Prayer video that sought a Barack Obama drenching gets yanked

Political lesson of the day: Be careful what you ask people to pray for; you may find yourself embroiled in a public relations flap.

The political arm of the socially conservative Focus on the Family religious group today yanked from its website a video that called on folks to ask God to open the heavens and let precipitation pour on Barack Obama just before his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 28.

Stuart Shepard, director of digital media at Focus Action (and a meteorologist to boot), wrote and appeared in the video (see below) that he posted in late July.

In it, he rhetorically asked if it would be wrong to ask people to join him in praying for rain two minutes before Obama takes the stage for his big moment at Invesco Field in Denver. And not just a drizzle -- in friendly, conversational fashion, Shepard said he had in mind "abundant rain, torrential rain, urban-and-small-stream flood-advisory rain."

He added: "Not flood-people-out-of-their-houses rain, just good old swamp-the-intersection rain."

Responding to initial questions raised about his message, Shepard said he was aiming to be "mildly humorous."

But, as he made clear at one point in the video, his bid for bad weather stemmed from his concern about the possible fallout of an Obama presidency on issues such as abortion.

“Well, I’m still pro-life," he told his listeners, "And I’m still in favor of marriage being only between one man and one woman. And I'd like the next president, who'll select justices for the U.S. Supreme Court, to agree."

As the video attracted more and more views, those questioning its propriety included some members of Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. The video was then pulled from the website of the group's political unit.

"If people took it seriously, we regret it," Tom Minnery, Focus Action vice president of public policy told the newspaper.

Focus on the Family, of course, is headed by James Dobson, who has had his issues with John McCain. But, as Dobson spelled out in a recent radio address, he really has problems with Obama.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Marc]

No, Stewart, it probably wouldn't be wrong to ask people to ask God to rain out Mr. Obama's speech. But it would be selfish and petty. Possibly even spiteful; surely mean spirited. But those types of behaviors have become so common to Christians like yourself, that you now have to ask: "Would it be wrong?" Heres a question for you: Dont those types of prayers even seem, unseemly, to you anymore? Heres another: Would you want everyone planning to attend Mr. Obama's speech to pray (or otherwise work toward) somehow disrupting Mr. McCain's nomination speech? Because I think thats sort of what Jesus was talking about when He said "Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you." But I know those 'two-way street' issues have always been a bit problematic for you Stewart, havent they? Perhaps they wouldn't confound you so, if you started asking God for things more worthy of his attention, and for help with things which are more Christ-like, for yourself.

[Sterling Johnson]

"Vote intelligence and wisdom" Whose? Hussein Obama's?
The intelligence and wisdom you get from 20 years with a racist hate monger you call your Mentor? No Thanks. He'll Never get my vote. NObama '08!

[ByTheSeaWa]

rosalynneus - It's ignorant, uninformed people like you that keep us trapped with a lying, criminal administration like the one we have. EVERYONE knows Obama is a Christian - OBVIOUSLY a much better one than you since he's risking his very life to help others. You can't even put out the effort to get the facts. You just spread falsehoods. I don't think Christ likes that, do you?

Obama is NOT from Africa, he's no African prince. He was born in Hawaii. You may be too ignorant to know it, but that is part of the US. Where was McCain born? I bet you have no idea. Here's a clue... NOT in the US. But he's still a US citizen. I'll leave it to you to puzzle out that mystery. Maybe you'll learn something.

And what is "adentity"? Did you EVER attend school? As for "no american values and no love for our country" that's too moronic to address. Not only is Obama a better Christian than you, he's a better American. He's been serving his community and country for DECADES. He taught others PROFESSIONALLY. You should try school, it's amazing what you can learn. You can actually learn how to discern facts from fiction.

It's not hard to see why EDUCATED people are supporting Obama. The uneducated lived on rumors, falsehood and wouldn't know an actual issue, or where the candidates stand on them, if it hit them upside the head. Which it IS every time they take a breath of polluted air, buy groceries or gas, or need medical care they can't afford. But instead of getting into the issues, they grab onto any ridiculous lie any idiot tells them. No wonder America is in such trouble.

The facts are out there for all to see. It's sad that some people prefer lies and innuendo. And the ignorant don't even understand how they are being manipulated and screwed over. And they aren't smart enough to find out. So what's the solution?

I just hope there are more intelligent people voting so we DO elect Obama and can start fixing our education system so people like this actually get an education and can be informed voters.

[RaferJanders]

Just proves my point time and time again, Average Neo Con supporters IQ scores are right around 85 to 115, with a 65 sneaking in every once and awhile, Case in point the pillar of the Christens Religous Right, Another guy Maybe he friends with that pastor who had a meth problem and a Gay problem. Man Colorado's is cranking out some nut jobs, Maybe if they had a football team, Oh yeah thats right, I mean a good football team all of this uniformed wackoes would have something to do besides making Really Sinful video, I mean my whician friend went "No ya didn't, Praying for rain to save crops is a good thing, Praying for rain to cause harm, will be three fold revisted upon the invoker of dark magic or Evil prayer. Man what is up with people and the God thing, That is deeply private and personal thing, The Christian Right should Appoligize for this un christian act.

[PulSamsara]

Focus on the Absurd.

Losers.

[Bart]

This is clearly a partisan political statement and political advocacy against one party. The IRS needs to investigate this because the chruch's tax expempt status is being abused.

McCain wants war, torture and massive debt that will cause a depression in the United States, if this man weren't partisan he'd pray for rain on McCain and his Maalox Express.

Personally, I think we should all pray for leaders whoever they may be to bring us peace, prosperity and honest government. Amen.

[Republican Sheep Following Blindly]

Are all Republicans mentally challenged, or is it just the lemmings who have no ability to reason for themselves? Go ahead and pray for rain. In your prayers, you need to ask forgiveness for being a part of the reason the US sends our young men and women to their deaths in Iraq. Maybe the rain will wash their blood from your hands.

[Paul Stewart]

May God truly help all Americans in these difficult and rather confused times she is in. I pray s/he will open the eyes and hearts of all Americans to each other. And may the prayers be for sunshine - that is what Christianity is about.

Wow, not only is the video moronic and I would say immoral, it is less than childish and certainly not humorous - it is actually slanting to evil. While I agree with most of the responses which recognize this in some way, I am taken aback at a good number of posts that are either trying to make light of it, or actually support it.

And then there are the posts that are from the extremists and perhaps unbalanced. Those about whom we need to ask ourselves the rather good questions posted by Dee about these organizations: (Dee posted as follows on August 12, 2008 at 06:16 PM): "Where do these anti-Christian organizations get their support? Do they believe in the Bible, or do they have their own extremist and fanatic code of conduct? Do they really believe that God is at their deposal, and is capable of turning away from what he died for and believed in? How can these anti-Christians condemn other religious that are as radical as they are? Are such organizations capable of doing harm to Americans that do not share their beliefs? What type of hatred are they teaching their children????"

The posters who make me want to suggest we raise Dee's questions about them include the following rather ominously anonymous poster: Promotors of chocking vice | August 12, 2008 at 06:37 PM: "All the moraly bankrupt advocates of homosexual marriage,atheists,and late term abortionists are the back bone of the Obama moovement.Add other misfits,such as Wright,Ayers,Hanoi Jane,Farrakhan,gov. Judas and you get the surest recipee for dislocating moral and family values and the true American spirit.We must go Back to Joseph Stalin and Hitler for an equivalent peril."

And the following posted by "Obama Prey!!!" which is again a rather ominous anonymous poster name. This person posted on August 12, 2008 at 06:56 PM: "Will this nation become the prey of Obama's socialistic boondogling ?Will America become the next nanny-state? The Pelosi-Reid-Obama axis sure hope so. But you cant keep a good nation down and the heartland will save us one more time from the odious pparatus of socialist bungling. May the fleas of a 1000 camels infest the armpits 0f the Chicago wort."

I mean, what kind of troubled and confused people are posting this kind of stuff. It is mindless hateful thinking.

[Paul Handley]

Fanatics are fanatics regardless of what they believe in. Is there reall any difference between Ben laden and James Dobson or any of these other fanatics that have posted? I think not!

[MARTHA BRAYBROOK]

TO: A rightous man.....you have got to be kidding.....

[Taihunter]

If McCain is elected (God forbid), you stupid people will wish that you had the recession back.

[Paul Stewart]

My hat's off to Marc who nailed the reply with his post August 12, 2008 at 07:27 PM.

[Doug]

sad, pathetic, un-Christ-like, immature, typical for FothF

[Bill]

It's amazing that people only take prayer seriously when it's mentioned as a part of an attempt at humor.

Meanwhile any number of posters on DailyKos wish bad things upon Bush and Cheney, but that's all OK.

[TomViolin]

To "A righteous man":

What would Jesus do?

Jesus would NOT "rain down hellfire and brimstone on George Bush's evil administration." Even if He believed them to be evil, Jesus is not the embodiment of the vengeful Jehovah of the Old Testament.

In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul said, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."

What would Jesus do? That's what Jesus DID.

[Dave]

McCain is the devil. Wars, death and using people for personal gain are the goals of the devil. I'll vote for Obama.

[Tom J]

So Stuart Shepard wants a rainbow as Obama's backdrop? Whatever.

[Bopper]

My best guess is Jesus WOULDN'T approve of the killing of tens of thousands of Americans and Iraqi's on faked up war propaganda. I bet he wouldn't have approved of torturing people be they muslims or christians. I'm darn sure he wouldn't approve of the folks who SAY they are speaking for Jesus to be out there making millions while the people they support are out there letting children and adults die from a lack of healthcare are proponents of the death penalty and trying to arm everyone in sight to kill someone at their whim. It's amazing how convincing one can be when they in their mind choose what Jesus would say. I thought ONLY god was allowed to make the decision on how someone lives their life.

[glenn]

Why ask for RAIN?

I'm disappointed one way, but happy to see how divided believers are about their pagan religeon.
I 'm glad that the only true GOD of this universe can not be bought with stupidity that looks like silver and gold.
My bible tells me, no flesh can glory in the presence of almighty GOD, because his purpose for mankind will be fulfill and he WILL rise up one and pull down another .
When we come to understand the reason our God does what he do best we can stop judging others, because he said "he judge no man and if he will, his judgement is true. So stop wishing for rain, a true believer in Christ Jesus pray for mercy and grace.
These pagaen actions are wichcraft and God can not be involved in such madness to mislead a nation.
I'm deeply troubled about these practices , false prophets are gone out into the World to ask people to pray for evil and say it is GOD who send rain.
It's time you REPENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NinaK]

I do pray for the amercan people to have the wisdom, common sense and praid to elect a real american man to be the american president. We need somebody who feels american, you shows that is american and acts like american. We do not need a president with not adentity, no american values and no love for our country. We do not need a make believe prince from Africa, that hides his religion and true colors. You know who I am talking about!
Posted by rosalynneus |
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Rosalynneus, God KNOWS Senator Obama MUCH BETTER than YOU do and I am sure He looks upon him with love and trust to lead our country!! Do you really believe God would answer your pathetic prayer which is nothing but lies?? What kind of "higher power" do you worship?? One of God's Ten Commandments is" "Thou shalt not bear false wittness..." Who taught you to pray, anyway?
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Don't expect God to

Posted by: rosalynneus |

[NinaK]

When God spoke to the people, according to The Old Testament, the clouds would darken and the skiies would break out with lightening and thunder and then God would speak. Wouldn't it be something if God surprised us all and did this just AFTER Senator Obama's speech?? Just thinking.....

[KS2 Problema]

Praying for bad things to happen to people is black magic, pure and simple.

[CosmosMarinerDU]

Isn't it interesting that all the comments that support the message of videos like this one are not only very un-"Christian" - but are virtually always - and not only in this blog - misspelled, mispunctuated, and grammatically garbled? And not only that, but very often are extraordinally hate filled as well?

Feel free to draw your own conclusions as to what kind of people are drawn to - and are guided by - the teachings of such as Mr. Dobson.

[Michael]

There's nothing Christian about these, so called, Christians. They wrap themselves in the banner of faith and patriotism in order to advance a divisive political agenda. That would seem to be the worst kind of sin. What would Jesus think?

[Bud]

Well said, all! Go Barack!