Confusing Government and Religion

Via Best of the Web Today, James Vicevich points out an unsettling side of Obamania -- the fact that some seem almost to experience Barack as a quasi-messianic figure.

Earlier today, on his show, Hugh Hewitt played a clip of a speech by Michele Obama, who said:

Barack Obama is the only person in this race who understands that -- that before we can work on the problems we have, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation!

Back in December, Rich Lowry quoted Michele Obama from an earlier address:

We need a leader who’s going to touch our souls. Who’s going to make us feel differently about one another. Who’s going to remind us that we are one another’s keepers. That we are only as strong as the weakest among us.

Is she talking about Jesus -- or about her husband? (Note to the unitiated: It's the latter).

The phenomenon is unsettling, at best. Is it that the Obamas are so radical that they truly believe that a political figure, promising bigger government, has the power to fix peoples' souls? Or are they, despite their impressive educations, confused about the importance -- and the proper role -- of religion in a free society?

Liberals often worry that religion will encroach on government. Instead, Americans should perhaps worry that an Obama government would try to replace the needs properly and uniquely met by religion with government . . . a disaster for both.

At this point, we may need even more than someone "who's going to touch our souls" is someone who will remind us to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's -- and render unto God that which is God's. I stand second to no one in my devotion to Ronald Reagan, but as the Gipper would have been the first to tell you, he's not Jesus. And, in fact, I suspect he would have been horrified had anyone, even Mrs. Reagan, tried to sanctify him.

It was easy to see that Ronald Reagan recognized a higher power than his own. It's not quite so easy to see that humility in the Obama candidacy, is it?

Tells you a lot about the difference between the two men's philosophies of government. And certainly, there have been through the ages a good share of big government radicals of all stripes that have sought to replace religion with government. It's vaguely disquieting, however, to see people in some sense looking to a man to fill needs that are spiritual in nature, even when the man is one as accomplished and eloquent (and as radical) as Barack.