On Sunday April 18, Westboro Baptist Church came to Gainesville. One of their stops was a liberal "Open doors, open hearts, open minds," church near us, so we took part of our Sunday Service time and went as a church to stand with them.
We have also learned that when you speak out about what God hates, you will be hated. We do not agree with all of Westboro's methods, but we admire their determination to find radical ways to preach the truth of the Bible, as we do. Most churches and Pastors in America try to stand on neutral ground. They are lost, weak and sick and need to repent.
Senior Pastor Sylvia Jones wrote on facebook:
Today was a historical day! People who did not know each other with nothing in common but the word of God marching in unity and putting the kingdom first, ahead of everything else! What can be more important than saving people from hell? We must stand on the truth, the word of God instead on finding reasons why we cannot be in unity! Yes we can! We can obey God and save people from going to hell!
You can find more pictures on our facebook page here...
I have been asked most often in the last days about the 'protests' that Westboro does at funerals.
The arguemant (from very angry people with extremely ugly language) is that their attendance at funerals is offensive and a fallen soldier is NOT a sign of God's wrath.
My answer:
Westboro Baptist is not anti-military or anti-USA. Rather the opposite, actually. Do some research. They go to funerals because the Bible says that a fallen soldier is a sign of God's wrath and a reminder of the condition of this world, a fallen world, in sin. We all know that. None of us want to fight wars. We have to, and we honor the fallen for their sacrifice, but funerals are also a chance to repent and get our lives right with God before our own comes along.
The soldier who is already dead knows what's coming, whether they are in heaven or hell. I think they would be glad for the extra reminder to loved ones that they still have time to make a choice and use the rest of their time given here for God rather than wasting it, in a spiritual sense.
At DWOC we are also very pro-America, pro-Military, AND super, radically concerned about people's salvation. That's why we go after Islam and say it is of the devil - it is anti-Christian and anti-America. In this liberal world, names and labels get thrown about and twisted at random. Don't we all get angry with the media for preaching half truths which amount to lies?
To my Christian friends, get your Bibles out and read the OT Prophets. They were hated too for speaking God's words of truth, then killed. I would rather be right with God than right with facebook friends. Where are you?
And another answer:
If we lived in a sinless, no devil world, there would be no war. We have chosen sin, there are therefore wars, and we all suffer, we all need to repent. I'm OK with your thinking I am sick, but think about the fact that the Bible is what I am talking about, not my own ideas. Don't you think that a fallen soldier reflects some of what is wrong with the world? Not the soldier but the war itself?
What is the point of not making people angry and uncomfortable in this life if that means they go on, clueless, rebellious, straight to hell. I would have to answer to God for that. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and to stand with other Christians that preach it truthfully. Did the prophets and leaders in the Bible, even Jesus, did they always peach a nice sweet message? Did they always respect the sensibilities and traditions of the people? Think about it. Read your Bibles, people!
I have a Grandfather that died in WWII. I am proud of his contribution to that war. But he and my family are Christian and eternal salvation is the most important thing on our hearts. We do not think Westboro are hateful. They point out what God hates, desperate, like the Prophets of old that no one go to hell.
Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13,14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
That narrow gate is a knowledge of the truth, a fear of God, Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross for your sins, repentance from our sins and wickedness, as we are warned throughout the Bible. This is the hope for you, the hope for your family, the hope for our Nation, for the world.
And yes, if my husband died I would be glad if Westboro would come and hold their signs and sing at his funeral. Many people would be shocked, but they might be shocked into a fear of God and a decision for Christ. How will they know if someone does not tell them?