Changes

This article examines the evidence concerning the former U.S. President [[Barack Obama]]'s religion.

This article examines the evidence concerning the former U.S. President [[Barack Obama]]'s religion.

==Evidence in favor of Obama being a Muslim==

==Evidence in favor of Obama being a Muslim==

Opinion polls taken in 2010 and 2012 showed that one in five [[America]]ns conclude that Barack Hussein Obama is a [[Muslim]].<ref name=pew13>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/Little-Voter-Discomfort-with-Romney%E2%80%99s-Mormon-Religion.aspx|title=Little Voter Discomfort with Romney’s Mormon Religion|date=July 26, 2012|accessdate=January 6, 2013|work=Pew Research Center|quote= Currently, 17% of registered voters say that Obama is Muslim}}</ref><ref name=pew10>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41248.html August 2010 Pew Research poll]</ref> '''''The following is a partial list of examples suggesting that Obama is a Muslim''''':

Opinion polls taken in 2010 and 2012 showed that one in five [[America]]ns conclude that Barack Hussein Obama is a [[Muslim]].<ref name=pew13>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/Little-Voter-Discomfort-with-Romney%E2%80%99s-Mormon-Religion.aspx|title=Little Voter Discomfort with Romney’s Mormon Religion|date=July 26, 2012|accessdate=January 6, 2013|work=Pew Research Center|quote= Currently, 17% of registered voters say that Obama is Muslim}}</ref><ref name=pew10>[https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41248.html August 2010 Pew Research poll]</ref> '''''The following is a partial list of examples suggesting that Obama is a Muslim''''':

[[Image:OBAMA MUSULMAN.jpg|right|thumb|'''Then-Senator Obama wearing traditional African garb''', a gift from his hosts while visiting Kenya<ref>[http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obama-wore-muslim-gear-during-kenya-trip]</ref> Obama was disappointed that even in his parental homeland, the native Kenyans seemed to extend "white privilege" to tourists and visitors.]]

[[Image:OBAMA MUSULMAN.jpg|right|thumb|'''Then-Senator Obama wearing traditional African garb''', a gift from his hosts while visiting Kenya<ref>[http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obama-wore-muslim-gear-during-kenya-trip]</ref> Obama was disappointed that even in his parental homeland, the native Kenyans seemed to extend "white privilege" to tourists and visitors.]]

*Obama pursued a foreign policy toward the Arab world that was so pro-Muslim that only a Muslim commander-in-chief could have authorized it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nikitas3.com/7000/obama-foreign-policy-pro-muslim-disaster/|title=Obama Foreign Policy is a Pro-Muslim Disaster|date=August 8, 2014|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref>

*Obama pursued a foreign policy toward the Arab world that was so pro-Muslim that only a Muslim commander-in-chief could have authorized it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nikitas3.com/7000/obama-foreign-policy-pro-muslim-disaster/|title=Obama Foreign Policy is a Pro-Muslim Disaster|date=August 8, 2014|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref>

*In a rare speeches from the [[Oval Office]], on Dec. 6, 2015 Obama devoted much of his 14-minute presentation to promoting [[Islam]] to the [[American]] people.

*In a rare speeches from the [[Oval Office]], on Dec. 6, 2015 Obama devoted much of his 14-minute presentation to promoting [[Islam]] to the [[American]] people.

*Obama said the Muslim call to prayer is "one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset," and recited "with a first-class [[Arabic]] accent" the opening lines: [[Allah]] is Supreme! ... I witness that there is no god but Allah ...."<ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=78309</ref>

*Obama said the Muslim call to prayer is "one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset," and recited "with a first-class [[Arabic]] accent" the opening lines: [[Allah]] is Supreme! ... I witness that there is no god but Allah ...."<ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=78309</ref>

*Obama said that "[[John McCain]] has not talked about [[my Muslim faith]],"<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw]</ref> in an interview with [[George Stephanopoulos]]. George Stephanopoulos—who had previously been a high-ranking Democrat in the [[Clinton Administration]]—then suggested that Obama change his answer to refer instead to "Christian faith."<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/07/obama-verbal-slip-fuels-his-critics/?page=all Christina Bellantoni, "Obama’s verbal slip fuels his critics", ''Washington Times'']</ref>

*Obama said that "[[John McCain]] has not talked about [[my Muslim faith]],"<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw]</ref> in an interview with [[George Stephanopoulos]]. George Stephanopoulos—who had previously been a high-ranking Democrat in the [[Clinton Administration]]—then suggested that Obama change his answer to refer instead to "Christian faith."<ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/07/obama-verbal-slip-fuels-his-critics/?page=all Christina Bellantoni, "Obama’s verbal slip fuels his critics", ''Washington Times'']</ref>

*Obama declared in prepared remarks, "The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country - I know, because I am one of them."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-By-President-Obama-To-The-Turkish-Parliament/|title=REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA TO THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT|date=April 6, 2009|accessdate=January 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>http://middleeast.about.com/b/2009/04/06/obama-in-turkey-at-the-gates-of-islam.htm</ref>

*Obama declared in prepared remarks, "The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country - I know, because I am one of them."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-By-President-Obama-To-The-Turkish-Parliament/|title=REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA TO THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT|date=April 6, 2009|accessdate=January 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>http://middleeast.about.com/b/2009/04/06/obama-in-turkey-at-the-gates-of-islam.htm</ref>

*He has said that "Islam can be compatible with the modern world."<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/id/145971 Barack Obama's Christian Journey | Newsweek Politics: Campaign 2008]</ref>

*He has said that "Islam can be compatible with the modern world."<ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/id/145971 Barack Obama's Christian Journey | Newsweek Politics: Campaign 2008]</ref>

*In early 2016, after issuing public statements praising Justice [[Antonin Scalia]] and the former [[First Lady]] [[Nancy Reagan]], President Obama attended a memorial service at the Supreme Court for Scalia but did not attend the [[Christian]] funeral services for either. Islam is unique among belief systems in disfavoring entry into a church.<ref>disfavors or even prohibits entering churches. [https://islamqa.info/en/111832] However, "[s]ome Muslim legal scholars assert that attending the funeral of a non-Muslim friend or relative can be wholly consistent with Islamic principles." [http://people.opposingviews.com/haram-attend-nonmuslim-funerals-7543.html]</ref>  

*In early 2016, after issuing public statements praising Justice [[Antonin Scalia]] and the former [[First Lady]] [[Nancy Reagan]], President Obama attended a memorial service at the Supreme Court for Scalia but did not attend the [[Christian]] funeral services for either. Islam is unique among belief systems in disfavoring entry into a church.<ref>disfavors or even prohibits entering churches. [https://islamqa.info/en/111832] However, "[s]ome Muslim legal scholars assert that attending the funeral of a non-Muslim friend or relative can be wholly consistent with Islamic principles." [http://people.opposingviews.com/haram-attend-nonmuslim-funerals-7543.html]</ref>  

*When Obama recited the [[Gettysburg Address]], he used a draft that omitted the words "under God," even though historical evidence is that Lincoln inserted and spoke those words.<ref>http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/why-president-obama-didnt-say-under-god-while-reading-gettysburg-address/355288/ - a [[liberal]] article providing an implausible excuse for Obama, as it commonly does</ref>

*When Obama recited the [[Gettysburg Address]], he used a draft that omitted the words "under God," even though historical evidence is that Lincoln inserted and spoke those words.<ref>https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/why-president-obama-didnt-say-under-god-while-reading-gettysburg-address/355288/ - a [[liberal]] article providing an implausible excuse for Obama, as it commonly does</ref>

*Obama's wife [[Michelle Obama|Michelle]] does not accompany him to Muslim nations because [[Sharia law]] would require her to wear a head covering as the wife of a Muslim man in a Muslim nation; on a presidential trip she was with him until [[France]], but then returned home.

*Obama's wife [[Michelle Obama|Michelle]] does not accompany him to Muslim nations because [[Sharia law]] would require her to wear a head covering as the wife of a Muslim man in a Muslim nation; on a presidential trip she was with him until [[France]], but then returned home.

*From ages six to 10, Obama lived in the [[Islam]]ic country of [[Indonesia]], where he attended a Catholic school and later a public school.  Fewer than 1% of Muslims convert to Christianity in areas with high concentrations of Muslims.<ref>http://www.religionnewsblog.com/17736/barack-obama-2</ref><ref>http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/sina31103.htm.  During the third and fourth grades, Obama learned about Islam for two hours each week in religion class, according to the LA ''Times''. [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.obama16mar16,0,1634059,print.story?coll=bal_news_nation_promo Campaign downplays his connection during boyhood in Indonesia, Baltimore Sun, March 16, 2007]</ref>  Although Obama attended a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] school while in Indonesia, he was a part of the Muslim society there.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012400371_pf.html</ref> But high Muslim retention rates are in areas with high concentrations of Muslims. In the United States, the retention rate for those raised a Muslim is 76%.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups]. Christian Post</ref> In addition, Obama spent most of his childhood in multicultural Hawaii. Presently, Hawaii has 5,000 or so Muslims — less than 1 percent of the state’s population.<ref>[https://apnews.com/d296daac0ed546b89e18dde2a6f87d12/travel-ban-challenge-puts-hawaiis-few-muslims-spotlight Travel ban challenge puts Hawaii’s few Muslims in spotlight]</ref>

*From ages six to 10, Obama lived in the [[Islam]]ic country of [[Indonesia]], where he attended a Catholic school and later a public school.  Fewer than 1% of Muslims convert to Christianity in areas with high concentrations of Muslims.<ref>http://www.religionnewsblog.com/17736/barack-obama-2</ref><ref>http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/sina31103.htm.  During the third and fourth grades, Obama learned about Islam for two hours each week in religion class, according to the LA ''Times''. [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.obama16mar16,0,1634059,print.story?coll=bal_news_nation_promo Campaign downplays his connection during boyhood in Indonesia, Baltimore Sun, March 16, 2007]</ref>  Although Obama attended a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] school while in Indonesia, he was a part of the Muslim society there.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012400371_pf.html</ref> But high Muslim retention rates are in areas with high concentrations of Muslims. In the United States, the retention rate for those raised a Muslim is 76%.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/study-atheists-have-lowest-retention-rate-compared-to-religious-groups-78029/ Study: Atheists Have Lowest 'Retention Rate' Compared to Religious Groups]. Christian Post</ref> In addition, Obama spent most of his childhood in multicultural Hawaii. Presently, Hawaii has 5,000 or so Muslims — less than 1 percent of the state’s population.<ref>[https://apnews.com/d296daac0ed546b89e18dde2a6f87d12/travel-ban-challenge-puts-hawaiis-few-muslims-spotlight Travel ban challenge puts Hawaii’s few Muslims in spotlight]</ref>

[[File:Dollard why believe Obama.png|thumbnail|right|300px]]

[[File:Dollard why believe Obama.png|thumbnail|right|300px]]

*Obama's middle name (Hussein) references '''Husayn''', who was the grandson of [[Muhammad]].<ref>A Brief History of The Fourteen Infallibles. Qum: Ansariyan Publications. 2004.</ref><ref>al-Qarashi, Baqir Shareef (2007). The life of Imam Husain. Qum: Ansariyan Publications.</ref> Only after Obama became politically ambitious did he declare himself to be a [[Christian]], yet he never replaced his [[Muslim]] name "Hussein" with a Christian one as some do when they undergo a religious conversion.  For example, when the Italian journalist Magdi Allam recently converted to Christianity, he took a new name: "Cristiano".<ref>http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=30814</ref>  When Saul became a Christian, he changed his name to "[[Saint Paul|Paul]]"; when the famous boxer Cassius Clay converted to [[Islam]], he took the Muslim name of [[Muhammad Ali]].  "It is common for those converting to a new religion to change their name on conversion"<ref>http://www.ukdp.co.uk/pages/religiousconversion.php</ref> or adopt a Christian name at [[baptism]].<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/christian-name</ref>  Obama also used his middle name when sworn in as President.  However, even if he were actually a [[Muslim]], he would ''not'' necessarily have to change his name according to Muslim tradition.<ref>.http://zawaj.com/articles/do-muslim-converts-have-to-change-their-names.html</ref>

*Obama's middle name (Hussein) references '''Husayn''', who was the grandson of [[Muhammad]].<ref>A Brief History of The Fourteen Infallibles. Qum: Ansariyan Publications. 2004.</ref><ref>al-Qarashi, Baqir Shareef (2007). The life of Imam Husain. Qum: Ansariyan Publications.</ref> Only after Obama became politically ambitious did he declare himself to be a [[Christian]], yet he never replaced his [[Muslim]] name "Hussein" with a Christian one as some do when they undergo a religious conversion.  For example, when the Italian journalist Magdi Allam recently converted to Christianity, he took a new name: "Cristiano".<ref>http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=30814</ref>  When Saul became a Christian, he changed his name to "[[Saint Paul|Paul]]"; when the famous boxer Cassius Clay converted to [[Islam]], he took the Muslim name of [[Muhammad Ali]].  "It is common for those converting to a new religion to change their name on conversion"<ref>http://www.ukdp.co.uk/pages/religiousconversion.php</ref> or adopt a Christian name at [[baptism]].<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/christian-name</ref>  Obama also used his middle name when sworn in as President.  However, even if he were actually a [[Muslim]], he would ''not'' necessarily have to change his name according to Muslim tradition.<ref>.http://zawaj.com/articles/do-muslim-converts-have-to-change-their-names.html</ref>

*Obama's unusual selection of [[Chuck Hagel]], a former Republican senator most sympathetic to Muslim positions in the Middle East, to be Secretary of Defense despite intense objections by both political parties. Iranian State Press approves of the choice.<ref>[http://freebeacon.com/iran-state-tv-praises-obamas-anti-israel-hagel-selection/ Iran State TV Praises Obama’s ‘anti-Israel’ Hagel selection]</ref>

*Obama's unusual selection of [[Chuck Hagel]], a former Republican senator most sympathetic to Muslim positions in the Middle East, to be Secretary of Defense despite intense objections by both political parties. Iranian State Press approves of the choice.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/iran-state-tv-praises-obamas-anti-israel-hagel-selection/ Iran State TV Praises Obama’s ‘anti-Israel’ Hagel selection]</ref>

*Obama seems to emotionally hold a Muslim view about Israel, in contrast with Americans who have been educated as Obama has.  Obama never visited Israel during his first term as president despite repeated criticisms of his failure to do so, he oddly waited many days before even mentioning the rocket attacks on Israel in late 2012, and he appears very uncomfortable even discussing issues related to Israel on television.  

*Obama seems to emotionally hold a Muslim view about Israel, in contrast with Americans who have been educated as Obama has.  Obama never visited Israel during his first term as president despite repeated criticisms of his failure to do so, he oddly waited many days before even mentioning the rocket attacks on Israel in late 2012, and he appears very uncomfortable even discussing issues related to Israel on television.  

*Obama stated that the ''Autobiography of [[Malcolm X]]'', which was co-written by Alex Haley, inspired him in his youth.<ref>For example, Obama writes in his own autobiography, "Only Malcolm X's autobiography seemed to offer something different. His repeated acts of self-creation spoke to me. The blunt poetry of his words, his unadorned insistence on respect, promised a new and uncompromising order, martial in its discipline, forged through sheer force of will. ... [E]ven as I imagine myself following Malcolm's call, one line in the book stayed with me. He spoke of a wish he'd once had, the wish that the white blood that ran through him, there by an act of violence, might somehow be expunged."[http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/04/does_obama_know_america.html] https://youtu.be/yeDuOR6vkLM</ref>

*Obama stated that the ''Autobiography of [[Malcolm X]]'', which was co-written by Alex Haley, inspired him in his youth.<ref>For example, Obama writes in his own autobiography, "Only Malcolm X's autobiography seemed to offer something different. His repeated acts of self-creation spoke to me. The blunt poetry of his words, his unadorned insistence on respect, promised a new and uncompromising order, martial in its discipline, forged through sheer force of will. ... [E]ven as I imagine myself following Malcolm's call, one line in the book stayed with me. He spoke of a wish he'd once had, the wish that the white blood that ran through him, there by an act of violence, might somehow be expunged."[https://www.americanthinker.com/2008/04/does_obama_know_america.html] https://youtu.be/yeDuOR6vkLM</ref>

*It was reported in 2008 that in 1996 then state Senator Obama hired several staffers belonging to the Nation of Islam.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/66167/#! Nation of Islam activists on Obama camp payroll, WND, June 3, 2008]</ref>

*It was reported in 2008 that in 1996 then state Senator Obama hired several staffers belonging to the Nation of Islam.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2008/06/66167/#! Nation of Islam activists on Obama camp payroll, WND, June 3, 2008]</ref>

*Obama raised nearly $1 million and campaigned for a [[Kenyan]] presidential candidate who had a written agreement with [[Muslim]] leaders promising to convert Kenya to an Islamic state that bans Christianity.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78324] Text of the agreement, as three images: [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78323]</ref>

*Obama raised nearly $1 million and campaigned for a [[Kenyan]] presidential candidate who had a written agreement with [[Muslim]] leaders promising to convert Kenya to an Islamic state that bans Christianity.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78324] Text of the agreement, as three images: [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78323]</ref>

*Obama's claims of conversion to Christianity arose after he became politically ambitious, lacking a date of conversion or baptism.<ref>In his book, Obama oddly claims to have been baptized without giving his age or date, and later gave a date that postdates his political ambition (1992); he is claimed to have joined the United Church of Christ in 1988.[http://www.ucc.org/barack-obama-candidate]</ref>

*Obama's claims of conversion to Christianity arose after he became politically ambitious, lacking a date of conversion or baptism.<ref>In his book, Obama oddly claims to have been baptized without giving his age or date, and later gave a date that postdates his political ambition (1992); he is claimed to have joined the United Church of Christ in 1988.[http://www.ucc.org/barack-obama-candidate]</ref>

*Obama required that a religiously affiliated college take the extraordinary action of concealing with wood the monogram "IHS", which represents the name of Jesus, during a speech by Obama there.

*Obama required that a religiously affiliated college take the extraordinary action of concealing with wood the monogram "IHS", which represents the name of Jesus, during a speech by Obama there.

*In 2007, while Obama was a candidate, the White House military office assigned him the [[Secret Service]] code name "Renegade".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061601079.html?hpid=topnews|title='Renegade' Joins Race for White House|date=June 17, 2007|work=Washington Post|accessdate=January 8, 2013}}</ref>  "[[Renegade]]" conventionally describes someone who goes against normal conventions of behavior, but its first usage was to describe someone who has turned from their religion. It is a word derived from the [[Spanish]] ''renegado'', which originally meant "Christian turned Muslim."<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3452281/Renegade-and-Renaissance-Obama-to-replace-Trailblazer-and-Tempo-Bush-in-the-White-House.html</ref>

*In 2007, while Obama was a candidate, the White House military office assigned him the [[Secret Service]] code name "Renegade".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061601079.html?hpid=topnews|title='Renegade' Joins Race for White House|date=June 17, 2007|work=Washington Post|accessdate=January 8, 2013}}</ref>  "[[Renegade]]" conventionally describes someone who goes against normal conventions of behavior, but its first usage was to describe someone who has turned from their religion. It is a word derived from the [[Spanish]] ''renegado'', which originally meant "Christian turned Muslim."<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3452281/Renegade-and-Renaissance-Obama-to-replace-Trailblazer-and-Tempo-Bush-in-the-White-House.html</ref>

*In the book ''Obama,"Renegade"'' his friends say that "he actually really wasn't much of a churchgoer." <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/06/16/wolffe-president-missed-rev-wright-s-racist-rants-because-he-wasn-t-much- Wolffe: President Missed Rev. Wright’s Racist Rants Because 'He Wasn’t Much of a Churchgoer'] NewsBusters.org, June 16, 2009</ref>

*In the book ''Obama,"Renegade"'' his friends say that "he actually really wasn't much of a churchgoer." <ref>[http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/06/16/wolffe-president-missed-rev-wright-s-racist-rants-because-he-wasn-t-much- Wolffe: President Missed Rev. Wright’s Racist Rants Because 'He Wasn’t Much of a Churchgoer'] NewsBusters.org, June 16, 2009</ref>

*On the 2008 campaign trail, Obama was reading "The Post-American World" by [[Fareed Zakaria]],<ref>http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=fa8cf1bf-2cc8-4d6e-b72d-a07d406e19ff</ref> which was a general discussion of US foreign policy that was on the non-fiction best-seller lists for weeks.<ref>http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-08-09/news/the-interpreter/</ref> Although Zakaria had Muslim ancestors, he is a non-Muslim educated at Yale with a Ph.D. from Harvard.

*On the 2008 campaign trail, Obama was reading "The Post-American World" by [[Fareed Zakaria]],<ref>http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=fa8cf1bf-2cc8-4d6e-b72d-a07d406e19ff</ref> which was a general discussion of US foreign policy that was on the non-fiction best-seller lists for weeks.<ref>http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-08-09/news/the-interpreter/</ref> Although Zakaria had Muslim ancestors, he is a non-Muslim educated at Yale with a Ph.D. from Harvard.

*Contrary to [[Christianity]], the Islamic doctrine of [[taqiyya]] allows adherents to deny they are Muslim if it would be dangerous not to.

*Contrary to [[Christianity]], the Islamic doctrine of [[taqiyya]] allows adherents to deny they are Muslim if it would be dangerous not to.

*Obama was thoroughly exposed to Christianity as an adult in [[Chicago]] prior to attending law school, yet no one at law school saw him display any interest in converting. Obama unabashedly explained how he became "churched" in a 2007 speech: "It's around that time [while working as an organizer for the Developing Communities Project (DCP) of the Calumet Community Religious Conference (CCRC) in Chicago] that some pastors I was working with came around and asked if I was a member of a church. 'If you're organizing churches,' they said, 'it might be helpful if you went to a church once in a while.' And I thought, 'I guess that makes sense.'"<ref>[http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=15363 Obama, ACORN, and the churches] SperoNews, October 7, 2008</ref>

*Obama was thoroughly exposed to Christianity as an adult in [[Chicago]] prior to attending law school, yet no one at law school saw him display any interest in converting. Obama unabashedly explained how he became "churched" in a 2007 speech: "It's around that time [while working as an organizer for the Developing Communities Project (DCP) of the Calumet Community Religious Conference (CCRC) in Chicago] that some pastors I was working with came around and asked if I was a member of a church. 'If you're organizing churches,' they said, 'it might be helpful if you went to a church once in a while.' And I thought, 'I guess that makes sense.'"<ref>[http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=15363 Obama, ACORN, and the churches] SperoNews, October 7, 2008</ref>

[[File:Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi in Dimashq.jpg|left|175px|thumb|''"I really endorse and support the policies that he has adopted,"''<br> [[Libya]]n leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] said of President Barack Obama<br> as reported by the<br> ''[[Washington Post]]''.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042604170.html ''Man's worst friend?''] By Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', April 27, 2010.</ref> Obama had Gaddafi murdered by jihadists<ref>http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/01/gaddafi_and_obama_one_of_them_was_fighting_islamist_terrorists_in_libya.html</ref> after Gaddafi betrayed Islam and forged an alliance with the infidel West.<ref>https://youtu.be/rpT7fJChBRo</ref>]]

[[File:Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi in Dimashq.jpg|left|175px|thumb|''"I really endorse and support the policies that he has adopted,"''<br> [[Libya]]n leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] said of President Barack Obama<br> as reported by the<br> ''[[Washington Post]]''.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042604170.html ''Man's worst friend?''] By Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', April 27, 2010.</ref> Obama had Gaddafi murdered by jihadists<ref>https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2016/01/gaddafi_and_obama_one_of_them_was_fighting_islamist_terrorists_in_libya.html</ref> after Gaddafi betrayed Islam and forged an alliance with the infidel West.<ref>https://youtu.be/rpT7fJChBRo</ref>]]

*Obama is mentioned as helping to organize the 1995 [[Million Man March]] led by black [[Muslim]] leader [[Louis Farrakhan]] from the [[Nation of Islam]].<ref>[http://www.nowpublic.com/world/obama-organized-farrakhan-s-million-man-march, Obama Organized Farrakhan’s ‘Million Man March’, NowPublic.com, April 2, 2008 ]</ref>

*Obama is mentioned as helping to organize the 1995 [[Million Man March]] led by black [[Muslim]] leader [[Louis Farrakhan]] from the [[Nation of Islam]].<ref>[http://www.nowpublic.com/world/obama-organized-farrakhan-s-million-man-march, Obama Organized Farrakhan’s ‘Million Man March’, NowPublic.com, April 2, 2008 ]</ref>

*Obama visited "more than one [[mosque]]" in [[Kenya]] while on a political trip there but did not visit any churches, although there are a large proportion of churches and even a National Temple in Kenya.<ref>http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2010/01/kenyan-delegation-visits-sderot-israel.html</ref>{{dead link}}

*Obama visited "more than one [[mosque]]" in [[Kenya]] while on a political trip there but did not visit any churches, although there are a large proportion of churches and even a National Temple in Kenya.<ref>http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2010/01/kenyan-delegation-visits-sderot-israel.html</ref>{{dead link}}

*Obama enjoyed a bigger increase in voter support in 2008 (compared to 2004) by Muslims than by any other voting group, including blacks;<ref>http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/2873/</ref> "Muslim turnout in the U.S. elections reached 95 percent, the highest Muslim turnout in U.S. history."<ref>http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/islamsadvance/2008/11/is_obama_the_muslim_worlds_sup.html</ref>

*Obama enjoyed a bigger increase in voter support in 2008 (compared to 2004) by Muslims than by any other voting group, including blacks;<ref>http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/2873/</ref> "Muslim turnout in the U.S. elections reached 95 percent, the highest Muslim turnout in U.S. history."<ref>http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/islamsadvance/2008/11/is_obama_the_muslim_worlds_sup.html</ref>

*Obama rarely attends church or has church services in the White House. "President-elect [[Barack Hussein Obama]] has yet to attend [Sunday] church services since winning the [[White House]] earlier ..., a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors."<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15902.html</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-obama-religion26-2008dec26,0,1910913.story</ref>

*Obama rarely attends church or has church services in the White House. "President-elect [[Barack Hussein Obama]] has yet to attend [Sunday] church services since winning the [[White House]] earlier ..., a departure from the example of his two immediate predecessors."<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15902.html</ref><ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-obama-religion26-2008dec26,0,1910913.story</ref>

*In 2009, Justice [[John Roberts]] failed to administer the [[oath of office]] correctly while Obama placed his hand on a Bible.  To avoid any claims that Obama was not the real President because of mis-stating the oath, Roberts dropped by the White House to re-administering the oath the next day, but no Bible was used for that private re-do of the oath. In 2013, the oath was administered properly while Obamas hand was on a Bible.

*In 2009, Justice [[John Roberts]] failed to administer the [[oath of office]] correctly while Obama placed his hand on a Bible.  To avoid any claims that Obama was not the real President because of mis-stating the oath, Roberts dropped by the White House to re-administering the oath the next day, but no Bible was used for that private re-do of the oath. In 2013, the oath was administered properly while Obamas hand was on a Bible.

*At the [[G-20]] summit in April 2009, Obama bowed deeply to [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] King Abdullah, a Muslim who is also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUif1--r38&feature=player_embedded Video of Obama bowing almost to King's waist]</ref> [[Image:Obamabow.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'''President Obama bowing to the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia''', Custodian of the Islamic Holy Places - April 2009]] Obama later stated, "We have to change our behavior in showing the Muslim world greater respect."<ref>http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/07/barack-takes-a-bow/</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71N34K9EVLU</ref> The White House denied it was a bow, and President Trump was put in a similar situation when the King presented him with a medal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/05/20/trump-mocked-obama-for-bowing-to-a-saudi-king-and-then-he/?utm_term=.c34da4a06d16|title=Trump mocked Obama for bowing to a Saudi king. And then he …|work=Washington Post|date=May 20, 2017|accessdate=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

*At the [[G-20]] summit in April 2009, Obama bowed deeply to [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] King Abdullah, a Muslim who is also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUif1--r38&feature=player_embedded Video of Obama bowing almost to King's waist]</ref> [[Image:Obamabow.jpg|thumb|right|250px|'''President Obama bowing to the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia''', Custodian of the Islamic Holy Places - April 2009]] Obama later stated, "We have to change our behavior in showing the Muslim world greater respect."<ref>http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/07/barack-takes-a-bow/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71N34K9EVLU</ref> The White House denied it was a bow, and President Trump was put in a similar situation when the King presented him with a medal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/05/20/trump-mocked-obama-for-bowing-to-a-saudi-king-and-then-he/?utm_term=.c34da4a06d16|title=Trump mocked Obama for bowing to a Saudi king. And then he …|work=Washington Post|date=May 20, 2017|accessdate=May 28, 2017}}</ref>

*In 2006, Obama gave an irreverent speech about using the Bible in public policy. It resembled a stand-up comedy act, with Obama making fun of the books of the [[Torah]], the [[Ten Commandments]], the [[Sermon on the Mount]] and other key Biblical passages.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmS_vULPxw</ref>

*In 2006, Obama gave an irreverent speech about using the Bible in public policy. It resembled a stand-up comedy act, with Obama making fun of the books of the [[Torah]], the [[Ten Commandments]], the [[Sermon on the Mount]] and other key Biblical passages.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmS_vULPxw</ref>

*In 2012, Obama participated in a $40,000 per plate fundraiser on [[Holy Thursday]], which many devout Christians would find to be inappropriate.

*In 2012, Obama participated in a $40,000 per plate fundraiser on [[Holy Thursday]], which many devout Christians would find to be inappropriate.

*On September 25, 2012, in his address to [[United Nations General Assembly]], Obama said that "'''The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam'''."<ref>FOX News: [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/25/transcript-obama-address-to-un-general-assembly/ Transcript: Obama address to U.N. General Assembly] (September 25, 2012)</ref> This outrageous comment was predictably ignored by the [[lamestream media]], but rightly highlighted by Conservative commentators.<ref>FOX News: [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/09/26/media-ignore-obama-attack-on-those-who-slander-prophet-islam/ Media ignore Obama attack on ‘those who slander the Prophet of Islam’] (September 26, 2012)</ref>

*On September 25, 2012, in his address to [[United Nations General Assembly]], Obama said that "'''The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam'''."<ref>FOX News: [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/25/transcript-obama-address-to-un-general-assembly/ Transcript: Obama address to U.N. General Assembly] (September 25, 2012)</ref> This outrageous comment was predictably ignored by the [[lamestream media]], but rightly highlighted by Conservative commentators.<ref>FOX News: [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/09/26/media-ignore-obama-attack-on-those-who-slander-prophet-islam/ Media ignore Obama attack on ‘those who slander the Prophet of Islam’] (September 26, 2012)</ref>

*Obama's spiritual mentor of 20 years, Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] explained in an interview "that Barack Obama was steeped in Islam when he first met him," <ref>[http://thenewamerican.com/component/k2/item/12165-obama-called-our-most-toxic-president?Itemid=667 Obama Called Our Most "Toxic" President, New American, July 20th 2012]</ref> and said he “made it comfortable” for Obama to accept Christianity without having renounce his Islamic background.<ref>[http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/05/jeremiah-wright-i-made-it-comfortable-for-obama-to-accept-christianity-without-having-to-renounce-islam/ Jeremiah Wright: I “Made It Comfortable” For Obama to Accept Christianity Without Having to Renounce Islam (Video Report), The Gateway Pundit, may 10, 2012]</ref>

*Obama's spiritual mentor of 20 years, Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] explained in an interview "that Barack Obama was steeped in Islam when he first met him," <ref>[http://thenewamerican.com/component/k2/item/12165-obama-called-our-most-toxic-president?Itemid=667 Obama Called Our Most "Toxic" President, New American, July 20th 2012]</ref> and said he “made it comfortable” for Obama to accept Christianity without having renounce his Islamic background.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/05/jeremiah-wright-i-made-it-comfortable-for-obama-to-accept-christianity-without-having-to-renounce-islam/ Jeremiah Wright: I “Made It Comfortable” For Obama to Accept Christianity Without Having to Renounce Islam (Video Report), The Gateway Pundit, may 10, 2012]</ref>

*[[Obamacare]] has a provision enabling groups that have a religious objection to the individual mandate and who have forfeited the benefits of Social Security (such as the Amish) to claim a religious conscience opt-out of the individual mandate.<ref>[http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5000A 26 U.S.C. 5000A (d)(2)(A)]; [http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/1402 26 U.S.C. 1402(g)(1)]; [https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110225035 "RM 10225.035 SSNs for the Amish and Mennonites (and Other Religious Exempt Communities)"]</ref>  Muslims would not be eligible for a religious exemption from the individual mandate,<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2010/04/137221/ Does your faith free you from forced Obamacare?]</ref> although other online commentators speculate that Muslims would be eligible for a religious exemption.<ref>[http://frontpagemag.com/2011/eric-burns/muslims-exempt-from-obamacare/ Muslims Exempt from ObamaCare? FrontPage Magazine, Oct. 14, 2011]</ref>

*[[Obamacare]] has a provision enabling groups that have a religious objection to the individual mandate and who have forfeited the benefits of Social Security (such as the Amish) to claim a religious conscience opt-out of the individual mandate.<ref>[http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5000A 26 U.S.C. 5000A (d)(2)(A)]; [http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/1402 26 U.S.C. 1402(g)(1)]; [https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110225035 "RM 10225.035 SSNs for the Amish and Mennonites (and Other Religious Exempt Communities)"]</ref>  Muslims would not be eligible for a religious exemption from the individual mandate,<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2010/04/137221/ Does your faith free you from forced Obamacare?]</ref> although other online commentators speculate that Muslims would be eligible for a religious exemption.<ref>[http://frontpagemag.com/2011/eric-burns/muslims-exempt-from-obamacare/ Muslims Exempt from ObamaCare? FrontPage Magazine, Oct. 14, 2011]</ref>

*Obama further impedes the Christian faith on gay rights, telling military chaplains a statutory provision that would allow military chaplains to opt-out of performing gay marriages is “unnecessary and ill-advised,” but he signed the bill into law anyway.<ref>[http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/obama-calls-conscience-clause-for-military-chaplains-ill-advised.html Obama calls Conscience Clause for Military Chaplains “Ill-Advised”, Fox News, January 3, 2013]</ref>

*Obama further impedes the Christian faith on gay rights, telling military chaplains a statutory provision that would allow military chaplains to opt-out of performing gay marriages is “unnecessary and ill-advised,” but he signed the bill into law anyway.<ref>[http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/obama-calls-conscience-clause-for-military-chaplains-ill-advised.html Obama calls Conscience Clause for Military Chaplains “Ill-Advised”, Fox News, January 3, 2013]</ref>

*On more than one occasion, Obama verbally attacks the economic livelihood of [[Las Vegas]] for unknown reasons, and Obama has also criticized state lotteries despite being heavily favored by most [[Democrats]]. The reason may be that [[gambling]] is forbidden in the [[Koran]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203169.html Lawmakers upset over Obama's 2nd anti-Vegas remark, WashingtonPost, February 2, 2010]</ref>

*On more than one occasion, Obama verbally attacks the economic livelihood of [[Las Vegas]] for unknown reasons, and Obama has also criticized state lotteries despite being heavily favored by most [[Democrats]]. The reason may be that [[gambling]] is forbidden in the [[Koran]].<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203169.html Lawmakers upset over Obama's 2nd anti-Vegas remark, WashingtonPost, February 2, 2010]</ref>

*Obama supports a military invasion of Syria.{{fact}} This would involve working with the insurgency, which includes [[Al Qaeda|Al'Qaeda]]. Al'Qaeda killed over 3,000 Americans on our own soil, and was the main enemy in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush years.

*Obama supports a military invasion of Syria.{{fact}} This would involve working with the insurgency, which includes [[Al Qaeda|Al'Qaeda]]. Al'Qaeda killed over 3,000 Americans on our own soil, and was the main enemy in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush years.

Obama tries to downplay his [[Islamic]] background by claiming that his [[Kenya]]n [[Muslim]] birth father was a "confirmed [[atheist]]" before Obama was born, but in fact less than 1% of Kenyans are atheists, agnostics, or non-religious.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_14.html</ref>  He also described his Indonesian step-father Lolo Soetoro as following "a brand of [[Islam]] that could make room for the remnants of more ancient animist and Hindu faiths.".<ref>Obama, Barack (2004) [1995], ''Dreams from my father: a story of race and inheritance''. New York: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 1-4000-8277-3., p. 37.</ref>  For most of his childhood, Obama was lived with his maternal grandparents who were Methodists.  There is apparently no evidence of any Christian activities or local church participation by Obama while he was a student at Harvard Law School from 1988 to 1991.  Finally, Obama abruptly left his United Church of Christ congregation in Chicago in 2008, when it became politically controversial, without first finding another church to join. On April 7, 2009, Obama toured a mosque in [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]].<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.c2e3700ab4e271bc32827b0fccfe560b.421&show_article=1</ref>{{dead link}}

Obama tries to downplay his [[Islamic]] background by claiming that his [[Kenya]]n [[Muslim]] birth father was a "confirmed [[atheist]]" before Obama was born, but in fact less than 1% of Kenyans are atheists, agnostics, or non-religious.<ref>http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_14.html</ref>  He also described his Indonesian step-father Lolo Soetoro as following "a brand of [[Islam]] that could make room for the remnants of more ancient animist and Hindu faiths.".<ref>Obama, Barack (2004) [1995], ''Dreams from my father: a story of race and inheritance''. New York: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 1-4000-8277-3., p. 37.</ref>  For most of his childhood, Obama was lived with his maternal grandparents who were Methodists.  There is apparently no evidence of any Christian activities or local church participation by Obama while he was a student at Harvard Law School from 1988 to 1991.  Finally, Obama abruptly left his United Church of Christ congregation in Chicago in 2008, when it became politically controversial, without first finding another church to join. On April 7, 2009, Obama toured a mosque in [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]].<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.c2e3700ab4e271bc32827b0fccfe560b.421&show_article=1</ref>{{dead link}}

== Counterexamples to Obama being a Muslim ==

== Counterexamples to Obama being a Muslim ==

*[https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510#tbm=isch&q=obama+beer 1st set of pictures of Obama drinking alcohol]

*[https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510#tbm=isch&q=obama+beer 1st set of pictures of Obama drinking alcohol]

*[https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510 2nd set of pictures of Obama drinking alcohol]

*[https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510 2nd set of pictures of Obama drinking alcohol]

</ref> which is most popular in [[Hawaii]] where Obama grew up,<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Menuism/why-do-hawaiians-love-spam-so-much_b_1901306.html Why is spam so popular in Hawaii], Huffington Post</ref>  and which Muslims are not allowed to eat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/23/larger-implications-of-ob_n_153200.html|title=Larger Implications Of Obama’s Taste For Spam Uncovered|date=Jan 23, 2009|accessdate=May 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America certifies the foods that Muslims are allowed to eat, and neither Hormel nor Spam is on the list. http://www.ifanca.org/Pages/Certified-Products.aspx</ref>

</ref> which is most popular in [[Hawaii]] where Obama grew up,<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/Menuism/why-do-hawaiians-love-spam-so-much_b_1901306.html Why is spam so popular in Hawaii], Huffington Post</ref>  and which Muslims are not allowed to eat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/23/larger-implications-of-ob_n_153200.html|title=Larger Implications Of Obama’s Taste For Spam Uncovered|date=Jan 23, 2009|accessdate=May 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America certifies the foods that Muslims are allowed to eat, and neither Hormel nor Spam is on the list. http://www.ifanca.org/Pages/Certified-Products.aspx</ref>

Pictures of Obama drinking alcohol can be found [https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510#tbm=isch&q=obama+beer HERE] and [https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510 HERE.]

Pictures of Obama drinking alcohol can be found [https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510#tbm=isch&q=obama+beer HERE] and [https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+wine&rlz=1C1PRFG_enUS744US744&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia1rns9Y_UAhWBUiYKHTj2CTcQ_AUIBygC&biw=819&bih=510 HERE.]

The first section of this article argues that because President Obama appointed [[Chuck Hagel]] as Secretary of Defense, Obama must be a Muslim.  Hagel was confirmed by a 58–41 Senate vote.  Two possible reasons why Hagel was nominated are that as a Republican, he would be easier to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate and that he was a veteran who later was active in Congress on defense issues.

The first section of this article argues that because President Obama appointed [[Chuck Hagel]] as Secretary of Defense, Obama must be a Muslim.  Hagel was confirmed by a 58–41 Senate vote.  Two possible reasons why Hagel was nominated are that as a Republican, he would be easier to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate and that he was a veteran who later was active in Congress on defense issues.

The first section of this article argues that Obama must be a Muslim because "Obama supports a military invasion of Syria."  In fact, the Obama administration negotiated a deal where Syria put their chemical weapons under Russian control, avoiding any need for an invasion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-i-understand-american-people-arent-with-me-on-syria-strike/|title=Obama: "I understand" American people aren't with me on Syria strike|date=Sept. 11, 2103|work=CBS News|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Obama did not want to invade Syria and worked to avoid it.

The first section of this article argues that Obama must be a Muslim because "Obama supports a military invasion of Syria."  In fact, the Obama administration negotiated a deal where Syria put their chemical weapons under Russian control, avoiding any need for an invasion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-i-understand-american-people-arent-with-me-on-syria-strike/|title=Obama: "I understand" American people aren't with me on Syria strike|date=Sept. 11, 2103|work=CBS News|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Obama did not want to invade Syria and worked to avoid it.

If Obama were a Muslim pushing a pro-Muslim agenda in the mid-east, there should be clear differences with the policies of his Christian successor, Donald Trump.  However, it appears that their approach to the mid-east are similar.  Both want to work with mid-east countries to eliminate the terrorist movements there and to bring stability to the region.

If Obama were a Muslim pushing a pro-Muslim agenda in the mid-east, there should be clear differences with the policies of his Christian successor, Donald Trump.  However, it appears that their approach to the mid-east are similar.  Both want to work with mid-east countries to eliminate the terrorist movements there and to bring stability to the region.

The first section of this article claims, Obama's "ring has Islamic inscriptions." The statement is sourced to World Net Daily, which did not actually examine the ring, but rather blurry enlargements of photos of the ring.  It suggests that the pattern on the outside of the ring is in the form of Arabic symbols, rather than claiming there is an engraved message on the inside of the band.  Snopes featured a clear, closeup of the ring and showed that the design is a series of loops and not Arabic symbols.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/weddingring.asp|title=Obama’s Wedding Ring|date=October 8, 2014|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>

The first section of this article claims, Obama's "ring has Islamic inscriptions." The statement is sourced to World Net Daily, which did not actually examine the ring, but rather blurry enlargements of photos of the ring.  It suggests that the pattern on the outside of the ring is in the form of Arabic symbols, rather than claiming there is an engraved message on the inside of the band.  Snopes featured a clear, closeup of the ring and showed that the design is a series of loops and not Arabic symbols.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/weddingring.asp|title=Obama’s Wedding Ring|date=October 8, 2014|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>

==== Muslim call to prayer ====

==== Muslim call to prayer ====

The first section of this article claims, "Obama said the Muslim call to prayer is 'one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset,' and recited 'with a first-class Arabic accent' the opening lines: Allah is Supreme! ... I witness that there is no god but Allah ...." citing a WND web posting that in turn referenced an Obama interview with ''New York Times'' reporter Nicholas Kristof in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html|title=Obama: Man of the World|work=New York Times|date=March 6, 2007|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Kristof wrote a column in 2008 making reference to it in terms of "Mr. Obama has spoken respectfully of Islam" but denied being a Muslim himself.<ref name=kristof>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/opinion/09kristof.html|title=Obama and the Bigots|work=New York Times|date=March 9, 2008|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Just because a person praises the sound of a religious practice does not mean that the person has accepted the content as his own personal religious belief.  By analogy, a person can also recite a television advertising jingle from memory without wanting to ever buy the product.

The first section of this article claims, "Obama said the Muslim call to prayer is 'one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset,' and recited 'with a first-class Arabic accent' the opening lines: Allah is Supreme! ... I witness that there is no god but Allah ...." citing a WND web posting that in turn referenced an Obama interview with ''New York Times'' reporter Nicholas Kristof in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://select.nytimes.com/2007/03/06/opinion/06kristof.html|title=Obama: Man of the World|work=New York Times|date=March 6, 2007|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Kristof wrote a column in 2008 making reference to it in terms of "Mr. Obama has spoken respectfully of Islam" but denied being a Muslim himself.<ref name=kristof>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/opinion/09kristof.html|title=Obama and the Bigots|work=New York Times|date=March 9, 2008|accessdate=May 30, 2017}}</ref>  Just because a person praises the sound of a religious practice does not mean that the person has accepted the content as his own personal religious belief.  By analogy, a person can also recite a television advertising jingle from memory without wanting to ever buy the product.

==== Protecting freedom of religion ====

==== Protecting freedom of religion ====

At times, the first section of this article had taken a quotation out of context from President Obama's September 25, 2012 address to the United Nations General Assembly.  In the weeks prior to that speech, ISIL propagandists had released a video to create the impression that the United States was anti-Muslim.  The video that was falsely attributed to the US government, drew widespread protests in the Arab world.  Obama's address drew upon that tension to discuss the importance of the right of free exercise of religion worldwide.  The end of the speech turned to the  future with a series of statements each with "The future must not belong to..." which advocated religious tolerance.<ref name="obamawhitehouse.archives.gov"/>

At times, the first section of this article had taken a quotation out of context from President Obama's September 25, 2012 address to the United Nations General Assembly.  In the weeks prior to that speech, ISIL propagandists had released a video to create the impression that the United States was anti-Muslim.  The video that was falsely attributed to the US government, drew widespread protests in the Arab world.  Obama's address drew upon that tension to discuss the importance of the right of free exercise of religion worldwide.  The end of the speech turned to the  future with a series of statements each with "The future must not belong to..." which advocated religious tolerance.<ref name="obamawhitehouse.archives.gov"/>

There are several reasons to doubt that Obama is an atheist.  Very few Africans or African Americans are atheists, for example, and even fewer still who were raised in multi-cultural Hawaii and Indonesia as was Obama.  He has displayed none of the common characteristics of atheists, such as [[evolution syndrome]], a "wannabe" desire to be accepted intellectually, belief in an [[Old Earth]], obesity, or a lack of ambition.  His favorite science fiction movies show no propensity towards atheism.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/14/obama-favorite-sci-fi-tv-shows-movies</ref>

There are several reasons to doubt that Obama is an atheist.  Very few Africans or African Americans are atheists, for example, and even fewer still who were raised in multi-cultural Hawaii and Indonesia as was Obama.  He has displayed none of the common characteristics of atheists, such as [[evolution syndrome]], a "wannabe" desire to be accepted intellectually, belief in an [[Old Earth]], obesity, or a lack of ambition.  His favorite science fiction movies show no propensity towards atheism.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/14/obama-favorite-sci-fi-tv-shows-movies</ref>

[[File:arrogant_obama.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|Charles Krauthammer said [[Barack Obama]] is arrogant narcissist who essentially worships himself.<ref name="Krauthammer: Obama 'narcissist'">[http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/charles-krauthammer-barack-obama-narcissist-110975 Krauthammer: Obama 'narcissist'], Politico</ref> ]]

[[File:arrogant_obama.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|Charles Krauthammer said [[Barack Obama]] is arrogant narcissist who essentially worships himself.<ref name="Krauthammer: Obama 'narcissist'">[https://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/charles-krauthammer-barack-obama-narcissist-110975 Krauthammer: Obama 'narcissist'], Politico</ref> ]]

=== Liberal Christianity and religious syncretism and universalism ===

=== Liberal Christianity and religious syncretism and universalism ===

[[File:Obama Wright.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|For 20 years, Obama attended a church which practiced [[liberal Christianity]]. The Reverend [[Jeremiah Wright]] was pastor of that church.]]

[[File:Obama Wright.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|For 20 years, Obama attended a church which practiced [[liberal Christianity]]. The Reverend [[Jeremiah Wright]] was pastor of that church.]]

As far as Kenya, a 2015 study estimates some 70,000 Christian believers from a Muslim background in the country, most of them belonging to some form of Protestantism.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/16338087/Believers_in_Christ_from_a_Muslim_Background_A_Global_Census Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". IJRR. 11: 14]</ref>

As far as Kenya, a 2015 study estimates some 70,000 Christian believers from a Muslim background in the country, most of them belonging to some form of Protestantism.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/16338087/Believers_in_Christ_from_a_Muslim_Background_A_Global_Census Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". IJRR. 11: 14]</ref>

In a ''Al Jazeera'' interview the prominent Muslim cleric Ahmad Al Qataani indicated the number of Muslims in Africa diminished greatly in the last century and that 6 million African Muslims were converting to Christianity every year.<ref name="americanthinker.com">[http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2006/05/six_million_african_muslims_le.html In Africa Alone Everyday, 16,000 Muslims Leave Islam]</ref>

In a ''Al Jazeera'' interview the prominent Muslim cleric Ahmad Al Qataani indicated the number of Muslims in Africa diminished greatly in the last century and that 6 million African Muslims were converting to Christianity every year.<ref name="americanthinker.com">[https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2006/05/six_million_african_muslims_le.html In Africa Alone Everyday, 16,000 Muslims Leave Islam]</ref>

The Muslim cleric Ahmad Al Qataani specifically declared:

The Muslim cleric Ahmad Al Qataani specifically declared:

{{Cquote|Islam used to represent, as you previously mentioned, Africa's main religion and there were 30 African languages that used to be written in Arabic script. The number of Muslims in Africa has diminished to 316 million, half of whom are Arabs in North Africa. So in the section of Africa that we are talking about, the non Arab section, the number of Muslims does not exceed 150 million people. When we realize that the entire population of Africa is one billion people, we see that the number of Muslims has diminished greatly from what it was in the beginning of the last century. On the other hand, the number of Catholics has increased from one million in 1902 to 329 million 882 thousand (329,882,000). Let us round off that number to 330 million in the year 2000.

{{Cquote|Islam used to represent, as you previously mentioned, Africa's main religion and there were 30 African languages that used to be written in Arabic script. The number of Muslims in Africa has diminished to 316 million, half of whom are Arabs in North Africa. So in the section of Africa that we are talking about, the non Arab section, the number of Muslims does not exceed 150 million people. When we realize that the entire population of Africa is one billion people, we see that the number of Muslims has diminished greatly from what it was in the beginning of the last century. On the other hand, the number of Catholics has increased from one million in 1902 to 329 million 882 thousand (329,882,000). Let us round off that number to 330 million in the year 2000.

As to how that happened, well there are now 1.5 million churches whose congregations account for 46 million people. In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity. Everyday, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Ever year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity. These numbers are very large indeed <ref name="americanthinker.com">[http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2006/05/six_million_african_muslims_le.html In Africa Alone Everyday, 16,000 Muslims Leave Islam]</ref>}}

As to how that happened, well there are now 1.5 million churches whose congregations account for 46 million people. In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity. Everyday, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Ever year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity. These numbers are very large indeed <ref name="americanthinker.com">[https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2006/05/six_million_african_muslims_le.html In Africa Alone Everyday, 16,000 Muslims Leave Islam]</ref>}}

John L. Allen, Jr., editor of the Catholic news website Crux, wrote:

John L. Allen, Jr., editor of the Catholic news website Crux, wrote:

=== Summary of argument that Obama is a closet atheist/agnostic  ===

=== Summary of argument that Obama is a closet atheist/agnostic  ===

Given that Obama isn't particularly religious, his parents' irreligion and the toxicity of being an atheist in terms of electability to a political office in the United States (see: [[Views on atheists]]), there have been accusations that Obama is a [[closet atheist]]/closet [[agnosticism|agnostic]].<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-a-rizvi/barack-obama-closeted-non_b_692751.html Barack Obama: Closeted Non-Believer?], Hufington Post</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/24/bill-maher-obama-hes-drop-dead-atheist/ Bill Maher on Obama: ‘He’s a drop-dead atheist’], Washington Times</ref>

Given that Obama isn't particularly religious, his parents' irreligion and the toxicity of being an atheist in terms of electability to a political office in the United States (see: [[Views on atheists]]), there have been accusations that Obama is a [[closet atheist]]/closet [[agnosticism|agnostic]].<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-a-rizvi/barack-obama-closeted-non_b_692751.html Barack Obama: Closeted Non-Believer?], Hufington Post</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/24/bill-maher-obama-hes-drop-dead-atheist/ Bill Maher on Obama: ‘He’s a drop-dead atheist’], Washington Times</ref>

==Reaction of others==

==Reaction of others==

Many people believe that politics is the motive behind the attacks on President Obama's religious beliefs.  By questioning Obama's stated Christian beliefs, a political opponent can call him an untrustworthy liar without being direct.  Polling data suggests that if Obama's primary opponents could convince the public that he was a Muslim, it would hurt his electability. In a 2007 Gallup poll, 94 percent of Americans said they would vote for a black candidate for president and 88 percent for a woman. However, only 34 percent of respondents in a 2006 ''Los Angeles Times'' poll said they could vote for a Muslim for president.<ref name=kristof/>

Many people believe that politics is the motive behind the attacks on President Obama's religious beliefs.  By questioning Obama's stated Christian beliefs, a political opponent can call him an untrustworthy liar without being direct.  Polling data suggests that if Obama's primary opponents could convince the public that he was a Muslim, it would hurt his electability. In a 2007 Gallup poll, 94 percent of Americans said they would vote for a black candidate for president and 88 percent for a woman. However, only 34 percent of respondents in a 2006 ''Los Angeles Times'' poll said they could vote for a Muslim for president.<ref name=kristof/>

A survey in March 2008 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that ten percent of American voters believed that then-Senator Barack Obama was Muslim.  16% of conservative Republicans, 16% of white evangelical Protestants and 19% of rural Americans believed Obama, who at the time was a Presidential candidate, was Muslim.<ref>USA Today, ''Poll: 1 in 10 think Obama is Muslim'', Posted 4/1/2008, by Daniel Burke, Religion News Service, retrieved 10/16/2008.[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-04-01-obama-muslim_N.htm]</ref> In a later survey, in July 2008, the number had risen to 12% of American voters who thought Obama was a Muslim.  Interestingly, 37% of those who thought he was Muslim intended to vote for him.<ref>Pew Research Center, ''12% - Still Think Obama is Muslim'', retrieved 10/16/08 [http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=509]</ref>

A survey in March 2008 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that ten percent of American voters believed that then-Senator Barack Obama was Muslim.  16% of conservative Republicans, 16% of white evangelical Protestants and 19% of rural Americans believed Obama, who at the time was a Presidential candidate, was Muslim.<ref>USA Today, ''Poll: 1 in 10 think Obama is Muslim'', Posted 4/1/2008, by Daniel Burke, Religion News Service, retrieved 10/16/2008.[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-04-01-obama-muslim_N.htm]</ref> In a later survey, in July 2008, the number had risen to 12% of American voters who thought Obama was a Muslim.  Interestingly, 37% of those who thought he was Muslim intended to vote for him.<ref>Pew Research Center, ''12% - Still Think Obama is Muslim'', retrieved 10/16/08 [http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=509]</ref>

   

   

According to September 2015 survey data, 39% say he is Protestant, 29% say he is Muslim, 11% of people say Obama's not religious, 4% say he is Catholic, and 14% that they just don't know.  Among college-educated people, 63% say he is Protestant.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/13/politics/barack-obama-religion-christian-misperceptions/ Misperceptions persist about Obama's faith, but aren't so widespread], CNN</ref> And of course, in the United States, where many people are religious (especially African Americans who are very commonly Obama supporters), Obama supporters are more likely to say he is religious.

According to September 2015 survey data, 39% say he is Protestant, 29% say he is Muslim, 11% of people say Obama's not religious, 4% say he is Catholic, and 14% that they just don't know.  Among college-educated people, 63% say he is Protestant.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/13/politics/barack-obama-religion-christian-misperceptions/ Misperceptions persist about Obama's faith, but aren't so widespread], CNN</ref> And of course, in the United States, where many people are religious (especially African Americans who are very commonly Obama supporters), Obama supporters are more likely to say he is religious.

So, it is not surprising that investigators hired by Donald Trump found that the rumors originated with President Obama's primary opponents.<ref name=trump/>

So, it is not surprising that investigators hired by Donald Trump found that the rumors originated with President Obama's primary opponents.<ref name=trump/>