Posted on 04/14/2005 2:46:44 PM PDT by metalmanx2j
PITTSBURGH -- An evangelical Christian talk show host who questioned the beliefs of the Catholic church and entertained a caller's question about whether the late Pope John Paul II would go to heaven has been fired.
Marty Minto, 39, a senior pastor at a New Castle church, was fired Friday after three years as a host on WORD-FM in Pittsburgh. He said he was told that he was alienating listeners.
"As far as I'm concerned, I was doing what I've always done on the radio -- look at events around the world from a biblical perspective. I've always been willing to talk about controversial subjects," said Minto, who has had shows in Albany, N.Y., Denver and Phoenix.
Last week, Minto questioned some of the Catholic church's beliefs, such as purgatory, and fielded a question from a caller who asked whether the pope would go to heaven. Many evangelical Christians believe that someone must be a "born-again" believer to enter heaven.
Minto, who is also senior pastor of the 100-member Turning Point Community Church, said he told the caller that whether someone was born-again was personal and "between an individual and the Creator."
Chuck Gratner, general manager of WORD-FM, didn't dispute Minto's description and said he was let go because of differences in how he conducted his show.
"WORD-FM needs to function in this city in support of the entire church -- that means everybody -- and not focus on denominational issues," Gratner said.
This will be an interesting case. If the host was fired for being an Evangelical Christian host isn't he just expressing his theological beliefs?
Usually these kinds of firings are the result of pent up disagreements. The pope comment may just have been a catalyst.
Software Developer fired for wishing Radio Host would go to Hell.
If he doesn't know that Christians are saved... I think they're right to send him packing. Maybe he can get a job talking about books he's actually read.
Hey you two.
Ever heard this guy's show?
That’s not me saying it – that’s the Catholic that said it. Not being Catholic, I wouldn’t know one way or other. But, if true, he’s technically correct, I guess.
I'd say he was fired for being a major league Clymer.
Pope John-Paul II, or Karol Józef Wojty³a if you prefer, accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. I'm pretty sure that Evangelicals believe that is the only requirement to be saved and to go to heaven.
I'm Catholic and am disgusted by some of the displays of anti-Catholicism we've seen in the weeks since the Pope's death, especially when the bigotry comes from fellow Christians. However, I fail to see how this incident is a case of it. Mr Minto did not say the Pope was in Hell, he just said that the issue of born-again is between an individual and God. He remained agnostic about the question of whether the Pope is in Heaven or Hell. This isn't anti-Catholic and it isn't offensive. Firing him over this is just ridiculous.
Is it not Catholic and Protestant theology that only God can judge who goes to heaven, and that it is blasphemous to presuppose God's will?
Only God can see into the soul and see it truly as it is, men cannot.
Amen.
the "California Catholic" is wrong - that is not what the Catholic Church teaches about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.
I'm not particularly surprised, but that is what she says.
Divide and be conquered. Christians (Catholics and Protestants) have a larger more powerful enemy (and his minions) to battle here on Earth, and would be well-served to avoid such in-fighting.
I would find it very hard to believe that Catholics don't believe this as well.
I disagree. Polemics have always been a vital part of the Church. The Apostle Paul was a consummate polemic.
He is here! .....God
"fielded a question from a caller who asked whether the pope would go to heaven. Many evangelical Christians believe that someone must be a "born-again" believer to enter heaven.
Minto, who is also senior pastor of the 100-member Turning Point Community Church, said he told the caller that whether someone was born-again was personal and "between an individual and the Creator."
I do not get it? Nowhere in his statement did he infer the Pope did not go to heaven.
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