“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven….”
Book of Revelation 8:1
I’d like to use this post to make a convenient analysis of the above image, in light of Strozier’s essay “Opening the Seven Seals of Fundamentalism”. At once an obviously inflammatory and shockingly derisive image, this particular banner can be found on the streets of Harlem, heralding its citizens to “The Blood of Jesus World Ministry Church”. Although I do confess myself to be right-wing leaning, when I confronted this particular glowing banner in Harlem on the way to a friend’s apartment, even I was appalled. Aside from the fact that it represented a somewhat unique dissent from the black community towards the momentous occasion of the first African American president, it also fits in well with the mindset of Fundamentalism, particularly Christian fundamentalism. As I was reading Strozier’s essay which pointed out 7 key “seals” of the fundamentalist mindset, I immediately conjured up this image in my mind, and began automatically making mental comparisons, seeing this banner for what it was: manifestations of the paranoia of the fundamentalist mindset. Let’s start in order with the seven seals Strozier mentions, and see how many we can apply to this particular image. Violence. Violence is written all over this image. From the phrase “Blood of Christ against Obama”, to the association of Obama with Taliban Muslims, to the stark white and red imagery used—everything here points in the direction of a violent action against Obama. Time. Yes, albeit small, we do have a mention of time—as the date when Obama was Elected (Nov. 4th 2008) Perhaps this is a nod towards kairotic time, in which time is always running out. Perhaps this pastor addresses the urgency of removal of Obama from office, and by posting the date there, he is connoting apocalyptic time; claiming that this event surely will be the one which brings about the end. Revenge. This one is the most evident. BLOOD OF CHRIST against Obama… What else could this mean, if not that Christ (and his sacred followers) would exact Revenge on Obama (involving the fundamentalists’ favorite liquid: blood) This whole church is obviously predicated on God’s revenge on the “Taliban Muslims” and our current president. Paraonoia. Aaah, this is a good one. The concept of Paranoia is especially applicable due to the evident irrationality of what this image suggests. This image has it that Obama was an “illegal Taliban Muslim” (yes there are rumors that Obama is a Muslim, however I don’t believe that he was part of the Taliban has any serious root in academic discussion) and that he was ILLEGALLY elected president, confirming this particular group’s deep-seated paranoia that Obama and the Muslims have it in for them. Somehow, some group of Taliban terrorists managed to elect on of their own to the presidency, in order to enact the devil’s work, and cause the poor people of Harlem to suffer. Something like that…whatever it is, surely it qualifies as paranoia. Survivalism. I don’t believe we have any immediate evidence of that here. Moving on…. The elect. Obviously the congregates of this church, as well as the Pastor, recognize themselves to be a part of this elect (whose blood, along with Jesus’ is against Obama) which will be cleansed through the elimination of Obama from presidency, and bringing about the end. It is the job of this congregation to enact their endist fantasies, so that they might be the elect which is eventually favored and taken to heaven during the rapture. And finally…Redemption. Perhaps the white contrasted with the red is symbolic of the hope associated with the Blood of Christ against Obama. That when all the bloodshed is all said and done, the hope exists of a new world-cleansed of Obama and purified by Christ, for those who—like the members of this congregation—recognized Obama as the antichrist he was, and fought against his will. Another aspect which isn’t exactly covered by the seven-seals categorization of the fundamentalist mindset is the dualistic thinking. This marquee is certainly indicative of a sort of dualistic thinking and moral absolutism amongst its constituents. Those who profess these beliefs believe Obama to be the antichrist, the evil one, to represent all that is evil—whereas they are the pure who have recognized the truth, and who will bring the Blood of Christ to bear on their enemies. The dualism between good and evil, right and wrong, Christ and Antichrist and the moral absolutism of knowing what is right and what is wrong (as a moral God would) is fully present in this particular strain of the fundamentalist mindset.
Disclaimer: I didn’t pick this topic to address because I have these militant views against Obama. Yes, I did not Vote for Obama, nor do I support many of his views, but my disagreements with him end there. I definitely don’t believe he is the antichrist.
