As I looked at President Obama at our convention last Friday, where all he took he’s been able to rise politically again. I’m not comparing him to Jesus, but I am saying that to every crucifixion there is a resurrection for those who believe.”
The Reverend Al Sharpton is… well… I’m not sure what he is. Unbelievable? Brazen? Antagonistic? Confused? All of the above?
The above quote is from an Easter message he gave on April 16th this year.
Here’s a hint, just because you try to cover it up and say “I’m not comparing him to Jesus,” doesn’t erase the fact that you DID just compare President Obama’s political ups and downs to Jesus’ resurrection. You can say you didn’t do something all you want, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t do it. You did.
Comparing President Obama’s ability to rise after political trials to Jesus raising from the dead is, at a minimum, insulting. And to call political attacks a type of “crucifixion” is just ridiculous.
Is President Obama subjected to ridicule? Yes. Open scrutiny? Yes, as he should be. His policies questioned? Yes. His attire made fun of? Yes. Welcome to public life. But is he beaten, dragged through the streets, and tortured to death? No. (That was Ambassador Stevens, but I digress…)
A political attack is in NO WAY similar to a torturous, painful, humiliating, horrendous, and very public death. As a Reverend of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Rev. Sharpton, shame on you for making that comparison. Words have meaning and what you’re doing does not build unity.
Rev. Al, since it’s Easter weekend, I’ll close with a scripture, just for you, take note of that last line…
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the
community.
You can listen to the portion Rev. Al’s speech here.
Photo credit via Flickr Luke X. Martin
