What is it with Pastors?

Question

I mean come on - are these people the lowest of the low or what? Anymore you can't go an entire week without hearing how one of them is a drug user, closeted gay or spreading hate and misinformation.

That Olga dude is always saying crap about his pastor.

This other chick just said her pastor said only humans have gays (no other species).

Jerry Fallwell...(enough said)

Ted Haggard......(enough said)

Jim Bakker......(enough said)

Jesse Jackson......(enough said)


I mean seriously what is up with pastors?

I know this could have been put in Religion and Spirituality but frankly those are the people believe pastors - I would rather have GLBT opinions!

Answer 1

That's why I left organised religion as soon as I could. God and I talk without anyone else having to "intervene" for us. That way nothing gets messed up in the "translations". We all know what happens when men start translating for God.
Blessings.

Answer 2

Not everyone blindly believes what random pastors say. I've got to agree with you though, it seems like so many are complete hypocrites, at least the ones who like to focus so much on sin and how sinners supposedly go to hell.

They forget that the entire point of Jesus/Christianity is that no matter what you do, you can be forgiven. That should be what they focus on instead of being so quick to condemn people they don't know or even attempt to understand. I think fear, and most of all, sheer ignorance, motivates a lot of it. And it's a shame, because they drive far more people away from Christianity as a result.

But just like I can't judge all GLBTs based on the select few I know, you can't blame all Christians for what those insane pastors do. Plenty of us are accepting and loving and have absolutely nothing against GLBTs. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive, either.

Answer 3

These pastors are having problems understanding their own sexualities. They hold the bible as a infallible book, and completely ignore all the modern scientific findings, which can be PROVED. Homosexuality DOES exist in many other species, whether they like it or not. But why should we care about what some corrupted "pastors" say? They contradict themselves in many occasions, and they almost hypnotized people with their stupid preaching. Just let it go, they're a bunch of hypocrites.

Answer 4

I think pastors can be some of the worst folks out there and the most extreme ones get lots of attention. They're in a powerful position to raise money and lead their congregation. And they obviously don't have to be loving, compassionate, or interested in science or democracy to sway "sheep" to their side. They cloud rational thought from their position of authority.

I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, America Can Be Saved, 1979 pp. 52-53, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom

AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.
-- Jerry Falwell

The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.
-- Rev Jerry Falwell, Sermon, July 4, 1976

“Al of us have a responsibility to advance God's will through government.”

Ted Haggard

I sorrowfully acknowledge that seven years ago.... I was wickedly manipulated by treacherous former friends and colleagues who victimized me with the aid of a female confederate. They conspired to betray me into a sexual encounter at a time of great stress in my marital life.... I was set up as part of a scheme to co-opt me and obtain some advantage for themselves over me in connection with their hope for position in the ministry.
-- Jim Bakker, I Was Wrong

That's enough for now, but a few of the reasons why I think fundamentalism is extreme and unhealthy.

Answer 5

Fortunately, there are good ones who simply want to help people and lead willing congregants in worship, who do wonderful things for their community. Unfortunately, these people are generally too modest and/or busy to seek the spotlight, reserving it for the likes of the Falwells, Haggards, Jacksons, etc.

By the way, I have no use for Jim Bakker, either, but his son seems to have grown into a genuinely compassionate young man with a love for people *and* God.

Answer 6

I think it really depends on the character and motive of the Pastor. My father is a pastor and he has never preached these hateful holier than thou type of messages. And its a good thing because as his daughter, i would have had to walk out on the sermon and my mother would be right along with me!! But yea, i think pastors who succumb to the fame and fortune and who are out for solely monetary gain are the ones who spout this nonsense. Olga & Doris and the rest of the trolls are all lying sacks of useless flesh. So i dont believe a word of the crap that flows from their mouths.

Answer 7

Well, here is my opinion on pastors. I think that they are more in the limelight, so when they get caught, they are just scrutinized more. They also get more attention, so they are more likely to get caught. I don't believe that they are any more corrupt than anyone else.

As for Olga and that other chick, I believe that they are trolls. I believe them about as much as I believe the Die Gay's guy about his brother, although at least HE is plausible. I don't know ANY pastors who would suggest the things that these others are mentioning.

Answer 8

I don't think that pastors should be stereotyped. i don't think ANYONE should be stereotyped. I like my pastor, and even though he may talk some crap about gays, he's still a very good pastor that really inspires me to go on through my spiritual journey. after all, nobody's perfect, and i don't think it's just pastors who make negative comments or have negative thoughts about the LGBT community. I follow God, and some nasty comments about gays aren't going to stop me.

Answer 9

They're full of smug spiritual pride. They want to look holy so they make a big deal with their words, preaching against "sin" -- because it takes the spotlight away from their own faults. A simpler answer comes in one word: hypocrisy.

And don't forget Benny Hinn and his lovely wife, Suzanne (a clip of her is attached -- how's that for sincerity in action?)

Answer 10

I'm sure there are many pastors...priests...rabbis... that are wonderful people trying to lead people to God...Doing the best they can with the information they have...& sometimes they show their ignorance & sometimes they are all too human. They mean well, but many of them are just hateful...Didja mention Dr. James Dobson? He hates us gay folk, too...*big sigh*.