Why protest?

Question

Why does churches advocate protesting at abortion clinics, Military funerals (that is just ridiculous), at the court house, trying to ban gay marriages? What minister thinks this behavior is ok? I'm sorry but I can't picture Jesus standing outside of the courthouse with a picket sign. How are we suppose to show love through intollerance and hate with judgemental hearts? These people are just like the Jews that persecuted the adultress and wanted to stone her.
God handles sins, we shouldn't have to worry about what other people do. We are only responsible for ourselves. Show love, unconditionally, and be a representitive of Christ, lead by example.

Answer 1

Well said.

Answer 2

I agree to a large extent. However I understand some church groups station themselves at a reasonable distance form abortion clinics quietly offering information about alternatives to abortion. They usually wait to see if the person wants to know what they have to say. Some people have been greatly helped, have had their babies and been able ot give them away to a good family, and/or have been given access to counselling. You have to admit some people have been rushed into abortion without getting much real counselling about it.
Those who are there just for a public protest, well - I'm not sure Jesus would do that. Although I once marched in an antiwar protest with a a million and a half people, and I'm not sure if Jesus would have done that either. Society is different, - Jesus would not have voted in his day either. So the what would Jesus do question needs to be adjusted a little bit.
Once again, it's the attitude that counts.
As to protesting at military funerals, or at any other funeral, that's an easy one. No way should anyone having God's love and compassion would want to do such a thing.

Answer 3

I agree, but I do understand some of their reasoning. At abortion clinics, it's been proven they want to sell abortions. They (Christians) want women (and girls) to know abortion isn't the ONLY option (most of the time it's not even the best option...but that's not the question here). Military funeral protests are ridiculous, and should be banned. That's just wrong. The courthouse, I can also understand, because, like it or not, it is necessary for politicians to know what people think, so they can vote for the constituants. When big businesses have more control, Christians have to put their voice out there wherever they can.
You're right, on some levels it is like the Jews who persecuted the woman. We walk a fine line between judging others, and sharing our beliefs. We should worry about our government, and we should worry about other people. We want poverty to end. Nobody likes seeing pictures of children dying of AIDS and hunger, so it is our business to speak up when we feel the need.

Answer 4

Some are called to do what you do by faith, others are called to wage war against sin in a more effective way. We all are called to some kind of action for the kingdom of God. We are all a part of the body of Christ. If you are the hand be a good hand if you are a good foot you may be called upon to kick butt like a good soldier. We all do our part as God leads us thru the work of the Holy Spirit.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10 .

Answer 5

I think that most do it because they are trying to make a change. It is a right under the Constitution. Sometimes, it is misguided, at best, abused at worst. I have no problem with people who protest - legally - even if I don't agree with them. I do, however, have a BIG problem for people who purport to speak for me. Protesting at military funerals, indeed. Haven't those parents, siblings, loved ones suffered enough?

Answer 6

Thank you lady blue. Well said.
The only difference between the Catholics and Protestants killing each other in Ireland and the Sunni and Shiite's in Iraq is in America we don't kill someone because they don't believe the same way we do. Let's don't start it can get really ugly.
Let God do the judging

Answer 7

I see what you are are saying but you don't know Jesus do you........Did not not Jesus in pulic turn a table over because they where selling items in church.Didn't called the religious people of that hour hypocrites and vipers. Didn't he speak out against sin. Sorry but yes I agree with you to a point but God may have called us to love but Christians are to take a stand in love. There is a differance.Yes people do take things to far and it makes christians look bad but jesus is our example. What would Jesus Do ?

Answer 8

"Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'?
"But you have made it a den of robbers."

According to Mark 11.17, This is what Jesus said while he was turning over tables in the Temple. Jesus did protest, but I think he did so differently then the examples you gave.

Jesus, as you allude to in your reference the the adulteress, sided with the social outcasts: The sick, the poor, and the sinners. He preached the message That God loves them all. In identifying with the socially ostracized, Christ judged those with the power to ostracize. In siding with the adulteress, Jesus sides against those who pass judgment.

I am not Jesus, so I wish not to Judge. However, I think it is completely possible to follow Christ in protesting in a loving way, that is not judgmental. In these protestest, the weak in society are sided with. This means protesting the powers that oppress, in order to raise awareness and draw attention to these powers of death, not to judge the individuals who have these powers. And so I will protest against racism, sexism, poverty and hetrosexism. I do this because God loves all of creation. God loves homosexuals, so I side with homosexuals and speak out when they are not treated equally. God loves the poor, so I side with the poor and work to ease their hunger. My protest is not a judgment against people, but against the situations that people find themselves in. I pray that the shadow of the cross illuminates these situations for me.

Answer 9

realize what I believe is right may not be right for you and what you believe is right I may not. this is why we have free will as long as we respect each others rights and adhere to the laws rules and mores of the society in which we live. I am only responsible for my actions .

Answer 10

Right on. Jesus would not give a hoot about Gay Marriages. He was all about LOVE. He spent time with prostitutes and lepers, not upper-middle class suberbanites.

Answer 11

I agree, and if more Christians had that perspective, the rest of us wouldn't get so fed up.

Rocky Road,
I'm not your child. Do you have any clue how self-righteous and pretentious you sound?