Following a tremendous amount of self reflection and other thoughts on this matter, I find it wholly necessary to issue a personal statement about the current and historic actions of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC).
Although typically, I would desire to employ the use of four-letter words and other graceful nuances that are otherwise familiar – particularly when addressing folks of your nature – I will instead follow my better judgment and keep this civil. Throughout history, it has been intimated, rather prudently, that those who take the higher road always win, and as I fully concur with this belief, I will thus honor it by doing so today.
For many years, so-called parishioners of WBC have acted in complete and utter defiance of God; to provide evidentiary support of what I am referring to, let’s examine some critical verses of Scripture, as interpreted in the King James Version of the Bible:
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” – (Galatians 5:14)
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” – (1 John 4:7-8)
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – (John 13:34-35)
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – (Romans 8:38-39)
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” – (Romans 12:10)
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” – (Romans 13:10)
Therefore, by sputtering such nonsense as “God Hates the World” and “God Hates Fags”, you are committing unbelievable acts of defiance against the Lord and his people. While I recognize that it is impossible to guarantee that every man, woman and child will always agree with one another, I find that there is a stark contrast between actively promoting truly dark and abhorrent sentiments, in lieu of assuming positions that, more productively, “agree to disagree.”
As members of WBC seemingly lack the mental capacity required to process intelligence, I will do each of them a favor and provide enlightenment on one very crucial life lesson: diplomacy and reasoning are God’s way, while tactlessness and bigotry are that of Lucifer. Accordingly, when you spew such venomous hatred towards others, you are, in turn, directing hatred towards God Almighty. Is that really something you wish to do? (I am inclined to believe so at this point.)
For far too long you have perpetuated ignorant and sadistic actions towards those who are genuinely and organically attracted to members of the same sex. Your website employs the URL “Godhatesfags.com” and you people literally protest outside the funerals and memorial services of those being laid to rest. The fact that you would choose such venues to air your internalized grievances is an unparalleled perversion of sacred rites, and once again, lends credence to the notion that you are in fact in allegiance with Satan himself.
When Matthew Shepard was literally tortured to death for being gay one decade ago, you enacted a campaign so flagrantly repugnant, that to this day, many are still traumatized by your actions. You claim that homosexuals are evil, abominate people, and attempt to justify such stances, inter alia, by perverting viewpoints that are found in the Bible. You are also teaching your children, your communities, and other like-minded individuals to follow in your paths of darkness. Such actions constitute the highest imaginable blasphemy against God and his followers; thus, you are truly despicable as a result of these actions.
As I have alluded to previously – and will do so again here – I prescribe to the explicit belief that Biblical writings which shun homosexuality are merely reflecting the views of their writers (such as Matthew and Paul) and not of God (nor Jesus Christ) himself, who, as demonstrated heretofore, is primarily concerned with love and light; obviously, many will disagree with my stance, and they are free to do so, just as I am free to believe what I believe. No one will dictate my beliefs to me: not now, not ever.
Either way, while we are on the topic of homosexuality in the Bible, I believe it is important to further educate the cranially-challenged congregation of WBC – and anyone else with similar views, for that matter – about the existence of specific passages that appear to condone it within the categorical purity of true love. In the Old Testament, Books of Samuel, two men, David and Jonathan, are described as loving one another in what appears to be a physical way; furthermore, they are noted to have entered into a “covenant” to profess their love for one another.
While this topic has caused numerous debates and much controversy among religious scholars and the faithful alike, one can certainly ascertain that these men were in love – a love that is equal to that of a man and woman.“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” – (1 Samuel 18:1-4)
Saul, Jonathan’s father, the first King of Israel, did not think much of their relationship, to say the very least. In fact, one of Saul’s remarks can be equated as validation that he was very much aware of the fact that his son was involved in a homosexual relationship with David; clearly, he did not approve of it, and his words, as referenced in the following passage, brilliantly depict the position that many subscribe to regarding homosexuality:
In my opinion, Saul would not have referenced what he identified as Jonathan’s confusion – and that of his mother’s nakedness (i.e. the female form) – were this statement not 100% attributed to the fact that Jonathan and David were engaged in a loving, homosexual relationship. Regardless, and more to the point of how much these two men loved each other, when Jonathan died, David was quoted as saying,"
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?” (1 Samuel 20:30)
Clearly, the aforementioned narrative provides a telling account of the deep-seated controversy surrounding homosexuality in western societies; furthermore, it also demonstrates the truly hurtful mindset that some people ignorantly propagate and inflict on others, ala the activities of WBC. At the same time – granted, I universally disagree with WBC and its actions – we must respect that in America, thankfully, we are provided a constitutionally-protected right to free speech, and therefore, no one can dictate the content of our communications (obviously, precedents set in Schenck v. US [1919] apply full well), even when, case in point, you are dealing with invertebrates.“I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.” (2 Samuel 1:26)
I
believe, with God as my witness, that the best way to interact with such individuals is to simply shine light on them: by doing so, their malicious darkness is exposed to the world, and accordingly, society can take notice of how we need to ultimately come together and progress beyond such lunacy. In closing, here is one final quote – for contemplation purposes – from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:As members of WBC are not in Communion with Christ, nor God, in the name of St. Gabriel, I say: God bless you!“Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
Comments
What does this have to do with Manhattan? What is happening in Manhattan and making headlines there should be the focus of the column, since this is a local column.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!