Fundamentalism gone haywire

[suzer1013]

Imagine what these young men have been taught, to get to the point that they burn down churches whose theology they disagree with!

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/sto...ate=11/21/2006

Susan

[pnggrad79]

I am just aghast at this story. It is just totally arrogant of someone to burn down a church because he does not like what it preaches-SO GO TO ANOTHER CHURCH AND LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE!!! Violence is never a way to solve anything. It is a dark, evil spirit which is intolerant, vengeful and retributive that invades a person and causes this kind of action. May God restore this church and forgive this demon possessed young man.

[suzer1013]

What does give some hope is the reaction of the victims of the church burning. They have already forgiven the young man, and another victim of the church burnings has apparently knitted some hats for the perpetrator. Interesting -- a most Christian response to a most unChristian act of violence (perpetrated in the name of God, no less!).

Susan

[BruceChris]

our church has been treated to nothing more than a new coat of paint. Well, actually, they call it graffiti. As the churches all around fix-it guy, I have been spraying and scrubbing, as the weather gets colder. But, of course, this is much easier to live with than having your church burned out from under you.

I must confess that we will probably never find out who did it, which precludes any acts of face to face forgiveness. I just hope that somebody doesn't come back and do it again.

I wonder, is it better to live in a big city, where nameless, faceless juviniles can do this any time, any where, or to live in a much more insular, isolated place, where your parents may choose to name you Caleb Uriah. And are the Word of Life people going to come to terms with the situation, and help the Episcopalians rebuild? Now that could lead to spiritual growth, all around.
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[EDIT]
P.S., And am I being elitist for making fun of a community where it may be common to give your children archaic sounding, biblical names, or simply being thankful that I grew up in a cosmopolitan Northern city with parents who met in college? A little of both?

P&L, BC

[pnggrad79]

BC,
It's funny to me how much my parents, who did name all of us archaic sounding biblical names, sheltered us, brought us to church everytime the doors opened for whatever reason, drilled us on Bible verses, etc. and I STILL TURNED OUT A LESBIAN!!!!! I am quite sure my parents are shaking their head and wonder with all the work they did to "raise me right", why I "went to the devil" so quickly. To be sure, I am the reprobate daughter who went astray. My partner's parents DID NOT raise her in such an environment and both she and her older brother are gay, and her parents don't really have a problem with it. Hmmm.... now what are the correlations here-Raise your children to be cookie cutter Christians who can spout off Bible verses as if it was running water, and they end up being whatever they want, or you raise them with love and kindness and give them the freedom to be what God made them to be... Well, I ruminate a lot on this... it is just funny to me.

Oh btw, my 19 year old nephew, whom I suspect is gay, is coming to visit my daughter who is about to turn 19, and his mother, my homophobic sister, has forbidden him to stay in my house with me and my partner. I guess we are infected and she doesn't want him to get "sick". I want to say to her, " Honey, he has been flaming for years- Wake up! And it wasn't me who raised him." But I will be nice and not say anything.

[tdogg]

pnggrad - He is 19, his mother shouldn't be telling him where to stay. At least he'll know where a safe place is to stay when/if his mother finally disowns him. Poor guy. I have a sister who is the same, I'm allowed over to their house, alone. My partner is not allowed and we are not to come over together. Oh, and they will not visit at our house. Must protect their children. HUH???????

My other sister and her children come over all the time. They love my partner, she loves them. It's been a wonderful thing. So...not sure why the other 2 need protection? From love, fun, wonderful???? Mind boggling...

[pnggrad79]

TDogg,
You just have no clue about how strict and confining my sister has been on her 3 boys. The oldest is 22, the next one is 19 and the baby is 14. And I am here to tell you, for a fact, the two youngest ones stayed with me for 2 weeks before I came out and they would not watch PG13 movies unless they called their mother and asked her permission. The oldest is a different story. Once he graduated, he went off the deep end. He has been arrested at least twice and has a bunch of warrants out for his arrest for selling alcohol to minors, stealing cigarettes, etc... He has moved out 4 times and resists moving back home. Wonder why? When she found out he smoked, she questioned his salvation! Yes, my nephew is 19 chronologically, but he is still 8 years old inside and still has to get his mommy's permission because he has been told since day 1 that if he even thinks about disobeying her, his salvation is seriously in doubt and he is likely to go to hell. Of course, when he finally does grow up, and realizes he likes other men, she will blame me for infecting him.

[BruceChris]

Pnggrad, that is sad.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Vanessa White]

I feel so grateful that I did not have, nor do I presently, have these experiences with my family. I am sorry for png and Tdogg that your own siblings treat you in this way. My family always embraced my partners with open arms, and I have no reason to think that next time will be the same. They have their struggles at times, for sure, with my being a lesbian, whether it is shattered dreams of marriage (although two out of three of my siblings are divorced), worry, shame- or a combination of all three. But, they treat me and mine with respect always, and their adore my daughter, their granddaughter. My siblings are just the best where my being lesbian is concerned, openly talking about it in their own families and communities, and advocating on my behalf. It is awesome!!!!!

[tdogg]

Vanessa,

I am truly blessed to have one sister that is my very vocal advocate and supporter. Hopefully through her, the other will come around in time. No guarantees, but some time ago she was asking my nephew about my partner, how they like her, is she nice, do they go visit. It was very positive. But then, I think her doubts, fears and phobias kinda of take over and that's it for a while. I can most of those I love are happy for me, and you are right, that's the best kind of love!