The solution to evil.
"In the name of faith, you hate," said U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith to an unrepentant Eric Rudolph a bomber of two abortion clinics. "For the professed goal of saving human life, you killed. Those are riddles I cannot resolve.""
In the name of faith, you hate."
This left me wondering, who does my faith permit me to hate? Or, who in the name of faith, do I hate?
Does your faith permit you to hate people?
Baptists? Episcopalians? Roman Catholics? Blacks? Whites? Gay? Gay Bashers? Liberals? Conservatives? Moderates? Yankee fans? Red Sox fans? Ford lovers? Chevy lovers? Yuppies? Hippies? Rednecks? Muslims? Hindus?
Certainly there must be some folks on that list God hates also. Give us a few minutes with folks and we can usually pick out the rotten apples, right?
I mean, God loves me. I hate "X". That must means God hates "X" too. Isn't that how it works?
Apparently Rudolph was responsible for bombing, not only abortion clinics, but gay bars as well. I guess he thought he was do God’s work. He claimed that deadly force was justified in stopping the abortions.
That leaves me to question how often those who claim faith in God seek to do what they claim to be God’s work do so with hate. That is, use their faith as an excuse to hate?
I suspect the folks at Philip Morris are hoping that Mr. Rudolph is a smoker.
Each year more than 400,000 Americans die from cigarette smoking.
Just think if everyone in the name of faith chose to kill or do away with what they hate. That means Pittsburgh Steeler fans could justify hating Oakland Raider fans. Everyone knows that God is on the side of the Steelers, right? They have some "Christian" players.
God would want us to hate and kill all that God obviously hates, right?
Okay, I admit, God probably would not like us killing those sports opponents? But those who oppose God's clear laws, certainly God is favor of extinguishing those folks, right? Especially those who worship "other gods."
Those, like Mr. Rudolph who apparently dislike gay folks could justify their evil actions. And those who dislike those folks who dislike gay folks could justify their actions.
We could literally wipe out evil on this planet by just killing everything we think is evil,right? And if we are people of faith we would know we are doing God’s work. That must be the answer to world peace and living in the Kingdom of God!
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good…"
See, right there you have it. "Hate evil and cling to good." Spoken in clear English.
"... Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
I am sure this is exactly what Mr. Rudolph thought he was doing, right?
9 Comments:
Yeah, that would just solve everything -- because we'd all be dead!
The thing I try to remember is that it doesn't matter WHAT anyone else does to me. I'd like to be able to be judged -- and come out okay -- whether my actions are judged in context or not. Of course, I fall down on this job. Frequently. But I'll keep trying.
Thanks Allison,
I was struck by this article and realized how often we singlr out the evil one asnd attempt to elimante that evil in the name of faith and religion. pretty soon we'd all be dead.
Irealized something while working in the hospital, I can have compassion for those I think "deserve" it, but those who I do not think deserve it, well, I'm not so good with compassion.
I think it is interesting that the passage you quote from Romans 12 is actually Paul's use of Proverbs 25:22. Even a warrior like Solomon in a barbaric time like that surrounding 900 B.C. understood that there is much more power in grace than in hate. I greatly lament that Eric Rudolph used Christianity as an excuse to kill human lives. This man is undoubtedly not a true follower of Christ. May God have mercy on His soul and bring Him to repentance.
Rick, do you hate fundamentalists?
If not, how are you differentiating your dislike/disagreement with a particular mindset from Leslie's dislike/disagreement with yours?
In other words, how is Leslie filled with hate and you aren't when in reality you both are simply disagreeing with an ideology?
Help me with this and please think praerfully make considerations before deleting this reply.
I'm being sincere.
Dear Rick In Va.,
Thanks for taking the time to sincerely ask.
No, I don't hate fundamentalists. As you know, lots of folks have been hurt by fundamentalists of all sorts through history. I have family members who are fundamnetalists (cousins) and I feel sorry for them, not because my beliefs are so much better than theirs, but because they seem to live in fear... and anger. They project their fear and anger on others. Do you know how many folks I deal with on a daily basis whose lives have been scared by fundamentalists? It is very difficult to help people move beyond a religion filled with hate.
It is almost like working with folks from the Taliban. They have been brainwashed and indoctrined... just like a cult. can you imagine attempting to lead some of those folks to Christ? To a God of grace and mercy? It is nearly the same dealing with folks who have been scared by other forms of fundamentalism.
Their God is one of anger, wrath, and torture. They seem to have no LIFE in God. So I don't hate them, I dislike what their religion does to them and others.
The situation with Leslie, was that I made a response on her post about unity. I simply pointed out scripture encourages unity in the Body. I posted at part of Romans where the early church was struggling deeply with real major issues and Paul encourged them to attempt to find unity for he know, like Jesus, that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Most every single letter Paul wrote was about helping Christians work out their problems. :) Jesus never called for us to fight one another for truth and righteousness. That isn't biblical. He did call for love, mercy, and unity that is where we'll discern truth and righteousness.
Christians are never going to agree... we are human, but we must also find away to move beyond our humaness and into our chosenness and live in the messy places. God does call us there.
Leslie, told me my God was small. To me that was extremely arrogant and I think she'd probably agree. That is what led to my comments about a small God. I don't expect her or anyone to AGREE, but the personal attacks on other's faith is uncalled for.
Brother, I really want to converse. I don't want to fight. This is not why I am doing this. The comments about me being on the LEFT, something it seems as though you have chosen to label me I guess for where I live and that I did not vote for GWB. I am unsure why, but it is like you have justified in your mind that I am okay to pelt with stones. At least this is what it FEELS like to me. It is truly unnecessary. I don't think it comes from the Holy Spirit.
I wasn't BRAGGING about what I have done, I was simply pointing out to someone that some folks have given up everything to follow Christ and it is extremely arrogant to take shots. My post was less about a person than it was an underlying attitude.
I don't know if this helps.
Thanks for asking.
PLease continue to pray as I promise I do.
Rick,
Here's Leslie's comments, in context:
Your god is small. To dedicate so much time & finesse to defending a god who has no strong feelings about anything other than appeasement is kind of pathetic. You see, my God doesn’t want to crush people who do wrong he wants to heal them, so they can experience a love & fulfilment far greater than whatever gratification they are getting out of their sin. He wants everyone to recognize their need for his Son Jesus, and look full at his wonderful face, so that he can give them wings to fly.
Unfortunately, the god you seem to revere wants everyone to chase after him, and only gives glimpses of the back of his head. That way, people can unite in the bondage they’ve built for themselves, and everyone stays happy while they're shackled. It’s a perfect plan really, as an abstract version of truth removes the windows from the prisons so they can’t see what they’re missing....
Jesus said “I am the truth.” Sure, we can all hold hands and sing Kumbaya with our backs to the truth. But, no matter how loudly we sing, nothing will drown out the voice of Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. He boldly presents himself as the embodiment of truth and life. When we water down the truth, we water down Jesus.
Christ who is the truth is righteous and, yes, *he participates in radical acceptance*. It is when his radical acceptance is contorted to the point that it starts enabling bondage and preventing people from reaching the freedom that his sacrifice on the cross provides, that acceptance has crossed an ugly line.
Is it fair for you Rick to portray Leslie in the manner that you've done so when her words, taken in context, are nowhere near as malicious, vicious or "fundamentalist" as you've portrayed her words to be.
Why would you do that Rick?
Rick in Va.,
First of all, I didn't use Leslie by name.
Again, I made comments about unity in the Body of Christ and that was the response I received. She made many assumptions about my faith and beliefs, because I happen to believe that scripture is clear about unity. For the life of me, I am uncertain how any one who claims to know anything about scripture could not be clear about scriptures call for unity.
She made many assumptions based on my comments and she stated her assumptions as factual about my belief. She was extremely arrogant to do so.
Brother, the "brutal" honesty and the "pulling no punches" in the name of a holy God of love doesn't cut it. No, it really doesn't. FOr my small God endured those who didn't want to pull punches and were brutal in the name of their religion and politics. Jesus came to put an end to that crap and he is calling you, me, Christians, and Leslie to do the same. I deal with too many folks who have been severly abused by folks who like to kick people around with their faith. It is a stumbliing block to the mission of Jesus Christ and his Church on this earth. God and the authority of the Body of CHrist is saying stop it. Repent... turn away from it.
I hope that helps. If this doesn't help clear up your thoughts I ask that you take it to your prayer closet and to your faith community and prayer over it and pray for me as well. Read the posts to God (I'm being serious)and tell God how you feel about me, Leslie, and theses posts and all these Christians who seem to think so differtly than you. Pray for us. Pour your soul out to God on behalf. We could all use the prayer and of course, scripture mandates that we pray for others, especially our "enemies".
I'll contiue to pray for you and Leslie as well.
So you didn't use Leslie by name? Meaning what, you meant someone else? Are you being brutally dishonest here? Why exactly would you tell us that you didn't use Leslie by name when it's abundantly clear that Leslie is who you were ranting against?
You say she made assumptions about your faith and you see this as a grievous offense. Then you engage in making assumptions about her faith and somehow this is supposed to be virtuous? Please Rick, who are you trying to kid here?
You apparently have a problem with my "pulling no punches" and my "brutal honesty" and yet you've verbally punched Leslie in the mouth and you do so under the guise of being true to your personal philosophy. How are you different from me? In what way is your style of engagement virtuous while my own is seen by you to be something I need to repent of?
And your advice that I read my posts to God, that I tell Him how I feel, that I go to my prayer closet and my community of faith and pray over these things...
Rick, my theology centers on the notion that I need not go to a prayer closet to communicate to God, that I need not read my posts to Him (after all, doesn't He know my thoughts) and that my faith community is, in fact, your faith community.
You're exceptional Rick with the piousness and pseudo-humility but I think you sincerely need to take my voice (and more specifically Leslie's, who is much more diplomatic, civil and cogent than I) and ponder what we're saying.
You have some things to say that others ought to hear. You also have things to say that perhaps you too should listen to well before you attempt to foist those ideas on others.
It's a means and a way to genuine humility and to avoiding the charge of hypocrisy.
Thanks Rick in Va.,
I didn't use names because I did not feel like it was important. My intention was NOT to single-out a person. I was respnding to an attitude. I was making apoint about someone telling me that "my God was small."
When I shared how my small god has impacted my life and numerous lives of others I have met, you label me as a braggart and pious.
She said her god was big and mine was small and I was once asked to pray about being the US being in Iraq. (BTW, I had and that is why I struggle between my politcs and faith) I am not making this stuff up. I still think it was arrogant for her to make comment about my God. Why have you not considered this? You have made me all bad and Leslie all good; black and white. I responded to comments made to me. Neither of you seem capable of reflectng on what you say and how you say it and the way that it impacts folks. And neither of you seem to have reflected on scripture and the Word's mandate for the Body of Christ to have unity. Had either of you done so we would not be having this discussion.
Instead, Leslie chose to attack me and my faith. It was wrong. Why are you not adamant about her apologizing? See, that makes you hard to listen to, for you are one-sided.
"Entering the closet to pray" is a line Jesus used and I meant, when you are alone in your prayers with God.
If you would like to discuss the more serious matter and the original intent of my comments, unity in the Body of Christ then I will be happy to dialogue about scripture and it impacts our faith and actions.
If you would like to talk, go read the chapter from Romans and a few commnetaries ( so that you can have an understanding of the background of the pasges, not to tell you what to believe) and we can discuss it.
Peace,
Rick
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