Sunday, August 28, 2005

I'm Not With Them

Christians are representatives of Christ on earth. It is fair to say that most Christians do as poor a job as our Congress members at providing a good representation. This goes without saying as living completely Christ-like is impossible. Still, when imperfection becomes blatant hypocrisy, it warrant attention. Some of these people make Jesus cringe I bet.

Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

More flies with honey, people. Come on. Funerals are not a good place for this; let the family grieve in peace, in Jesus' name for God's sake.

Oh yeah, and God is punishing us for harboring gays. Maybe he's "punishing" us because we went to war and in war people die. I suppose we were punished in Vietnam for harboring communists. Thes folks are several sandwiches short of a picnic basket and their logic couldn't be more off.

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.

At least his church is small, but it's apparently big enough to warrant an AP story. I think I'll say a quick prayer that Phelps doesn't make any converts, although with his message that seems to be assured.

The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you."

According to the Bible--I am forced to conclude Phelps does not study it as much as he may--God is love. God does not hate anyone, unless my Sunday school teacher lied to me. Yes, God may not be a fan of homosexuality, but we're all sinners. If God hates these "fags" he must hate Phelps and company as well.

These people disgust me. God save me from your followers.

1 comment:

A Wiser Man Than I said...

I don't think that saying can be explitly attributed to Jesus, but the idea is integral to his teaching.

Also, I've got nothing against Bible-thumpers per se. Studying God's word is something all Christians should do. However, quoting the Bible is not always the most effective way to change hearts and minds. Even worse though, is when people who thump the Bible can't even get the message right, like these folks.