Pastor explains 'Obama, Osama' sermon

JONESVILLE, S.C., April 22 (UPI) -- The pastor of a South Carolina church says he wasn't trying to stir up trouble with a sign that could be inferred as comparing Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden.

The sign advertises Pastor Roger Byrd's sermon as, "Obama, Osama, hmm, are they brothers?"

Despite a Muslim-sounding name, the freshman Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate is a practicing Christian and longtime member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Jones, who presides at Jonesville Church of God, told WYFF-TV, Greeneville, that the title was aimed at raising the question of what might happen if a president who doesn't believe in Jesus Christ – not specifically a Muslim -- is elected.

"It's just something to try to stir people's minds," said Jones. "It was never intended to hurt feelings or to offend anybody."