Just yesterday, I received another copy of a smear email about Senator Barack Obama. Maybe you've seen it.
It states that Obama is a Muslim, that he chose to be sworn into the U.S. Senate with his hand on a copy of the Koran, and that he refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. In fact, it says, in the presence of the American flag, Obama turns his back and (this is where it gets funny) slouches for good measure.
None of it's true. But this email has been circulated so far and wide that Obama himself has had to deny it publicly, point by point. Check it out on YouTube
Smear campaigns in politics are nothing new. But I was especially disappointed to see the source of yesterday's copy of that tired and ludicrous email sent to many addresses.
Disclaimer: I don't have a candidate in the current race for U.S. President. And if I vote in November, in all likelihood it won't be for Barack Obama.
However, I am a Christian. And I believe that it's important for followers of Christ to remember some important words:
"Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies" (Psalm 34:13).
"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18).
"With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor" (Proverbs 11:9a).
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).
"Rid yourselves of all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter 2:2).
Slander and its printed version, libel, are deeply wrong. Followers of Jesus Christ should have nothing to do with them.
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6 comments:
Amen.
It is so easy to get sucked into participating in this sort of activity (at least for me). Probably need more of the attitude, "if you can't say something good about someone, then be quiet."
Hi, Leland. I know you'd agree, but want to add that to my post that I'm not suggesting that Christians can't be critical. And, I think the candidates should be subjected to a good bit of analysis. They say they'd be good at a very big job.
Thank you Frank! I really don't understand what happens to people who I know to be honest and responsible when it comes to this kind of stuff. I remember receiving an e-mail in 2004 about all of these awful things that John Kerry had done and said. Last year, I received another e-mail listing all of the same awful actions and statements but this time attributing them to Hillary Clinton. When I wrote the sender and told them, they said, "Maybe so, but I still don't want her to be president."
Agreed. Critical analysis and investigation are appropriate. Juicy gossip and untruth are inappropriate. (Also true in "church politics.")
It's sad that some folks today think forwarding emails is more powerful than prayer (1Timothy 2:1-4). I worry too about the list of candidates (on both sides) but after all the votes are counted God is still sovereign and the one in office is still accountable to Him.
Maybe we should put our hope not in a president (and Congress) sympathetic to Christianity but in preaching the gospel to the people of this country.
How can anyone who claims to be Christian go about spreading lies about another human, lies so vile and deceptive, and then smile with glee? No true Christian could ever consider such garbage, such bad behavior. I am so sad for the people who believe the lies, it just breaks my heart. Obama's life is out there in full force, for all to see, all details. He is a good man. He is so much more honorable than he is given credit for. I pray God will help those who are still drawn to deception, and bring honor to Americans.
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