Obama, right, and McCain giving each other a hug at the Forum
Barack Obama cited his youthful experimentation with drugs and John McCain noted his failed first marriage as their greatest moral failings at a forum on faith chaired by evangelical pastor, Rick Warren (Author of the Purpose Driven Life).
The presidential election rivals shook hands and hugged briefly at the half-way point of the two hour discussion which both men used to appeal to religious voters who will be a key voting bloc in the November election. In front of a crowd of 2,000 at the huge Saddlback Church in Orange country, California, the men were quizzed on their beliefs for an hour each by pastor Rick Warren, a prominent evangelical. Although billed as a forum on faith, the discussion also turned on key election issues such as the Iraq war and national security.
The men differed on abortion, with Mr Obama restating his support for legalised abortion and Mr McCain bluntly expressing his anti-abortion stance. Asked when a baby began to enjoy human rights, Mr Obama offered only a vague response, replying: "Answering that question with speficity is above my pay grade," while Mr McCain said simply: "From the moment of conception." He added, "I will be a pro-life president." Mr McCain, who adopted a daughter from Bangladesh, also called for making adoption easier. Mr Obama said he knew that people who were pro-life would find his stance inadequate but he felt that the government should do more to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to help women.
Both men agreed that marriage was a union between a man and a woman although Mr Obama said he also supported civil unions for gay partners.
Asked about America's greatest moral failure, Mr Obama said he felt it was the country's insufficient help for the poor, and underlined his point by quoting Jesus as saying "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me." Mr Obama, who has had to counter inaccurate beliefs that he is Muslim, stressed his Christian credentials throughout the conversation, frequently giving a Christian interpretation to his views and referring to the scriptures.
The Obama campaign has been diligently courting religious voters with a presence on Christian radio and blogs, and through American Values Forums; and other events.
McCain said the country's greatest short-coming was its failure to "devote ourselves to causes other than our self-interest." McCain also said he would pursue Osama bin Laden "To the gates of hell."
QueerGam Bloggers: 3 for McCain. 1 for Obama.
Barack Obama cited his youthful experimentation with drugs and John McCain noted his failed first marriage as their greatest moral failings at a forum on faith chaired by evangelical pastor, Rick Warren (Author of the Purpose Driven Life).
The presidential election rivals shook hands and hugged briefly at the half-way point of the two hour discussion which both men used to appeal to religious voters who will be a key voting bloc in the November election. In front of a crowd of 2,000 at the huge Saddlback Church in Orange country, California, the men were quizzed on their beliefs for an hour each by pastor Rick Warren, a prominent evangelical. Although billed as a forum on faith, the discussion also turned on key election issues such as the Iraq war and national security.
The men differed on abortion, with Mr Obama restating his support for legalised abortion and Mr McCain bluntly expressing his anti-abortion stance. Asked when a baby began to enjoy human rights, Mr Obama offered only a vague response, replying: "Answering that question with speficity is above my pay grade," while Mr McCain said simply: "From the moment of conception." He added, "I will be a pro-life president." Mr McCain, who adopted a daughter from Bangladesh, also called for making adoption easier. Mr Obama said he knew that people who were pro-life would find his stance inadequate but he felt that the government should do more to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to help women.
Both men agreed that marriage was a union between a man and a woman although Mr Obama said he also supported civil unions for gay partners.
Asked about America's greatest moral failure, Mr Obama said he felt it was the country's insufficient help for the poor, and underlined his point by quoting Jesus as saying "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me." Mr Obama, who has had to counter inaccurate beliefs that he is Muslim, stressed his Christian credentials throughout the conversation, frequently giving a Christian interpretation to his views and referring to the scriptures.
The Obama campaign has been diligently courting religious voters with a presence on Christian radio and blogs, and through American Values Forums; and other events.
McCain said the country's greatest short-coming was its failure to "devote ourselves to causes other than our self-interest." McCain also said he would pursue Osama bin Laden "To the gates of hell."
QueerGam Bloggers: 3 for McCain. 1 for Obama.
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