Spread The Word

[caraig]

Apparently, the following document has been, at the behest of the defendant (A Pastor Phelps who took umbrage at the content of it) pulled from the publication they were in, and the court documents in which they are found have likewise been sealed.

But not in this jurisdiction.

In the interest of allowing someone to disseminate an opinion, I present a link to the document in question.

Basically, the Pastor Phelps is one of those who believe that God hates homosexuals with unbridled passion in strong opposition to the message of 'love your neighbor.' Even if you believe that homosexuality is inherently sinful, Phelps' rhetoric is obscenely vitriolic and vicious. If he is so willing to spread such hateful ideas and speech, he can let the world know what he says, wether he wants to or not.

An idea which came to me the other day goes thusly: It is not up to us to determine, judge, or speculate on the state of grace of any being other than ourselves. It is merely our duty to at the very least show respect for other people as fellow living beings in this world.

And no... I am not speculating on wether God -- any god -- favors Pastor Phelps and his message.

Pax.

Edit: Don't read the link if you're even remotely sensitive. I'm sorry, I should have warned you before. The Intorduction disturbs the hell out of me, and it really overall just gets worse. But just like trudging through Bare-Faced Messiah, the book about L. Ron Hubbard, this is information about someone who is having deleterous effects on others. So... read if you can.

Comments

[sodon.livejournal.com]

Between pastors like this, and pastors who welcome it with open arms, I don't know what to do with myself.

[caraig.livejournal.com]

Between pastors like this, and pastors who welcome it with open arms, I don't know what to do with myself.

I'm not sure I can help with finding the 'middle ground' you want. All I really know, from where I'm standing is that Phelps' message is entirely the wrong one for anyone who professes a religion of love and compassion. Though I guess his 'flavor' doesn't really include 'compassion' at all.

Then again, I've probably angered you enough tonight to last a lifetime, so I shouldn't even go into it. :(

[sodon.livejournal.com]

Actually, I was being sarcastic for dramatic effect. It's more irritating than confusing. I have my middle ground, as found in the Bible. "Love your neighbor." "Such were all of you, but you were washed of your sins." "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful." "Everything is permissibe, but I will be a slave to nothing."

Etc.

[caraig.livejournal.com]

Well, you know me and sarcasm.... :/

Those last two quotes are interesting, though, since I think there was a poem by Byron that mentioned that sentiment. Where in the Bible are they from?

[sodon.livejournal.com]

The first one is here (http://biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=53&chapter=6&verse=12&version=50&context=verse). The second one is here (http://biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=53&chapter=6&verse=12&version=50&context=verse).
Same book, same author. Actually they are very similar, and I could technically get away with saying the quote is from the same verse.

[sodon.livejournal.com]

Actually, I didn't read Phelps, but from what i gathered from your entry, it's the same drivel I've seen before. "God hates fags," and all that nonsense. Religion doesn't breed hate. People do.

[caraig.livejournal.com]

Yes, it pretty much is that drivel. Whatever my personal orientations might be -- or anyone's, for that matter -- aside, it's astoundingly depressing seeing someone have this much hate for anyone. I don't blame the religion; I blame the man who's preaching the hate.