Christophobia, the irrational fear of Christ and Christians, reared its ugly head in an unprovoked attack on Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate, on the Huffington Post. Palin is a conservative, pro-life, pro-family Christian with a Pentecostal background.

An article entitled “Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview” is posted on the Huffington Post, a very popular liberal web-site, written by reporters Nico Pitney and Sam Stein. They assert that Palin has a damning and controversial worldview. They offer as proof remarks made by Palin before a group of students. 

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," Palin exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."

According to Pitney and Stein, Palin is “controversial” because she sincerely believes that Christians ought to pray for God to guide our leaders when making decisions regarding national security. These decisions could cost the lives of America’s sons and daughters, even Palin’s own son who is in the US Army.

“Pitney and Stein appear so irrationally hostile to Christ and Christians that any excuse to bash a Christian is as good as the next,” said Dr. Gary Cass, Chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. “The fact that this seems controversial to the Huffington Post reveals more about their anti-Christian bigotry than about Palin’s belief in prayer.”  

“Praying for political leaders is exactly what Christians are called to do and have done for 2000 years,” said Cass. “One of our most cherished American paintings portrays General Washington on his knees in the snow humbly praying for God’s guidance. Most American’s find that image comforting and reassuring, not a reason to bash.” 

ACTION ITEM: Pray for those who are in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1-2).