Obama As The Anti Christ?

This is perhaps one of the most disturbing clips I've seen about the fragile state of the American psyche in quite some time. Guardian journalist Ed Pilkinson went to do a story on Ethanol production in Missouri, and spoke with the general manager Roger Hill about the presidential election. Pilkinson expected Hill to be a reasonable man, and supportive of Obama for his stance on Ethanol. Instead, he got the shock of his life when Hill started talking about Muslims taking over London, how Obama was secretly a Muslim (and had admitted it on a video Mr. Hill had on his laptop), and most alarmingly, that Obama was an incarnation of the Anti Christ.

I live in West Hollywood, California, so am not subjected to this type of ignorance on a routine basis. People here are generally educated, liberal and open minded. I have however, spent some time in less populated areas of the country and have mixed with people with very different views from myself. I spent a year in Corvallis, Oregon as part of an exchange program with my university in England, and got to know some Christian fundamentalists pretty well.

The video on the Guardian brought back memories of my time in Oregon, where I was exposed to some troubling aspects of American culture. I was struck by the lack of general education local Oregonians receive, and could not believe that most of my class mates did not understand, or believe in the theory of evolution. There were many highly intelligent people, but without fundamental knowledge in some very basic subjects. I remember feeling extremely disturbed that seemingly normal people could repeat religious doctrine without questioning it, and adhere to a belief system that defied everything modern science and rationality told us about the world. I was also exposed to some more hateful views of the world, where Muslisms were all terrorists, the French were cowardly communists and the American military was to be used to instill fear and take resources wherever and whenever it wanted.

It occurred to me that there were two competing Americas, and two separate cultures vying for power. One that valued intelligence, education and reason, and the other that valued religion, nationalism and fear. The latter was desperately insecure, isolated and dangerous, while the former confused, unable to communicate its ideas, and on the brink of collapse.

That was back in 2002, and a huge amount has changed since then. Progressives have fought back, organizing, educating and strategizing to the point where a Black liberal is on the verge of the Presidency. But there is still a long way to go.

Roger Hill is a classic example of the enormous problems facing America, where respectable, intelligent people repeat the most heinous gibberish without a trace of embarassment. Hill is a symbol of how America is failing its people, a man who seems proud of extreme ignorance and unashamed of hateful views of the world.

It's a reminder that this is a country with some very serious problems that will not go away over night. The Roger Hills of this country have been neglected for too long, and need to be reached if America has a chance of surviving as a nation. George Bush has brought the country to the brink of the abyss only to be rescued at the final hour (and that's if Obama wins), but there is still much work to do.

Ben Cohen is the editor of www.thedailybanter.com and a contributing writer to www.espn.com. He can be reached at [e-mail]

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Comments

[retrocozayshin]

The strange thing is that Palin fits that mold much better.

[Tizzlepiss]

And don't forget, she is licensed to hunt from helicopters.

[UncleSamb]

This is a fairly commonplace idea throughout the bible belt

[Dye]

I got an email from a person the other day I have known for several years but not really considered a friend. He also believes Obama is the Anti-Christ. He quoted the Bible and tried to "twist" the words around to show that Obama is indeed the Anti-Christ. I replied back to him and pointed out that according to the Bible, the Anti-Christ is to come from the Middle East - NOT- Hawaii. I too have travelled around the US a lot and am astonished at the level of ignorance of many people.

[M2M]

What I need is advice about what to say to people that I know who shock me when they say they believe that Obama is the Anti-Christ. These are friends and relatives, educated people. Is there a way to get through to them? Should I try?

[jstwtasec]

As a former aspiring minister (I never finished bible college because I realized I don't care much for "church people") I would say the best response is good, the sooner he is in power the sooner Jesus can return, and finish the plan (see Revelations).

[alenaspoppa]

Now that's a line to be remembered and repeated!!!

[TParrish]

I love a good discussion with people with whom I disagree. I have found it impossible, however, to argue with "people of faith". If your side of the discussion is: "This is my opinion, based upon the data I have gathered and carefully considered.", and their side of the discussion is: "This is what God said to me, and what my pastor said God said to him.", drop the subject. You are going to get nowhere. Reason and data mean nothing to these people, and no matter how brilliantly you express your thoughts, you are always going to be wrong if you disagree with God.

[Squirtapotamus]

I would say "the Antichrist is someone who teaches something antithetical to the teachings of Christ.

"Christ teaches that we are all sinners that need to be saved.

"The Antichrist will teach that there is nothing wrong with humans just as there is nothing wrong with trees and birds and rocks and so there is no need for salvation."

I would say "I reject the teachings of Christ (and also Mohammed by the way) in this idea that all humans are fundamentally flawed. Therefore I am the antichrist."

Anyone who thinks the antichrist will bring evil to this world hasn't witnessed the damage both Christians (and Muslims) have wrecked upon this world these last two thousand years.

[ShinjiIkari]

I accept the notion that all of humankind is subject to failings. I just don't think of those failings in the "original sin" manner embraced by the thumpers. Furthermore, I also believe that all human beings possess "Buddha-nature"--the capacity for enlightenment about the world and their place in it, and that we should feel compassion toward all sentient beings without prejudice. Jesus said basically the same thing; so here I am practicing Christian behavior and belief that would get me labeled a heathen by some Christians.

If holy wars weren't so sad, they'd be proof that God has a sense of humor.

[knitwit]

Holy crap. What is the matter with people, I fear for us if Obama doesn't win.