"Sort of god"

ihatethemedia.com's tagline is "If we didn't laugh, we'd cry." How true it is. One recent post shows a video clip from MSNBC'S "Hardball" featuring a discussion of the America image that Obama is projecting to the world, ultimately leading to this statement by Evan Thomas of Newsweek: "I mean in a way Obama's standing above the country, above the world, he's sort of God."

Obama is sort of god? Ha! Now that's funny.

But true to the tagline, a deeper reflection upon this statement can lead to sadness. The office of President was never intended by the founding fathers to become a seal of nobility, let alone divinity. More saddening, however, is realizing that attributing divinity to leaders--especially if it's the leaders attributing divinity to themselves--is a recipe for personal and/or national disaster. Consider these passages from the Bible:

Acts 12:21-23 (REB)

On an appointed day, Herod, attired in his royal robes and seated on the rostrom, addressed the populace; they responded 'It is a god speaking, not a man!' Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he had usurped the honour due to God; he was eaten up by worms and so died.

Daniel 4:28-33 (REB)

All this befell King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace at Babylon, and he exclaimed, 'Is not this the Babylon which I have built as a royal residence by my mighty power and for the honour of my own majesty?' The words were still on his lips when there came a voice from heaven: 'To you, King Nebuchadnezzar, the word is spoken: the kingdom has passed from you. You are banished from human society; you are to live with the wild beasts and feed on grass like oxen. Seven times will pass over you until you have acknowledged that the Most High is sovereign over the realm of humanity and gives it to whom he will.

Ezekiel 28:2,6-8 (REB)

In your arrogance you say 'I am a god; I sit enthroned like a god on the high seas.' Though you are man and no god, you give yourself godlike airs...Because you give yourself godlike airs, I am about to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your fine wisdom and defile your splendor, they will thrust you down to destruction...