Bible Study
See other Bible Study Articles
Title: Opinion piece about Westboro Baptist Church.
Source:
sltrib.com
URL Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifest ... oro-baptist-god-corey.html.csp
Published: Sep 12, 2010
Author: Corey J. Hodges
Post Date: 2010-09-12 14:14:49 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 129587
Comments: 131
Westboro Baptist Church preaches that all the world’s tragedies can be blamed on society’s tolerance of gays.
Pastor Fred Phelps Sr. leads the Topeka, Kan., congregation of 70 to 80 members, most of whom are his children and grandchildren. Although Westboro identifies itself as Baptist, it is not affiliated with any known Baptist convention or association.
The congregation has made headlines by picketing at military funerals, arguing that the soldiers’ deaths are God’s punishment for homosexuality. The group also protested at the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s funeral, calling him a “false prophet,” and recently in West Virginia, where 29 miners were killed, with signs that read, “Thank God for dead miners.”
Albert Snyder, the grieving father of one fallen soldier, sued Westboro for invading his privacy and inflicting emotional distress (Snyder’s son was not gay). The legal dispute is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
There is no biblical defense for Westboro’s hateful message and insensitive demonstrations. The group’s philosophy and approach are riddled with contradictions. Westboro cannot truly believe in the Bible, which speaks of God’s love, mercy and grace. Jesus vehemently opposed earthly agents of condemnation. He said, in Matthew, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. … Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye.” Westboro’s hate is a huge plank.
Some argue that, although Westboro’s protests are despicable, they are not illegal. The fear is that if the high court restricts the group’s First Amendment right, it will have dire consequences for all of us. Private speech endorsing religion is protected under the Constitution’s Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses. People of faith always worry that a ruling limiting First Amendment rights could affect religious speech.
It seems, therefore, that the only way to combat the Westboro radicals and other hate groups is through counter-protests. When Westboro showed up in West Virginia, counter-demonstrators staged a far bigger rally.
While Westboro’s actions may be not be illegal, they are immoral and unethical. People of faith must remember that the law cannot be the sole decider of behavior. We should hold ourselves to a higher standard. The law may permit us to do certain things, but our religious convictions should restrain us.
Corey J. Hodges is pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church. He can be reached at coreyjhodges@comcast.net.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-90) not displayed.
.
.
.
#91. To: Liberator, war (#89)
Don't forget the ruby slippers.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
ROFL He claims he bough a new vehicle lately...Subarus are fine cars.
Though, Munchkin Land is sort of a pictorial representation of the order of your mind.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
Don't be silly. That would clash with the pink Spandex leggings.
Oh don't worry...Lubey never takes them off...
Probably one of those Fisher Price play phones with the moving eyes.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
Call for your cavalry. Why not get yukon, too? You three are have equal worth as posters.
"Our quest for the lesser evil has arrived at an impasse. On one hand we have a world-class Doublethinker who expects us to thank him for keeping promises he has vigorously broken and to accept the cynical notion that war is peace. On the other we have a mob of flesh-eating galoots who promise to give us Orwell’s Hate Week 52 weeks a year for as long as it takes them to bring about Armageddon. " — Jeff Huber
Thank you for your recent submission. Unfortunately, your attempt at invective are rejected. We wish you well in your future endeavors.
I don't need cavalry. I notice you ride if to your daddy's defense, though. Telling.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
What cracks me up is that this asshole thinks he's "winning". Worst case of the "Tulls" I've seen since Cynicom.
Why ping for them, then? You might notice I ping no one to help me out.
"Our quest for the lesser evil has arrived at an impasse. On one hand we have a world-class Doublethinker who expects us to thank him for keeping promises he has vigorously broken and to accept the cynical notion that war is peace. On the other we have a mob of flesh-eating galoots who promise to give us Orwell’s Hate Week 52 weeks a year for as long as it takes them to bring about Armageddon. " — Jeff Huber
Chuckles...couldn't have said you any better myself.
All my shots are on target. You just scatter-shot in hopes of hitting one or two targets of opportunity. Loser.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
When you post to me he thinks you're talking to yourself.
"Our quest for the lesser evil has arrived at an impasse. On one hand we have a world-class Doublethinker who expects us to thank him for keeping promises he has vigorously broken and to accept the cynical notion that war is peace. On the other we have a mob of flesh-eating galoots who promise to give us Orwell’s Hate Week 52 weeks a year for as long as it takes them to bring about Armageddon. " — Jeff Huber
I'm not...?
I noticed... [snicker]
Your schizophrenia has let you down and now your suck puppet won't have anything to do with you. Sucks to be you, princess, but then you already knew that.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
Damn! Now you'll have to create a new sock puppet. Could you give me a meaner sounding name next time?
"Our quest for the lesser evil has arrived at an impasse. On one hand we have a world-class Doublethinker who expects us to thank him for keeping promises he has vigorously broken and to accept the cynical notion that war is peace. On the other we have a mob of flesh-eating galoots who promise to give us Orwell’s Hate Week 52 weeks a year for as long as it takes them to bring about Armageddon. " — Jeff Huber
Sure...how about Boris Badenuff? Scarface? Ray Lewis?
Do me a favor...let's wait a day and see if that one lands... Sucks to be you, princess, but then you already knew that. Maybe you'd come off better if you "sounded" more like me and less like Carson Kressley.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy?
"Our quest for the lesser evil has arrived at an impasse. On one hand we have a world-class Doublethinker who expects us to thank him for keeping promises he has vigorously broken and to accept the cynical notion that war is peace. On the other we have a mob of flesh-eating galoots who promise to give us Orwell’s Hate Week 52 weeks a year for as long as it takes them to bring about Armageddon. " — Jeff Huber
Heavy Metal meets Gangsta...has possibilities...
Worst case of the "Tulls" I've seen since Cynicom. Cynicom, to the courtesy phone.
I don't write the article titles. Because I respect the intellectual property of others and don't wish to see the fair use policy of use of articles in these forums, I cut and paste with no alteration of the piece. You are being silly here.
I changed the title because the title was a lie and offensive. But I accurately described it as an opinion piece.
Well you idiot, I did not write the title. The paper which published the piece did. Fuck off, you slimy self rightous piece of odious garbage.
I could delete it instead.
I did nort see editorial when I chose catagory. You are an idiot Stone. You have no regard for the property of others and alter titles to suit your agenda even when others post the piece with the accurate title the pice was published under. Go fuck yourself, dumb shit.
If you can't use the accurate title, please, do it.
I already explained that the title bar is the description of the article. If you want to read the real title click on the source. You should be thankful that I didn't delete the article. And no I wont fuck myself. I have a wife for that.
No way! You've got to be shitting us.
You're anti-gay and you hate them. What was inaccurate about he title?
Anti-gay hatemongers aren’t doing God’s work Being anti gay doesn't mean you hate. God is anti gay. So when you speak out about faggots you are doing gods work.
If there is a god YOU most certainly do not speak for him. Another accurate point of the title.
Tull must sanction it as it's still posted on 4um. Take it up with him or bucky. The brave, crusader Libby evidently declined the task. LOL
Go read Leviticus and Romans chapter 1 dimwit.
Written by men. In Matthew Jesus makes this point clear, as well, separating "the law" and "the prophets" as having a separate existence.
You keep pinging Lubey...where is he? I don't see him anywhere... [snicker] war posted on 2010-09-12 20:52:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply dwarf will figure out why he can't see Lib as soon as he figures out how STUPID he looks repeatedly LYING that he has Lib on his homo-blinder bozo.
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way. Below is the latest Dwarf revelation: ...."the shorts and bibs I wear are of a carbon/lycra/nylon composition......and maaaaaannnnnn....just letting everybody know that makes my balls SWELL......I'm just tooooooo sexy for you all!!" ....Dwarf August 2010.............. And one from the bluehair 2-legged GPS "I always get the Carolinas mixed up for some reason." ......Fred Jerx (who will doubtless figure out the intricacy of that tricky "North / South" thing someday. Ahldoafewboners = the kind of person who can say absolutely nothing, and mean it.....aka Regurgitated Clown Floyd
My tag line drives war crazy to the point he can't think straight (not that he ever could). He can't help himself from posting foolishness.
Well, [war's] got to do something for attention, his multiple personalities aren't speaking to him any more, and his imaginary friends keep finding excuses not to come over. (Murron)
Dwarf definitely has a party of 40 inside his head:)
Death to everybody who does not get outta my way. Below is the latest Dwarf revelation: ...."the shorts and bibs I wear are of a carbon/lycra/nylon composition......and maaaaaannnnnn....just letting everybody know that makes my balls SWELL......I'm just tooooooo sexy for you all!!" ....Dwarf August 2010.............. And one from the bluehair 2-legged GPS "I always get the Carolinas mixed up for some reason." ......Fred Jerx (who will doubtless figure out the intricacy of that tricky "North / South" thing someday. Ahldoafewboners = the kind of person who can say absolutely nothing, and mean it.....aka Regurgitated Clown Floyd
...you're goign to wear the heels of those ruby slippers out, Dorothy...
#92. To: Rudgear, dwarfina (#87)
I even bet your favorite color is rainbow . . .
#93. To: war (#90)
#94. To: Rudgear, war (#91)
Don't forget the ruby slippers.
#95. To: Rudgear (#91)
Don't forget the ruby slippers.
#96. To: Liberator, war (#92)
He claims he bough a new vehicle lately
#97. To: Rudgear (#91)
#98. To: Rudgear (#93)
#99. To: Skip Intro (#97)
#100. To: Skip Intro (#97)
(Edited)
#101. To: Rudgear (#99)
I don't need cavalry.
#102. To: Rudgear (#99)
I notice you ride if to your daddy's defense, though.
#103. To: war, skivvy (#100)
#104. To: war (#100)
#105. To: Skip Intro (#104)
(Edited)
#106. To: Rudgear (#103)
All my shots are on target.
#107. To: war, skivvy (#105)
#108. To: war (#105)
I'm not...?
#109. To: Skip Intro (#108)
#110. To: Rudgear (#107)
Your schizophrenia has let you down
#111. To: war (#109)
#112. To: Skip Intro (#111)
#113. To: war, Cynicom, Jethro Tull (#100)
What cracks me up is that this asshole thinks he's "winning".
#114. To: Liberator (#66)
"The propaganda here Mike is the obvious provocative title of your "Anti-gay hatemongers aren’t doing God’s work" title of your thread."
#115. To: Ferret Mike (#114)
#116. To: A K A Stone (#115)
(Edited)
#117. To: Ferret Mike (#116)
#118. To: A K A Stone (#115)
"But I accurately described it as an opinion piece."
#119. To: A K A Stone (#117)
#120. To: Ferret Mike (#118)
#121. To: A K A Stone (#120)
I have a wife...
#122. To: A K A Stone (#115)
I changed the title because the title was a lie and offensive.
#123. To: war (#122)
#124. To: A K A Stone (#123)
God is anti gay
#125. To: Rudgear, Jetrho Tull, Liberator (#76)
(Edited)
The only thing more wrong than tracking others is to have sanction.
#126. To: war (#124)
#127. To: A K A Stone (#126)
(Edited)
#128. To: Liberator, Rudgear (#84)
#84. To: Rudgear (#82)
#129. To: e_type_jag, war (#128)
#130. To: Rudgear (#129)
My tag line drives war crazy
#131. To: Rudgear (#129)
My tag line drives war crazy to the point he can't think straight...
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]