New theory: McCain wants Christians to think Obama’s the Antichrist
posted at 1:46 pm on August 8, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Their racial paranoia having earned them ridicule even from “The Daily Show,” the forces of progress shift gears. Karl reminds us in the comments to our Headlines item that author Amy Sullivan comes to Time mag from the Washington Monthly (see his post from March about her take on l’affaire Wright) and the piece itself follows hot on the heels of Democratic consultants circulating a memo that pushes the Antichrist read. Then again, the Journal has an article about this out today too quoting some of the same people. A dumb juicy story is a dumb juicy story, whatever your bent.
Not being Christian, I’m more reluctant to pronounce upon the symbolism or lack thereof than I was with the Britney ad, but try this on for size:
Perhaps the most puzzling scene in the ad is an altered segment from The 10 Commandments that appears near the end. A Moses-playing Charlton Heston parts the animated waters of the Red Sea, out of which rises the quasi-presidential seal the Obama campaign used for a brief time earlier this summer before being mocked into retiring it. The seal, which features an eagle with wings spread, is not recognizable like the campaign’s red-white-and-blue “O” logo. That confused Democratic consultant Eric Sapp until he went to his Bible and remembered that in the apocalyptic Book of Daniel, the Antichrist is described as rising from the sea as a creature with wings like an eagle.
Does he mean chapter seven of Daniel? Because there are actually four beasts, only one of which has wings and the most frightening of which has horns, which are absent from the ad. But never mind that. Are they really suggesting that the fake seal that drew national mocking media coverage, sufficiently so that it was retired after one appearance, isn’t widely recognizable? It’s the singular symbol of Obama’s hubris — a no-brainer for a video teasing him about thinking he’s the Second Coming. And if it’s supposed to be a symbol of the Antichrist, what’s Moses doing calling it forth? Moses is … a good guy, right?
Like CJ, the one thing that gives me pause is the fact that there are religious nuts out there advancing this theory about Obama. See, e.g., this Glenn Beck clip from a few months ago, in which Beck and John Hagee laugh off the absurdity of the idea but not until Beck notes how much e-mail he’s gotten on the subject. And in fairness, Time and the Journal are right that the font and the orange clouds do look a bit like the cover of the last “Left Behind” book — although why that should surprise anyone given that the LB series is about the Rapture and the point of the ad is to mock the quasi-rapturous phenomenon of Obamamania escapes me. Any evangelicals want to weigh in?
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Leftists think we Christians are gullible & “easily led” into mass hysteria by such accusations. Besides, the Antichrist will come from Europe.
jgapinoy on August 8, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Then again, there are Christians who are easily led.
jgapinoy on August 8, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Yes there are idiots pushing this. There was a blog set up right after
ninjapirate on August 8, 2008 at 1:54 PM
that they spend so much time on this tells me that it hit pretty close to home, if you ask me.
the inability to laugh at yourself is obama’s major failing and mccain needs to keep using that against him.
lorien1973 on August 8, 2008 at 1:55 PM
OMG.
cuckoo … cuckoo
fogw on August 8, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Oh, brother!
I’m an Evangelical Christian, and I don’t think Obama is “That One.”
newton on August 8, 2008 at 1:57 PM
How long did it take you to look up the 4 beasts? That’s some impressive research.
BadgerHawk on August 8, 2008 at 1:57 PM
When using any sort of religious or Biblical imagery, any number of conslusions coulbe reached if one intends to do so.
I highly doubt McCain was trying to push fears of Obama being the antichrist; rather, his team was simply using whatevery imagery they could muster to paint Obama as an over-hyped cult figure.
A Christian, such as myself, could easily say that while there can be no evidence of Obama being the antichrist, he certainly has the effect of an antichrist - playing off people’s emotions and fears to garner a crazed mass of people willing to believe anything he says and do anything he wants.
Grafted on August 8, 2008 at 1:58 PM
I have a feeling AP was raised in church & is well versed in the Bible.
jgapinoy on August 8, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Bleh waste of time for McCain to even answer dumb crap like this. I’m a Christian and a pretty well studied one. Nothing in there led me to believe McCain was doing anything other than mocking Obama for his attitude.
bj1126 on August 8, 2008 at 2:00 PM
This is a ridiculous conspiracy theory of the left. Nobody has ever suggested Barack might be the antichrist.
A google search of “obama antichrist” only gets 735 thousand hits, for crying out loud.
Oh wait a minute..?
e-pirate on August 8, 2008 at 2:01 PM
This shows how close the left as come to crossing the line of insanity. We know they always use racial hatred and class envy in every election to motivate their followers. This attempt to draw religion into this is an insult to Christians every where and demonstrates their total indifference to the values and standards that have shaped our nation since conception. Hate is a motivating factor and the left are masters of the trade.
volsense on August 8, 2008 at 2:03 PM
“Look, they are painting Obama as the Anti-Christ, with white women and phallic structures! A-HA! Got you evil Republicans!”
Do they honestly listen to themselves?
DanStark on August 8, 2008 at 2:03 PM
The theory that there is an anti-Christ who will rule the world is novel and has no place in traditional Christian theology. It was the invention of John Nelson Darby, and was popularized by the notes in the Scofield Reference Bible.
The word anti-Christ was used by St. John in an epistle to describe anyone who denies the incarnation of Christ in the flesh.
The 666 of the Apocalypse refers to Nero Ceasar, since Hebrew, like Latin, used letters as numbers. If you parse Neron Caesar into its Hebrew numeric values, it equals 666.
The constantly updated speculation among “Dispensationalist” theologians (and I use that last word advisedly) is good for selling books about who the latest anti-Christ might be, but the “Beast” of the Apocalypse died June 9 AD 68.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:04 PM
BHO , Axlerod , MO , sorros
MObama is the one with the horns
Mojack420 on August 8, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Will I have righteous spasms if he touches me? One can hope.
Blacksoda on August 8, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Unfortunately, most modern Christians have very, very, little knowledge of the Old Testamen. Mention Daniel to them, few would be able to bring up any images beyond a lions den. Many wouldn’t even be able to get that far.
The idea that this symbolism is a secret message that most Christians would be able to get, is utterly laughable. Only a truely desperate campaign would come up with something this nutty.
MarkTheGreat on August 8, 2008 at 2:05 PM
They don’t listen, they feel.
KelliD on August 8, 2008 at 2:06 PM
lol. I see you’re taking a break from jimmy’s crazy door kicking argument as well.
BadgerHawk on August 8, 2008 at 2:06 PM
They confused prophecy books. There were four beasts described in Daniel Ch. 7. The one beast coming out of the sea is found on Revelations Ch. 13.
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Whenever I think of Biblical prophecy, I think of Geraldo on fox news with his finger in the sand.
ninjapirate on August 8, 2008 at 2:06 PM
This is not surprising considering that Obama has done nothing except evoke religious terms, signs and symbols his entire campaign.
Michelle Obama likened Barack Obama to a “savior” and said Obama was going “fix” our souls. Obama’s picture is taken with a halo almost every single time.
Obama himself speaks in religious terms, as in the video, and used the allegory of the “walls coming down” repeatedly.
He does nothing to dissuade one from believing that he believes himself to be God. It is often said that the One who offers himself as God is the anti-Christ.
So I’d shove this right down the throats of those doing the whining.
drjohn on August 8, 2008 at 2:07 PM
…a couple of decades before John wrote of the coming Beast.
Did I invent the “theory” to sell books, too?
jgapinoy on August 8, 2008 at 2:09 PM
What’s with the left and all the hidden meanings? Are they that liberally blinded that they can’t see what’s right in front of them?
Forest for the trees nothing, they’re after the squirrel hiding his nuts. If only they knew they were the nuts.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 8, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Then how do you explain ten major persecutions of Christians by the Romans, until 310 or 320 A.D.?
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Really, if you’re popular, and a politician, there are Christians who will believe you are the Anti-Christ. It’s not hard to find them.
This has probably been true of every candidate XD
apollyonbob on August 8, 2008 at 2:11 PM
There are indeed folks buying into BO as the AC, but I think that speaks more to their misplaced theological fervor than any sinister McCain scheming.
In related news, I’m trying desperately to take advantage of the post topic and weave in a joke about McCain’s VP choices and the term “Anti-Crist.”
I’ve got nothing.
Gymkata on August 8, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Let me highlight this from Amy’s article:
The words they are saying echo the Left Behind books are Obama’s own words, and the words of his supporters (namely Oprah). Now Obama’s people are complaining those words sound too much like Left Behind. So isn’t that Obama’s problem, and not McCain’s?
The “The One” rhetoric, the words about “our moment”, and the glowing imagery is starting to hurt Obama, so they are trying to turn it around and make it look as if it is a creation of the McCain camp. Clever? Or transparent?
MayBee on August 8, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Ok now who’s trying to scare whom? Are the Lefties trying to scare their base about the Christian Right who want to take over the country and turn it into a theocracy? Some Lefty nut jobs DO believe that nonsense.
DerKrieger on August 8, 2008 at 2:13 PM
I know I’ve posted this one before, but it’s always good for a laugh or two.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on August 8, 2008 at 2:13 PM
ROFLMAO! The crazier they are the more they hurt Obama. I hope they aren’t persuaded to stop any time soon.
TheBigOldDog on August 8, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Revelation was written before the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:15 PM
What’s your point?
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:16 PM
I feel a amillenialism/premillenialism debate coming around the corner…woohoo! Covenent theology or dispensationalism?
I’ll certainly be avoiding this thread ;)
Grafted on August 8, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Then again, there are Christians who are easily led.
As are MOST Obama followers.
TroubledMonkey on August 8, 2008 at 2:20 PM
What’s your point?
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Point is, after Nero’s suicide, persecution wasn’t over for the Christians. Remember Domitian? How about Diocletian, who ordered the last and the hugest one?
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Yeah, and when Reagan was running for POTUS the first time a friend of mine told me he was the antichrist because there were 6 letters in each of his names–Ronald Wilson Reagan.
And she was serious.
Didn’t buy it then, don’t buy it now.
Bob's Kid on August 8, 2008 at 2:22 PM
barack hussein OBama 18 letters= 6+6+6=666 any other questions?
seriously BHO to me is the anti-jefferrson. the anti-washington, and the anti-adams. He believes in the opposite of everything I hold dear. I do not have to think of him as the antichrist. Just know he is anti-freedom is enough for me.
But the rise of his followers, his rapid rise, etc does give me pause.
unseen on August 8, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Oh come on, AP, could you not find the WND story about this?
There’s the general evangelical thought on the subject.
fossten on August 8, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Hey, don’t you know that R-O-N-A-L-D W-I-L-S-O-N R-E-A-G-A-N was Mr. 666. He destroyed the world in a nuclear holocaust working in concert with his scary monster Agriculture Secretary. The world ended, and, if you’re here, you didn’t make the cut: We all live in Purgatory… or maybe a Yellow Submarine…? I’ll have to get back to you on that.
CK MacLeod on August 8, 2008 at 2:23 PM
No, the antiChrist will rise out of mystery babylon which rides on the back of the beast empire and he will eventually turn against mystery babylon to destroy it in a day.
What is mystery babylon?
Mystery Babylon is the religion of the freemason and illuminati (founders of the U.S.A)….at the bohemian grove north of San Francisco, U.S. presidents,world leaders and top media people practice the mystery babylonian ceremony of mock human sacrifices to a 45ft. tall idol of Molech(also known as Baal, the babylonian name for satan)…
SaintOlaf on August 8, 2008 at 2:23 PM
How does this mean that there is a single anti-Christ not alive when the Apocalypse was written, who will rule the world? See Rev. 1:1, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place…”
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:24 PM
The Whore of Babylon was 1st Century Jerusalem, adultery often serving in the OT as a metaphor for idolatrous Israel.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:26 PM
How do you explain the missing thousand year kingdom, and the new heaven and new earth? Also, the signs during the tribulation?
fossten on August 8, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Dude - I’m about 5 months from submitting my Doctoral Thesis in Theology. I’m just going to say this - not too many people, when confused about something like Obama’s seal, go to their Bible’s, and crack it open immediately to Daniel 7, and suddenly remember the beast from the sea. That is just stupid - this guy went there for the specific purpose of painting the McCain ad this way.
Besides, in Daniel 7, it is a beast like a lion with eagle’s (or vulture’s) wings. But this doesn’t matter either. These aren’t descriptions of the antichrist - they are generally understood as representing various empires in the ancient world. Goldingay’s commentary on Daniel, in my opinion one of the best, notes that Daniel here is concerned with a specific segment of world history, not history in its totality. He goes on to say that each creature represents kings or kingdoms from the ancient world of ancient Israel. Even the creature with 10 horns, Goldingay notes, refers to Hellenistic kings. While the genre of writing here may be “apocalypse,” this does not mean that it is apocalyptic in the sense of referring to the end of the world - or in the sense that the Dems in the above quote want to portray. In short, this passage doesn’t even talk about the antichrist.
Antichrist language, for Christians, is generally derived from the book of Revelation, and in my opinion is often misunderstood. This is not to say, however, that there isn’t a popular (or, popular among a small but either vocal or over-exposed segment) that world leaders might the antichrist. How many times has Bush been called this?
That’s just a few minutes spent looking this up. Even though mine is packed away somewhere, I’m willing to bet that the most popular (I think) Study Bible on the market (NIV Study Bible), identifies these beasts in the notes as ancient empires. If true, that would mitigate against a wide portion of evangelicals making this connection. And even if the connection were there, I dare say most people wouldn’t make it, at least not without this little bit of help from the Dems. I’ll try to dig it out.
nailinmyeye on August 8, 2008 at 2:27 PM
I thought Hillary was the anti-christ?
unseen on August 8, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Sorry but your wrong again Akzed..
The great Tribulation will be the worst devastation that the world has ever face or WILL EVER FACE on earth.
This completely disproves your point,considering that WW2, the holocaust etc. have all been worse disasters than the time in AD 68 that you are referring to.
SaintOlaf on August 8, 2008 at 2:29 PM
As I’ve told you a million times… thousand means forever. As Isaiah put it, of the increase of His government there shall be no end.” The New Heavens and New Earth are here now, since for the redeemed “all things have become new” according to the apostle.
Signs during the tribulation? See Matthew 23:36; 24:34, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Between these two verses are listed all the signs, many of which are recorded as having occurred in the Book of Acts.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Google’s new Insight tool shows the western world has lagged behind the most Christian nations in sub-Saharan Africa when it comes to curiosity about Obama as a false messiah.
Regional interest for obama+antichrist (12 months)
1. Rwanda
2. Kenya
3. Uganda
4. Ethiopia
5. Zambia
6. Cameroon
7. Tanzania
8. Botswana
9. United States
10. Ghana
Past 30 days for “obama+antichrist”
1. Kenya
2. United States
3. Ghana
4. Nigeria
5. Canada
6. Germany
7. South Africa
8. Dominican Republic
9. Switzerland
10. New Zealand
econavenger on August 8, 2008 at 2:31 PM
What passage is this to which you refer? Because if it is in the Apocalypse, the word for “earth” can also be translated land, as in the covenant land on which the tribes mentioned dwelt.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:32 PM
So the 144,000 Jew witnesses mentioned are actually 144 “Forever” Jews? Who was the false prophet, and where is the recorded history that the Beast caused the image (statue) of the false prophet to speak? How is it that we all missed the destruction of the old earth by fire?
fossten on August 8, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Sure, anybody can spin scripture to mean whatever they want it to mean. But you’re really stretching here.
fossten on August 8, 2008 at 2:34 PM
OH NOES! Not the dramatic clouds…
I think they were subliminally comparing him to Moses. Come to think of it, DeMille’s Ten Commandments had those dramatic clouds, too. Maybe Cecil was subliminally suggesting that Moses was the anti-Christ, though the timeline is a little sticky.
Spielberg used dramatic clouds in Close Encounters and Raiders of the Lost Ark, so maybe McCain was subliminally suggesting that Obama is an alien or a Nazi collaborator.
Karl on August 8, 2008 at 2:34 PM
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be”.
Matthew 24:21-22
SaintOlaf on August 8, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Maybe McCain is just making fun of Christians?
alphie on August 8, 2008 at 2:35 PM
“Soon take place…”
God’s concept of time isn’t our own. A thousand years for us is nothing but a day for God. “Soon” is a much different thing for God than for us. (We’re talking 2000 years or so of “soon”, here!)
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Where is the recorded history of the valley of Megiddo being filled with blood to the horses’ bridles? Where is it recorded that Caesar gathered the nations together to fight against God, and they were all slain? Where is the recorded history that Jesus is ruling the new heaven and new earth? It is written that He will set foot again on the Mount of Olives. When did this happen?
fossten on August 8, 2008 at 2:36 PM
First off, B.O. is NOT the Antichrist.
Secondly, B.O. is NOT the Messiah.
He IS NOT The One.
B.O. IS your typical politician who happens to know how to give great speeches, but who has little experience as far as leadership goes.
And because he DOES have a habit of changing his mind and opinion depending on which direction the wind is blowing, I now take EVERYTHING he has to say with a grain of salt.
pilamaye on August 8, 2008 at 2:37 PM
the preterists can’t seem to answer the real question…if they’re right, then where is Jesus??? they have to change the date of the writing of revelation because it conflicts with their theory, not because they have anything to change the date that most scholars have agreed upon
right4life on August 8, 2008 at 2:38 PM
The 144,000 are all the Jews that became Christians. Not every image is a statue. Satan is the dragon, the Best is Rome/Nero, and the false prophet is the Scribes and Pharisees etc.
Remember, the book must have been understandable by those who first read it, Rev. 22:7,10.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Matthew 23:36; 24:34, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:40 PM
That’s ridiculous. On what basis then did God expect 1st century believers to understand the book, which in Rev. 22 He says is not seal;ed (unlike in Daniel 12) since “the time is at hand”?
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Gents, this isn’t a place for general theological discussion. If you have something to say that’s germane to the McCain ad, please do so. If not, take it to e-mail. Please don’t make me ban anyone for going off-topic after I’ve asked you not to.
Allahpundit on August 8, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Where’s Jesus?
“I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”
Ever heard of Pentacost? But you are off topic. We are debating whether or not it can be proved from Scripture that there is an anti-Christ contemporary or future to us.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:43 PM
You got it, dude!
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I think the anti-Christ comparisons come naturally because he’s such an effective politician. He’s attained a cult-like status all over the world, something any hypothetical anti-Christ would need to create the supposed three years of peace.
If the anti-Christ is real, he’ll probably look a lot like Obama, young, good-looking, an alum of the best schools, rock star, huge speeches all over the world, etc…. (though he probably wouldn’t make near as many gaffes)
However, I think most Christians are a little more critical thinking than that.
If Obama is the anti-Christ, then that’s it. Game over. It’s God’s will, so don’t even fight it.
The types of people who worry about this are the same who are “demanding” that Obama say “Jesus is Lord” in order to prove he isn’t a Muslim Manchurian Candidate.
Esthier on August 8, 2008 at 2:43 PM
A thousand pardons, AP.
Back on topic then, since there is obviously considerable disagreement about whether or not there is an anti-Christ yet to come, we should leave it to the Dems to debate it and just pooh pooh the idea altogether, and not get all caught up in arguments about it being Hussein or not.
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 2:44 PM
What generation is he referring to Akzed?
What does he state immediately prior to your quote?
What does the fig tree represent? Israel.
What does Israel’s tender branches putting forth leaves represent? Clearly it’s rebirth as a nation, considering that Jesus also prophecied it’s scattering as a nation earlier.
SaintOlaf on August 8, 2008 at 2:45 PM
All of you arguing the nature of Christian eschatology are and have distracted from the point of this thread. Aren’t there other places on the internet to argue the “finer” points of the end of the world?
Dems are using imagined Christian theology, and Christians, to smear the Republican candidate - doesn’t anyone want to discredit that?
nailinmyeye on August 8, 2008 at 2:45 PM
All you have to do to start is ask Christ into your heart. I think He’s already working in your life.
Hening on August 8, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Who cares? This ad will backfire against the dems…it will just convince more folks that Hussein the Dragon is the man of sin.
SaintOlaf on August 8, 2008 at 2:48 PM
That passage from the speech of Obama where he talks about a light shining down and telling you that you must vote for Obama just begs for a sarcastic reply, and that’s what he got. The ad isn’t saying that Obama is the either the messiah or the antichrist, it is saying that Obama acts like he thinks he is the messiah.
pedestrian on August 8, 2008 at 2:52 PM
You know, the thing that bothers me the most about the whole Anti-Christ thing is that it has become a parlor game, and a ridiculous one.
My opinion? We will not know until it actually comes.
If you have a problem with that, go ask Peter.
Don’t worry, Allah. I’m not going into it anymore.
newton on August 8, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Not being religious, I can’t really weigh in on the whole “anti-Christ” thing. But this struck me as kind of funny:
Does Amy Sullivan really believe this nonsense? The reality is probably something along the lines of:
“Desperate to spin McCain’s ad into something sinister that the sympathetic and credulous MSM would be sure to run with, Sapp searched the ad for coded racism or phallic symbols. Seeing none, he decided to send the press on a hand-wringing frolic and detour into whether McCain is a part of, or trying to manipulate, a dangerous lunatic fringe. His mission clear, Eric sat down to google.”
Infidoll on August 8, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Sadly, this sort of thing circulates about the Democratic candidate before every big election. It’s the sort of nonsense that one receives in earnest e-mail chain letters.
Would the McCain camp be cynical and savvy enough to exploit this? Maybe. However it’s worth noting that his staff has been calling Obama “The One” for some time now. I don’t think it’s very likely the McCain staff is full of people who think Obama is the Anti-Christ. I think they just see him as full of himself and are, in fact, criticizing him not that much differently than some people *ahem* criticized Huckabee.
In other words, the critique this ad makes is essentially coming from a secular perspective, not a deeply religious one.
John on August 8, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Exactly: This is about Team Obama ( World Messiah ) getting hoisted on their own Petard as they try to use a deliberate misrepresentation of Christian theology to confuse and distract potential voters
It’s also a sign of Increasing Panic among a bunch of Looney Tune Lefists running BHO’s campaign as they smell a coming defeat–and the wrath of all those Kos and DU nutjobs who will scream and moan for months and years
They’ve already lost the ‘blue collar’ Reagan Democrat vote, and are desperate to get it back.
Janos Hunyadi on August 8, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Horrible ad pandering to stupid people.
Dave Rywall on August 8, 2008 at 3:15 PM
McCain maybe on to something, because:
“The Anti-Christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal….the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, he will destroy everything.”
Sound familiar?
byteshredder on August 8, 2008 at 3:16 PM
“Not being Christian”…that’s a shocker!
It’s also a shocker that Obama lovers have done the usual: they use the extreme religious interpretation of the ‘right wing Christian zealots’ in their breathless analysis of the ad instead of just noting the references that support the Big O’s monumental ego as the Demo-Messiah.
Many may scoff at Ann Coulter, but her book ‘Godless, the Church of Liberalism’ comes to mind. I found it a very good read as it explains (among other things), that the public schools have become the Left’s place of worship.
However, I wouldn’t call Barry Whosane a liberal, he’s evolved far beyond that label. He’s a (neo-)Marxist masquerading as a flexible, ‘middle of the road socialist/progressive’. Oh boy, those progressives are cool!
It also reminds me of There Will Be Blood in which Hollywood pits the 2 evils against each other: Big Oil and Religion.
It’s telling that we don’t get the background on the oil man to understand why he is such an evil man; if the story had been about a child molester, mass murderer, male prostitute or drug dealer we would have had his whole sad story.
Christine on August 8, 2008 at 3:21 PM
AllahPundit, it is not off-topic to discuss the various doctrines regarding the Anti-Christ here. The left claims that McLame is trying to paint the O as the Anti-Christ. Yet that claim can be rendered moot if it can be shown that there is a large segment of the Christian population that does not even believe in that doctrine.
In fact, if I am not mistaken, that is essentially the position of the Roman Catholic church that you grew up in. I am not Catholic, but the Catholics that I have had discussions with have told me that Christ could have returned at ANY time during the past 2000 years — no fulfillment of prophecy required.
BTW, Akzed, I think that your interpretation is essentially the correct one. Furthermore, the four beasts discussed in Daniel refer to the Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires. Additional evidence that the beast of Revelation is the Roman Emperor in general (and not Nero specifically) is alluded to by the fact that there have been copies of the Book Of Revelation in which the number 666 has been altered to 616. Keep in mind that Rome changed emperors A LOT in the years that followed the crucifixion of Christ. If I’m not mistaken, there was one instance where they went through 5 emperors in a single one or two year period.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on August 8, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Obama is too stupid to be the AntiChrist. His Messianism is a transparent farce, and his crowds are only more notable than Kerry’s because apparently the faint-prone are out in force this year.
200,000 Germans? BFD. Germany has an unemployment rate north of 10% and is pretty darn socialist to begin with. It’s beer, brauts, and watching a stupid, arrogant American make a fool of himself. They went for the entertainment, not because of Obama’s magnetic personaility (currently set to negative polarity).
If there is an Antichrist, BHO ain’t it. He may be stupid, egomaniacal, and dissastrous if given any power, but the scion of Hell he ain’t.
BKennedy on August 8, 2008 at 3:36 PM
If they would quit fawning over him like he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread then there would be nothing to talk about. I mean really, there have been plenty of popular politicians (Reagan) but I don’t believe any of them claimed the oceans waters were going to recede. Yes yes, I know he meant the implementation of his policies but he says stupid sheet, crowd goes wild, and they have to come up with the “anti-Christ” deal to cover their buns. I am sure there are people who think that, but right now they are busy trying to get into Canada to protest at a funeral.
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 3:37 PM
I’m sure there are some who really think he is the Antichrist. It takes all kinds to make a world. Most are using it to as a riposte to the rapturous devotion of his supporters and the extent to which they use the Messiah-like meme to show it. I’m saying anything new there.
I expect its use, and would even use it myself, to get their goat or raise their hackles, because it works not because it’s actually believed. If his supporters don’t like it then maybe they should quit behaving like he is the second coming of Christ.
But McCain’s ad doesn’t portray him as the Antichrist. It portrays Obama as a guy who acts like he is God; he promotes that adulation among his fans. But Moses didn’t part the Red Sea (and as AP notes he didn’t ask the Antichrist for help in doing it). God acted through Moses to part the Red Sea and in the ad, Moses is just the instrument by which the Almighty Obamaseal does it’s work.
McCain’s ad is just art reflecting life. Yeah, that’s why Obama’s supporters should accept this free expression without criticizing it.
No wait, here’s a better reason: McCain is just doing it for shock effect to raise awareness, so no one should get all in a tizzy over it. (Ha, never thought I’d use that one.)
Dusty on August 8, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I’m saying = I’m not saying
Dusty on August 8, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Not surprised Tony Campolo is ginning up this Leftist hysteria. Recall, Campolo was Bubbah’s “spiritual advisor” during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Professor Campolo was uniquely qualified for that role as a sociologist who specializes in human sexuality. Afterall, he studied under Alfred Kinsey– a world-class pervert.
He also advocates for Palestinian statehood.
Oddly, Campolo’s progressive Gospel also regards Darwinism as racist;
Terp Mole on August 8, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Who?
So, McCain’s ad is a secret message aimed at Obama’s evangelical voters? Talk about your Machiavellian coups!
That’s it; this means all-out war. Obama now has no choice but take off the kid gloves and respond in kind: Make a commercial designed to steal John McCain’s Code Pink supporters.
logis on August 8, 2008 at 3:52 PM
I didn’t see the ad as an attempt to present Obama as the anti Christ, however this type of speculation may cause those who believe that an anti Christ is prophesied to now consider if Obama may be the one. It’s the criticism of the ad rather than the ad itself that may cause this consideration of Obama.
Rose on August 8, 2008 at 4:00 PM
At the risk of AP’s wrath, since he told us to stay on topic, I will respond to you while staying on topic.
616 could be gematria for Caligula, as well as for (as I recall darkly) Nero in Greek as opposed to Hebrew, or vice versa. (All my books are at home.) Anyway, to stay on topic, it surely ain’t Barack Hussein O’Jesus.
Don’t ban me, bro!
Akzed on August 8, 2008 at 4:07 PM
So did I! Still do.
GeneSmith on August 8, 2008 at 4:22 PM
What’s next? McCain’s ads secretly imply that Obama is Lex Luthor to McCain’s Superman? McCain’s trying to paint Obama as Stalin? Seriously, they’re a hop, skip, and jump from saying “McCain put Obama in Germany…and says he’s bad…and you know who else is a bad German…?!”
Given that McCain and the evangelical base weren’t very friendly before (we’re all fond of at least one of the “agents of intolerance”), I don’t think he’d even try something as insane as all that. There’s that, and McCain’s not crazy. Those two reasons, I think, rule out liberal “readings” of McCain ads.
emailnuevo on August 8, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Those with eyes to see need no cue card to recognize Obama the wannabe archetype figurehead alongside Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao, and so many other Antichrists. But McCain had better tread lightly, as he is owned by such powers himself. All of those untouchable insulated owners want us under their thumb and seek to crumble our Constitutional integrity in order to achieve COMPLETE GLOBAL POWER TO MANIPULATE THE MASSES. So it seems.
maverick muse on August 8, 2008 at 4:36 PM
The Anti-Christ will rise from the ashes of the ancient Roman empire so, sorry, Barry you’re not it.
Mojave Mark on August 8, 2008 at 4:40 PM
And just why can’t Obama be both Christ and the Anti-Christ?
You’re losing your touch Barry.
myamphibian on August 8, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Just when you think this campaign can’t get any stranger, it does!! The reason? I’m wondering if it’s not the fact that the Dems are courting the lunatic fringe of their Party so much that it feels free to run amok?
jeanie on August 8, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I’ve been convinced, since the beginning of this campaign, Obonzo is the Anti-Christ.
prove me wrong
franksalterego on August 8, 2008 at 4:59 PM
The advert doesn’t even really make sense to me. It’s like its going in this one direction the whole time and then bam…”But is he ready to lead”….maybe McCain needs to get Edwards commercial maker.
beefytee on August 8, 2008 at 5:05 PM
It’s very simple actually: if Senator Obama fails to achieve power then he is not the Anti-Christ. Personally, the fact that he continues to act in a manner reminiscent of the Anti-Christ, regardless if he is or is not, is, in itself, plenty of justification not to vote for him.
Not that I needed another reason to vote against him mind you.
Browncoatone on August 8, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I was going to let Akzed can handle the postmillennial explanations to the premillenialists but…
Nero’s name in Hebrew adds up to 666. There is another variant reading, with ties to Latin, which reads’616′. Also, Nero’s name in Latin adds to 616. [My books are at the other house, but these references are also available online in djvu format.]
The references to “the beast” all point to the worst possible kind of ruler (e.g., Nero and Obama-as-leftist/egotist). I believe that post-mil & pre-mils can agree on this.
Obama evangelists set off all kinds of alarms, and the ‘no horns or tail’ stuff does not answer their problem. Their tin ear is a result of limited experience among leftists who do not know people outside their own circles.
Obama’s church of 20 years is extremely liberal within a debomination (UCC) that published “Gay Theology Without Apology.” It should come as no surprise that evangelicals are VERY suspicious of Obama.
Right_of_Attila on August 8, 2008 at 5:13 PM
I’m not religious, so it lends a certain absurdity to this question…but what if he was actually “the one”…not the anti-christ, but actually the second coming.
The Jews thought they knew what to look for in the messiah, and didn’t get what they wanted…
Again, I’m not religious, and am agnostic on a nostalgic day, so for me to even ponder if he’s “the one” is an exercise in silliness.
beefytee on August 8, 2008 at 5:14 PM
wow, it sounds like you really believe this malarkey!!
beefytee on August 8, 2008 at 5:15 PM
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