Several times in recent weeks a disturbing “copy and paste” has come across my Facebook News Feed. You know the kind—those irritations we all despise, where if you agree with the statement, you’re supposed to copy and paste for all your other Facebook friends to see.
Well, this particular post is called the Obama Death Prayer and it’s not only irritating, it’s especially hateful. Google portions of the prayer and sites pop up by the millions—literally. I don’t want to retype it, but you can check it out here.
What I find most alarming is the people who posted this are my Christian friends. I recognize the posts were likely sent in humor and people don’t really mean what they’re saying…right? But honestly, how can we even say such a thing? What love of Jesus do we convey when we wish someone to be dead?
Such blatant disrespect for our president isn’t new. Nor is it one-sided. President Bush was frequently battered with death threats and objectional opinions. What’s different today, however, is that social media accelerates communication—in this case, hateful communication—like a wildfire faster than we’ve ever seen.
Hate is contagious. Anger is endemic. But so are positive attitudes. People are easily influenced so why not promote prayers and encouragement instead?
A good response is to the Obama Death Prayer is to join the Facebook group that’s petitioning to remove the facebook group praying for President Obama’s death. Or this group, that says Stop promoting HATE!
Perhaps the best response is this: (and look, it’s even a copy/paste)
WWJP If Jesus were on FB how might he respond to posts that wish our nation’s president dead?
Rom. 13:5-7 says “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities…for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him…if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
As Christians, shouldn’t we do the same? If you agree, copy to your FB.
Even if Obama isn’t your president of choice, you still owe him your honor and respect. God commands it.
SL says
Thanks for posting this. We need the reminder. I especially appreciate your point that it’s not just one political party criticizing the other. We’re all guilty of it.
However, I do think as Christians we tend to think one party is more biblically correct than the other. Therefore it’s okay to trash President Obama because, after all, he’s of the UNbiblical party, right?
Wrong.
Both parties have biblically correct and incorrect stands. To say God favors one over the other seems rather pretentious. We have to trust God heard our prayers for the best leader for our country, and that he chose to answer them in the way he sees fit.