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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: 123994
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.
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#55. To: lucysmom (#53)
First...get out your checkbook...
Yep, if it was about homosexuality, Lot probably wouldn't have offered up his daughters in place of the angles to be raped by the crowd. (Lot may have been OK in God's sight, however I have a problem with his willingness to hand his daughters over to be raped)
I agree. I mean, I didn't even like it when the Lone Ranger sent Tonto onto town to do his dirty work. I mean, the poor guy was always getting beaten up when he went. I always wanted him to say, "No way Kimosabe, you go be the punching bag this time."
It doesn't pay to hang out with heroes, not in the OT, and not on TV.
Listen to the Jeremiah Wright tapes again, for the phony Christian talking points. If all else fails play the race card, AmeriKKK.
I just got through reading this: The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy-a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy. I would rather live George Washington's vision of the United States of America than Skip's or yours.
"what do I do now?" "Listen to the Jeremiah Wright tapes again, for the phony Christian talking points. If all else fails play the race card, AmeriKKK." "I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
You'll be pinged when you apologizing for Script Tracking LF's posters like a scurrilous rat. Until then, you will be reminded of your dirty, sneaky deed.
For calling you out on yourScript Tracking, or for calling you out on your usual waste of oxygen and carbon usage?
And quit his "religion"?
Skivvy has nothing to contribute unless Lycra-spandex boy gives him leave. He, among others are whore's suck puppets.
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)
The propaganda here Mike is the obvious provocative title of your "Anti-gay hatemongers aren’t doing God’s work" title of your thread. Defending charges of "Have you stopped beating your wife" is another way you'd have characterizes "dampening discourse." I find your premise to be totally disingenuous and disappointing.
You and Lubey make a cute couple. But his husband, e_type_fag, will be home soon...better flee that back door.
Oops...i meant flee OUT that back door... My bad...
Skivvy-the-Script Tracker's "contribution" is scoring in the negative within the realm of ANY discourse - not to mention his attempt at spying, and being LF's male Snooki. His kind of "credentials" don't get much worse.
My tag line drives you crazy, doesn't it? Admit it.
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)
See? Just crazy to the point of insane posts. Get a thicker skin, son.
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)
Dude...as "insults" go it's as lofty to me as "your mother wears army boots". It's horribly unoriginal. But I know that it drives you crazy that it doesn't drive me crazy. [snicker]
Sorry, Dwarfina. We're already taken. Are you tired of Freddy and your Alfred E. Newman blowup doll already? But his husband, e_type_fag, will be home soon...better flee that back door. And who would be more familiar with "back doors" than you, Sweet Cheeks?
TAGLINE: "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)" THAT is clever, lol.
ROFLMAO.... You're cozying up to Lubey, who is arguably the biggest closet case here, to the point of co-apting his insane fixation on my training apparel... Here...I'll help you out...I wear my hair long and often tie it back into a pony tail. Ket's see if you can be more creative with that fact than Lubey has been. Um...remind me how it is that you bother me again...sorry...I forget...
The only thing more wrong than tracking others is to have sanction. I would expect this on FreakRepugnant or Goldi's site. Both are ideology-driven echo chambers where heterodoxy is intolerable.
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)
The king of hilarious taglines is jag. Dwarfina is a generous donor on almost a daily basis.
You keep stressing the unoriginality of it yet will not provide the source. [milky way]
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)
Oh geezus fuck...now you're admitting you're a goddam shut-in? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
How do I get under your skin? You keep going off on my tag. It clearly annoys you no end. I think it hits too close to home, personally.
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)
I believe Goldi addressed the Script Tracking at the time...and others expressed a sh*tstorm of outrage. But since this is a smaller venue, Stone cut slack - NOT advisable IMHO. I'm still 50-50 about remaining over that lenient decision to be honest.
Well, this is the only place that will tolerate war.
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)
You keep going off on my tag. It clearly annoys you no end. You keep going off on my tag. It clearly annoys you no end. You keep going off on my tag. It clearly annoys you no end.
You keep pinging Lubey...where is he? I don't see him anywhere... [snicker]
I knew you were a Judy Garland fan. Most of the sisterhood are.
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)
Chuckles...keep flailing... Quick: Tell me how your tagline bothers me...I forgot...
I even bet your favorite color is rainbow . . .
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)
You certainly seem to be an expert. [snicker]
"Training apparel"?? Dude, Spandex/lycra is you daily outfit du jour. How is that MY fault?? Here...I'll help you out...I wear my hair long and often tie it back into a pony tail. Ket's see if you can be more creative with that fact than Lubey has been. Don't forget the accessories - hair ribbon, the hoop earrings, unicorn tats, and the Birkenstocks. How close am I to pegging you, dwarf?
Wha...huh? Rainbow isn't a color...it's several. Or were you trying to be funny? Oh... In that case... Ha ha...
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...
Comments (96 - 131) not displayed.
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#56. To: Ferret Mike (#31)
For example, Genesis 19 is a major 'slam dunk them' passage conservative Christians use to condemn homosexuality; but it's real meaning is about Condemning the raping of strangers for the purpose of humiliation.
#57. To: lucysmom (#56)
#58. To: Ferret Mike (#57)
#59. To: lucysmom (#53)
what do I do now?
#60. To: hondo68 (#59)
Listen to the Jeremiah Wright tapes again, for the phony Christian talking points.
#61. To: hondo68 (#59)
lucysmom
#62. To: Skip Intro, Rudgear (#5)
Ping me when he says something.
#63. To: Skip Intro, Murron (#9)
Did you ever get around to apologizing to me?
#64. To: Rudgear, dwarf (#10)
Throw away your moral relativism.
#65. To: Liberator, Skip Intro, war (#64)
#66. To: Ferret Mike (#11)
FReeper grade propaganda who's only purpose is to try to dampen discourse.
#67. To: Rudgear (#65)
#68. To: Rudgear (#65)
#69. To: Rudgear, Skip Intro, war (#65)
(Edited)
Skivvy has nothing to contribute unless Lycra-spandex boy gives him leave. He, among others are whore's suck puppets.
#70. To: war (#67)
#71. To: war (#68)
#72. To: Rudgear (#70)
My tag line drives you crazy, doesn't it? Admit it.
#73. To: Dwarfina, Rudgear, e_type_jag (#67)
You and Lubey make a cute couple.
#74. To: Rudgear, Murron, Dwarfina (#70)
My tag line drives you crazy, doesn't it? Admit it.
#75. To: Rudgear (#71)
(Edited)
#76. To: Liberator (#69)
#77. To: Rudgear, dwarfina, e_type_jag (#71)
#78. To: war (#72)
#79. To: Rudgear (#78)
You keep stressing the unoriginality of it yet will not provide the source.
#80. To: war (#75)
#81. To: Rudgear, A K A Stone (#76)
The only thing more wrong than tracking others is to have sanction. I would expect this on FreakRepugnant or Goldi's site. Both are ideology-driven echo chambers where heterodoxy is intolerable.
#82. To: Liberator, war (#81)
#83. To: Rudgear (#80)
#84. To: Rudgear (#82)
#85. To: war (#83)
#86. To: Rudgear (#85)
I knew you were a Judy Garland fan.
#87. To: war (#83)
#88. To: Rudgear (#85)
Most of the sisterhood are.
#89. To: war, Rudgear, e_type_jag (#75)
You're cozying up to Lubey, who is arguably the biggest closet case here, to the point of co-apting his insane fixation on my training apparel...
#90. To: Rudgear (#87)
#91. To: Liberator, war (#89)
#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.
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