Obama effigy found hanging at Christian university
Senator Barack Obama (AP photo)
I was on the website for Sojourners magazine when I saw this article about an effigy of Barack Obama having been found hanging from a tree at George Fox University. The story has also been covered by The Oregonian and other news outlets.
Maybe it doesn’t matter that it happened at a Christian university, since we don’t know and might never know who did it. Maybe it was students there, maybe it was outsiders trying to stir up a ruckus. (*See note below.)
But surely the choice of an avowedly Christian campus as the setting for this despicable stunt was intentional, if only to add to the shock value.
I’ve already seen some comments that suggest this is no big deal, that people really need to chill out and recognize that there’s a big difference between hanging a cardboard cutout from a tree and harming a real live human being. But doesn’t that miss the point that this is an intentionally threatening act, meant not only to denigrate a public figure but also to intimidate an entire segment of our population?
In a country with such a crushing history of racism and oppression, such an relentless record of violence against people of color–much of it either tacitly or explicitly approved of by Christians–can we really afford not to take this seriously? Does it really seem trivial that the specter of lynching is raised only weeks before an election that could see us voting in the first African-American president of the United States?
It will probably come as no surprise to anyone that I’m an admirer of Barack Obama. I think he is smart, principled, and caring, and I believe he has demonstrated both wisdom and judgment in this long election season. And, in an aside that people from St. Louis will surely forgive, I think it’s cool that we went to the same high school.
And I want to say that I understand–I really do–that most people who will choose to vote for someone else aren’t dangerous crazies who would do something like hang Obama in effigy.
I think Christians can disagree on what candidate to vote for in this election and still be good Christians and good citizens. But when it comes to people who do things like this, and those who silently approve, and those who downplay it as a bit of silly nonsense, and those whose hate speech and smear campaigns and, yes, sinister tactics are aimed at convincing people that he’s “just not like us”–well, those people I’m not so sure about. I don’t get it. What is it about this man that is so threatening to them?
Even if I could tell you who to vote for (and let’s remember that in a free country nobody can tell you who to vote for), I wouldn’t. But I would urge anyone reading this to rise above fear, hatred, and intolerance before you make any decisions, and then to get informed, to get involved…and to bring all your values with you into the voting booth.
*After posting this, I found a more recent AP report that 4 students had admitted their responsibility for this incident. The university has punished them with “long-term suspensions and community service.” Read the Seattle Times article here.
Pamela Dolan is on staff at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves and is a Candidate for Holy Orders. After high school in Hawaii and college in California, she earned a master's degree in theology from Harvard before spending several years in New York studying medieval religion and literature. Pamela is married with two children. 
I assume, Pam, that in your last paragraph you would also urge people to rise above age discrimination and sexism as well. Interesting that you only mention subjects (fear, hatred, and intolerance) associated with Obama, who you support, and not other areas that might impact other candidates. Like an effigy, it’s easy to make assumptions about double meanings when none was intended, eh?
Tim, I don’t buy your line about “making assumptions about double meanings when none was intended” when it comes to hanging someone in effigy. I think the meaning of that act is pretty clear.
“Intolerance” certainly covers the topics of ageism and sexism as well as racism. But neither of those “isms” holds exactly the place in the American imagination that racism does. Further, I think that fear, hatred, and intolerance can be used against all the candidates–there might be people who are afraid of Sarah Palin because she’s from a small town, or because she hunts, or who hate Joe Biden or John McCain for reasons having nothing to do with their policy positions. I don’t think people should use any of those “reasons” in voting.
Doesn’t surprise me at all because throughout history supposedly Christians have been know for the worst evil in our world. A noose on a Christian campus in the United States doesn’t surprise me at all. It was throughout the entire U.S. within the Protestant Churches in the 20’s that the KKK got its rebirth again. The KKK did their recruiting from Protestant Churches not just in the South but the entire U.S. The evil spirit of racism is a demonic spirit that influence the hearts of such people as those who are racist and would do such a racist thing.
So it shouldn’t be surprising because racism is evil and its a demonic spirit within people that causes such evil and those demonic spirits just don’t disappear without admitting they are there and taking authority over it. Scripture gives us guidance on overcoming the influence of Satan in our lives.
But, the Church and many people prefer to pretend it doesn’t exist, kind of like the Catholic Church with the demonic spirit of pedophilia and sexual abuse. The Church and individuals must admit the evil is in their hearts and follow Gods instructions for ridding the Church or themselves of these evil spirits that influence and sometimes control much or some of their thoughts and actions.
Christians are called and have been given authority through Christ to overcome every kind of evil that can influence them. So, one who claims that they believe are without excuses. And one who behaves in this way or any evil way do not know Christ at all and are not His followers or God’s children because they don’t know Him.
D. Walker, I think it’s more than a little off-topic to bring up the pedophilia scandal in the Catholic Church in response to this post, although I understand that you believe that at root all these ills are caused by satanic or demonic influence.
I think we can agree that religious affiliation has sadly little to do with how people act in the world. It should, but too often it doesn’t. Christians of all stripes have done some horrible things throughout our history, as you point out. I don’t think we need to blame the devil. I think we need to take responsibility for our sins, and for those committed on our behalf, and redouble our efforts to end them. I do agree we can only do that with God’s help, and with full awareness of his saving power and love.
Hi Pam,
Yes, we must take responsibility. All evil is of influence of Satan and it goes without saying and as scripture teaches us, even at that, YOU MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILTY because we have been given the weapons to overcome all evil, so yes, it is every single one of our responsibility to overcome it. The DEVIL IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for a Christian. We have God to thank for this and the sacrifice that brought about also that very gift that we received by way of Christ’s death on the cross.
Good luck to anyone in attempting to overcome evil apart from God and Christ.
So in a sense we agree that it is our responsibility Pam but how do you think one truly succeed in overcoming evil? I would be interested in your answer to that question. Do you think it is medical therapy, etc.
What is your answer?
By the way, See how difficult it is for people to face TRUTH, ugly truths that are uncomfortable for them, even at the risk of suppressing God’s TRUTH as we learn through script because of this FEAR, fear that you are going to insult someone? Well, I spoke the truth and have no regrets concerning it.
Of course, people fear speaking God’s truth because the truth is what got Stephen stoned to death in Acts Chapter 7. Many people hate the truth and many people fear speaking it. It is human nature to want to be accepted and liked by everyone and some like to be liked and accepted more than their loyalty to God and His truth as we learn as Christians through scripture.
Pam, I wouldn’t use any of those reasons to vote or not vote for someone either. What someone else does is frankly none of our business, regardless of what we think.
Thanks for answering though, because despite your carefully chosen words in your blog I figured you were 100% sure that there was racial overtones in that effigy, and you verified that in your answer.
For all we know it could have been someone from the Obama campaign making sure the race factor stays in the press. I’ve worked for campaigns and things like that are kicked around all the time. D Walker is sure of some Christian’s guilt though. “Innocent until proven guilty” and “throw the first stone” are ideas foreign to D I’m afraid.
Hanging or burning someone in effigy is as old as America. Thankfully so is freedom of speech.
D Walker writes:
“YOU MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILTY because we have been given the weapons to overcome all evil, so yes, it is every single one of our responsibility to overcome it.”
Yet a politician trying to pass a law against abortion, a topic you have commented on many times in the past in Civil Religion, is not overcoming it? They are not following God’s word? I truly love your inconsistentcies, they are a wonder to behold…
Tim,
I am not sure that the person who did such a thing was a Christian or even proclaims to be a Christian but, my point was if you would re-read was that it would not surprise me because we have a long history of those proclaiming to be Christians committing some of the most evil deeds.
Freedom of speech is a great thing that should be respected and honored in this country.
Tim,
1. What on earth does hanging a likeness of Barack Obama from a noose on a tree have to do with freedom of speech in your mind? And,
2. How does hanging a likeness of Barack Obama from a noose on a tree fit into the realm of things were God / Christ is concerned?
Now my question to you is how does it make you feel that an image of Barack Obama was hung from a noose on a tree?
Also Tim,
Think about what you stated again concerning throwing stones. Who did I throw a stone at?
Did I really throw a stone or speak the truth of God’s Word? Do you even know the difference?