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An Open Letter to America's Churches:

As a nation, we currently face one of the most important  elections in our nation's history.   It will be an election discussed in the history books for generations to come.  And it is an election that both sides realize the importance of.

Little wonder that it is also showing signs of being one of the most embarrassing elections ever.   Each side believes so strongly that it is an important election that there are supporters on either side willing to say ANYTHING about the other candidate.

For this reason,  I am coming to you to ask your help.   Since Senator Obama has announced his candidacy, numerous false e-mails are being circulated throughout the web.   The first round of false rumors stated that Sen. Obama is a Muslim.  This is simply not true.  Senator Obama speaks eloquently of discovering that the most effective means of community organizing in Chicago is through the local churches.  He eventually found salvation in one of those churches and traveled from aethiesm to  proclaiming Jesus as his personal saviour.  You may not agree with him regarding spiritual matters but at least give honest voice to the fact that he is not and never has been Muslim.

The second round was even more offensive.  Lately e-mails have cirulated that list "coincidences" that point to the end of the world.  It then raises the question of Senator Obama being the antichrist!  THIS IS SIMPLY WRONG.  Throughout the history of the world people have tried to identify the antichrist.  Napoleon, Hitler, Idi Amin have all shared the title.   And apparently none of them were the antichrist.   Don't get me wrong.   They were very bad people...but not as bad as the antichrist is supposed to be.

There is no single human more reviled by Christians than the image of this evil world leader who begins the times of tribulation.  Naming this person before he is revealed is a very slipper slope to walk.  The Bible teaches that no one, not even the angels know the time and place of Christ's return.   So technically, no one can really know who the antichrist is.  And don't forget, history teaches us that we've been wrong before.

By raising the spectre that Obama is the antichrist, you have asked an unanswerable question and placed a lingering doubt in the minds of many believers.   Think of this as the Campaign 08 version of the question, "Mr. Candidate, have you stopped beating your wife?"

This does not strike me as the type of campaign that would start from within a church.  I can, however; envision others (with an urgent desire to see Senator Obama lose) raise this question.  They realize that every church has a member or two that would be willing to pass an e-mail along raising doubts in the minds of thousands.  In other words, the Church is being duped and used for political purposes.

The way people just pass the lies along by e-mail, taking no responsibility for their actions is the saddest part of all.   (Because I don't think many people truly believe that Senator Obama is the antichrist.  If they did, more of them would be making plans to move to a remote 3rd World country....just in case!)  This is merely the 21st Century equivalent of the rumor mill, untrue gossip that we enjoy because it's so "exciting".   By itself; it means little, but the problem is that it leaves a lingering doubt about the "character" of the candidate.  "He's probably not the antichrist, but if everyone thinks he's that bad...there must be something to it."

Jesus said in Matthew 12: 36-37;

"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgement.   For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."                                                             

                 
If we are judged by and condemned by the words we speak idly, are we also judged and condemned by our e-mails?

I am not  asking that you support Sen. Obama for President.  I do hope that everyone will take time to examine the issues to make an informed decision, you may find that he is a candidate you can support. 

I do ask that America's Churches take it upon themselves to speak out strongly against these e-mails and others like them.   They are nothing but malicious gossip being used to smear a good man.   Even if his political beliefs do not agree with yours, it does not change the fact that he is a good man with a family that can be hurt by your false accusations and insinuations.

Please take time next Sunday to speak out against being used for political gain.   Speak out about the consequences of malicious gossip and false witness. And pray that our nation makes the best choice possible this November  (Be it Sen McCain or Sen. Obama.)   But please make sure that your actions as Americans during a campaign season reflect well upon your faith.