Jesus was a community organizer?

While all political campaigns tend to trend toward the negative, several of the supporters of one of the presidential candidates has struck a new and offensive low. The Massachusetts Liberal, an on-line communication, ran a recent article titled, “Jesus was a Community Organizer; Pontius Pilate was a Governor.”

The phrase has been picked up and repeated by people such as actress Susan Sarandon, Democratic activist Donna Brazile, Susan Sarandon, and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN). Buttons with the slogan have been manufactured and reports are that T-shirts are in the plans.

The inference is ... what? That Jesus and Barack Obama are the same? That Governor Sarah Palin is in the role of the person who crucified Jesus? That Palin intends to nail Senator Obama to a cross?

First of all, Jesus was not a “community organizer.” He was, by trade, a carpenter and by divine will and Providence the Savior of the world. If one means, “those who organize people in a common mission,” then mob boss John Gotti was a community organizer. Adolph Hitler was a community organizer. By that definition, your local drug trafficker is a community organizer. Is Senator Obama to be compared to these nefarious people? No, certainly not.

While is it true that Pontius Pilate was a governor, so was President Jimmy Carter. So was President Bill Clinton. For that matter, so was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Are these men, in any way, to be likened to the murderous Pilate? Are they to be thought of as men who are in the same league with the one who killed Jesus Christ? Again, no. It is absurd to do so.

Barack Obama is a man of many gifts. Certainly he is a man of influence, ambition, and accomplishment. He is a powerful speaker and motivator. Is he Jesus? Not even close, as I am sure he, himself, would admit.

Not only is the slogan ridiculous and absurd, it is offensive. The slogan imparts both Messianic characteristics to Obama and diabolical intentions to Palin. It offends many Christians who, unlike the perpetrators of the slogan, know who Jesus is and what he means to faith, culture, history, and eternity. The slogan insults and demeans Jesus — and many who are his followers — in a profound and significant way.

I can only imagine the horror that must be Senator Obama’s as he sees what his “friends” are saying. With supporters like this, the Republicans must be elated. I don’t have any expectations of the likes of Susan Sarandon. She makes her living reading lines that other people have written for her. But for Donna Brazile and for Representative Steve Cohen of my home state of Tennessee, I can only say, “Is this the best you can do?”

A candidate’s record, his or her character, his or her vision and platform — all are fair game. Go for it! It’s the big leagues — swing away! Challenge each other on issues, past decisions, and issues. But this drivel? “Jesus was a Community Organizer; Pontius Pilate was a Governor?” Surely, we can do better than this.