Submitted by Josh Bernatchez, Jul 29, 2008 18:16

I'm an agnostic in the Clarence Darrow sense of the word: I don't pretend to know all the secrets of existence, but if I were sure the there were a wrathful, malevolent, vindictive entity like the God described in the Torah or the Bible, I would still refuse to worship such a being. I find religion largely distasteful because few people ask themselves what kind of deity it is they're worshiping before they go out and try to apply its poorly interpreted rules. Few people have any kind of faith that I admire. I also have no love of politicians, I doubt that most really put any stock in the idea of public service and I feel that one must distrust their sincerity. I am, however, an idealist. I have no place for religion in my life, but I hope that I'm not so arrogant that I can't work with and find good in people who do, even though we have different perspectives on our relationship to the world. If I were the praying sort, I would ask to help to be what I try to be, which is to be a person who, in spite of my faults and my failings and prejudices, manages to help give some space to things I think are good amidst all the things that are not. I don't think that's a shabby goal and it seems to me that, in the language of Christian theology, that is what Obama is asking. The idealist in me that hasn't yet given way to disillusionment and cynicism hopes that he is the kind of man who strives for the opportunity to do something good rather than, simply, to be elected. I'd prefer he were an atheist, but still I hope he proves to be half as good as he prays to be, but, even if he doesn't, I'm glad he has the sense to try. It's more than his predecessor did. Maybe Bush's prayer would have suited you more. I for one hope the next guy in charge is actually better and I hope people don't disqualify someone for being so arrogant as to try.

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