Jesus Loves Osama Sign!

Jesus loves Osama - Sydney Australia
United States
March 13, 2007 6:44am CST
Does this sign bother you? 'Jesus loves Osama' sign draws criticism SYDNEY, Australia - A sign saying "Jesus Loves Osama" outside some churches in Australia drew criticism from the prime minister and religious leaders on Thursday, though they conceded it was probably true according to Christian beliefs. One sign outside the Central Baptist Church in downtown Sydney also had a smaller footnote saying "Jesus said: `Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."' Several other churches in the city had similar signs urging prayers for Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda terrorist leader, according to local media. A photograph of the sign was published in The Daily Telegraph newspaper on Thursday, prompting debate about whether it was a suitable message. Prime Minister John Howard said something else would have been better."I understand the Christian motivation of the Baptist church," Howard told reporters. "But I hope they will understand that a lot of Australians, including many Australian Christians, will think that the prayer priority of the church on this occasion could have been elsewhere."Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen said churches that posted the sign were obviously trying to illustrate Christian teaching that God loves everybody, no matter how evil their sins, but that he found the sign "a bit misleading" and potentially offensive."There is a truth in it," Jensen told the Southern Cross Broadcasting network. But, "what we've got to say is, `Jesus doesn't approve of Osama.' It makes it sounds like, `Oh, Osama's doing the right thing."' Officials from the Central Baptist Church were not immediately available to comment, but the Telegraph quoted spokeswoman Hy Lam as saying, "Osama is the head of terrorism. We are saying that Jesus Christ loves everyone in the world, even this man. ... All we are doing is sharing the gospel."http://www.canada.com/topics/news/oddities/story.html?id=a2cb3793-f87a-4fdc-a3e3-e0bf932588b7&k=59324
10 responses
@mummymo (23706)
13 Mar 07
Well he most likely does! These churches are not saying good on you Osama - keep up the good work; what they are actually trying to do is look at the teachings from the bible and realise that hatred is not the way to go. How does anyone know that prayers for Osama would not be answered, maybe he would have a softening of his heart or a change of view? Ok I know this is very unlikely but surely it is better than preaching hatred and bigotry- that only creates a catch 22 situation!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Mar 07
I agree. It could be a little more detailed so that people would realize that the church was not applauding Osama's actions.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I does seem inapproperate to me should add more to it like it said some where in you rpost that JEsus loves even this sinner or man . I think if I seen this sign I would have been very very upset witht he church that put it there Guess they cant take it down but add more huh?
1 person likes this
@shogunly (1397)
• Libya
14 Mar 07
Please excuse my opinion , btw my opinions frequently get negative ratings but I just have to express them because I have enough oppression in my real life . This is just an example of christian pastors doing what they have been doing for 2000 years , campaigning for more publicity for their particular church and hence more money and influence , even if it means striking a bargain with the devil .
@shogunly (1397)
• Libya
14 Mar 07
Whether Jesus loves him or not is irrelavent . The question should be : why bring up Osama in the first place ? Did he send a message to that man asking him if Jesus loved him ? Arent there other people who have had a more damaging effect on the church to designate as "enemies" (like pedophile and gay priests etc) -Try to imagine what happened in the mans head before he decided to put up that sign : why was he thinking of Osama ?? its either : 1. People are obsessed with Osma ,they think of him all the time as one who is clearly an enemy to christianity , the priest decided to educate people that they should not hate . 2. The priest used his knowledge that Osama was a controversial character , depicting him as an enemy of christ and showing how christians should still love him inspite of that would create a lot of ATTENTION = FAME = INFLUENCE
@urbandekay (18278)
14 Mar 07
Now how can you think that is striking a bargain with the devil? They are just speaking the truth. Speak the truth and shame the devil all the best urban
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
14 Mar 07
they are just pointing out the truth about god loveing everyone."but i just wonder why they picked Osama to use as a exsample.when they could have used anyone. but why a terroris.
@shogunly (1397)
• Libya
14 Mar 07
I think its called a "publicity stunt" , it seems everyone in the Western culture knows how to do it very efficiently .
@lvap0628 (731)
• Philippines
15 Mar 07
One of the fundamental teachings of Christianity is "Love Your Enemies." It's hard for us humans to do but not for Jesus. I doesn't mean, however, that Jesus approves of what Osama is doing.
• United States
13 Mar 07
well its true, Jesus loves everyone, and that would include osama. Human beings can't all love each other, but Jesus loves every human being.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
14 Mar 07
As I am Australian, I noticed there was a bit of fuss in the media about this sign. I think although it was misleading, at first, the public got to understand real soon, what the intention was. A bit extreme perhaps, but the Baptists have their heart in the right place.
@urbandekay (18278)
14 Mar 07
Excellent! all the best urban
• India
14 Mar 07
yes that is true god hates sin not sinners .human become terrorist due to circumstances if he repent jesus forgives him.jesus waits for sinners to return back to him.he don't hate anyone .
• United States
15 Mar 07
I find the sign quite refreshing actually. The Christians I've know mostly preach hate, not love, so it's a nice change of pace...