Although secular society is supposed to be free from religion, it doesn’t take much examination to see evidence of much religious thought and sentiment. Consider the reactions of secular news reporters and broadcasters concerning the president.
"Barack’s appeal is actually messianic… he… communicates God-like energy… What if God decided to incarnate as men preaching ‘hope and change.’ And what if we… let them slip away, not availing ourselves… to be led by God!" (Barack’s appeal is actually messianic, Steve Davis, March 31, 2008, Journal Gazette).
"This is bigger than Kennedy. . . . This is the New Testament! I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don’t have that too often. No, seriously. It’s a dramatic event" (Chris Matthews, MSNBC, February 12, 2008).
"Does it not feel as if some special hand is guiding Obama on his journey, I mean, as he has said, the utter improbability of it all?" (Daily Kos, Sat Apr 26, 2008).
"Obama, to me, must be not just an ordinary human being but indeed an Advanced Soul, come to lead America out of this mess" (Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun Times, March 21, 2008).
"He is not operating on the same plane as ordinary politicians…the agent of transformation in an age of revolution, as a figure uniquely qualified to open the door to the 21st century" ([Former U.S. Senator] Gary Hart, Huffington Post February 13, 2008).
"He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh…Obama is, at his best, able to call us back to our highest selves" ("Obama’s Gift", by Ezra Klein. January 3, 2008).
"Obama has the capacity to summon heroic forces from the spiritual depths of ordinary citizens and to unleash therefrom a symphonic chorus of unique creative acts whose common purpose is to tame the soul and alleviate the great challenges facing mankind" ("Obama: On Toughness and Success in Politics by Gerald Campbell. First Things First, December 22, 2007).
[TBC: If so much adulation is accorded an earthly politician, imagine that generated in response to another leader who is prophesied to come. “And they worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Rev:13:4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?). "...and all the world wondered after the beast" (Rev 13 :3).]
