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Anti-gay protest is not news
Written by Peter Youngren on December 13, 2008On Dec 10th, The Globe and Mail reported that the gay-bashing, hell-preaching Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas is protesting a Canadian high school drama in the small town of Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto. This 5-member church, which specializes in hate-mongering, is headed by “Pastor” Fred Phelps. They will raise placards that read “God Hates Canada”, “Fear God” and “Hell is real”. The protest is in response to a performance of The Laramie Project based on a story of the slaying of a gay Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in 1998. The Kansas group also picketed the Shepard funeral ten years ago. It seems this little group gets publicity all over the world. Recently I saw articles in Scandinavian newspapers where they had found an occasion to protest some event or another in those countries.
Why does the media report the activities of these extremists? Is it an effort to make born-again evangelicals look bad? I hope not. As the Topeka group operates under the guise of being born-again Christians, the public is maybe led to believe that this is a true representation of born-again Christianity. It’s time we get our message across to people. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17). We can’t let media get by with charactering what we are all about. So is it the media’s fault, or do we have ourselves to blame? The truth is probably somewhere in between. All too many born-again Christians equate the Phelps family’s activities with standing up for truth and righteousness. The only righteousness worth standing up for is Jesus’ righteousness, and He gives it freely to everyone who believes. Possibly there are journalists who like to portray evangelicals in a negative light. Uxbridge has a population of some 19,000 people. Hopefully there are Jesus followers who might reach out to the Phelps family, preach the Gospel to them and they, too, can receive the Good News that makes us love, not hate other people. Sadly I can visualize the news clips, showing Fred Phelps and his family up to their antics. It is sad that the media can’t get away with a negative characterization, because the real Gospel is the greatest message of hope and love the world has ever heard. If we were maybe a little bit more focused on the Good News of Jesus, we wouldn’t be such an inviting target for the media. Your thoughts? - Peter Youngren
Gwen Mercer
~ Trail, B.C.
Hello Pastor Peter,
I am a born-again print journalist and have a bi-weekly column in the Trail Daily Times on the Relgion page. I do my best to let everyone know that Jesus loves everyone and condemns noone! It is a sad day when we as Christians condemn the world when we oursleves received so much grace and mercy by receiving the best gift of all, Jesus. We need to remember where we came from and where we were headed in order to have such mercy, understanding and grace toward others. A deeper revelation of our own wretched selves and sins and the absolute welcoming arms of Jesus open wide for all to receive at the cross in spite of them is the only thing that will do it. I am one light shining the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God to whoever will receive it, no matter who they are or what they do. This is the gospel! Grace and peace to you and yours this Christmas season. I continue to pray for your safety and health when you go to dangerous locations to preach the gospel. Merry Christmas!
Judy Chan
~ BC
It’s so sad , pastor, to see the truth be distorted. God hates the sin but not the sinner, it’s a difficult message to get across- to call sin a sin and yet at the same time let the person feel loved. This is something I am learning to do - to speak the truth in love. Self righteousness is the most subtle sin stems from pride, the most common and easiest temptation to fall into. I pray that God will give us- His body - the ability to maintain in Him a divine balance. I agree with you that LOVE is the most important thing, without it nothing can work, condemnation cannot change a person, only love can.
God bless you pastor, and God bless Canada !
Phyl Organ
~ Australia
I agree wholeheartedly, Peter. It is truly refreshing to hear your comments. The ‘world’ offers put downs, critisizm, rejection and hatred by the bucket loads. Father God, through Jesus, offers the people of the world Love, acceptance, forgiveness and salvation. I know who I want to be in relationship with.
Andreas Cucca
~ Hässleholm, Sweden
This is what is what legalism does to people… It saddens me that eventhough I never was that extream, I too had a very hard attitude towards people. The grace of God makes us love all people! It takes us to the ends of the earth to reach precious people with the Good news!!
Nick
~ Malaysia
Nobody has the right to kill anybody. In Ezekiall it is stated that God has no pleasure in a sinner death. Thus if aperson continue his gay acts, he shall face the wrath of God. It is our duty to warn gays of the consequences. On the day of judgement, Jesus will be the judge and on that day the dispensation of grace stop.
Now we talk about grace, grace, and grace without judgement and punishment. On that day the voice of Jesus is like many thunder and scary for the condemned and they will rather have the mountains bury them that face His wrath.
It is not an arguement of this or that but BOTH. The Bible should be taught in totality not selectively thru myopic eyes. Practicing gays are simply unrepentant. For now they will mingle with the sheep but the shepherd must warn the gays that they will destroy themselves now and on that Day. How pitiful. Sex is only for this lifetime not ETERNAL lifetime. Which one are they heading for? How does it profit a gay if he had thousand of gay partners and die tomorrow? With God, gay lifesytle can cease and the power of the spirit is demonstrated therby.
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Beena
~ Oakville
Wow , didn’t know this guy existed, googled his name & found out about his colourful personality..I have serious doubts about him being saved ( though it is not upto me to judge ) , considering the language that has been used by him in his websites.
It is really unfortunate that the world views us to be so rigid & condeming but no point blaming the media as we have given them enough fodder for saying so. What’s going on California is the same, all homosexuals have developed such contempt towards the church. Instead of preaching the good news & introducing them to Jesus, the real transformer, we are alienating them more & more.
Why do we Christians feel so pressured to protest, do we percieve it as weakness to accept somebody as they are!! Does Jesus really need us to be his advocate!! . Who are we to classify sin- especially when Jesus says he has forgiven the whole world past present & future of ALL sins. He has required us to be only his witness & to spread his gospel, Leave him to save people & transform because only he knows all of us inside out -beleivers & unbeleivers alike. By saying this I am not condoning homosexual behaviour but I strongly beleive that once a person forms a true relationship with Jesus, he will show you your true identity for whom the son sets free is free indeed. Halleluyah!!