Much has been made of the whole Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ meme. Even Danny Funderbunk--great name, stupid guy--a mayor in South Carolina asked the question honestly because he was 'just curious if there was any truth to it.'
Sigh.
Several people have mentioned this email on DailyKos and mentioned the usual retorts: the email mentions that the anti-christ will be a Muslim, except that Islam wasn't a religion until 600 years later AND Barack Obama isn't a Muslim so...
Or, the whole notion that the passage referenced doesn't actually appear in the Bible, a quick check on BibleGateway.com confirms.
All that is great, but it does nothing to actually stop the email from being sent, even when you tell people it's not in the Bible, they don't care, they want to be seen as provocative to their religious friends etc. etc. Given that, this is the way to stop them from even sending the email, but it requires responding to your crazy religious aunt or uncle who sent you the dumb thing in the first place--at least that's how I got it, and this is the response I sent back...
Dear Aunt X and Uncle Y,
I know you're concerned for the country and for me. You know how I vote, it's been the topic of many a spirited conversation at every Thanksgiving and Christmas since I turned 18. You care and I love you for it, which is why I'm responding. I'm concerned, not just about the election but for your souls. You see, there is a quote in the Bible, it is one of my favorite quotes and one rarely mentioned in religious conversation. Revelation 22 18-19 which states, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add him to the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." You see, what you sent me about the anti-christ being a Muslim etc. is not actually IN THE BIBLE, you have attempted to add to the book of prophecy, a damnable act with a very clear punishment. I highly recommend for the sake of your afterlife that you send a correction to all in your address book who received this email from you and then get right to confession and explain to the priest how sorry you are. Just thought you should know, I would hate for you to get sent to hell over a forwarded email. Love, Arch :).
It should be noted that I come from a Catholic family so the whole going to confession thing might not work for everyone. But still, the message holds, the people who are willing to not vote for Barack Obama because he might be the anti-christ, may very well be convinced by an actual Bible quote warning them about lying about what is actually contained in the Bible.
For the record, I am an atheist and believe none of this, but my years of forced Catholic school allows me to talk a certain talk in religious discussions that frustrates my more religious friends. Heh.
Note: the revelation quote can be used against anyone who perpetually says, "Well, the Bible says..." "STOP! Before you finish that sentence, are you sure the Bible says it because Revelation 18..." It is like a get out of a boring religious lecture free card.
Have a good night everyone, see you all in spirit on November 4th :).
Arch