Regardless of religion, radicalism is wrong
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Opinion
The Westboro Baptist Chuch is at it again. According to the Huffington Post, the organization has recently been holding protests at Jewish temples and Washington D.C. area schools - including Sidwell Friends, the school President Barack Obama's daughters attend.
Westboro Baptist Church's Web site refers to Obama as a "murderous bastard" and his daughters as "satanic spawn."
It is angering that these people are so self-righteous that they think anyone honestly cares about what they're preaching on their soapbox pulpits.
For years, this so-called "church" has been preaching to those it hates - those in service, homosexuals, adulterers and a long list of other "sinners." This time, they have taken their practices a gigantic leap too far.
It is OK to disagree with someone. It is OK to express your concerns. It is not OK to terrorize the daughters of those you disagree with. True, Obama is a politician; he chose to be president, which inevitably subjects his family to the dirty limelight that comes with the job. That isn't his daughters' fault though. They should not have to go to school and look out the window or go to recess only to be yelled at, being told their father is a bastard and that they are the spawns of Satan.
Moreover, as a Christian, I am offended that the WBC label themselves as such, because they don't practice a Christian lifestyle. I have my beliefs, but I am not about to manipulate others into following me by yelling mean-spirited and slanderous things at them. If I don't agree with someone, I wouldn't dream of calling them "murderous bastards" or "satanic spawn;" not only do I not believe that to be true anyway, but it accomplishes nothing. Every other Christian I know believes similarly. I can honestly say the WBC would probably picket outside my home if they knew who I was as a person and where I stood on various social and political issues.
The WBC passes judgment they cannot back up and preaches what they cannot practice. If each and every member of the "congregation" were to analyze him/herself critically, they would find they too are miserable sinners just like the rest of us and are not the exalted saints they make themselves out to be.
Bob Marley said, "Before you point your finger, make sure your hands are clean," and nothing could truly apply more to the WBC. Perhaps if members engaged in a little self-reflection and analysis, the world would be a better place.
Westboro Baptist Church's Web site refers to Obama as a "murderous bastard" and his daughters as "satanic spawn."
It is angering that these people are so self-righteous that they think anyone honestly cares about what they're preaching on their soapbox pulpits.
For years, this so-called "church" has been preaching to those it hates - those in service, homosexuals, adulterers and a long list of other "sinners." This time, they have taken their practices a gigantic leap too far.
It is OK to disagree with someone. It is OK to express your concerns. It is not OK to terrorize the daughters of those you disagree with. True, Obama is a politician; he chose to be president, which inevitably subjects his family to the dirty limelight that comes with the job. That isn't his daughters' fault though. They should not have to go to school and look out the window or go to recess only to be yelled at, being told their father is a bastard and that they are the spawns of Satan.
Moreover, as a Christian, I am offended that the WBC label themselves as such, because they don't practice a Christian lifestyle. I have my beliefs, but I am not about to manipulate others into following me by yelling mean-spirited and slanderous things at them. If I don't agree with someone, I wouldn't dream of calling them "murderous bastards" or "satanic spawn;" not only do I not believe that to be true anyway, but it accomplishes nothing. Every other Christian I know believes similarly. I can honestly say the WBC would probably picket outside my home if they knew who I was as a person and where I stood on various social and political issues.
The WBC passes judgment they cannot back up and preaches what they cannot practice. If each and every member of the "congregation" were to analyze him/herself critically, they would find they too are miserable sinners just like the rest of us and are not the exalted saints they make themselves out to be.
Bob Marley said, "Before you point your finger, make sure your hands are clean," and nothing could truly apply more to the WBC. Perhaps if members engaged in a little self-reflection and analysis, the world would be a better place.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
CaptainSpaulding
posted 11/13/09 @ 2:01 PM CST
I always find it funny when journalists and newspeople who look to Free Speech and Free Press as their livelyhoods come out and suggest limits on Free Speech and Free Press for others. (Continued…)
Kory w. Hines
posted 11/17/09 @ 12:36 PM CST
I like the Bob Marley quote although I'm sure it is not original (lol,JK).
I think that the Baptist church are some lunatic-hypocrites for saying that about obama's daughters. (Continued…)
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