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Now, this is one of the things I dread seeing.

I've been a Christian since 1987. In the time since, I have seen great examples of how the Christian life is supposed to be lived...and I've seen some really bad examples of how NOT to show an unbeliever what Christians are like. The pastor of the church in question is just such a one of those bad examples.

One of the attitudes I have encountered in my dealings with people is the notion that Christians in general are dumb as a stump. Not only that, but of all Christian denominations, Baptists (specifically Southern Baptists) are the very stupidest. Being that I happen to belong to a Southern Baptist church, this is quite disturbing to me.

Unfortunately, the actions (the sign) and words from this pastor are reinforcing this attitude.

If one is truly following the teachings of Christ, and doing the best they can to follow the Great Commandment (Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself), then people like this pastor wouldn't be making these statements. It is NOT our job to judge people from another denomination. If we (as Christians) believe the person in question is not a member of the Body of Christ (which spans denominational lines, no matter what we might think), then we need to pray for that person to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. What we DON'T need is for someone to make inflammatory statements in public that alienate a large section of society (i.e; Catholics).

As for me, I believe Karol Woytjla was a godly man who trusted Christ as his Savior, and is basking in His glory in Heaven as we speak.

Jesus didn't found His church on Earth so we could tear each other down. This pastor needs to learn that.

By following the LAW

or by trusting in Christ?

Neither. When babies are baptized (as the Church has done from the earliest times), their sins are forgiven even though they neither "trust" in Christ nor "follow" the Law. God chose to redeem Mary at conception not because of anything she did. If you read any of the Pauline epistles you see grace as unmerited favor, God often picks people not because of merit. Think of St. Paul (aka Saul) himself. God's act of revealing himself to Saul was not based on Saul's following the Law or trusting in Christ. It was on account of God's good favor, not Saul's merit.

-A8