There was recently a gay pride-fest in my town. I wouldn't have even known about it except it was held in a park that we drove past on our way to a movie. Even then I wouldn't have known except for the protesters - the ones with the "This way to hell" signs. What amazed me was that not only did the protesters think that yelling at people going to this festival was a great way to spend a Saturday, but that they also felt it was important enough to have professional signs made up. These weren't your run of the mill, homemade cardboard signs, oh no. These were professionally printed on cloth signs, so they could use them again. Now, as you know from my earlier posts, I don't begrudge them their right to protest. I'm just trying to figure out why they were doing it. What purpose was it to serve? Was it to show that they think these people are wrong and sinful? It sure as hell wasn't to show them how loving the Christian community can be. It did nothing but push people away from Christ - let's face it, if I were going to this gathering, I would have been horridly offended by the signs. So what was the purpose? Did they really think that the people going there thought everyone supported their ideas? Um, hate to say it, but the only reason there are things like a pridefest is because they KNOW people are condemning them - so what purpose did the protest serve? More importantly, did the protesters ever think to evaluate their methods in light of WWJD? The Jesus I know about condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He tended to be quite accepting of the everyday sinner, wanting to show them there was another way. Do you think that any of these types of protests accomplished that?
And more importantly, do you think their concern was for the immortal souls of the people attending this festival? I don't think they gave a crap about anyone but themselves. They wanted to show how holy and morally superior they were. Sounds a bit like the Pharisees, doesn't it? Am I being judgemental? Yeah. But I hate it when people give my G-d a bad name while trying to make themselves look superior. Kinda ticks me off.
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2 comments:
I understand where you're going with this one, Paula. I experienced something similar on Saturday on a different theme.
It always amazes me that religious zealots seem to think that being bombastic and in-your-face is going to really display the pure love of Christ or of our Heavenly Father. "Uhhh... yeah, THAT'S gonna change hearts!" =P~
I seem to remember Jesus saying something along the lines of "And when you pray, do it silently in your heart. And when you fast, do it at home and not out in the streets so that others will look upon you and think you righteous."
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