Safe from "Christians"

While listening to the news this morning, I heard excerpts of Presidents Bush’s Memorial Day remarks at Arlington Cemetery. I’m proud of the men that have sacrificed so much to make this country free. I believe their remembrance deserves more than one day a year. I was a little disappointed to hear Bush’s remarks begin to smack of political rhetoric as he invoked the memory of fallen heroes.

Dubya took used the opportunity to introduce us to the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act. Since he brought politics into, I was already skeptical about what he was trying to do and for whom. I cringe every time a law is passed that limits anything guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, i.e. Freedom of Speech.

The reason this Bill was introduced is embarrassing and infuriating. This is embarrassing because Americans are defaming the memory of our fallen sons during a family’s private bereavement. It’s infuriating because our government is acting to protect mourners from the audacious behavior of those claiming to be followers of Christ and stewards of His Gospel (SOURCE).

You can see the things these folks, these brothers, on their website: GodHatesFages.com. The first thing you’ll notice when you open the webpage is a bright yellow diamond with the following message: WARNING!! GOSPEL PREACHING AHEAD.

Warning: Good News. But there is nothing but bad news to read on this site; the kind of news that excludes. If there is any good news to be heard or read from this group, it’s definitely not easy to find.

I find that unsettling. I know that this is obviously an extreme group, but they damage the credibility of all who call themselves Christians. But hey, were not perfect, just forgiven. Who cares if God’s good news is buried beneath all the other junk we want to talk about like politics and judgments about who is or isn’t going to heaven. The Gospel is in there somewhere. Just move all that junk around. You’ll find it sooner or later.

A teaching Jesus gives recorded in Matthew 5 comes to mind:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

I’ll be honest with you: it ruined my day to learn that Congress had to act to protect Americans honoring their dead from whackos that think they have the keys to the Kingdom.