Overly Pious Pulpit Proclamation

     From all the negative Christian related news stories in the past couple weeks, a person could easily question whether extra effort is made by the secular media to find such unbecoming fare over the holidays, or if the radical fringe element hiding under the Christian banner increases their efforts at this time. Sadly, it is probably a combination of the two.

     Two days before Christmas we were introduced to the latest publicity-oriented claims by Rev. Fred Phelps, of the infamous Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church. A church that holds a conservative title, but proclaims extremist beliefs. A church known for unChristian-like hate-filled speech, such as hatred towards homosexuals (not just the act of homosexuality), and equally known for publicly protesting funerals of fallen servicemen.

     Rev. Phelps' latest overly pious pulpit proclamation attacks pop star Lady Gaga. He insists, "God hates Lady Gaga," and proclaims she is a "hussy" and a heathen for "seducing a generation."

     Excuse me, but am I the only one who sees a correlation between Phelps and Mayor Augustus Maywho from How the Grinch Stole Christmas?  

     Just like Mayor Maywho stuttering and stammering when asked by little Cindylou, who could quote the Book of Who better than he could, I see Phelps equally stuttering and stammering when asked to show any chapter and verse in the Bible to back up his ridiculous claim that God hates any human: individually or collectively.

     Though it is true that the Bible claims there are consequences to sin, at no time does it claim that God hates the sinner. Quite the opposite, in fact, since it proclaims:

     For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. --- John 3:16

     It is my fervent prayer that a bible-reading Christian be inspired to go to the bible-thumping Phelps and the WBC congregation, to kindly tell them that, in the spirit of the holidays, it's not too late for them either. Afterall, God loves them as much as He loves Lady Gaga, or any old Phelps-like Grinch or Scrooge.

[Phelps quotes taken from Marc Schneider article on PopEater.com]