Does love mean approval? If we love someone can we dissaprove of their actions?
Signs claiming that Jesus Loves Osama have been popping up in front of churches in the Australian state of New South Wales over the past week or so and they’re gaining plenty of attention.
The media has focussed on the Baptist churches that have displayed the signs but a number of other denominations have been using the same message.
While the signs may state the fact that Jesus loves everyone, it seems that they’re conveying a very different message. Many people have criticised the signs because they believe that the message they portray is that Jesus is in Osama’s corner and approves of his actions. It’s another reminder that what we say isn’t necessarily what is understood.
What do you think? While the churches are certainly putting the truth out there, the truth is open to misinterpretation when you’re using so few words to spread your message. On the other hand if the church isn’t shaking things up and causing people to think, is it really doing its job?
My regular Wednesday morning guest on 98.5 Sonshine FM is Ross Clifford is the Principal of Morling College in New South Wales and current President of the Baptist Union of Australia. Each week we chat about a range of issues relating to spirituality and belief.
Today we tackled the controversy surrounding the signs and discussed the pros and cons of such an approach.
You can listen to our conversation by clicking here or go to the Audio On Demand service to subscribe to our weekly segment so that you never miss what Ross has to say.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Click here for regular email updates from this blog.
Technorati Tags: Jesus Loves Osama – Radio – Spirituality
Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Jesus Loves Osama? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.
Wow what a powerful and brave way for churches to give that message. It is true though that without an explanation to back it up it gives the impression that Christians back terrorists. Might have worked better as a headline for a feature.
When the truth is thrown out there without love itself from the person presenting, it can be misinterpreted….
Example: Jesus told him, ?I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6
I wonder what the American Churches reaction toward the sign will be?
Indifference?
Jesus simply told us to love one another, as He loves us – without exception.
Don’t they say that all publicity is good publicity?
God so loved the world… John 3:16, but secretly we all have a black list with people that we want to exclude! I don’t think that it’s a wise thing to communicate Christ’s love like this, with a billboard message. We also should think about the effects our messages can have on people. Christ loves Osama – even if that’s impossible for me to understand!! – but He hates his evil deeds. Focusing on Christ’s love wihtout proclaiming God’s demands that we should turn away from sin and start living holy lives is a one-sided message and 50% of the truth (which is almost the same as a lie). GOD HATES SIN is also true, but it needs to be communicated in the context that GOD LOVES SINNERS.
I think that the people who thought of this JESUS LOVES OSAMA campaign didn’t think enough about the pain and suffering that terrorists have caused. That is why I don’t like this campaign at all – eventhough I want to believe in all good intentions. It is not wise to communicate like this, it gives the wrong impression – that’s my take on this.
I hear what Paul is saying, although I think Jesus loving people is a 100% truth. Even while Osama is living a life of sin, Jesus still loves him on that day. He won’t suddenly love him more because he turns from his sin.
As for the world, we can’t control who other people love. The world can’t tell me that Jesus doesn’t love every person, that’s up to Jesus, and He’s made his view known.
I think the problem is that people haven’t understood what love, in it’s essence, is.
I’d like to know why Ron thinks American churches would feel indifferent.
Just a thought, Xerraire. I hope that the American Church would love Osama as Jesus does.
Very thought-provoking, indeed! My first reaction is that while I do agree with the message that we are to love our enemies, I am bothered by the camouflage background of the poster. It draws the viewer?s mind to the military conflict in Afghanistan. It could be interpreted that the churches are against the war there, and in turn against our troops fighting there. Which is certainly their prerogative, but I don?t think that?s the message they are really trying to send. Personally, I would have no problem with the posters if they changed the background.
Christianity and billboards don’t mix. I very much doubt anybody’s heart is strangely warmed by reading this billboard.
Jesus said that HE loves HIS sheep. And that His sheep know His voice. Jesus died for His sheep. There is an inference here that all are not His sheep.
Jesus the great shepherd loves those who He calls. Does He love osama? When we get to heaven we will know that answer to that.