What do you think about the Christians who are protesting at gay soldier's funerals?
364206
I think that it was bound to happen.\n\nWhat you are seeing is a person pulling individuals further and further into a private cult.  Phelps (the leader of the cult) is using a tried and true method of forming a "splinter" cult.\n\nHow this works is this:  you take an established religion.  Acquire followers/believers from that religion... while preaching the same standard things.  As time goes by, you slowly alter your message.  You criticize how the original church has lost its way.  You point out facts/ideas that have been overlooked.  You slowly separate your believers from believing in the original church and make it sound as if you know the "truth".\n\nAs your followers slowly divorce themselves from their original church, you start to have them undertake actions that people would frown on... but "need to be done" (like gay bashing).  As your followers do these tasks, they are subjected to adverse stimuli from the original church and society... even further bringing them under your control.  You tell them... "See!  The church is siding with the evildoers!  Society is sick!  See how they treat you?!?  You know the truth and they attack you for being faithful!".\n\nAs your followers become further and further separated from their old church and the rest of society... they fall further into your clutches.\n\nWhy are christians protesting at funerals?  Because power-hungry people use religion and tactics such as those to acquire and consolidate their power.  It worked for Saul.  It worked for Reverend Moon.  It's working for Phelps.
839251
I hate to say this but No.  I'm sorry myself to all homosexuals but so is the will of GOD that the homosexuals are damned and not a part of his kingdom.  If it were up to me... But it's not.
568301
On the one hand I am glad that people are now taking an interest in this group and are offended by what they do. For years before the Iraq War this group went around and protested at the funerals for people who died of AIDS (again not all of them were gay...I have a friend who lost a family member to AIDS and she wasn't gay and they protested at the funeral with signs that read "AIDS IS GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR ALLOWING HOMOSEXUALITY" and stuff like that and they shouted all kinds of rude things that should never really be shouted at a funeral). \n\nOn the other hand, while I am offended by both their protesting funerals in general, but even more so that they are now protesting military funerals, I do realize that they have the freedom "of speech" and "to peacefully assemble". So while I think it is completely offensive (as well as probably nothing more than a publicity thing anyways....afterall they weren't getting any attention with the AIDS funerals or with all their statues they wanted to build in cities that said hateful anti-gay things, etc, so now they have found a venue that gives them this publicity), not only offensive and just plain rude and tacky, but I realize that our nation gives us the freedom of speech and asks us to exercise it responsibly. Since they are not causing violence or disrupting traffic, etc. Still, do I think it pushes the boundaries...yes I think it pushes it. But about as much as the KKK. With freedom of speech you have to allow for the speech you don't like and with the freedom to peacefully assemble, you have to allow even the groups you disagree with to peacefully assemble. The most the rest of us can do is to counter-protest....to peacefully assemble with a counter message and to perhaps do it in a much more respectful way to those who have died and to the families that are grieving (whether they be fallen heros of our military or be fallen heros who've fought the battle against AIDS).
537183
I am against it: it isn't fair to make people who, 1. don't believe in god 2. believe in different gods, pray just because a bunch of christians believe this country belongs to them and only them.
604200
Why do you care Jom?. I have seen some of the answers to some questions you have posted......\n\nquestingjester17 asked :\n"Has anyone had gay children? How did you treat them?" \nYou answered :\n"i will kill those gays..if i have one..... "\n\nmarike asked :\n"Who lives in the US?"\nYou answered :\n"The real Terrorists......"\n\nIt seems to me that you get a kick out of offending people and you call yourself a Christian? Your going around preaching hate and war...I really don't get it! What an absolute hyppocrite! You keep telling people that they are going to hell, I think your the one who will be going there pal!\nIve got to admit, I have met some a$$ holes on this site and you are the biggest one there is!
1010174
The Lefties say, "On, my! You can't say those things! You are a bigot! God is a bigot! We need to shut you up and get God out of the picture entirely!" \n\nStick to your guns. You are not a bigot.
1099719
are you a Christian?\nwe don't all bash gays, we just want them to realize they are sinning.\nWe Christians all sin daily, but we are aware and repent. (the real ones do at least.)\nRemember the thing about the splinter in one man's eye while a log is in your own?\nwe are all hypocrites to an extent.\nYou included, and myself as well.
1024389
If you're going to use the words "attack" and "Christians" in the same sentence then I'm going to say two words to you: Fred Phelps (see source).\n\nI don't care whether the Bible is true or not. I don't mean to spit on your religion, I try and exercise respect to all people whether they are religious or not.\n\nThe comics weren't Christian either, they were just silly.\n\nHowever, I take exception to anyone who proclaims that sin is evil and we should "do unto each other..." etc. when they are just carrying the badge but not adhering to the principle. I probably notice it more in this country because many people wear their religion on their sleeve. In Britain it's not a national pastime to be a Christo-Fascist. In this country they put cute little fish logos on their huge SUV's and then drive around in them as though they are driving a tank in a warzone. I've had "Christians" speed up to me and overtake me in a very confined space simply because I wasn't going more than five miles per hour over the speed limit. There are a number of people I work with who talk badly of others in earshot. There was a car that had been abandoned in a lot near by that was leaking oil all over the place. A "Jesus Is Love" banner was hanging from the rear-view mirror...\n\nI mean, come on, if you're the religion that abhors sin why do so many of you sin so badly? And then have the brass balls to do speak the words of Christ?\n\nHowever, that's not the reason most people  bash Christians (I think). The main raison d'aitre is the fact that Christo-Fascists are trying to determine the way EVERYONE lives in this country. To me, that's just so very wrong. If you don't agree with abortion then fine, don't get an abortion. If you don't think gay people should marry then stop attending their weddings! It's mostly the blatant way that Bush tries to push these ideas on a public that mostly doesn't agree with him. He dresses them up as Christian tenets and in some cases that's debatable.\n\nUltimately, you can't call the country "Judeo-Christian" when there are so many Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, etc. in this country. Imagine that Bush passed a law which meant everyone had to wear Mickey Mouse ears. Some people are not too big on Disney and probably would protest. Think about it; it's a stupid example to illustrate a stupid notion.\n\nPersonally, I firmly believe that if 'God' ever existed then he either perished in shame at the acts of his creation, or he simply went elsewhere to start over because quite frankly we humans look an awful lot like a lost cause right now.\n\n--\nsf
766857
Ah, nope.\nThey are being extremely polite and conscience.\nThey are showing that they are intelligent in the ways of the world and business.\nThey are being unprejudiced and in fact, doing exactly what a person of the Christian faith should be doing... loving their neighbors as they love themselves. \n\nShould we ignore the people of this country below that are not Christian?\nOr should we simply force Christianity down their throats like barbarians?\n\nJudaism\nMuslim/Islamic\nSikhism\nHinduism\nBuddhist\nChinese traditional religion\nAfrican Traditional & Diasporic\nJuche\nShinto:\nCao Dai\nZoroastrianism\nTenrikyo:\nRastafarianism\n\nThat's a lot of people, my friend.\nOr how about the American Christians that find our celebration of "Christmas" activities revolting?\n\nU.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches\nOld Order Amish Church\nMennonite Church USA\nUnitarian Universalist\n\nThis is not a one religion world, this is not a one religion country, and businesses are not a one religion business either.\nHow anyone could even suggest that a business goes out of it's way to openly insult a group of their employees' religion by forcing theirs on them is simply unacceptable.
753342
The gays are no different then anyone else, and shouldn't be treated differently. Christians of all people should know this.
621232
These people who claim to be Christians and are using the funerals as a way to draw attention to their misguided cause,need to go home and read the right bible.No where does it say God punishes the warriors/defenders of the innocent in this way.\n As a nation ,we have the finest people in uniform.We need to all keep in mind they are people just like us...except they have the courage and gusts to go where they do.. to face the possibility of always being in harms way.\n They even have told me,they have decided to serve so this nation can be free to express their opinions,right or wrong.Amazing they are still able to hear nitwits like these cold hearted protesters,and still say "I do what I do so they can have that freedom">Not many would be willing to die for their "enemies".\n They used to call you a "Commie" or "Benedict Arnold" for speaking such trash & behaving in such a ludcrious way.\n Maybe these people should keep in mind,this is s jihad/holy war...and God never said a nation couldn't defend itself and honors a nation that stands for the weaker ones.It is NOT about oil...the musliums declared a "holy war" back in the late 70's.A bit of real history for those who flunked it in school.\nThanks to all our troops...you are all heros & many here are pulling for you.Come home safely & qucikly so we can show you how much REAL AMERICANS DO HONOR  YOU & are very grateful for what you give up!!!\n *** FREEDOM IS NOT FREE***... \n Any of you who would enjoy a letter or package can sign up for someone here to adopt you at <adoptaussoldier.org>.There are many here who would love to keep your spirits up...don't be shy..we've adopted 4 soldiers,and enjoy knowing we have a small part in making their day a bit brighter...for those who want to adopt a soldier,you can also go to this site...\nGod bless our noble troops,past & present !!!!
332969
I as a Christian personally believe that homosexuality is wrong. Although I say it is, we must always remember, hate the sin, not the sinner. I will gladly get along with a homosexual, but I avoid that sin in their life and try to help them with it.
115166
I think that this is a very valid question.\n\nThe vehemence and anger behind some of these men is so deep that one wonders if all of these feelings are simply a result of their faith, or if there are subtler things at work.\n\nI'm the first to say that "I don't get it." Where does this fear and hatred come from? As an atheist who believes in tolerance, this type of attitude baffles me to no end.\n\nWhy hate? Because a book says it's wrong? The same book says that non-believers should be stoned to death. That is disregarded as part of the old covenant which no longer applies. Why, then, keep up this madness?\n\nI actually have a question currently in the Religion & Spirituality forum that you might be interested in.\n\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmDxhdBqljUh3eJtEUXI8LXsy6IX?qid=1006022105916
872181
I can only hope they do. If I would believe in prayer, I would even pray for it.\n\nIt seems I'm going to Hell, I can't imagine a God being so cruel that he would again confront me with those hypocritical Christians.\n\nSo, no worries, they won't be in Hell. It will be only good music, good people, good parties and lots of Southpaw. We'll have fun :)
201990
Whether one is born gay, or whether it is a personal choice, no one has the right to condemn a person because of it.  If there were such people as true Christians, then they would follow  God's advice and  Not judge, lest they be judged themselves. Leave the judging to God.  And one who does pass judgement on gays, then, they certainly are not Christian.
1142718
Many voters and politicians are being bigots.  I have listened to radio talk shows and read tons of stuff on the Internet, and I have yet to see or hear an argument for banning gay marriage that makes sense to me.  I am a Christian.  I am against persecuting others and I expect to be persecuted.  Gay people being allowed to get married is not going to affect my heterosexual marriage one bit.  It is not going to affect my childrens' world views, but thinking that HATE is OK because it's officially sanctioned by the government might.  Let the church do as it will, but the state needs to allow minorities their basic civil rights.
389089
I agree. i think that they are mad at us christians b/c we preach to them, they get mad at me for saying this sometimes: I know that you can go to heaven if you get saved and the way that you get saved is if you believe that Jesus died on the cross from your sins, rose on the third day, and then you have to confess to God in prayer that you are a sinner and that you believe He died on the cross for your sins and ask for His forgiveness on your sins and it is THAT simple, salvation is a free gift, we can't earn it. I am a baptist who believes (let me rephrase that, I KNOW) that this stuff I said is true. My name is Matthew James Needham and don't be shy to contact me on this. my email address is im_proud2b_a_christian@yahoo.c...