But it was a comparison he drew at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday that is receiving the latest criticism, proving just how potent language can be, particularly when it comes to religion and war.
READ: Obama most polarizing president in modern history
“Remember that during the crusades and the inquisition people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ,” Obama said, condemning the hijacking of Islam by ISIS and challenging Americans to see extremism in the past.
Pundits and politicians said the President offended Christians by comparing them to terrorists. But those close to the President say these critics are playing politics and choosing to misinterpret Obama’s remarks.
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“We are experiencing a very strong reaction against religion, against an assertion of traditional religious identities. There is a lot of social tension,” it is a good time for sober voices, Schmalz said.
In his remarks last week, to a mostly religious audience, Obama argued it is important for Americans to be open in the face of different opinions. One of the central tenets of American society, separation of church and state, is the very reason why the United States is one of the most religious countries in the world, Obama said.
“There’s wisdom in our founders writing in those documents that help found this nation the notion of freedom of religion, because they understood the need for humility,” Obama said. “Whatever our beliefs, whatever our traditions, we must seek to be instruments of peace, and bringing light where there is darkness, and sowing love where there is hatred.”
