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A Christian fundamentalist group is praying for a deluge to drown out Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in two weeks' time.
Focus on the Family is asking for "abundant, torrential" downpours to flood Denver and silence Senator Obama when he accepts the Democratic Party's presidential nomination on August 28.
"Would it be wrong to ask people to pray for rain of Biblical proportins," asks an umbrella wielding Stuard Shepard in a video put out by the ultra conservative evangelical group. He asks for the rain to start "two minutes before the acceptance speech begins."
Tickets to Mr Obama's speech, in a vast Denver stadium that seats 75,000 people, have all been snapped up.
On the video, Mr Shepard says "I'm still pro-life, and I'm still in favour of marriage as being between one man and one woman." Apparently referring to the Republican presidential candidate John McCain, he adds, "I would like the next president who will select justices for the next Supreme Court to agree."
Focus for the Family pulled its video clip 24 hours after it was posted, but it can still be seen on the internet. In a statement Mr Shepard said that the video was intended to be "mildly humorous."
The organisation has attacked Mr Obama in the past. Its leader, James Dobson, recently accused the Illinois senator of distorting the Bible's message.
"He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter," he said.
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OOPS. Obama didn't get rain but McCain got a hurricane.
Maybe God is speaking after all?
Carol O, McBain, USA
So if it would have rained at the DNC, they would have claimed it was a "sign". Now that Hurricane Gustav is possibly going to drown out the Republican Nation Convention, what do they call it? God does have a sense of humor...keep your religion out of our politics Shepard-
Raina, Lakewood, USA
Well, there was a "flood" at the DNC... the sprinkler system flooded out the Fox News skybox. Specifically the Fox News skybox.
Careful what you wish for, eh?
I am so very amused by that.
Michelle, Kansas City,
By the way hate has no place in the Kingdom of God. As for these so call Christians to have so much hate in there heart hate is a sign of evil. They can be seen as Islamic haters a like.
Godfrey Rahming, Nassau, Bahamas
Andrew Ryan, I've heard it said there is not one elected 'out' atheist over there. As in ancient Rome, they have to pay lip service to the deity of the day, whatever their beliefs.
Like Blair saying he was Labour.
Buck Thomas, Warrington, Great Britain
Focus on the Family seems to believe they'll need "abundant, torrential" downpours to flood Denver at the Democratic Convention to help McCain win. I can certainly agree with that part. But what will it mean if God declines to answer their prayers? ... I'll be watching.
Lucy Cole, Alamo, USA
So-called Christians are "praying" for harm to come to another human being? The hypocrisy is breath-taking.
Anne, Portland, USA
Greg in Leatherhead, Focus on the Family is an ultra-conservative ultra-rich church that is best known for stating that homosexuality can be prevented if fathers shower often with their sons. I live ten minutes away from their headquarters, and most people around here consider them an embarrassment.
Jina, Colorado,
"At least McCain seems a lot more honest."
McCain stumbles whenever asked to elaborate on his Baptist faith. Rumour has it he's not actually a beliver at all.
Andrew Ryan, London,
If it does not rain, does that mean God is for Obama and hates Christian fundamentalists?
John, New York, USA
Yes, it should have been 75 thousand.
Steven, chicago, USA
"Tickets to Mr Obama's speech, in a vast Denver stadium that seats 75 people, have all been snapped up", thats not very vast. slight mistake?
Sam, Aber,
"a vast Denver stadium that seats 75 people"
They do things in a big way there (as well as having loony Cristians - or is that tautologous)
Sean, Coventry, UK
Obama is a phoney when it comes to religion. At least McCain seems a lot more honest. I don't know who those christians are, but I reckon they are right to target Obama.
Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK
These people are praying for rain and have the nerve to say Obama is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter.........go figure
leah hussein barack, London, UK
I hope there's a heatwave just to prove those so called "Christians" wrong.
Les H, Zhangzhou, China