http://www.wmtw.com/news/8144515/detail.html?rss=port&psp=news
That article makes me so very very very angry. Read it, its ridiculous. I am a Christian, albiet a fairly liberal one, and it makes me sad to see people like the ones in that article give Christianity a bad name. Personally, I don't agree with the War in Iraq- I think it was a hastily made decision that was made with not enough information- whether or not that was President Bush's fault is a discussion for another day. But I do support the troops. I admire them. They fight day in and day out, risking their lives for specific causes they may or may not believe in- but they believe in America and protecting our freedoms so they do it. How could someone, who has been sitting comfortably on his or her buttocks have the audacity to protest the funeral of someone who lost their life in the service of the US Military? Protest the White House, write letters to your congress people- if you really need media coverage, run naked thru Times Square with your message painted on your body, but leave grieving families alone.
The fallen soldier's brother put it best- "How can you be so heartless and then call yourself a man of God, is one of my questions," Ritchie Dan said.
The Bible preaches a message of love, not hate. I wish people werent so close minded. I wish people would have some respect. and I wish people would stop accepting the status quo.
Silence is acceptance. Always Question.
Extremists make any religion look bad. At least it's not so widespread as radical Muslims where everyone with a Muslim name is thought to be an extremist. It's so unfortunate that there are some who make their thoughts known to the world and everyone always seems to focus on the bad first.
The man in the photo accompanying the article is holding a sign saying "Matt/2 Yrs. in Hell." This sign is referring to Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was brutually murdered for being a homosexual. (I've followed the impact of this event because I'm attending the University of Wyoming next year). I have seen these kind of "protesters" outside of conventions spewing hate before. It is utterly disguisting to me and reminds me of a Bible verse in which Jesus says that you should not point out the mote in your brother's eye when there is a plank in yours.
Extremists do make religion look bad. I agree that people need to be more open minded, it seems like extremists are the ones who are so close minded, from what I see at least.
I also agree with you on the war in Iraq. I don't agree with it but I do support our troops. I just want them home, I mean they've been there for so long, they deserve it.
Wow.Okay, I could rant about this for pages. Don't worry, I won't. I have three things I'd like to say. First of all, that is completely and utterly disgusting. Second, if anyone is going to base their opinions about an entire religion based on a few complete whack jobs, then they're nearly as ignorant as the extremists. And, last, I would just like to point out that if all of the people whom people like this claim are going to "hell" really do go to hell... well, I'd rather be down there. It's going to be quite a party. We'll have fun gay men, people who like to party, the sexually active, those who listen to and play rock music-- basically, it'll be grand. Sure, there will be the few murderers and rapists down there with us, but I'd rather hang around them than priests who molest little boys-- at least the criminals are honest about what they stand for.
That's all. Oh, I guess that did turn into quite a rant... sorry...
No one based the entire religion on extremists, everyone simply said that those people make it look bad. No one said that they wouldn't be a certain religion because of the way a few extremists act or talk so I think you missed the point.
I'm not saying that anyone did, however what these extremists are doing in the name of Christianity DOES make it look bad. In a primairly Christian society, we get that those people dont represent the religion as a whole, but look at how quickly we stereotyped people of the Muslim faith after 9/11... a few extremists making a peaceful religion look bad.
"You must be the change you want to see in the world"
- Mahatma Ghandi
I like your sentiment. I have to criticize one thing you said just there:
This is not a "primarily Christian society". Although the majority of people in the US are Christian, the function of society at large is not based on that majority, nor is it enough of a majority to classify the society as "Christian". (The CIA estimates that about 3/4 of the country is Christian; of that number, there are so many different sects that no rhetoric implying a unified religion is accurate.)
You are quite right. No one said that they wouldn't be a certain religion because of the way a few extremists act. Not even the person you're responding to. So frankly, she did not miss the point at all - you just didn't read what she wrote.
That is very true. Extremists make every group look bad, whether it be a religion or anything else. With religion specifically, it pains me to see people preaching hate when their religious doctrine purportedly is based on love. I am not a Christian, but I love and accept any religious philosophy that loves and accepts others, as the Bible's "love thy neighbor" implies (though I'll fight to the end to keep any religion out of the state, but that's another matter). I'm always happy to find Christians who uphold that philosophy and I know there are plenty of them out there - sometimes the whackos just seem to get more news coverage.
I thought of this quote when I read your blog: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -Ghandi
That is so true.
I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain
Of course it's terrible. Most of us in America are coming, more and more, to recognize that fact. We, as a society, went from calling nonbelieves 'heathens' and 'devil-worshippers' to 'atheists,' something much more logical.
After 9/11, there were beatings against Muslims. Did we see a violent response from them? No. Because they knew that the vast majority of Americans weren't angry at the entire Muslim religion. The vast majority of Americans, while strong in their own beliefs, are willing to approach differences peacefully. The minority get the attention, though, because frankly, the minority uses blatant methods of getting said attention.
____
If a society is willing to give freedom for temporary security, they deserve neither.
Thank you! I think you are first person I have seen that have said the Muslims are not a violent group.
I never let my schooling interfere with my education. - Mark Twain