Controversy

SYDNEY, Australia - A sign saying "Jesus Loves Osama" outside some churches in Australia drew criticism from the prime minister and religious leaders on Thursday, though they conceded it was probably true according to Christian beliefs.

One sign outside the Central Baptist Church in downtown Sydney also had a smaller footnote saying "Jesus said: `Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."' Several other churches in the city had similar signs urging prayers for Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda terrorist leader, according to local media.

I can understand the controversy, but I don't think the sign is wrong. The point seems to be that somebody is asking any Christian who is filled with hate to replace it with love, something Jesus would certainly agree with, I imagine. I would truly like to know, if any Christian is reading this, if the sign is incorrect.

Many evangelicals I have spoken to have said, when it comes to things like homosexuality, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." It seems that these signs are simply reminding Christians of the first half of that statement--"Love the sinner." I don't think anyone needs to be reminded about the second half.

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