I was greatly amazed, and confused, actually, by the reports of a Baptist Church (is this a Christian organization?) preaching hate (Romans 14:10), openly trying to offend people, and using tactics usually found in Islamic and homosexual circles to get their message across. As a Christian I am appalled at this perversion of the message of Christ. Yes, Christ is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”, and, He came to set ” brother against brother and father against son”, etc., but not in the manner in which the Westboro Baptist Church is promoting.
The protesters were carrying signs bearing slogans such as “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “God hates fags.”
Whatever happened to 1 Corinthians 13? Especially verses 4, 5, and 6? “Does
not act unbecomingly” “love does not brag and is not arrogant” “does not rejoice in unrighteousness” Yet these people are thanking God for the deaths of others. Sounds like Jihad to me. Certainly the members of this “organization” were acting arrogant about the court’s decision. Is arrogance a trait of love?
The scriptures are clear in telling Christians we are to live peaceably (Romans 12:17-21), spreading the message of Christ in love – for Christ is love (1John 4:7-11). The scriptures are clear: God loves all men and wishes that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16) – it is SIN that God hates, not the sinner! Are these people from Westboro saying that their sins are okay with God, but not Homosexuals? Or are they saying that
God hated them before they came to Christ? If God says that He hates ALL sin, and also says that hating people IS sin, then aren’t the members of this so-called church sinning (1 John 3:10; Luke 6:27,28)? Indeed, we show Christ’s love by being like Him, showing love even to our enemies (Mathew 5:43-48). How can you love your enemy? Simple: They have made themselves enemies of God by their rejection of Him. We aren’t to create enemies purposefully! We don’t want them to be enemies, so we
extend the love of Christ to them! Hey, Homosexuals! I’m no better than you and I love you! God is showing me the better way and He can show it to you also! Join me in Christ and find peace and love! You see, we all sin every day, and therefore fall short and deserve damnation. It is only by having a relationship with Christ that saves us, NOT by just calling ourselves by His name. Yes, we should point out what is sin, but if we love God we don’t contradict Him and tell people He hates them (1 John 4:20-21)! If this war is God’s judgment on this nation, then we should repent, certainly, but I think it is clear that the sin of homosexuality is only one small part of the equation. What about the millions of aborted babies? There are many other issues, too, but we need to approach the problem with love, as we are told to. If God does indeed hate homosexuals, then He must also hate all who commit iniquity – and that includes ALL of us! He came into the world to save it, out of love!
As a Christian I condemn the acts of these people, and call upon them, as brothers and sisters in Christ, to repent.
Let me leave you with this:
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the Truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. -1 John 1: 6-10
-John
John,
These guys have been at it for awhile. They threatened to interfere with a funeral at Fort Leavenworth. As promised, the Patriot Guard Riders showed up to oppose them. The Patriot Guard (http://www.patriotguard.org/) have loyally protected soldier’s families from the Westboro Baptist Church for several years now. I have to be honest – the memory of those guys riding onto post with dozens of huge US flags (to mask the funeral from protests) still has an emotional impact on me. These guys are true patriots, and have found a way to neutralize the Westboro Baptist Church. Thanks for pointing out that the Rev Phelps is not a representative of the Christian Church.
I agree with Katie. These Westboro people are ispmsoible to reason with fanatics, who should be exiled to a deserted island to live by themsevles, and where they can not bother the rest of humanity.