What do your older kids think about negative Obama church signs?
November 19, 2008 by Christian Parenting Daily
(Added note: We apologize to readers who have thought that we at Christian Parenting Daily are agreeing with or condoning this sign. We DO NOT agree with this sign or the people who wrote it. Our purpose for posting this blog is to give Christian parents the Biblical framework they need in order to have a thoughtful conversation with their kids about why posting a sign like this DOES NOT agree with what the Bible teaches. The ambiguity comes from the fact that this was not meant to be a blog on the topic but a list of conversation starters. Again we DO NOT AGREE with content of this sign or the posting of this sign.)
We’ve been hearing a lot in the news about churches posting negative signs about President Elect Obama. One reads “Obama, Osama, hmm, are they brothers?” It hit the news and the pastor said that he was just trying to get people thinking. A conversation starter of sorts.
We heard about the latest one from Rick Sanchez on CNN. A church put these words on a large marque sign outside the front of their church, “America we have a Muslim President, this is a sin against the Lord, Ex. 20:3.”
Needless to say, it’s causing a stir. Although we do not and cannot agree with or condone the sign, we at Christian Parenting Daily think that this news story can be a conversation starter for Christian parents and their older kids.
Here are some talking points:
The sign uses the Biblical reference Exodus 20:3 which is the second commandment “Do not worship any other God’s besides me.” Do you think that America has violated this command by electing Obama?
Jesus derided the religious/political leaders of his day because they claimed to be following God but were not. However, he used their own written teachings and a special revelation from God about what their heart’s looked like to confront them, not suspicion and hearsay. Do you see a difference here?
Next, Obama himself has repeatedly said that he is a Christian and not a Muslim. Many Christians feel that the church Obama attended for many years has some funny ideas but it’s still a Christian church. Some people believe that Obama cannot be a Christian because of his stand on issues such as abortion. What do you think?
Did you know that President Lincoln was a Christian when he was elected but it wasn’t until years later during the civil war that he really became passionate about prayer and his Faith in God? Do you think a person can be a Christian but still have wrong ideas or make mistakes?
How do you think this verse should apply to this situation? “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words when the wicked emperor Nero was ruling the Roman Empire , “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1 – 4)
No matter who you voted for, Obama is now the President Elect. What do these inspired Bible verses penned by Paul show us that we should do now? Why?
Have a great discussion and remember it’s better and more effective to help your kids think through the issues critically and Biblically then it is tell them how to think.
ParentingTwits 
The following is an email we received anonymously today regarding this post and our reply back. We’ve decided to share the emails with our readers in the event that others may have misunderstood our intentions with this post. Please feel free to comment.
Anonymous:
“You call yourselves Christians but as I see it you are all a bunch of racist teaching racist to children. All in the name of Christianity…how absurd you people are.”
Christian Parenting Daily:
“Dear concerned reader – I’m not sure if you read the full post however if you did you clearly missed the point. We at Christian Parenting Daily are very much against racism, religious intolerance and everything that the sign posted by this church represents. We wrote the post so that parents could discuss the contradiction of a church publishing such non Biblical material. We want Christian parents and their kids to clearly understand that this IS NOT Christian behavior. Thank you for your concern. If you have a suggestion as to how we can be more clear in our post we’d love to hear from you.”
The statement on the Church sign is a testiment to the fear and prejudice that
some are feeling in America at this time. I guess the only safe way to express this prejudice is to pretend to call Barak Obama a Muslim instead of a racial slur. It will be along time before some people get used to having an African American for a President just as it took a long time for Black People to get from Slavery to the present time. Martin Luther King JR was persecuted in his time and his contribution to human kind was not appreciated by many in America even though people from other countries recognized his greatness and were so very admiring of him. Today, not only Black Americans but White Americans speak of him with such pride and like to quote him everytime that they want to talk about someone who fought for the rights of people in their country. In time people like this Pastor
will see what many people in America and around the world see in this intelligent and thoughtful man and will feel the pride in how the United States of America is
being viewed at this time. Most importantly for this Pastor is to expouse to all
of the teachings of the Bible not just what he wants to pick out so as to justify
his narrow mindedness. The Bible says “judged not least ye be judged” this Pastor is not God and in no position to judge other human beings just because of their faith or race. He should also try to bring people together not to drive a wedge between the people in his community. Bringing people together was
a major part of Jesus’ life.
(In response to an additional private email)
Thank you Rick for taking the time out to clarify your position. Clearly my frustration is solely directed at that church and many churches like that. I appreciate that you took the time to write back. It’s so important for a church like that to hear the voices of thousands of angry Christians who feel misrepresented by that sign. And I’m glad that CNN put it out there, Needless to say I was outraged. The pastor should turn in his collar and trade it in for a pillow case….get my meaning. Anyway thanks again.
As disgusted as I am by churches spreading such hate and false information about President elect Obama , I can’t say I am all that surprised. So often hate has been hidden behind a religion and no matter your affiliation it paints all people of faith with a bad brush. My son is too young to have this discussion but when he is older I hope I can show him how to separate truth from lies and to see that just because one church says something like that doesn’t mean all support that.