Christians - a lengthy rant.

[Lord Mhoram]

dennis,

The show was "Arthur."

[dennisrwood]

Lord Mhoram: thanks, not sure if i've ever seen the show. but having lived in Vermont i would have liked to see the episode in question.

[Lord Mhoram]

dennis,

Me too. And btw I do agree with you: I find it sad that conservative Christians direct their hatred at homosexuals et al.

[dennisrwood]

my aunt and my (male) cousin are gay. and i have yet seen them trying to subvert the American way of life. maybe they wait till i'm not around?

[Lord Mhoram]

dennis,

Never mind American way of life, as gays they are sinners.

[Avatar]

*shakes head*

Seems they take any opportunity as well.

--A

[Plissken]

and what would you have me do? the press doesn't give a damn about those of us who are well adjusted.

Take hold of the press by the ears. Every time one of these freaks starts spouting about on one of the Three Hours Hate programs, call in and take the name of Christian away from them.

Use their tools. Start organizations that march around, as Christians, for Gay Rights. Wave signs. Make up offensive slogans. Do whatever it takes to make the name of The Followers of Christ into something that means compassion instead of exclusion, love instead of condemnation, and freedom instead of slavery.

That's what I would do, if someone took my groups name and made it obscene.

[dennisrwood]

we (the wife and i) write our letters. we are not photogenic. it seems i am destined to effect people on a case by case basis. grabbing newsmen would lead to my arrest, and i am too delicate to be a prisoner! i try to educate as many people as possible about the real views of the Falwells, and such like.

[Iryssa]

Edge, my brother....I LOVE YOU!!!! *grin* Seriously, that post was amazing!!!!

[Cybrweez]

This reminds me of another thread about the 10 most evil books of 19th and 20th centuries. Are the books themselves evil, or just how people take the ideas and use them? Why would it be any different w/people taking what the Bible says and using it to fit their desires? Unfortunately, our perceptions of any groups comes from the media, and they only show what will help ratings, and that's controversy, so we get the worst of any particular group. A christian who helps an old lady across the street isn't quite as interesting as a christian who puts a sign on his church to flush the Koran.

Edge, don't worry to much about people perceptions, there's 2 inputs in that perception - what they know about you, and what their own biases/opinions/beliefs are. Those opinions color whatever they know, its true for all of us. You can be perfect and still hated. I know sometimes other christians can be discouraging, but remember, we're imperfect too.

[dennisrwood]

Cyberweez: i agree churches do many fantastic things, but all it takes is one crackpot. there are church folks protesting executions, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, finding runaways, clothing the poor, giving aid to pregnant teens. and them some fool drags out the 'God hates fags' signs and none of the good work is remembered.

[drew]

..well, you remembered it.

[Plissken]

Again, perhaps instead of listing reasons why you can do nothing about the fascists who persecute under your name (not photogenic enough to do anything? Come on, man!), you could try reminding folks that your view, and that of many other Christians, does not include this type of behavior.

[Cail]

Excellent post Edge, that pretty much sums up my feelings as well.

Plissken-You of all people should understand that the media loves controversy and sensationalism. Which is why whackos like Pat Robertson, Randall Terry, and Al Sharpton continue to show up on TV, and people like myself never will.

[Plissken]

Any large group standing around with signs is sensational enough to get press. Even moderates who believe in the compassion of Christ.

I'm going to stop arguing this case now. It's not my name, or that of my deity that's being dragged through the mud. You guys want to pretend impotence, fine. Just stop playing the victim. You've made your decision, and it's to be impotent. Anyone, especially anyone on this forum should know that even that decision takes away the ability to claim victimhood.

[Cail]

Hardly. But look at the times that Dennis, or Edge, or I have stood up for something Christian. Everyone immediately jumps down our throats for being Fundies, even though we're not.

[Plissken]

You misunderstand me. It's because the Christians on this forum are mostly intelligent and compassionate people that I want to see you stand up for yourselves.

The world needs to know that the bigots and fascists do not make up the majority of Christians. Still, that feeling is for your sake. Not my own.

[Cail]

I gotcha.

[dennisrwood]

Plissken: i do stand up for myself. it was real fun when the papers were tolling the death bell over the pedophile priests. i was damn angry at Cardinal Law and let folks know it, but i also spoke about the real numbers and how we needed to handle it. i believe on this board i have done a good job of defending my beliefs and my church. i'm not sure what else you would have me do? but i was talking in a broader context. if nightline runs a biased piece slamming religion, other than sending an e-mail, or writing a letter, what can i do? i already witness to everyone i know, at risk of my job sometimes. so tell me what else i need to be doing, or explain how i'm missing your point.

[Edge]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the kind replies.

You guys are great.

Also, some of your responses have given me a lot of food for thought, and I'll be posting further once I've had some time to mull them over.