Weekly Pastor Online

(Romans 13:1-3a)

I must admit that I had never heard a Pastor state that he was praying for the death of the President of the United States until recently. I am shocked and appalled at such an attitude. Not only that, I have seen on the news, persons with pictures of President Obama desecrated with a moustache resembling the one Adolph Hitler wore. Then to see individuals at townhall meetings screaming in each other's faces regarding health care is quite unsettling. Shouldn't we behave in a way that our kids who watch us, will learn how to disagree decently and in order? And now there are those who object to President Obama speaking to school kids about getting their homework and doing their best. As an attorney and a minister, I have frequently spoken at schools and never had to submit a copy of my speech in advance for the approval of the administrators or the parents. Other Presidents before President Obama were not required to do so either. I was born in 1948 and I have voted in quite a few presidential elections. My candidate did not always win, but I have never seen the President of the United States treated the way President Obama has been. Nor would I do any of the things to any of them that I mentioned above just because I did not agree with them.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental right in this country as it should be. However, I learned at an early age that there are some limitations even to that privilege. For instance, no one should be allowed to yell "fire" in a crowded movie theater. In the same vain, words or actions that might induce violence against our President should not be tolerated.

In the passage above, Paul makes it clear that our governmental leaders should be respected. In verse 5, Paul says that we should be subject to their authority as a matter of conscience. I realize that everyone has a right to disagree with President Obama regarding his policies. But I wonder if the line is not being crossed between disagreement, and disrespect. As Christians, we should be concerned. The Word of God is clear, "let every soul be subject to the governing authorities." And like it or not, President Obama is a governing authority in the United States of America. I may, or may not always agree with our President, but I will certainly not disrespect him. I hope you will not either.