http://twitter.com/#!/emmxxx96/status/313780548407533569

An enthusiastic audience for the History Channel’s hit series “The Bible” had led to some unexpected Twitter trends, such as “Satan” and “The Bible” competing for top billing among the most popular topics. Satan was still trending this afternoon, due in part to what many saw as an uncanny resemblance to our current president. (Maybe, if you squint — it’s not nearly as obvious as putting a George W. Bush prop head on a stake.)

Satan or Obama? Controversy in The Bible shows how casting can be seen as a political act. http://t.co/oJrVU4q5I6 pic.twitter.com/0ZP28wz8pY

— Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) March 18, 2013

https://twitter.com/VaguelyFunnyDan/status/313713640702369793

Makeup artist who made #TheBible's Satan look like Obama says he "had nothing to do with it in any shape or form" http://t.co/dXDeD38BkB

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) March 18, 2013

Makeup artist Christa Schoeman told The Daily Beast, “I can guarantee that President Obama had nothing to do with it in any shape or form.” Enough people saw the resemblance, though, to put up a hashtag defense of President Obama, keeping #ObamaIsNotSatan trending throughout the day.

#ObamaIsNotSatan is trending worldwide.

— Mike Hayes (@michaelhayes) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan so calm your white washed republican asses down

— Joe Diaz (@theflacojoe) March 18, 2013

Obama voters are priceless. #ObamaIsNotSatan is trending,bc their hero worship is that strong. Children are cute when they discuss politics.

— Ai-Everything (@AiPolitics) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan 1TV show has actor playing Satan who sorta looks like O. Lefties FREAK. 2 We point out differences. Lefties FREAK. Got it?

— Paul Kinkel ن (@PaulKinkel) March 18, 2013

What good is a hashtag without a good hijacking, though?

#ObamaIsNotSatan because Satan has shovel ready jobs.

— Hugo Hackenbush (@MangyLover) March 18, 2013

What is the difference between Obama and Satan? Satan has fewer worshipers #ObamaIsNotSatan

— DANEgerus (@DANEgerus) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsnotSatan But then, Satan's no Obama, either.

— One Who Remembers (@lheal) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan Satan throws like a guy

— Rschrim (@Rschrim) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan, because no matter how offensive, Satan has been historically charming.

— Jeremy Colonna (@SmoovJC) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan The devil went down to Georgia. Obama prefers Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii

— Proof (@ProofBlog) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsnotSatan Satan has a budget.

— The Morning Spew (@TheMorningSpew) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan – the devil doesn't take nearly as many golf vacations.

— el Sooper (@SooperMexican) March 18, 2013

Satan would rather spend an eternity in Hell than be photographed in Mom Jeans #ObamaIsNotSatan

— S.M (@redsteeze) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsNotSatan Satan would have smacked Joe Biden upside the head by now.

— Wonderlander (@w0nderlander) March 18, 2013

https://twitter.com/ExtraGrumpyCat/status/313763530912444416

#ObamaIsNotSatan I should know. I cling bitterly to my religion.

— Mattphilbin (@Mattphilbin) March 18, 2013

* * *

Update: Commenter @liars_never_win let us know that he launched the #ObamaIsNotSatan hashtag. While his tweets were not the first appearance of the hashtag on Twitter, it appears his tweets started it trending. Here’s a sample:

You guys got it all wrong about #Obama and #TheBible series. #fixeditforyou pic.twitter.com/GZKcesF4qF

— Liars Never Win (@liars_never_win) March 18, 2013

#ObamaIsnotSatan because O' Diablo could not be that vain

— Liars Never Win (@liars_never_win) March 18, 2013

#ObamaisnotSatan but he is close personal friends with "his crowd"

— Liars Never Win (@liars_never_win) March 18, 2013

#ObamaisnotSatan because when Obama breathes fire he has to chew Nicotine gum afterwards.

— Liars Never Win (@liars_never_win) March 18, 2013

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with a screen shot of the #ObamaIsNotSatan hashtag trending in the United States.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/03/18/despite-what-the-bible-might-suggest-to-some-obamaisnotsatan/