October 23, 2008
Ministers bless Obama - they know not what they do
This post is more of a reflection, not so much newsworthy. For numerous reasons I caught myself staring at this picture ten times longer than the glance I gave all the others near it. To see a large group of mainly Pentecostal, Bible-thumpin, tongue-talking, altar-callin' revivalists and colleagues of mine like this laying hands on Barack Obama made me first think… they know not what they do.
My second thought was, no, it's absolutely essential that this man get prayed for - the Bible commands us to pray for those in authority.
Third thought was maybe an exorcism was about to unfold. Just kidding.
Fourth thought was how these clergy "blessing" Obama is so similar to German clergy a generation ago who smiled on another winsome leader who thought killing the innocent was okay.
My fifth thought was that I can understand and appreciate the excitement in the black church to have cried out for deliverance for so many years and now to have a black man so close to the Oval Office - it has got to be exciting - blinding, but exciting.
Perhaps a combo of all of the above are at play here. However, my first thought that they know not what they do seems most plausable. Barack Obama is no savior to the unborn black child - two die for every black baby that is carried to term. Obama is a strong voice for an organization that has never renounced their undeniable racist roots. And those roots are bearing a bitter fruit today - Planned Parenthood is still accepting donations expressly given to abort black babies because there are too many of them. When these ministers lay hands on Obama and bless him, they are complicit in the sin of the shedding of innocent blood.
Final thought - no cry for separation of church and state here. Note that please. Yet when I and some other ministers laid hands on, and prayed for, Joel Dysktra last week I got a barrage of bad mail and a couple slaps on the blogs. Make no mistake, the Obama-craze is a false religious movement that is touching the globe. It's almost like soemthing right out of the pages of the Bible.
Comments on Ministers bless Obama - they know not what they do »
Don't Drink the King's Wine @ 10:09 am
Thank you! Yes, we must pray for our leaders. But laying of hands on a man is entirely different. We must proclaim God's Truth (big "T") in love. All too often we are more comfortable emphasizing love while only suggesting our truth (little "t").
Bob Ellis @ 1:15 pm
Pastor Steve, there's no way I could have said any of this better. Each of your thoughts has a lot of validity.
But in the end, if their prayers are of blessing and endorsement of his agenda (as they most likely are), how sad that these men who speak in Jesus' name are so blinded to the truth.
Perhaps we should be praying for them, also.
Amy @ 3:25 pm
What makes me sad is to see these leaders who are, for the most part, descended from African slaves laying hands on a man who is a first-generation naturalized citizen, with dual citizenship in Indonesia, not even qualified legally to be president of the United States of America (not my opinion, folks, its the CONSTITUTION), arab-african/white man and bless him as their coming King. He is not from the same cloth as they. His ancestors were slave holders and slave traders in Africa who sold their non-arabic brethren into slavery to the English and French, to be exported to the Americas. I am sick with grief over this deception. He has NOTHING in common with these people - yet they cannot see the Truth that will make them really free. God open the eyes of understanding.
William Beal @ 12:33 am
If these pastors subscibe to the same Black Liberation Theology as Obama's spiritual mentor Jeramiah Wright, this isn't surpising. From my readings on it's origins and doctrines, it appears to use the trappings of Christianity to justify and promote race separatism.
Denise @ 12:12 am
I just happened to stumble upon this post while reading other articles. Although I understand your commentary, the reponses here are laced with fear. When will we all finally get it that race is entirely a physical marking? Barack Obama can no more shed his skin and the DNA of his parents, grandparents than you and I. We are all the same on the inside. If he were a white/European man you would not have a problem with him. Why are you picking this man and his background apart? Arnold Schwarzenager was not "born" here, yet he is Governor of California. But you are not contesting that - are you?
This photo shows a group of people, Christians who believe in the practice or ritual of "laying on of hands", which has been done throughout time in many ethnic, ancient and indigenous cultures, specifically African. You should research this. It is similar to people who give massage therapy, acupuncture or any other "healing" work through hands to help people. This laying on of hands is a spiritual act and it is something that is done in many Black churches, it is culturally specific. So if you are not part of that culture, you wouldn't understand.
It is wrong to take something that is meant for good and try to turn it around for evil. Perhaps if you experienced life in the segregated South, or had foreparents who struggled for equality or were denied access to resources, you might be able to empathize with people of all races and hues who seek a better life for themselves and future generations to come.
God lives inside of all of us and God has no color. Whether Obama was a janitor, a teacher, a truck driver or President elect, he is still a man, a human walking the earth just like the rest of us.
Instead of being ridden with ignorance and fear, maybe you can learn something from his life and the lives of others who put fear aside to listen to their hearts and pursue their dreams.
No one is perfect, not even you. Instead of gossiping and tearing someone apart, if you are really spiritual and have a deep belief in God's goodness, why don't you pray for him?
Adrienne Dixon @ 11:31 am
To God Be The Glory!!!!!!!!!!
Synnovia @ 7:00 am
Amen Denise, well said!