That Barack Obama Email

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.