11.23.2009

Psalm 109:8 Reveals Christian Extremist Hate

281_Fascism.jpgI have repeatedly used this blog as a platform to call attention to the dangers of Christian extremism in the United States. Unfortunately, this label has still not caught on. Far too many remain content to view religious extremism as something Muslims do that doesn't apply to Christians. I used to think that the explanation was as simple as people not wanting to acknowledge that Christianity could be every bit as dangerous as Islam for fear of offending the Christian majority that controls the U.S. I'm not so sure about that anymore. Even atheists have been reluctant to apply the Christian extremist label to practitioners of this form of extremism.

As you have undoubtedly heard by now, Christian extremists in the United States are rallying behind an obscure passage from their bibles to promote imprecatory prayer against President Obama. That is, they are praying for the death of their president and encouraging others to do the same by spreading this meme of hatred through a variety of commercial ventures.

Psalm 109:8 seems innocent enough at first glance.
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
They are unhappy with President Obama and want him replaced, ideally by Sarah Palin. However, the problem with this becomes readily apparent when we examine Psalm 109. Take Paliban Daily's suggestion and look over Psalm 109:1-19. Paints a very different picture, doesn't it?

Read in context, it is painfully clear that "let his days be few" is indeed an imprecatory prayer. This line is not referring to President Obama's time in office, but his time among us. Psalm 109:9 makes this extremely clear.
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
These Christian extremists are praying for the death of our President. This is Christian extremism on display for all to see. As Paliban Daily notes,
They are openly praying and asking you to pray that the President of the United States be cursed by their god, that he die and his family suffer horribly in poverty and aided by none until they are all wiped out.
Where is the media on this? Where is the outrage? Where are the so-called moderate Christians? Is a religion that shields this sort of thing simply to preserve it self really worth maintaining?

I hope to see everyone with an outlet (e.g., a blog, a podcast, a local newspaper that accepts letters to the editor, etc.) talking about this and referring to Christian extremism. This sort of thing can be ignored no more.