An Honest Question
Posted on November 19th, 2008 by Reformed Pope into the Comments From Others categoryA friend of mine recently sent me this email:
I recently had a conversation with a christian buddy of mine who somehow
had managed to remain ignorant of my political leanings. I am the sort to
usually ask a couple of questions and let people ramble. It supports the
illusion that I am a good conversationalist.At any rate the "conversation" turned to the election as many conversations
these days are wont to do.So far pretty normal. What shocked me, and I must say frightened me, was
not his opposition to our President-Elect, but rather his…enthusiasm…for
Obama's assasination. I literally went cold and got off the phone as
quickly as I could and erased the number from my cell. This was someone I
had previously thought misguided but on the whole rational. Now that I am
paying attention to the problem I have been hearing reports and anecdotes
that this sort of thing is somewhat widespread.This all leads to my question. How do we as christians respond in love to
christians and others who are gleefully advocating the assasination of our
nations President? My first reaction is anger and a desire to marginalize
them to the hinterlands of civilzation but that doesn't really jive with the
message of the gospelSo what do we do?
I haven't had much time to work up a response yet, but I thought I would throw the question out to you….What Do you do?
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November 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I would explain why Scripture condemns such talk and such thinking. Then I would share the verse in 1 John 3:15 which says that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Lastly, I would gently remind the person of how the Gospel of Christ means salvation even from wanting to assassinate someone, and ask the person if he was sure he had actually received Christ.
It’s time for people in America to realize that Christianity and old-school WASP Constantinian/American patriotism are not the same thing. They are not interchangeable. According to 1 Peter 1:1, Christians are to reside on this earth as aliens, pilgrims and witnesses. I think the coming times will show who the real Christians are.
November 19th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Go to the CBC website and have them read PF’s message of support for the new President.
Find some new friends.
I do hear a some people wondering if Obama will be assasinated, but not enthusiaum for it!
November 19th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
That would be an effective response.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I think I would call him a sick F#@% and then walk away and work on the gospel with someone else…
November 20th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Many more people wanted Bush harm. Didn’t they?… It’s a natural reaction to politicians. In my little opinion, Americans have to work much harder than we are given credit. It’s tough out here and people have frustrations… If your buddy is the kind of person who would help you when in need then he’s probably really a good guy who’s a bad loser.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I would tell him that I hope someone assassinates him…yes I know, very “unChristian” of me, but hey I like to speak my mind.
As far as this comment:
I have to disagree. It’s only widespread in those crazy, super right wing, radical circles, which is a major minority of this country. If your friend is hearing this kind of talk going on in his immediate circle, then he definitely needs to get out more and find new friends.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I had to re-read that a couple of times to figure out who the “him” in the comment was.
Whew….blood pressure lowering…..shaking subsiding.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:31 am
Many wanted bush impeached and jailed, not killed. Americans anyway.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:41 am
They said the same thing about Clinton. Reagan was actually shot and even the Dems have some good things to say about him now. Being the President paints a giant bullseye on your back.
But those kinds of comments are inexcusable. The correct response is, “I don’t think Jesus would condone, let alone encourage, the murder of the President. You need to repent and get your head on straight.” Then read him Romans 13
Our democratic process is a privilege, not a mandate for religious intolerance.
November 25th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I’m pretty sure at that point you just give up and remember that most people are stupid and there’s nothing you can do about it.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I’m 100% with TH in SoC on this one; I’d be inclined to remind any such ‘friend’ who it was that Christ called “a murderer from the beginning”:
Jhn 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The challenge of Joshua is valid for us all: “Choose ye this day” - and each day hereafter, and sometimes, each hour, each minute, each second - “whom ye shall serve.”