Posted on 05/24/2005 8:17:58 AM PDT by BigFinn
FOREST CITY -- A sign in front of a Baptist church on one of the most traveled highways in the county stirred controversy over religious tolerance and first-amendment rights this weekend.
A sign in front of Danieltown Baptist Church, located at 2361 U.S. 221 south reads "The Koran needs to be flushed," and the Rev. Creighton Lovelace, pastor of the church, is not apologizing for the display.
"I believe that it is a statement supporting the word of God and that it (the Bible) is above all and that any other religious book that does not teach Christ as savior and lord as the 66 books of the Bible teaches it, is wrong," said Lovelace. "I knew that whenever we decided to put that sign up that there would be people who wouldn't agree with it, and there would be some that would, and so we just have to stand up for what's right."
Seema Riley, a Muslim, who was born in Pakistan and reared in New York, was one of those upset by the sign.
She moved to Rutherford County for the "small town friendly" atmosphere, she said. When she saw the sign on the side of the highway Saturday she felt angered and threatened.
"We need a certain degree of tolerance," said Riley. "That sign doesn't really reflect what I think this county is about."
She said that according to Islamic faith, a follower does not even touch the Koran without going through a ritual cleansing. Muslims believe the physical book to be a sacred item that is treated with respect and reverence, much like the image of Jesus in Christianity, according to a report on National Public Radio.
"For someone to put that sign up -- the person just didn't understand -- didn't take into consideration what putting up that sign means," said Riley. "I don't think it should be posted on a sign in public viewing on the highway to create a hostile environment for me."
The appearance of the sign follows a national news story from last week. Newsweek magazine retracted a story reporting that military guards at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay flushed a copy of the Koran down the toilet during interrogation of a detainee. The Newsweek story sent Washington in a frenzy and was blamed for igniting Muslim riots and deaths abroad, including a particularly violent outburst in Afghanistan.
"Our creed as a Christian, or a Protestant, or a Baptist church -- of course we don't have a creed but the bible -- but we do have the Baptist faith and message that says that we should cling to the 66 books of the Holy Bible and any other book outside of that claiming to know the way of God or claiming to be God's word is automatically written off and is trying to defeat people from the way of true righteousness inside of our viewpoint in how we view the word of God," Lovelace said.
"Putting such a sign in a public place is an un-American example of intolerance, of aggressive disrespect for other citizens' deeply held views," said Donald Searing, Burton Craige Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "This is the sort of attitude and action that seriously endangers the liberty which lies at the heart of our democracy. It is also a good reminder that just because one may have the legal right to say something, doing so may not be morally, socially or politically desirable."
When Lovelace was asked whether he considered before he put the sign up that there may be some consequences or that some people may be angered, he said he was aware of the likelihood of angering some people.
"Well, I thought about it and I said there may be people who are offended by it but the way I look at it, Jesus told his followers that if the world hates you, don't feel bad because they hated me first," said Lovelace. "If we stand for what is right and for God's word and for Christianity then the world is going to condemn us and so right away when I got a complaint I said 'well somebody's mad, somebody's offended, so we must be doing something right.'"
Danieltown Baptist Church belongs to the Sandy Run Baptist Association and the association's Director of Missions the Rev. Jim Diehl said that Lovelace's opinion does not necessarily reflect that of that organization.
"Each of the churches of the Sandy Run Baptist Association are autonomous bodies," said Diehl. "Each church can develop a stance on doctrinal issues and can develop its own stance on moral issues."
The Rev. Billy Honeycutt, of the Green River Baptist Association said that he hopes that those who see the sign keep tolerance in mind.
"Respecting religion is important and respecting other people is important," said Honeycutt. "Hopefully, a lot of people will have that thought when they see the sign."
Following the religious controversy at a church in Waynesville where several members were asked to leave in what was termed a dispute over politics, several groups threatened to boycott the entire town due to the actions of one preacher.
Director of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Bill Hall said he does not think that the Danieltown sign will have a negative impact on the county's tourism or economic vitality.
"It is unfortunate that things like that happen and it certainly doesn't represent Rutherford County," said Hall. "I think that most people will understand that that is not a common attitude in this community."
Lovelace said he felt it was the work of God to display the sign and that no one in the church has spoken up against it to him.
He said the church has 55 members on the roster and he has only received one angry phone call since the sign was posted.
"We have a good group of people," said Lovelace.
Lovelace said the sign changes every week.
"About Friday or Saturday we will have a new sign," he said. "It should state to some effect 'Where are your treasures? Are they at the flea market or are they in heaven?'"
Lovelace said that he does not have anything against the flea market that recently opened up down the street from the church.
"I enjoy a good flea market, but if people can be down there at eight o'clock why can't they be at church at 11," he said.
Yah your tellin me. The next thing you know they'll be calling Christ the Messiah, using BC and AD to describe dates and, are you sittin down, praying in Jesus Name.
The only time "religion" is mentioned in the New Testament is James 1:27. Read it- this is the religion of Jesus...
your quote is correct but your conclusion is flawed. Jesus, James, Peter, John, and the rest of the disciples were all Jews and were never Christians. Thus, I think that they were followers of Jesus of Nazareth, not Christians, per se.
Don't you think that Jesus is above all the religions, including Christianity. Put it this way - would you die for Christianity, or would you die for Jesus; and, are they the same thing?
In Acts, did the Apostles say, "In the name of Christianity, pick up your pallet and walk!"; or did they say, "In the name of Jesus, pick up your pallet and walk"?
And, to 80+% of the world "Christianity" means Hollywood, porn, graft, corruption, taking advantage of the poor, capitalism, etc.
Names and definitions change over time. 100 years ago, Christianity meant a "follower of Jesus of Nazareth". Now, it is aligned closely with America and how the rest of teh world views our CULTURE.
100 Years ago, if I told you that I was a "gay man", you would think that I like to dance and go to movies and parties and had many girlfriends and interests. Now, if someone is a "gay man" they are homosexual.
SO, words and definitions matter and although you and I agree what "Christian" may mean to both of us, about 4 billion people may not agree with our definition.
Just food for thought...
Their web site is down, bump for later. I was going to email my support.
"It is humiliating to Christians. The church sign resembles the one of rundown used car dealership."
Forest City resembles a rundown used car dealership.
"We just want to call this preacher what he is- a gap-toothed moron who makes himself and his church look completely unappealing to the average person."
Do you have any clue as to what the aveage person in Forest City thinks or looks like? I can tell you this, it ain't Suburbia, USA.
Ah, an ecumenalist. Christians were just the name for those that followed Christ. Yes, Jesus Christ is above all religions, however any discipleship that does not profess Christ as the only way to God is flawed, and therefore wrong. Of course these are the words of Christ.
And, to 80+% of the world "Christianity" means Hollywood, porn, graft, corruption, taking advantage of the poor, capitalism, etc. Names and definitions change over time. 100 years ago, Christianity meant a "follower of Jesus of Nazareth". Now, it is aligned closely with America and how the rest of teh world views our CULTURE.
What the world believes is the world. As I said, they have the right to believe so. However it doesn't make them right does it? Christianity is to follow Christ. That doesn't mean Mohammed, Buddha, an Indian cow, or Hare Krishna. Those folks have the right to believe what they choose. However, as a Christian, I have the right, and according to Christ, the duty to at least point out they're wrong as well. Mind you I may have chose a different way than this preacher, but I still have the duty to profess the Gospel and that Christ is the only way to God
Show me the tolerance for Bibles in any non-US country whatsoever. Then I bend and bow and such.
Char :)
I think you and I almost agree. But, all Jews follow Christ. They believe in Christ. They just don't think that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ...
Remember Paul on the road...? He knew it was the Lord; and Paul believed in the Christ (or the Messiah). On that road, he learned that his Lord was the Christ and that Jesus of Nazareth became to Paul - "Lord Jesus Christ"...
Also, Muslims believe (if they believe the Koran) that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ (or the Messiah). On my last count, the Koran refers to Jesus 103 times and even calls him the Messiah (Issa Messiah- "Jesus the Christ") 11 times....
More food for thought. I think we are close!!
Don't let most of these sanctimomnious here get to ya.
Several are not even Christian and Modernman is Godless and just taking the opportunity to take a swipe.
MM, do you bash Judaism too....or Buddists or Hindus or Islam or is it Christians who really get your goat.
I think Islam is the enemy. I have nothing for it. We must subdue them and take the fight out of them.
I care about as much about Koran flushing as I do Saddam in his BVDs.
MM, what is your cultural heritage...Catholic or Jewish...I forget...I think you were Jewish once right?
I'm Southern Protestant.....you'd a never guessed right?
Well, let's see. If you like big churches and bubblegum Christianity, there's always Saddleback with Rick Warren.
I really don't care if you disagree with Islam; I don't particularly agree with any of it either. However, this church has crossed a line, and stooped to the level of the terrorists. No class, not good.
Speaking on behalf of Dreagon, I'd say it's time to shake your very wussie attitude of Christ & Christianity. The LJC ripped the Pharisees and Sadducees big time after John the Baptist had done his best to demolish them. Later, Paul was equally as blunt towards the gnostic legalizers saying that he wished they would take ceremonial circumcision a step further and castrate themselves. I guess those three just didn't have the Rick Warren approach of winning friends and influencing enemies.
According to their religion, it is their duty to convert you, or kill you, your spouse and your kids, all the while working to take over your gov't and country...
These cultists are taught the 'Gospel' on a regular basis from their clerics...
The point is, you're not going to win everybody to the Lord with love...Sometimes you have to pull out the 'Sword' and cut 'em to the bone...
So, are you the type of person that would rent out a spare bedroom to a known child molester and then whine when he raped your kids??? Sounds like it...
Not any Baptist Church I've ever been to...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.