JONESVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina pastor says he wasn't trying to be political when he posted a sign in front of his church linking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Pastor Roger Byrd said he just wanted to make people think when he put up a sign reading "Obama, Osama — humm, are they brothers" in front of the Jonesville Church of God on Thursday.
Obama, a Christian, attends Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. Fifteen percent of respondents to a recent Associated Press-Yahoo News poll said they thought the Illinois senator was a Muslim.
WYFF-TV reported Monday on its Web site that Byrd said he won't take the sign down. He said his congregation voted unanimously Sunday to keep it up.
The church is part of the Church of God, a Pentecostal denomination based in Cleveland, Tenn., according to the organization's Web site.
Jonesville is a town of about 1,000 people in northwestern South Carolina.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Comments
I have serious reservations about the depth and seriousness of Obama's faith, but nonetheless, he is not a Muslim...
I wish there was some apparent connection between Obama and Jesus.
Hope Page: http://itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
"Church Sign Links Obama with Osama bin Laden"
Typical Christians.
I guess he needed his 15 minutes of attention.
Ok, they gave it to him.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:16
What's so sad is that this pastor probably thought he was being clever. Actually, it sounds like something a 3rd grader would scribble on a bathroom wall.
They have the right to do this but it is juvenile at best.
I am no fan of Obama but this is just tacky.
He wasn't trying to be political when he referenced a presidential candidate and a known terrorist in the same sentence? Gimme a break. I'm not saying he should take the sign down, but at least have a rational explanation for it.