I know this is bound to piss some people off here because talking Jesus stuff at dKos is kinda asking to rile stuff up. But I'd like some help from the Bible-knowledgeable folks here and I'm hoping for toleration from the rest (yeah, lots of luck, but I'm hoping).
Its my impression that the bible-based Antichrist is featured by its ability to cause people with faith in Jesus to lose their true faith and lose their salvation. I know there is all sorts of lore surrounding the Revelations figures of the Beast and the Antichrist and and and etc. but staying Bible-based - Isn't that feature the main thing? This isn't Hollywood or The Omen. I'm asking as a matter of straight scripture. Feel free to hit me with verses.
My contextual concern for this has been some Republicans' unedifying behavior. I find the degree to which it is unedifying frightening, especially when these folks lips confess Christ but their behavior is contentious and makes me feel sickened.
Can it be that a significant percentage of Republicans actually believe Obama is causing the faithful to lose their faith? I really doubt it. I'm sure a lot of Republicans' unedifying behavior has that effect, and especially when it becomes all murderous and hateful that kinda pretty much imperils their salvation. If there's anything Antichristian at work in America today, it seems to me right-wing extremism is doing a pretty good job at it. And that's not to identify or claim anything here as "being the Antichrist." But for realsies, Obama?
I know there is a sense that keeping religion out of it is the best way to keep religious extremism out of it and I'm used to the politically astute ridiculing the idea of people talking to God or thinking God answers back. But that doesn't mean that this premise of Obama-as-Antichrist shouldn't be addressed by scripture or refuted by scripture. It's a burden to me to see so many people who should be acting like a house on the hill seeming to be more like burning houses on the hill (yeah I know America has a long history of that). As a parent as well, I know the way this represents Christian faith could cause any number of young minds to think "Flee!" I'm sure many people here have already acted on that "flee" impulse and fled from Christian beliefs as something to hold seriously. Obviously the Pope scandal right now doesn't help.
Flame away, I guess, but I still think the counterquestion is How has Obama caused the faithful to lose their faith?
Update: I really want to thank all the commenters for being so nice and thoughtful. I suppose where this discussion has left me is the idea of asking Congressional reps and senators whether they are willing to go on the record that they personally believe President Obama is NOT the Antichrist. That could cause some interesting trouble. I would not be able to do this myself personally. Should I try to recruit someone to do it?