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Obama had to show them that he wasn't the antiChrist
I have a relative in Kansas who literally believes that he is the antichrist ... and this person is (supposedly) educated and works in a medical lab. But apparently she will believe any disgusting, sub-mental anti-Obama rumor that comes to her on the internets, so long as it supports her Republican politics. Another one I heard from a Central California Republican is that Obama is a plant in a Muslim conspiracy to take over the U.S. I have never heard any rumor about McCain on the left that comes close to this kind of willfully vile stupidity.
I respect Obama for his efforts last night to show that it is possible for Christians to think intelligently and critically and to have the humility to understand that they don't always have all the answers. Unfortunately, too many people who call themselves Christians would rather be "certain" than be right; they are perfectly willing to be wrong, to believe the most scurrilous rumors, to give in to their basest fears, to forsake the brain God gave them, in order to feel 100% "certain." This is an abuse of faith; surely faith does not mean allowing one's own worst instincts to take over one's reason.
Even though I think Rick Warren is mostly a self-promoting shill, I hope his friendship with Obama will show a more enlightened side to American Christianity than this.
