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  • Ben_Dubow
  • Oct. 22, 2008
  • Comments (9)

Maybe he is a Muslim after all...

I will make no official political endorsements one way or the other on this blog, but suffice it to say Barack Obama is not a Muslim.

Yet everyday I get a fax or something in the mail at the church about how he is a Muslim, how evil he is, how he will destroy America, he might be the anti-Christ, etc. Truly bizarre stuff.

A few thoughts:

  1. People will send the craziest stuff to churches... I have no idea how we get on these mailing lists, but it is truly some crazy and bizarre stuff.

  2. This is evidence of just how nasty this election has become. Sadly for many, it ceased being about issues a long time ago, which is sad because the issues are actually pretty important.

  3. When you (or your side) sends this stuff out, it is really hard for me to take you seriously.

  4. I hold the candidate and campaign responsible for all the nastiness, even of these side groups. If they wanted to stop it they could. I feel this way about both sides.

  5. It saddens me that we have lost all sense of civility in public discourse. Why we cannot disagree without resorting to name calling and attacks is beyond me. I agree with Rick Warren... we need to call for a renewal of civility, and the church should lead the way!

  6. As Christians, we must weigh the issues and look at the candidates. We can have passionate views, but we need to be careful that we don't allow politics to divide the Body of Christ. Faithful Christians can support either candidate--and do so consistent with their faith--and we must not only respect that, but honor it. As we often say here at St. Paul's: UNITY in the ESSENTIALS (core theological claims of the Christian faith), LIBERTY in the NON-ESSENTIALS (most everything else, including politics), CHARITY in ALL THINGS!

  7. For the record, I agree with Colin Powell... "Muslim" is not a bad word. The whole idea of using that as a slur against someone is insane. Having grown up around stories and experiences of anti-semitism, I am sensitive to this issue. It disappoints me that neither side will be straight on this. McCain needs to say "Obama is not a Muslim, he is a Christian--and even if he was a Muslim it would not be an issue." And Obama needs to say: "I am a Christian... but there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim..."

Now before I get angry comments about "there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim" let me clarify what I mean. I mean precisely that THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A MUSLIM.

This does not change my conviction theologically that Muslims are missing out on the grace of God through Christ or that I think their view of Jesus is both theologically and historically incorrect. I believe salvation is through Christ alone. Period. But we live in a pluralistic society and while I am thankful to have the freedom to boldly proclaim Christ, I do not force it on people and respect people who disagree with me and even reject Jesus (in fact, I love them because Jesus tells me to!)

Anyway... now that I have managed to offend almost everyone... WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

Comments

  • Thank you for this post. I too am frustrated by all the negativity, much of it from Christians.

    I am an evangelical Christian in a swing state (Ohio) and not sure how I am going to vote yet. Several of my friends (and even my pastor) have implied that it would be unChristian to vote differently than them. That is crazy and not helpful. A good friend of mine from another ministry seriously tried to convince me that Obama was the anti-Christ. To say the least, I cannot take him seriously at all.

    Thanks for posting some common-sense wisdom... it reminds me that not all Christians have lost their minds...

    Maybe I'll come visit sometime when I am in CT... love your blog!

    Chris | Wed 22 Oct 2008

  • Personally, I'm just tired of the whole thing. I'm young enough so this is my first election. I was really pumped about this! I did a lot of research and watched the debates etc. and now, I'm just a little put off. Here I am, a leader at my school, telling students to vote, and the presidential candidates are too busy pointing fingers while the public is willing to go with one accusation or another that suits their fancy.

    I'm still voting, but at this point, I wish I had another choice. Vote for Jesus!

    Nathan | Wed 22 Oct 2008

  • Yes, I'm with Nathan-- vote for Jesus!!

    Chelsea | Wed 22 Oct 2008

  • THANKS!! finally its about time somebody said it. Seriously. Vote for who ever you want to, and agree and disagree with whoever you want. BUT there is no need for ridiculous claims and comments. I have also heard Christians make comments about Obama being the Anti Christ because of his ethnicity and heritage. I don't understand those people. Stuff like that just makes me question their I don't understand why we cant stick to the facts and issues at hand. I also agree that both candidates need to renounce the slander on both sides especially the stuff that happens at rallies while the candidates are present.

    Jason Aronn | Wed 22 Oct 2008

  • Up front, I am an Evangelical for Obama. And I thank you, Ben, for your well-reasoned, level-headed post. After reading it and the thoughts of my brothers and sisters who have responded, I've a few thoughts of my own to add.

    First: To those respondants who tossed off the "Vote for Jesus" slogans, psst, Jesus isn't a viable candidate. His priorities are all wrong for. Just read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel! Or the last supper discourse in John's gospel. Look at the kind of people he hung out with and who, in his first go-around, he chose as his closest associates. Gasp! Judas Iscariot was a bonafide, no-doubt-about-it terrorist, not an over-the-hill, well-mainstreamed college professor. Both parties would reject Jesus outright, likely combine to crucify him. Don't waste your vote!

    Second: I'm 100% with Ben; Enough with fear and smear politics! Here's the critical question: Which ticket's stated goals and proposals and intellect and stature provide the country the greatest hope in this extremely complicated and deeply discouraging moment?

    Third: There are NO righteous candidates or tickets or parties or platforms. Or countries! Not one. So our vote must be based on personal conscience (though none of us is righteous either) and comes down to choosing between two (or more) tickets both of which miss the mark, each in their own way, regarding the priorities of Jesus. That said, both also stand for a few things, here and there, that appear to be in step with the Spirit of Jesus. So, ta-da, it is not an easy choice. AND as citizens in this country, we have the responsibility to choose who our next pres and veep will be. Don't chicken out. Don't cop a "too pure to play" attitude.

    Fourth: Vote.

    Brad Davis | Thu 23 Oct 2008

  • Thanks Brad... well said! Agreed!!

    Ben Dubow | Thu 23 Oct 2008

  • Basically it shouldn't matter who is in the oval office isn't God ultimately in control?

    Jenn | Thu 23 Oct 2008

  • We don't need to resort to name calling and character assassination, but it is good to research where each candidate stands on many issues, some of which have only been touched on briefly in the debates. How about a Marriage Amendment to the Constitution making it clear what really constitutes Marriage? Where do they stand on the Fairness Doctrine? What kind of judges will they nominate to the Supreme Court? Where do they stand on Global Warming? Would they be in favor of FOCA (Freedom Of Choice Act ) which would overthrow the recent Supreme Court decision on partial birth abortion, and probably other laws governing state parental laws concerning parental notification before a pregnant daughter could be taken out of state for an abortion?

    We also need to be aware that these candidates can make all kind of promises ("I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna do that"..etc.) but the type of people we elect to the Senate and the Congress will make a big difference in the laws that get passed in the next 4 years.

    Above all, we need to pray for those in authority and pray for our country according to II Chron.7:14

    David

    David D. Ferrero | Thu 23 Oct 2008

  • Thanks David!

    Ben Dubow | Fri 24 Oct 2008

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