Posted on 05/24/2014 12:12:16 PM PDT by marshmallow
*Poster with burning flames put up at Attleborough Baptist Church, Norfolk
*The sign read: 'If you think there is no God you'd better be right!!'
*Robert Gladwin, 20, accused the sign of going against Christian traditions
*Pastor forced to remove sign after police investigated it as a 'hate incident'
A baptist church was at the centre of a police probe after a sign which suggested non-Christians would 'burn in hell' was investigated as a 'hate incident'.
The offending sign at Attleborough Baptist Church in Norfolk, pictured burning flames below words which read: 'If you think there is no God you better be right!!'
Now the church has been forced to remove the sign after a passer-by complained to police that it could 'not be further' from the Christian phrase, love thy neighbour.
Robert Gladwin, 20, said: 'It is my basic understanding that Christianity is inclusive and loving in nature.
'The message being displayed outside of the church could not be further from the often uttered phrase ‘love thy neighbour’.'
Mr Gladwin said he was 'astounded' when he spotted the poster by chance as he was walking home.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
“It is my understanding that God is a God of love. Itching ears will do that to you.
That’s a great sign.
This is happening now in the states. We never expected our government to purposely conspire against our faith. It may take ten or more years before our side figures how to right the balance again. Most Christians in usa were not brought up having to defend every little thing we do or don’t do. For the time being, we are being out manuevered.
I am happy Hindu’s do not believe theirs is the only way to God. Swami Vivekanand said at the religious conference in Chicago in 1940’s that all sincere prayers reach God just like rivers meet the oceans, no matter from where. He receive standing ovation from people of all religions.
The UK has become soft as a bag of cotton balls.
An empire, like Rome, that ended with a sigh.
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
(Revelation 7:9-10)
The narrow way, and the countless multitudes.
This paradox is caught most succinctly, I think, in that gem of prayer taught by the Angel of Portugal tot he three little children at Fatima:
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven ,especially those in most need of Thy Mercy."
To ge back to the topic at hand, I would say fear of hell is a very valuable thing for the already-devout--- it loomed big in the life of Franz Jaegerstatter, I remember--- but it has almost zero impact as an evangelization approach for unbelievers.
If you've heard of anyone, not already a believer, who was attracted to the Heart of Christ in this way, let me know.
AND... I also think it's foolishness that this became a police matter. It's not hate, it's not a crime; it's just a dubious entree to the Faith to light-minded secular Brits.
Save the hellfire sermons for the Bishops. Seriously, I mean it. They deserve it, and they might listen.
Better that people should get that info now instead of too late to do anything about it.
What next, govt minders in churches to make sure the pastor doesn’t mention sin or salvation? The UK is done.
It’s not paradoxical, given that the reference frames are before and after the Second Coming.
Wait till he reads the Bible. For example:
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:7-8)
We learn from 1 John 5:2 that "overcomers" are those who believe in Jesus Christ. The lake of fire and an eternity of torment is the destiny for all who do not believe. He should be thankful that someone cares enough to endure ridicule and condemnation for speaking the truth.
Growing up in the South I was “witnessed to” by Baptists, many of ‘em and of several varieties. Not one seemed other than genuinely concerned that I would “burn for Eternity” if I didn’t join their Church.
None were violent. All were exercising both their freedom of religion and their freedom of speech. I chose to exercise my freedom to listen and answer.
That worked.
My opinion is that if one is offended by religion, discuss that anxiety with your psychiatrist. Same for hoplophobes.
Works for me.
It sure did work in the old days.
And the Fatima visionaries were given a vision of hell, were they not? This was not meant so much to scare them, but to be disseminated to unbelievers or those on the fence with their faith.
I don't have time right now to look up which approved apparitions included the sidetrip to the basement.
I believe that the pastor was within his calling. Preaching hellfire and brimstone was done by Jesus himself, according to the Scriptures.
‘I’m your neighbor. I do things you don’t like. I say things you don’t like. I believe things you don’t like. But, I’m goona be in your face because you tell me I’m going somewhere I don’t believe in.’
Real logical, ain’t it? Kinda un-American, ain’t it?
Wouldn’t it be more American, and more in line for what folks DIED FOR, for this idiot, to just smile, and keep going?
The Rabbi of Tarsus, today, would say, ‘Let’s grab a cup of joe, and sit down and see where we are at with this.’
Even the Greeks, would entertain ideas, ask questions, put them on the scales, and see how it balances, and why not, until they had a handle on it.
I don't agree with what the sign said, and I do not think it is true.
HOWEVER--the people of the church have EVERY RIGHT to say whatever they want--contemporary British law notwithstanding!
Note tagline!
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
I’m not sure what you mean.
Indict God as a co-conspirator?
‘If you think there is no God you better PRAY TO GOD that you’re right!!’
The fire is 70 times hotter than here on earth? How does he know that? As far as I’m concerned, burning for eternity in earth’s fire or in a fire that’s 70 times hotter makes no difference.
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