i.e., “Playing God?” I thought the christian god was supposed to be the judge of who and what is reprehensible.
Doesn’t “protecting society” go against “judge not”? I mean, if you truly believe that it is wrong to judge others, aren’t you supposed to let the chips fall where they may? Seems like a direct contradiction to christian doctrine.
Matt 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matt 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Seems to me not an instruction to avoid judgement, but rather a warning to use the same criteria when judging others as you would want to be used against yourself. Another example for the “Do unto others” list as it were.
Love does not preclude anger, or judgement of actions, or denial of opinions. I have much to discuss with Phelps, if he was willing, and in all likelihood he would have little pleasure in listening to it. But it is not the same as hatred. For me, that would be taking my own taste of the poison that he has taken, and now spews out. (And don’t mistake me, I am sorely, and repeatedly tempted to do it.)
He judges in hatred, and far worse, he names that hatred to be the hatred of Jesus. He makes his judgement without compassion, and speaks it with venom, and cruelty. These are the very same emotional responses that he brings to my heart. I reject them there, as well. I will not join him in hatred, even of himself. But I will speak out that his judgement is his own. And that hatred is hatred, whatever claim one makes that it is righteous. I will call his words foul to his face. I will stand beside those he condemns, and despises and claim them to be my brothers and sisters in Christ’s name. But I will not join him in my turn to hate.
Evil is subtle. Doing evil in the name of good is the most poisonous of all evils. It takes the cure, and tries to make it the disease. This seems so obvious to me that I have, and often do question if Phelps might not be willingly serving evil. But, the answer to that question is in his heart, and my curiosity is not a part of my authority. I shall speak out against the hatred.
Do I trust him? Of course not. Do I think that he should be left unchallenged? No. Do I expect to see him publicly recant his message of hate because of what I say? No. His fate is not in my hands. Nor is the fate of Saints, or sinners throughout the world. We choose for ourselves whether to follow the light, or wander into darkness. Phelps is out there in the darkness yelling, “Follow me!” I’m not going. I recommend that you don’t go either, even to scream obscenities at him. It’s not worth the exercise in bad karma, even if you don’t believe in Christ.
Tris
“He who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon himself; and if you gaze too long into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into you.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~
Well I think judge not is a misinterpertation. Other passages “as you judge others, so will you be judged” We have to make judgement calls. There’s no way to avoid it.
Hopefully our judgement isn’t about vengence but about justice. I don’t think forgiveness means letting somone walk away with no consequences for their actions.
[QUOTE=Triskadecamus]
Years ago I confronted a man who was trying to pick a fight with a smaller man for no reason other than asserting his dominance. He turned his anger on me verbally and started calling me every name he could think of. I had a moment of detachment and understanding. I saw that his anger and need to assert himself was self contained and had nothing at all to do with me. His insults meant nothing. His words were just noise. Somehow that diffused the situation. He saw I wasn’t angry or hateful in return, and I also wouldn’t back down. When someone is really getting to me I try to remember that day. Stand up for what you believe but don’t return anger for anger and spite for spite. Don’t embrace lingering resentment.
I’m curious. Has anyone got examples or links of what Phelps said? Is it possible this person was just playing some twisted game by taking extreme positions?
His website, godhatesfags (dot com) has more than enough of his spew to make you sick. It’s not a game, it’s a lifetime crusade of hatred.
Tris
Couldn’t find the web site although I found some articles about it. I think the name is enough to give me the drift. It’s unfortunate.