DEAR CHRISTIANS: A serious question ,please do answer this?

Question

Please note that this is in no way an attempt to judge or generalize. I just wanted to get an opinion from all my dear Christian friends, on what they think about this situation.

I was watching a TV show today "The Tyra Banks Show", and the topic was racism and hate crimes. There was a very strict Christian family on the show. A mother and her 2 teenage daughters. The whole family travels the country and spreads the word about the evils of homosexuality. The whole family (along with little children) carry signs which say "All fags deserve death", and they went to the extent of saying that the 9/11 attacks were a wrath from God, and everyone in the buildings deserved to die (thats horrible).

And sins I know homosexuality is a sin in all 3 Abrahamic religions, would you agree with these folks? I certainly would not. I know it's a sin in Islam, and I dont agree with their way of living BUT I would never disrespect them or tell anyone they deserve to die. That's against Islam.

I wanted to know your opinion. Because these folks were justifying their actions from the Bible. What do you think?

ALSO...THIS GOES TO SHOW that there are extremists and people who take things out of context in every religion, and they spoil the name of every other person. These type of people are hypocrites, don't you agree??

Answer 1

I bet you dollars to donuts that the guests were from the Westboro Baptist Church.
The WBC is such frothing-at-the-mouth lunatic fringe that some Christians suspect that the church is a plant to make us look bad. The WBC also used to picket soldiers' funerals, saying that the departed were burning in hell. It got so bad that motorcycle 'gangs' (especially the Patriot Guard) would line up alongside funerals and sing hymns to drown out the WBC protestors and keep them from further disturbing the families.

Every religion has it lunatic fringe. People have used holy texts to justify horrible treatment of their fellow man throughout history. I have small doubt that it will continue. The best we can do (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Pastafarian, and Breatharian alike) is to continue taking a moderate and compassionate stance and try to silence the lunatic fringe.

Answer 2

You've asked a serious question and it deserves a serious answer. Yes, there are differences in the four Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. This is because they were written by four different men, who had different levels of education and had different personalities. Luke, for example, was a physician. Then, later, we have Paul who was a highly educated Jew and also had Roman citizenship. Each author stamps his writings with his personality. That's human. Now, the bit about Jesus being the Son of God or Jesus being God - that's a hugely complicated theological subject and I can't even begin to do it justice. It would take hours of research to give you an insight. What I would like to say, though, is that this apparent difference does not mean the Bible was corrupted. It means we have to take a good, long, hard look at all the evidence, and if we have an open mind, and prayerfully and sincerely ask God to help us, then the Holy Spirit will open our eyes, unstop our ears and soften our hearts. Please note I did not say soften our heads! God challenges our intellects, as well as our consciences. Jews and Christians believe that God used men to write down his message, and that the Bible is inspired by God. Well, the Jews don't accept the New Testament, obviously, but they have painstakingly and faithfully copied every single letter and space of the Torah (and other writings) down through the centuries. God has always made sure that his holy word has been made available to people, and even if translations vary slightly, the Gospel message now is as faithful and true as the Gospel message 2,000 years ago. Whilst it is true that some people have come to saving grace without ever having read the Bible, it is not possible to know about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God's plan for salvation without reading God's word. Without feeding on God's word, a Christian would starve (spiritually). Peace be unto you, too.

Answer 3

According to the Old & New Testaments of the Bible, it states that homosexuality is a sin. I probably should get references to it but since you are a Muslim that is immaterial because your book is the Quaran vs. the Bible. If you would like that, let me know.

Even with that taken into account, I think that God expects us to love all people regardless of what sins they commit. There are plenty of people in this day and age that commit other sexual sins that are as bad and maybe even worse than homosexuality. I do not want to know what sins this whole family has committed...incest could be #1 and is another abomination in the site of God.

I think Jesus said it best when he was on earth...the person that has not sinned shall cast the first stone...no one could throw the stone for the exception of Jesus. Jesus told that person she was free to go and sin no more.

Christianity is a religion that IS SUPPOSED to be based on grace and mercy, not rules and perfection. The being that has the right to pass judgement is God himself.

To answer your questions, these people are insane. The attacks on 9/11 might have been a judgement from God but it was not specifically to punish America for just homosexuality. As I said above, I have no right to state that these people deserve death and I even have friends that are homosexuals. They are some of the nicest and warmest people I have ever known. I would protect them vs. hurt them. They are God's creatures as much as I am.

God Bless! If you have any other questions, let me know.

Answer 4

Tyra Banks, Oprah, etc. etc. are just trying to get ratings and will drag out any controversial, weird etc. person they can get. The woman caught in adultery was given a chance to repent and start again and probably became one of Jesus's most devout followers. The Bible talks about the women coming to the tomb and mentions some specifically but perhaps she was there too. These people they drag out want attention, hatred etc and are no more real Christians than the guy in the nut house that calls himself Napoleon or a chicken.

God loves the sinners so much he sent his son to die for their sins and if they believe be saved. Now that is where the bottom line is God is holy and sin must be punished BUT Jesus paid for the sins of those that believe.

Answer 5

I agree with you completely. Homosexuality is a sin, but so is murder. In the Bible, everyone who sins deserves death. Homosexuality is a gross sin, so they, too deserve to die. But Christ has afforded us a way to have our sins erased if we repent. Anyone who asks forgiveness, even at the very last moment of their lives, will have forgiveness of sins (ex. the robber on the cross with Christ).

Will I take up arms against them? Of course not. We are all sinners. Do I get into close relationships with them? No. They are not just liars, or strikers, or even dishonoring parents. They are involved in one of the grossest sins imaginable. So, I won't get personal, but I will offer them respect and politeness.

Dear friend, I hope you would not base your opinion of our country on that television show. I know there are lots of programs that are below standard, but I think this one is promoting sin more than others.

It is my hope, not in an offensive way, that one day you would turn and accept Jesus Christ as your savior. If and when you should decide thusly and need help finding how, I am ever available to you.

Debbie

Answer 6

Salaam, Moonlit. The problem with individuals such as these is that they long ceased to realize WHY they hate, all they know is they just do. The truly sad thing is that they perpetuate it by passing it along to their children. If they were to sit down and truly think for themselves, they might realize that what is written is open for interpretation, and not necessarily (pardon the pun) "gospel". One can say it is wrong if they so choose, but they must also realize that not everyone subscribes to their belief. The world is a colorful and interesting place, with many differences that make it a beautiful place. I have my father to thank for passing on this idea to me, and thankfully not what these parents pass onto to their offspring. I haven't even read any of the other posters yet (I type slow!) but I'm sure you probably received comparisons to suicide bombings, Hamas, etc. from the un-enlightened. What they fail to realize is that the actions of a few cannot allow you to condemn the whole. If we used this as a blanket statement for Christianity, we would be horrified. Likewise, you cannot use 9/11 as an example of Islam. There are good and bad Christians, as there are good and bad Muslims as... there are good and bad human beings. I hope one day we will realize that while our differences might seperate us, we all bleed the same blood. We all have the same fears and hopes, be we Muslim or Christian, black or white, male or female etc. I realize I sort of rambled a bit, but in this sea of chaos that is R&S, you're voice seems to be a calm shore. I'm glad there are people like you out here being an example for others, please doing what you're doing.

Answer 7

I think you are talking about the Phelps or some such name, group....... others on here have also brought his way of *spreading * the word up..... and I do agree, these people are just a little over the top at times... well, ok, most of the time....... I know , from reading and studying the Bible what it says about those topics..... but to threaten and say the other things are NOT Christian... at least from my humble understanding of the Bible.... *Sigh*, I am at a loss for words when my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ speak this way..... and maybe to call them that is wrong ?? Only God knows who is right or wrong in the end... but, I can not even come close to thinking God will reward those people for spreading more hate than love......... God bless
PS....... yes, as some as said, thanks for NOT lumping us all together and asking so respectfully..... *smile*

Answer 8

Satan is the ruler of this world as shown at 1 John 5:19.
2 Corinthians 11:14 says "And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light." Which means that he can appear as though he's saying things from God's word - the Bible, but in fact is not saying anything. What does the attack of 9.11 have to do with homosexuality anyway? God didn't have anything to do with those attacks, it was man trying to dominate each other, pure and simple.

Answer 9

I agree that there are extremist in every faith, every country, every walk of life. But many, and I do mean MANY of us who strive to follow Christ and understand where they are coming from, condemn their methods. If we are not striving to bring people to God then we are doing the devils work. Period. They are rude and disrespectful and full of hate. I have no problems what so ever condemning their practices...not that they care in the slightest...in fact they revel in the condemnation...but that is another story.

The difference is that the Muslim community has been very very very slow in condemning the acts of the terrorist. I think that is where most have a problem. If they are giving your faith a bad name...say so. Stand up and tell the world that they are extremist and are not to be accepted as examples of what is Islam. Haven't seen a lot of that happening...sorry.

But you will find many, many, many condemning the practices of the WBC...and they aren't even blowing people up.

Just a side note...thank you very much for your respectful approach to asking your question. You sound like someone that would be interesting to talk to about the differences in beliefs. Sorry if I come off hostel. it isn't intentional.

Answer 10

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3

This group is radicalised and many Christians churches have spoke out against them. They also go to soldiers' funerals to protest. Unfortunatly the media gives theses folks a voice just like the terrorists because they have an agenda. Just like Islam is under siege, the Christian faith is being attacked.

What we need to do is speak in love, not hate. That is what Jesus would do.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Mathew 5:43-44