Media Matters: Newsweek publishes article on purported debate over whether Obama is the Antichrist

[DeepModem Mom]

Media Matters for America: Newsweek publishes article on purported debate over whether "Obama (is)the Antichrist"
Eric Boehlert and Jamison Foser

In a November 15 Newsweek article headlined "Is Obama the Antichrist?" senior editor Lisa Miller treated as newsworthy purported debate among some "conservative Christians" over whether President-elect Barack Obama is "the Antichrist." In doing so, Miller gave credibility to the views of RaptureReady.com editor and founder Todd Strandberg who has, among other things, smeared gays and lesbians, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, Strandberg has written that Rev. Jerry Falwell correctly blamed 9-11 on "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, (and) People for the American Way," and in January of 2006, Strandberg wrote that "Satan is the true god of the Hajj," the pilgrimage to Mecca that is a central part of Islamic faith.

In a November 18 post, Washington Monthly blogger Steve Benen wrote of Miller's piece: "When bizarre, fringe publications speculate openly about who may or may not be the Antichrist, it's easy to dismiss. When Newsweek publishes a 600-word piece on those who wonder about Obama being the Antichrist, one really has to wonder what on earth the editors were thinking." Benen later stated: "I can appreciate the fact that there are a handful of very odd people in the world, some of whom believe the Book of Revelation foretold Obama's election. Strange people can be led to believe strange things. That's not a reason for Newsweek to publish articles about their inanity."

In the Newsweek article, Miller reported:

Strandberg says Obama probably isn't the Antichrist, but he's watching the president-elect carefully. On his Web site, he has something called the Rapture Index, a calculation based on signs and prophecy of the proximity of the end. According to Strandberg, any number over 160 means "fasten your seat belts." Obama's win pushed the index to 161....

http://mediamatters.org/items/200811180007?f=h_latest

[CBGLuthier]

1. what really pisses me off about this nonsense

Is that virtually nothing they say about the antichrist is backed up by scripture. I'm not talking about the Nero theory either.

Most info that people have about the antichrist comes from the fucking Omen movies and other bullshit that some supposed scholars made up. Garbage dogma and not at all based on anything in that great drug induced book of Revelation.

Hell 30 years ago they said the antichrist would be from the middle east and work with the russians. I sure wish they would get their story straight.

[asjr]

2. How stupid.

[Democrats_win]

3. Too funny. Everyone knows the UN is the anti-christ.

Not that I'm a tin-foiler on the UN. It's just the idea that the UN is supposedly the world government. Who really should be the world government? According the the Bible it's Jesus Christ. Thus, the UN is the anti-christ.

Ok, it's a little nuts. But, I'm not Newsweek. What's up with them?

[liberal texan]

4. has newsweek given space to the flat earth soceity?

[donco6]

5. Fundie Christians have been "identifying" the Antichrist for years.

When I was in high school, it was Gorbachev. Later, Clinton (Bill). Then Hillary.

They have a penchant for Democrats. Go figger.

[TNOE]

6. They are about as upside down as you can get

Bush was "God's man for the job" and God put him in the White House, yet everything that man has touched has turned to shit. He has destroyed literally everything and ruined a good part of the world. Yet, they cannot let go of their delusions.

As far as I'm concerned, the Anti-Christ, whom they have all worshipped and adored (per bible scripture) is leaving the shit pile he created on January 20, 2009.