Christian spirit?

[Bob Dole]

A confrontation this morning between an East Texas church and an evacuee from New Orleans. It centers around a sign out front of Woodland Hills Baptist Church on Old Jacksonville Road in Tyler, about a mile inside the loop. Some say the message is offensive.

"I drove by that sign and was just horrified when I saw that," says Kelly Jackman who now lives in Tyler but used to live in New Orleans.

That sign at Woodland Hills Baptist Church reads ,"The big easy is the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah."

Kelly along with her sister Robin Lafont, an evacuee from New Orleans, showed up this morning at the church to talk to the man who put it up, Pastor Wiley Bennett.

During a heated discussion, Robin asked, "What's the point of the sign out there?" Pastor Bennett replied, "The point of the sign is New Orleans, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New York City are some of the most wicked cities in America."

Robin, who still has family members unaccounted for in New Orleans, is offended by the sign. "I'm telling you. This hurts. Why would you want to put more hurt, more salt in my wounds and why would you want to do this to me?"

Kelly adds, "And to go by and see this church saying that God did this to destroy these people and basically they're celebrating that by putting that sign up there saying look at what God has done. He has destroyed the city of New Orleans because it is evil."

Pastor Bennett says, "Anybody that's ever visited New Orleans, the very name its self - Big Easy - denotes that it's easy to find sin there."

Pastor Bennett says the sign, is a sign of the times. "The purpose of the sign is to wake American up to the fact that America is going away from God. New York City's 9/11 was a call of judgment and New Orlean's horrible incident was judgment on a wicked city."

Pastor Bennett was quick to point out that the church has helped evacuees by donating clothing, food and lodging, but their good will seems to be overshadowed by the sign.

"I'm not saying that you were evil and didn't have good intentions but it is hurtful. It's extremely hurt full. That's all I'm saying. I'm asking you to take it down," pleaded Robin.

"If I was doing it to hurt people I would take it down, but I'm not doing it to hurt people. I'm doing it to point out the sins of America," said Bennett.

Even after the sisters left the church, the confrontation continued in the parking lot. Kelly said, "That sign also says a lot about your character and your integrity and it's nothing good I assure you."

"They both called me an ungodly person with bad character and all that, and that's their right, but I have people that would say differently," Bennett told us.

Finally, the confrontation came to an end, but with no resolution. Robin tried one last time, "I'm asking you to take it down." Bennett said, "We can not go any further so we may as well go." Robin said, "That's fine. I need to go."

Robin and Kelly say they are going to spread the word of opposition to the sign and encourage people to contact the church. They hope the church will eventually take it down.

Since the sign went up, many KLTV viewers have e-mailed us with their comments. Wednesday night, a viewer named Tammy told us:

"Encouragement is needed, not more salt in the wounds... How could anyone see that sign as appropriate or bearing witness for Christ?"

We were at Woodland Hills as they prepared for Wednesday Night services.

They say earlier in the day, they were deluged with phone calls from people urging them to take the sign down.

But they say after our report, the response has been 100 percent positive. They began their service with a prayer for the people of New Orleans and Mississippi, and we spoke with many members including these who say they support the message on the sign.

Betty George has been a member for 23 years.

"Our pastor has a strong stand on the Bible and he preaches God's word, and he has compassion for America and the souls of America."

Randy Hays joined Woodland Hills in 1999.

"All our pastor was trying to say is that America is pulling away from God, and He wants America to realize that."

Pastor Bennett told us once again he has no plans to take down the sign right now, despite outcry from the community.

Gillian Sheridan reporting. [email protected]

Source

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by luv2rite

I know that part of being a pastor is telling people things that they may not want to hear. But that is to his people who choose to go to that church. I would think they would want a sign that attracks people to the church. Well, this one did, I guess. People calling, news crews, etc. He's probably loving it. While what he said may be true. There is sin in EVERY city in the US. Why point out this city at a time when the wounds are still fresh? I think it was tactless. He could share the same message later, when things have calmed down. People are way too emotional at this point. Good message, bad timing. IMO.

Its a crap message at ANY time! This is what drives me nuts with these religious wackos. Nothing is right in the world unless everyone else is doing exactly what they are doing. Absolute crap!

Dave

[KC Kings]

Originally Posted by Bowser

This is a ridiculous post. The part about the Saints was funny, though.

How is it ridiculous? The people suffering weren't the rich owners of the bars, strip clubs, or casinos. If God punished them they were guilty only by association. Any religous leader that believes that God targeted the victims merely because of association better watch out themselves because knowing the sinful things that were going on and doing nothing to stop it make you just as guilty.

[Bob Dole]

Originally Posted by KC Kings

Exactly!
The only good things NO is known for is their food and music.

Speaking of music...

Here is a list of New Orleans musicians that are known to be safe, courtesy of Mary Katherine Aldin of the Post War Blues mailing list:

Jeffrey "Jellybean" Alexander, Steve Allen, Kevin Allman, Brint Anderson, Theresa Andersson, James Andrews, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Johnny Angel, Christine Balfa, Marcia Ball, Lucien Barbarin, Mike Barras and family, Rebecca Barry, Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes, Dave Bartholomew, Harold Battiste, Jamal Battiste, Russell Batiste, Tab Benoit, Beausoleil (Michael Doucet and all band members), Doug Belote, Better Than Ezra, Terrance Blanchard, Eddie Bo (plus sister Veronica and his band), Bonerama, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, John Boutté, Lillian Boutté, Tricia "Sista Teedy" Boutté, Alonzo Bowens, Russ Broussard, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Jody Brown, Maurice Brown, Wendell Brunious (Preservation Hall Jazz Band), George and Nina Buck (Palm Court Cafe), Henry Butler, Grayson Capps, Big Al Carson, Ricki Castrillo, Topsy Chapman, Alex Chilton, Evan Christopher, Jon Cleary, Rick Coleman, Harry Connick, Jr., Cowboy Mouth, Susan Cowsill, Davell Crawford, Jack Cruz, Dash Rip Rock, Jeremy Davenport, Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet, Dirty Dozen Brass Band (all members), The Dixie Cups (but lost everything), Big Chief Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias, Michael Dominici, Fats Domino, Rockin' Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters (alll members), Dr. John, Snooks Eaglin (and family of 12, all now homeless), Lars Edegran, Nancy Edwards, Joe Espino & New Orleans Brass Potholes Band (all members), Charlie Fardela, Jack Fine (of the Palmetto Bug Stompers), Pat Flory & Donna, John Fohl, Frankie Ford, Andy Forrest, Gina Forsyth, Pete Fountain, Derrick Freeman, Jonathan Freilich (N.O. Klezmer All-Stars), Bob French, Peter Fuller, Funky Meters, Galactic, Katrina Geenen (WWOZ dj), Banu Gibson, Steve Goodson, Tim Green, John "Papa" Gros and all members of Papa Grows Funk, James Hall, Tony Hall, Jeff Hannusch, Corey Harris, Leigh "Lil' Queenie" Harris, Duke Heitger, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Corey Henry, Andi Hoffman, Kenny Holladay, Peter Holsapple, Hot Club of New Orleans (all members), The Iguanas (all members), Burke Ingraffia, Benny Jones Sr., Leroy Jones, Dave Jordan and family, Kirk Joseph, Jerry Jumonville, Chris Thomas King and family, Joe Krown, Julia LaShae, Joe Lastie (drummer, Preservation Hall Jazz Band), Tim Laughlin, Washboard Chaz Leary, Bryan Lee, David Leonard & Roselyn Lionheart (David & Roselyn), Herman Leonard, Lil' Rascals Brass Band, Li'l Stooges Brass Band, Eric Lindell, A.J. Loria, Jeremy Lyons, Ronald Markham, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Irvin Mayfield, Tom McDermott, Humberto "Pupi" Menez (and aunt Caridad Delatorre), Charlie Miller, Charles Louie Moore, Deacon John Moore (band members unknown), Bill Morgan, Tom Morgan, Chris Mule, Kenny Neal, The Neville Brothers, Charmaine Neville, Ian Neville, Ivan Neville, Kevin O'Day, Anders Osborne, Joshua Mann Paillet (owner of A Gallery for Fine Photography), Stevenson Palfi, Earl Palmer, Panorama Jazz Band, Joshua Paxton, Michael Pearce, Spike Perkins, Dave Pirner, Renard Poche, Pocketfoxx, George Porter Jr., Dirk Powell, Shannon Powell and family, Gloria Powers, Wardell Quezergue, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, The Radiators, Jan Ramsey & most Offbeat staff, Rebirth Brass Band (Kabuki unknown), Herlin Riley, Marcus Roberts, Coco Robicheaux, John Rodli (New Orleans Jazz Vipers), Biff Rose, Brent Rose and family, George Rossi, Wanda Rouzan, Dixie Rubin, Kermit Ruffins, Scott Saltzman, Mark and Will Samuels (Basin Street Records), Ben Sandmel, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Marc and Ann Savoy and family, Alexandra Scott, Mem Shannon and the Membership, Derek Shezbie, James Singleton, Johnny Sketch, Michael Skinkus, Robert Snow (New Orleans Jazz Vipers), Steamboat Willie, Sally Stevens, Armand St. Martin, Brian Stoltz, Marc Stone, Bill Summers, Ken Swartz, Irma Thomas, Dave Torkanowsky, Rick Trolsen, Allen Toussaint, Willie Turbinton, Johnny Vidacovich, Rob Wagner, Mark Walton, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Melissa Weber, Raymond Weber, Mike West, Dr. Michael White, Marva Wright, June Yamagishi

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by KC Kings

Exactly!
The only good things NO is known for is their food and music. The drunken festivals, acts of violence, sexual activities, and Saints football are only a few the bad things that NO is known for. That's not to mention the voodoo creole women that give you lots of money to marry them then kill you when you try to leave with the money. When you see people on tv asking how God could let this happen, you have to think to yourself, why would God want the activities there to go on as they have?

Anybody who thinks that God made this huricane to specifically knock out NO's, every other American that sat in their own state knowing the sins that were going on in NO and did nothing to stop it, better watch out because they will be next on God's list.

If stupidity were a sin, you'd be "next on God's list".

[KC Kings]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Its a crap message at ANY time! This is what drives me nuts with these religious wackos. Nothing is right in the world unless everyone else is doing exactly what they are doing. Absolute crap!

Dave

You can say that again.

[KC Kings]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

If stupidity were a sin, you'd be "next on God's list".

Unable to comprehend simple English, with the naiveté to call somebody else stupid because of their ignorance... priceless.

[Bowser]

KC Kings...are you saying you agree with what was put up on that sign, and that New Orleans had to be "punished" or "cleansed"?

[luv]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Its a crap message at ANY time! This is what drives me nuts with these religious wackos. Nothing is right in the world unless everyone else is doing exactly what they are doing. Absolute crap!

Dave

Oooookay. Not what I meant to say at all. A church is going to teach what it teaches. If the people want to learn what that church is teaching, they will go there. If that is the type of thing this pastor is teaching, it's his church. I just think it was tactless to put something like that on a sign outside at a time like this.

And I'm sure the pastor is loving the publicity. I myself, would not consider that a good thing.

I am not a religious whacko, tyvm.

Originally Posted by Bowser

KC Kings...are you saying you agree with what was put up on that sign, and that New Orleans had to be "punished" or "cleansed"?

I don't speak for him, but that's not the way I read it.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Bowser

KC Kings...are you saying you agree with what was put up on that sign, and that New Orleans had to be "punished" or "cleansed"?

Not only that, but you need to be "punished" as well for knowing what went on in NO and not doing anything about it.

[Simplex3]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Its a crap message at ANY time! This is what drives me nuts with these religious wackos. Nothing is right in the world unless everyone else is doing exactly what they are doing. Absolute crap!

Dave

This is what I hate about BOTH sides of this coin. He posted it and you act like it's something.

The guy and his church believe a fairly strict set of rules. NO is a city that prides itself on breaking those rules. I didn't hear you guys crying about the fact that these church members were being offended every day that NO did it's thing.

Now the roles are reversed and the church is doing their thing and you guys are all bent out of shape. Hypocrites.

Like a wise comedian once said: "Don't kick a man while he's down? What better time is there to kick a man?"

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I don't speak for him, but that's not the way I read it.

In his first paragraph he talks about the crime, sex, and voodoo women. In the second, he talks about how people shouldn't think they're safe anywhere from God's wrath.

I guess I just need a little clarification. Hopefully I'm off base.

[Simplex3]

While we're at it, can you guys give me a list of the people it's Ok to offend? Obviously we can start with #1:

1. Christians
2. White men
3. ?

[Pitt Gorilla]

It doesn't surprise me at all. The religious whackos are on campus quite often calling people names ("homos") and talking about how disasters and attacks are retribution by God.

[Boozer]

Originally Posted by Simplex3

While we're at it, can you guys give me a list of the people it's Ok to offend? Obviously we can start with #1:

1. Christians
2. White men
3. ?

You go ahead and climb up there, I'll go grab some nails....