I have a favor to ask of Church going DUers.

[obxhead]

I have a huge favor to ask of the religious church goers of DU.

The Westboro Baptist Church is about to once again spit in the face of Christian beliefs and go directly against the teachings of Christ. They are going to protest at the funeral of an innocent 9 year old girl, a child who will never have the chance to live the American dream. They will do this out of pure hate. There is no political or religious reason for this protest. They do it for no other reason than hate.

So I ask those of you that attend church to do one small thing to fight them. Go to your pastors, ministers, preachers, or various other church leaders and ask them to stand up and publicly denounce the upcoming actions of the Westboro Baptist Church. Ask them to stand with this innocent child. Ask them to point out publicly how sick and disgusting the members of this church really are.

If you do not attend church maybe you can ask a friend who does to do this for you.

A movement of thousands of churches with millions of members could make a difference.

Stand up for this innocent child. Please ask your church to do the same.

[AspenRose]

1. K&R

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. What a great thought...

[midnight]

3. What a misguided bunch....

[patrice]

4. K&R For the kind of witness that is far more authentic than invading & occupying other people's

countries.

[el_bryanto]

5. I wonder how most church leaders would respond

I feel reasonably confident mine would respond arguing that they have nothing to do with the Westboro Baptist Church, so why do they need to publically denounce him?

Bryant

[obxhead]

11. In order to fight hate?

Isn't that one of the many messages of the bible?

If they won't do so maybe it's time to find a different church? :shrug:

[el_bryanto]

14. I think the issue is culpability and responsibility

This does remind me a bit of the "Why don't Muslims condemn terrorists?" espoused by our friends on the right. Basically if Christians don't agree with this guy, why don't we condemn him?

I think the answer is that we don't see a kinship with him and we don't feel responsible for his actions.

Bryant

[Democrats_win]

6. Is the Westboro clan doing what God commands? This isn't what Jesus said to do.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Matthew 28:19

How does holding up hateful signs accomplish this?

[blondeatlast]

12. Seems to me they are strictly Old testament, which I might add, means BEFORE Christ.

there's a lot of Google hits that claim the Old Testament prophecies Jesus--but it's a major stretch.

[southerncrone]

7. Yes, please.

I think restraining orders should be taken out against this group by anyone who they plan to protest at their loved one's funeral. The Topeka law enforcement will be overwhelmed & perhaps, just perhaps, this group will be stifled.

Also....I know there are different "types" of Baptist churches (Southern Baptists, Primitive Baptists, etc.), but we should try to find out what group of Baptists this church is affiliated with, & write them in protest of their anti-Christian actions. SURELY, the Baptists are embarrassed by their actions.

Anyone in the Topeka area know?

[RainDog]

8. Can anyone call itself a "Baptist" church?

Doesn't the Baptist sect have some sort of regulatory control over who is allowed to use the name of their denomination - like a trademark?

And if the Baptists do have this sort of control - shouldn't they strip this church of the right to use that name? Sue them to stop them?

I mean, these people couldn't all themselves the Westboro WalMart with impunity - and since churches are fully funded businesses (even if they are religious in nature) that have to file tax documentation -

why can't the religious organization that is identified as "Baptist" use their legal means to shun this hateful group?

[rurallib]

9. wondering the exact same thing.

sure seems like the baptists wouldn't want to be associated with this slime.

[E_Pluribus_Unitarian]

10. Showing up to counter-protest hasn't been a UU problem.

Unitarian Universalists have been there from the start, in considerable numbers.

[blondeatlast]

13. Excellent idea; will do. nt