I recently read an email that is going around among Christian groups condemning Barack Obama. The condemnation is not based on the political policies or history of the candidate or even on the things that Obama has said. Sadly, the condemnation of the man is based on his heritage. The email points out that Obama’s biological father was a Muslim from Kenya and that his step-father, who raised him, was a radical Muslim. It points out that his mother was an Atheist and that Obama himself attended a Wahabi school, which is apparently a radical leaning Muslim school. It also cynically states that Obama went to a Catholic school and joined a United Church of Christ. The email suggest that his affiliation with the United Church of Christ is only an attempt to assuage the fears of Christians that Obama is some sort of sleeper Muslim who will destroy our Christian freedoms and country if elected, which the email argues is indeed the case.

Not a single mention is made of Obama’s political positions, voting history, or even the words of his own speeches. The email is tantamount to religious bigotry and is an embarrassment to the Christian community. Christians should stop allowing themselves to be political pawns, having their fears and ignorance played upon and used by political pundits and hate mongers.

Barack Obama is not the candidate for the Christian, but not because of his parent’s beliefs, where he was born, or where he was educated. Granted, there is some concern, but since when do we judge a man based on the things of his background that were out of his control. Judge the man on his words and deeds.

The type of email that I have described angers me, because it caters to the stereotypical image of Christians as bigots, fear mongers, and ignorant and religiously arrogant people. We must stop playing this role. If Christians want to be politically active, then they should do so with integrity, love and graciousness. You who would condemn a man because his father was a Muslim and his mother was an Atheist, is your genealogy without flaw, is your heritage free of stain. It is only by God’s grace that perhaps you have a Christian heritage and have a Christian worldview. Is it not possible that by God’s grace a Muslim/Atheist raised boy could grow to be a God-fearing Christian man?

I’m not saying Obama is a Christian. I’m not saying that he is not a Christian. I’m saying, judge him by his fruit not by his original roots. Be Gracious.