Christians can be the most hateful people on this earth

My church has a ministry designed to help new Christians change their ways, i.e. help against alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography, and homosexuality. Recently, my church was picketed by a hate group, Godhatesfags.com, that said that our pastor and all our members were going to burn in hell for all eternity because we have a ministry to help reform people who are caught up in homosexuality. They brought large, brightly-coloured signs with very offensive slogans and pictures, and shouted extremely hateful things at us.Their reasoning behind this is that homosexuals cannot be saved, nor can any sinners. It is the (disputable) doctrine of absolute predestination taken to the extreme. Therefore they believe that all sinners are not of the chosen few of God and are automatically condemned to hell with no possibility of repentence. As much as Jesus preached love and mercy, why do groups such as the one mentioned turn Christianity as an excuse to hate? I am deeply saddened and offended by these people. I am convinced that they are the reason so many of the lost turn away from God-- they don't know much about Christianity, but they do know that they don't want to be like those people.

What an amazing testimony, to actually be hated by people is so biblical. What a privilege to endure the suffering and persecution for the Lord Jesus' sake.Jesus says "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they treated the prophets." Luke 6:22-23It's a blessing and privilege to suffer and be hated for the Lord. Be encouraged Shazbot and take comfort with the words and Spirit of Jesus. He knows suffering and persecution, and He promises to be with you and your church as they endure. You are blessed in suffering. Keep close to Jesus, His word and His Spirit of truth and holiness.

The title of this is called "Christians can be the most hateful..." is kind of a strange title. There are many goats among the sheep, and God knows them. But as we know God's heart more and more, we will come to hate what He hates, and the bible tells us we are to hate evil (Amos 5:15, Psalm 97:10, Prov 6:16), so it is biblical to hate. But if "christians" hate things they shouldn't, I would doubt which god they are disciples of, probably the god of this world. Unloving religious people are often the biggest objectors to preaching the gospel and speaking truth (they killed Jesus). Unfortunately, some can be hateful in ignorance, like christians in Africa who are killing Muslims. Lack of bibles and fruit, we must be patient and prayerful and help our poorer brothers and sisters in Christ who may be acting in ignorance still. Pray for those who persecute you as our Lord Jesus tells us to do. There are weak brothers and sisters who may be acting in immaturity, I ashamedly admit I often do myself. The Lord is good to rebuke, correct, and change in His time as He wills and purposes. We can pray faithfully and patiently and keep close to God.

It is a Blessing very well put.

What a privilege to endure the suffering and persecution for the Lord Jesus' sake.I read a book one time and something I read really stuck with me. I always think of it now when I see people going through difficult times. I like what rocklife has said here. It is indeed a privilege. Here is the quote that stuck with me:Privileged is an individual who is given an opportunity and a platform to positively effect the life of others. Your persecution is an opportunity and a platform to positively effect these hateful people. You just have to remember that they need Christ as much as the homosexuals. I will pray for your church today. Love, Dian.

My uncle, the youth pastor here, interviewed the protestors and turned the resulting tapes into a powerful video. I will try to put it up on the Web. If I get it working, I will post a link here.The people brought children, some of whom looked as young as five or six, with them to hold up some of the offensive signs. My uncle blurred out the young ones' faces as a sign of respect.

If Christ did not come to save sinners, who did he come to save? It seems they accept 1 Cor 6:9-10 that homosexuals will not go to Heaven, but what about verse 11? "And such were some of you. But you were washed. But you wre santified, but you wre justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." Amen. Some people forget the "and SUCH were SOME OF YOU" part.........Fred Phelp's gang is certainly not reflective of the true Christian. I am grieved every time I hear of his antics "in the name of Christianity". I agree that your church has an opportunity to minister to those who are lost in their own self-righteous sin...........just as lost as the practicing homosexual. May the Lord guide you all in truth and His perfect love. Blessings, Cindy

There are other extreme groups out there called Christian Identity who belive that only the whites are going to be saved since they are of the "Lost Tribe of Israel". Totaly unbiblical and evil. I have met and known people who believe this and it is very sad for the Christian church of today. We need to be on the alert for seducing spirits!Grace,Doug

Groups like this -- and that includes the Ku Klux Klan and so-called Muslim extremists -- hide behind reglion to legitimize their passion for hate. Unfortunately, they can be deadly.Witness to them, by all means. But at the same time, if they do not listen turn and walk away, brushing the dust off our feet as we go, just as Jesus told His disciples to do. There are other souls who need our witness and will at least entertain what we say.

It was A. W. Tozer that defined heresy as taking a biblical truth too far or when you teach one truth at the neglection of other truths. Tozer, you are the MAN!

Amen and Amen. Although he never claimed as being such, Tozer was considered -- even in his lifetime -- to be a full blown prophet? If nothing else, he had a tremendous gift of discernment and insight. Many of the things he predicted 40 years ago are coming true today. Everyone should read his book, "The Knowledge Of The Holy." Yes, indeed. He IS the man...But also a man among many.

shazbot wrote:My church has a ministry designed to help new Christians change their ways, i.e. help against alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography, and homosexuality. Recently, my church was picketed by a hate group, Godhatesfags.com, that said that our pastor and all our members were going to burn in hell for all eternity because we have a ministry to help reform people who are caught up in homosexuality. They brought large, brightly-coloured signs with very offensive slogans and pictures, and shouted extremely hateful things at us.Praise God for you! For your care and concern! Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Luk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. It may be hard when you are faced with hatred like this. But pray the Holy Spirit will help you see it is the enemy of your soul driving these people just as he drove those at the foot of the cross to mock Jesus. It is an attack of the enemy, and the poor souls he uses to lash out at you are already condemned. They deserve pity and prayer. I remember how blind to the truth I was before I got under conviction, and the Lord started opening my eyes. Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way;Don't be offended, oh, rejoice!!!!! This is evidence you are doing damage to the kingdom of darkness, through the Lord! Again I say REJOICE!!!IF you were not doing something for God, and if you had nothing of value, the enemy would not be coming against you! Hallelujah!!!!1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. 1Co 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; 1Co 4:12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 1Co 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2Co 4:11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2Co 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 2Co 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let nothing discourage your or seperate you from the Love of God! His grace is sufficient. We are complete in him. He is all we need. Nothing can come against us he can't handle! I will remember you in prayer, that the Lord will lift you up and comfort you with his presence! You might think your situation is depressing, but oh, it rejoiced my heart to know there are those with the courage to stand up for our Beloved Lord. Thank you.... so much.....When you can, read Ps. 37, and Ps. 22. In Christ!Kathleen

The people brought children, some of whom looked as young as five or six, with them to hold up some of the offensive signs. My uncle blurred out the young ones' faces as a sign of respect.These people also recently protested the Billy Graham Crusade in Kansas City. I believe they were from Topeka Kansas. They stood in a place that every person that pulled into the stadium at the main entrance had to look at them. They had signs even saying things like, "Your Pastor is Lying to You!" and all sorts of stuff. i would be interested on hearing a little more about what they are about as what I saw was quite disturbing. God Bless,-Robert

They had signs even saying things like, "Your Pastor is Lying to You!" and all sorts of stuff. i would be interested on hearing a little more about what they are about as what I saw was quite disturbing. You can check out their website Robert, but I guarantee you will be extremely grieved reading what they "preach" in the name of Christ.............Blessings, Cindy