillary is a socialist posted by mudrose---Can you explain socialist, is it the way a person believes and therefore will put their beliefs in the way they lead a country sort of like Russia or something. Is it not the way we are living now please explain.
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- Religion will be a part of the campaign even though everyone knows that means nothing. It won't stop anyone from sc...rewing around, it won't stop anyone from lieing, stealing, or collaborating with whom ever it takes to get what ever it is they want done. Politicians, by their very nature, are not to be trusted, yet that's exactly what we base our votes on...who do we trust the most? It's a c..ra..p shoot people. Roll the dice and walk away. They all lack the strength to retain for even 2 years a shred of what ever integrity and moral conviction they may have the day before they are elected. The environment they are groomed in is a viper pit....which is why lawyers are so attracted to the field.
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- I take my relationship with God very seriously as well Mudrose but you have to admit we have seen people trying to shove down our throats there beliefs weather they are right or wrong to them it is the only way and honestly I am sick of it. Hillary's statement I think leads to just that answer she gave about the sleeve. I know about the Clinton's and I never said I was voting for her but I am listening and my God I better or I may have more years than I want with someone like Bush. I respect your opinion all I'm saying is listen without your beliefs interfering with their answers, that is what I'm trying and it is hard, an open mind.
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- Yeah but there's no way to win with you guys if you are her. If she doesn't comment on her faith, then she is a rabbid communist atheist. If she does, then she is a hypocrite.
Posted by ttinsly
Hillary is a socialist. I don't know what form of godship she worships. So if you wish to say she believes is something then so be it. I'm sure she does and I'm sure you can call it faith. But then it depends on how you interpret faith. - Reply to this comment
- Quit judging and listen, if you like vote for her if you don't DON'T vote for her just quit judging from your political belief and calling it Christian.
Posted by starleo146
The Clintins are known for lying their way across politics. They make it an art. So for anyone to ask her about faith is a joke only because it's a ploy to attract the religious base in this country. People can see right through her. The topic, of course, is always controversial and will remain controversial till the end of time for the endless distortions that is attributed to it. It is a topic that naturally lends itself to First Amendment debates and commentaries. In the end, Hillary has no more answered the question of faith as she has anything else. I take my faith very seriously and very personally," she said. "And I come from a tradition that is perhaps a little too suspicious of people who wear their faith on their sleeves." See, nothing. - Reply to this comment
- Reading all the posts on Hillary and the question posed to her, which I thought was way out of line, and what did it accomplish absolutely nothing . People have said for years what is she thinking and why is she still with him. That is what the question was all about, getting to that question it had nothing to do with the evening faith based subject . Why did they not ask a man that question. The people who dislike her didn't believe her even though this christian heart says JUDGE YE NOT is that not one of your scriptures you pure hearts. The rest who was embarrased for her said forgive them father they know not what they do. She is a woman and how dare she tread in a mans world, Right? Well men have had the lead in running this country for 200 years and look where we are why not try a new approach.Quit judging and listen, if you like vote for her if you don't DON'T vote for her just quit judging from your political belief and calling it Christian.
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- Accordingly to our constitituion, our liberties are all based upon the belief that our Creator has endowed us with certain inalienable rights and that the only legitimate purpose of government is to secure those God-given inalienable rights. Our nation was founded upon the belief that all individuals and nations must publicly acknowledge their dependence upon God for their liberties, lives, security and prosperity. Somehow, I doubt we will end up as the most free and prosperous nation the world has ever seen. Without our religious foundations, we have no freedoms and no inalienable rights. We become the victims of arbitrary rule by arbitrary, constantly changing rules - the very definition of tyranny.
- Reply to this comment
- Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
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Posted by processor2
Actually it wasn't Congress, it was the Supreme Court. However, Congress has the power to correct their flaws. - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
- Liberals only quote PART of the first amendment that deals with religion. Liberals conveniently leave off the part of the sentence that follows the comma.
HERE IT IS IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, OR prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
Hmmmmm
Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise thereof
.
Therefore, Congress passing laws prohibiting prayer in school or manger scenes is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
"make no law prohibiting the free exercise therof"
... - Reply to this comment
