Pastor tells Church to pray for Obama's death
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
September 1, 2009 9:52am CST
Here's real hate speech, a pastor in Arizona has told his parishioners to pray for Barack Obama's death and he says he prays for it every night.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/31/phoenix-pastor-draws-protests-telling-church-prays-obamas-death/?test=latestnews
There's a lot of talk on myLot and in the media about hate speech and threats to the president, but this church is a completely different sort of threat. They aren't telling anyone to kill Obama, it's a sort of passive kind of bringing about his demise. But it's no less hate speech than it would be if they did threaten him directly.
I just want people to know and understand that this is a fringe group of people who don't represent the true views of conservatives, or of Christians for that matter.
I also want to note that this story appeared on Fox News site and it's not about racism. They oppose Obama for his stance on abortion.
I truly wish that people like this would stop making the news, because it makes it much harder for conservatives to be able to speak out their opposition to Obama's policies without being associated with the lunatic fringe.
I don't know anyone who, no matter how strongly they feel that Obama's policies are destructive to America, is wishing for the president to die or would encourage people to wish for his death. I wanted to post this first, so the liberals and Obama supporters on here would know that we recognize crazies when we see them, and we're not afraid to show that there are ugly people who may agree with us on some points, but with whom we do not agree about the solutions to the problems.
10 people like this
16 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
1 Sep 09
I'm not a christian, but I will still pray (in my own way that is) for this pastor to find what ever is in his soul making him think this way and reject it. I honestly don't know what to say to this, this man is sick, very very sick and need of serious spiritual help. He is NOT christian, NO genuine christian would EVER condone or embrace this kind of ideology. this is just as bad as, if not worse than, those poor sick souls at the Westboro Baptist church.
5 people like this
@DarthJustice (2014)
• United States
1 Sep 09
I will be the first to admit that I have never supported Obama and I doubt very much I ever will be an Obama supporter and/or fan. But I found that ridiculous when I read about it yesterday. As much as I dislike a lot of what he does, I've never prayed for him to die.
3 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Sep 09
Carson, the right will not claim him but you know the media and the Department of Homeland Security will consider that he, as a Christian minister, is a right-wing terrorist and has the secret but full support of the right. That's one of the reasons I posted this discussion. I wanted to show that we do not condone this sort of hate speech and twisting of religion. I also figured that it was better that I post it than have to go on a discussion posted by a liberal going on about how crazy everyone on the right is to support this guy and spend fruitless hours trying to explain to them that we don't. We're not crazy, this guy is. This one guy is a loon, that doesn't make us loons too.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
2 Sep 09
The thought just occured to me that left wing radical pastors are called mentors...while I am not condoning what this crazy preacher is doing...does anyone not remember Rev. Jeremiah Wright's G*d d*mn America speech?
Why does that pass the radar of the list keepers in Washington?
1 person likes this
@tdemex (3540)
• United States
1 Sep 09
The one thing Obama is showing the world, is that we have a real sick society here! This is bringing all the haters out of the closets where they hide! It's a very sad state the way this country is looking to the rest of the world! Democracy is going down the tubes, but it was a great experiment while it lasted! 
tdemex
tdemex3 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Sep 09
I think that the world has no shortage of crazies and sick people. I think it's harmful that we give them so much attention at times, and then at other times dangerous loonies go by with barely a notice and manage to cause some real harm.
Democracy is only going to exist as long as there are people who desire it enough to pay the price it demands of us. Complacency and wish for ultimate freedom from responsibility do not encourage democracy. Democracy will exist when people want it badly enough to demand it.
3 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
1 Sep 09
Wow! Simply amazing that this "man" is giving conservatives and Christians a bad name!! I am so glad that I know the difference between sane and insane people.
One thing I do not like about FOX's website is you can't read comments or comment on articles unless you are registered. Yes, I do go there for news from time to time but, I like to also comment and read comments.
3 people like this
@tulipstrader (1467)
• India
1 Sep 09
Its these kind of sick people who lead the religion and church. with such lot nothing good can come out. people should leave those churches where such mentally deranged people preach hatred. its time american people stood up against the church and tell them to behave or else face the consequences.
Obama's policies are not his personal policies. It belongs to the team that he leads and they must have arrived at it after lots of discussions. those who do not like it has other ways to express their dissatisfaction or displeasure. this looks more like a veiled racism.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
1 Sep 09
Well, someone had to mention racism. But I couldn't do it, because I learned on another discussion that even if someone calls me a racist for disagreeing with Obama, I can't mention it or object to it because that would be cross racism which then forces other people to call me a racist by pointing out that they did. It's very complicated.
But it's got nothing to do with racism, their problem with Obama is his position on abortion.
In fact, the man who carried the rifle to the Obama health care forum in Phoenix Arizona is a member of this church, and he is black. So, it's not racism, veiled or otherwise.
@tulipstrader (1467)
• India
2 Sep 09
I do not understand why church is so much obsessed with abortion. Are they afraid the number of believers going to come down if abortion is made legal. there are ways to over come abortion. people will simply adopt those and move on. today we have anti-pregnancy pills available. that will take care of unwanted pregnancies at the beginning itself. so the need for abortions won't arise.
what difference does it make to americans if obama takes a particular stance on abortions. the people will do what they want and no one can stop them. the best option for obama is not to force any of these on public because the vested interests like medical profession and pharma giants want those implemented.
1 person likes this
@anklesmash (1412)
•
1 Sep 09
thats about the most unchristian thing i have ever heard even though he thinks his views are sinful the christian philosophy is forgiveness
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
9 Sep 09
Rollo, I'm sorry I hadn't seen this discussion until just now. This "pastor" has no business calling himself a man of God and I'd be saying this no matter what President or anyone else for that matter he was talking about in this hateful way. I think most people realize - I know I sure do - this is a fringe group and not typical conservatives. You said, "I truly wish that people like this would stop making the news, because it makes it much harder for conservatives to be able to speak out their opposition to Obama's policies without being associated with the lunatic fringe." I understand where you're coming from but I'll say as a liberal who is on the opposite side of most political issues from you that doing what you did by starting this discussion is definitely a big step in that direction. As I said, most of us know this ignorant pastor and others like him don't represent the typical conservative or Republican and it certainly shouldn't mean anyone should feel they can't say anything against President Obama without being lumped in with people like that but someone like you speaking out against these actions can really help.
Annie
1 person likes this
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
1 Sep 09
I am a Christian and I want Obama out of office but not this way. God doesn't always answer prayers in the way peope ask for them to be answered. Obama's demise will come about eventually in Gods time and he might be 90 when it does.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
2 Sep 09
That is ridiculous. It's actually crazy since abortion has been legal for how long now? There are many out there who think violent like that. What makes this man sketchy is that he is in a leadership position and that means...oh ...he has listeners...followers. 
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
2 Sep 09
Hi Rollo1, This pastor is obviously a madman and certainly not a Christian in any sense of the word. Although I am not religious, and organized religion does not have much appeal for me anymore, I know most Christians don't think like this man. It is scary however to think that there may be other pastors out there who agree with him and that some Christians feel that their pastor always has to be right. I hope that this man is removed from his position with the church and that people start to realize that taking the Bible literally drives some people crazy. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Sep 09
If these people took the Bible literally they would do this:
"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
What they are doing isn't what Jesus instructed them to do at all.
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
2 Sep 09
Hi again Rollo1, I agree with you completely, the teachings of Jesus are excellent, especially that found in the sermon on the mount. If Christians followed this than we would have a wonderful world. It is other teachings, especially some in the old testament that I'm referring to. If you know your Bible well, you will know some to which I refer. Blessings.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
9 Sep 09
What a bozo. He shouldn't be a pastor. He shouldn't be using God's name to carry his message of hate.
I see this is a week old! Wow. I never heard anything about it. Maybe this loon ran off with Shirley Phelps-Roper and started a loon compound somewhere.
1 person likes this
@sunny68 (1327)
• India
1 Sep 09
such events are really unfortunate. this is prejudice of the worst kind. irrespective of who Obama is, he was the official candidate of the party, won by majority and IS the president. okay - general citizens commenting is still acceptable but high priests commenting such is really unfortunate. i wonder how vatican will respond??
2 people like this
@gracefuldove (1668)
• Malaysia
2 Sep 09
We need to pray for this pastor and his congregation. We do not want him to stumble new believers and laid back born again Christians. How does one, being a pastor at that can sermonize of someone's else deaths? Is he completely ignorant of love as exalted in the Bible? I would love the congregation to desert his church if he continues with his myopic narrow views and putting prayer to shame.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Can you imagine how it will go for people of the Christian faith if someone from this church goes and does something stupid?
@laughterfromclouds (60)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I believe we should be praying for God to lead, guide, and direct the decisions of our President and his personel on a daily basis. For God to soften the hearts and the spirits of those in charge of our nation no matter who it is. We need to pray for God to continue to bless America, but I'm afraid America is not blessing God.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
2 Sep 09
You said this pastor was against Obama's abortion stance?
Does he not know that if it is wrong to kill one, it is wrong to kill another. And does he not read his Bible...where it says if you have think it in your heart, you as good as did it?
So sad...it's really not that hard to understand.
he's not only giving Christians a bad name...he's giving God a bad name...and I wouldn't want to be in his skin on judgment day.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
2 Sep 09
He's obviously one of those people so full of himself that he can't consider what God actually has to say about it.
I don't think it's wrong for Christians to be informed about politics or have opinions, but the pastor's job is spiritual guidance and this advice he is giving didn't come from any heavenly source.
