Scary: Fred Phelps on Fred Thompson

The folks over at Westboro Baptist Church have posted a really freaky (and very frightening if true) note to Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson.

The information (always posted as a PDF) on their site is below - it essentially calls out that Fred Thompson simply ISN'T homophobic enough these days - and Fred Phelps and clan long for the days when they saw eye-to-eye - and Fred Thompson helped them win a case in Topeka.

It's so bizarre, but doesn't seem implausible to me. It's entirely possible that Mr. TV Candidate at one point had contact with, and perhaps shared some beliefs with the Phelps clan.

In fairness though, Fred Thompson's people have vehemently denied any connection. Then again, it's politics. What would you say to get a nomination or win an election?

Here's the offending statement:

New Book from Alex Sanchez: The God Box

There's a new book from Alex Sanchez about a high school kid coming to terms with his belief in God and his homosexuality. From Amazon.com:

The God Box

How could I choose betwen my sexuality and my spirituality, two of the most important parts that made me whole?

High school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're good together. They have a lot of the same interests, like singing in
their church choir and being active in Bible club. But when Manuel transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the
first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet
he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul
reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's
interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to
reevaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers
dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation
that leads Paul to take a stand.

Lambda Literary Award-winning author Alex Sanchez tackles a subject
ripped from the headlines in this exciting and thought-provoking
exploration of what it means to be both religious and gay.

Click the image or title to purchase the book from Amazon.com.

A different generation...

I normally don't write about things that are personal or close to home, but I feel compelled to today. You see, my Grandmother passed away this morning. Though that was only the catalyst for this post.

I loved my Grandmother very much. And believe that she was a great person at heart. She just grew up in a very different time and in a very different world than I did. She was in her 70's when she died, meaning she was born shortly after the great depression. She saw cars, telephones, televisions and computers become mainstream. She grew up in a world where wars were actually fought face to face - instead of from hundreds of miles away with tremendous technology.

She also grew up in a world where God Fearing Christians were the norm. Which leads me to this post. One of the most interesting and unusual things I ever knew her to believe was this: "If your church doesn't have Christ's name in it - he won't know how to find you when he comes back and your congregation will perish in Hell."

Wow.

It's unfathomable to me, though I was raised a conservative Christian, to carry such a narrow view of "the Second Coming." I have a very broad view of religion and consider myself more 'spiritual' than 'religious' these days. But my Grandmother, and those in her generation grew up with a VERY narrow view of the world. Without Internet. Without CNN. Without BBC news on U.S. TV's and without routine air travel to other countries.

The world they knew didn't have a lot of tolerance for people who weren't like them. In some ways, the world I live in today is much the same. I like to think we've come a long way, but then I'm reminded of the many ways in which we haven't.

It gives me a new perspective on matters like God and gays and what makes people hate. But it doesn't change my resolve that above all else, we should treat others as we would like to be treated. And the greatest gift of all is love.

On those two things, I'm sure my Grandmother would agree.

Would Jesus Discriminate?

A new website came across my radar - I believe the Rev. Jimmy Creech, who was ousted from a Methodist Church in Omaha for performing a gay commitment ceremony, has something to do with it. I'll have to research more.

The site poses several questions directly relating to Jesus and how he feels/would feel/felt about homosexuals. It also takes a new look at several scriptures where Jesus comments on the issue. While the Bible is subject to interpretation, it's an interesting counterpoint to many arguments. The site is intelligent, thoughtful and put together well.

One of their billboards:


Check out the site here and post your comments. Would love to know what people think.

Pastor Resigns Over Homosexuality

What is it with Evangelical ministers in Colorado suddenly coming out? I think this it the third one in about as many months. If so many of these 'holiest' of men are having this issue, doesn't it really throw sand in the face of the argument that you can change your sexuality? This preacher talks about struggling with this since he was 5. It seems to me that's pretty concrete evidence for 'nature' over 'nurture.'

From the Denver Post:

In a tearful videotaped message Sunday to his congregation, the senior pastor of a thriving evangelical megachurch in south metro Denver confessed to sexual relations with other men and announced he had voluntarily resigned his pulpit.

A month ago, the Rev. Paul Barnes of Grace Chapel in Douglas County preached to his 2,100-member congregation about integrity and grace in the aftermath of the Ted Haggard drugs-and gay-sex scandal.

Now, the 54-year-old Barnes joins Haggard as a fallen evangelical minister who preached that homosexuality was a sin but grappled with a hidden life.

“I have struggled with homosexuality since I was a 5-year-old boy," Barnes said in the 32- minute video, which church leaders permitted The Denver Post to view. "... I can't tell you the number of nights I have cried myself to sleep, begging God to take this away."

His wife, Char, cradled his hand. Barnes declined an interview request through the church.

Click here for the full story in the Denver Post.

I was raised fundamentalist. Baptist for a time. It was a rough road at times, but unlike these men who repressed who they were, married, had kids and threw themselves into religion, I chose to accept who I was and how I was made, be open and honest with myself and God - and not live a lie. In my opinion, I have the better deal.

Is it inherent that gays don't pray?

I got a message from my mother the other day about an issue in our family that started out “If you still pray…” It got me started thinking. Do most Christians inherently think that because someone is gay, they have no connection to God? I’m sure my mother didn’t mean it in the way it sounded… she was frustrated with a situation and was leaving a quick message. But it still got me thinking about gays and prayer.

The irony of the answer to the question is that I pray a lot more now than I did when I was regularly attending church, living at home and surrounded by Christian love. I think that being out on my own, recognizing that the church I grew up in wants nothing to do with me, has made me seek my own closer connection to God.

I hear a lot of people say that spirituality doesn’t have to involve a building or a structured set of beliefs and rules. That sprituality is a personal relationship with a higher being, which most call God. I think that for some, the structured beliefs and rules make it easier to ‘keep the faith’ so to speak. When you walk out of that, or are thrust out (or simply don’t feel welcome anymore) it’s up to you and you alone to set your beliefs and maintain your connection to God. And that’s harder than anyone gives us credit for.

-r