Christian spirit? - Page 8

**Bob Dole** · 09-08-2005, 10:53 AM

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

kepp · 09-08-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneref

Personally, I wouldn't have put the sign up, however, it amazes me how people wait to attack Christians as hypocrites. The only difference between Christians and other hypocrites is that most Christians admit it, that is why they go to church. As humans it is nearly impossible to not be hypocritical. I too believe that God is Love, however, Love is not always the easy kind, the tough love is what I give my children and expect from parents, so I would not dare to think I have God cornered on the way He would show His Love, or to say that He does not have the Creators Right to clean any slate He thinks needs to be cleaned. I am not saying that is what happened in this instance, just declaring that God still has that Right to do so.

Well said.

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneref

Never said I was righteous, just have accepted the Only Righteous one as my savior. My point is that society as a whole holds Christians to higher standards than everyone else, which is fine becasue we should hold ourselves to higher standards. But the word reighteous is one that loves to be thrown around. In the case you are using it then Sen Clinton believes herself more righteous, Sen Kennedy believes himself more righteous, Cindy Shehan believes herself to be more righteous, did anyone throw that word at them, my guess is VERY few, because the only people in America that are allowed to have opinions and beliefs and express them are not Christians, because we all know they are nothing but a bunch of Judgemental, hypocritical, self-righteous and racist individuals, that play with snakes and beat our children. Don't label the apple because of the worm, because NOTHING is perfect on this planet. Not perfect, just forgiven.

I agree. You writum goodly bohonk!!

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

What amazes me is the righteous attitude of some christians.

What amazes me is the equally self righteous attitude of some non-christians.

greg63 · 09-08-2005, 02:02 PM

Living in a free country it is, at the moment, not against the law to offend people through freedom of speech. However, the right to free speech does not equate to the right to be heard, no where in the constitution does any such right exist. Speaking as a Christian, I don't believe that the sign serves well the church, the community or the faith. I refuse to believe that with all of New Orleans moral depravity that it raises to the level of Sodom and Gomorrah where, according to the story, only one family was worth saving out of the entire two cities. I think it should be taken down and the message, if any, saved for another time.

HolyHandgernade · 09-08-2005, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneref

Never said I was righteous, just have accepted the Only Righteous one as my savior. My point is that society as a whole holds Christians to higher standards than everyone else, which is fine becasue we should hold ourselves to higher standards. But the word reighteous is one that loves to be thrown around. In the case you are using it then Sen Clinton believes herself more righteous, Sen Kennedy believes himself more righteous, Cindy Shehan believes herself to be more righteous, did anyone throw that word at them, my guess is VERY few, because the only people in America that are allowed to have opinions and beliefs and express them are not Christians, because we all know they are nothing but a bunch of Judgemental, hypocritical, self-righteous and racist individuals, that play with snakes and beat our children. Don't label the apple because of the worm, because NOTHING is perfect on this planet. Not perfect, just forgiven.

Man, when did Christianity become the largest and richest victim group in the whole world? Must have never gotten over the lion thing in Rome.

Seriously though, do Clinton, Kennedy, and Shehan claim to have THE answer or THE truth? Christianity does. If one makes big claims they may have to defend it if they choose, ignore it if they must, or whine about it like above. Religions like this brand of Christianity are not "righteous", they're absoultist. They believe there is one right way to do just about everything, and if you differ from the rulebook, it is sure you are going to burn forever.

As far as I'm concerned people can believe whatever they want, but they may not necessarily be free to act on those beliefs whenever and however they want. This sign, to me, does not fall into the prohibited category.

-HH

chiefs4me · 09-08-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Area 51

I was under the impression that Texas was the asshole of America. I guess Tyler fits the state.

**** you asshole....

So some idiot in Tyler puts up a sign and you link the whole freaking state to it....please tell me you are not a chiefs fan.

kepp · 09-08-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

What amazes me is the righteous attitude of some christians.

God calls christians to be righteous...why shouldn't they have a righteous attitude? If you're talking about a SELF-righteous attitude, that's a different story. I haven't seen any self-righteousness in this thread. The christians who have spoken up have merely spoken their beliefs based on what God says. Self-righteousness would be for me to believe I'm better than you based on what God says. I don't believe that. Are there people who profess to be christians who DO behave that way? Absolutely. Are there non-christians who believe they're better than christians because of what they believe? Absolutely. As someone said earlier though, its a shame when an apple is labeled because of the worm.

**DaKCMan AP** · 09-08-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneref

My point is that society as a whole holds Christians to higher standards than everyone else,

I don't.

Imon Yourside · 09-08-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

Seriously though, do Clinton, Kennedy, and Shehan claim to have THE answer or THE truth? -HH

hrmph..did you really want me to answer that?

kepp · 09-08-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

Seriously though, do Clinton, Kennedy, and Shehan claim to have THE answer or THE truth? -HH

Hillary or Bill?

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefs4me

**** you asshole....

So some idiot in Tyler puts up a sign and you link the whole freaking state to it....please tell me you are not a chiefs fan.

I would guess that #1, you don't know a joke when you read it and #2, I've been to Texas and it isn't too much of a joke!!!

YES, I'M A CHIEFS FAN. ARE YOU?

chiefs4me · 09-08-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Area 51

I would guess that #1, you don't know a joke when you read it and #2, I've been to Texas and it isn't too much of a joke!!!

YES, I'M A CHIEFS FAN. ARE YOU?

hmmm, I thought a joke was supposed to be funny...

and as for the chiefs....I was a chiefs fan before you were even shitting in your pants...

Got something for you.....

ROYC75 · 09-08-2005, 02:48 PM

Poor taste by the pastor...... very poor.

C-Mac · 09-08-2005, 02:52 PM

I thought the Baptists said that Las Vegas was the modern day Sodom and Gomorah???

....no wait, maybe it was San Francisco

.....oh I give up, this is all just too confusing.

**Dave Lane** · 09-08-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

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?"

Let me re-educate you to what normal people think I'll do it a simply as possible to work with your username.

1) What NO does does not affect the church in any way. They may not like it but its none of their business.

2) NO is not putting a sign outside of the churchs property saying there is no god this church sucks! Now if they had I would be opposed to that.

3) Its in bad taste no matter how you slice it

Dave

09-08-2005, 10:53 AM
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1394563	Christian spirit? 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
Posts: 51,630

09-08-2005, 02:02 PM	#109
greg63 Homer go crazy!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Kansas Casino cash: $6353990	Living in a free country it is, at the moment, not against the law to offend people through freedom of speech. However, the right to free speech does not equate to the right to be heard, no where in the constitution does any such right exist. Speaking as a Christian, I don't believe that the sign serves well the church, the community or the faith. I refuse to believe that with all of New Orleans moral depravity that it raises to the level of Sodom and Gomorrah where, according to the story, only one family was worth saving out of the entire two cities. I think it should be taken down and the message, if any, saved for another time. __________________ Last edited by greg63; 09-08-2005 at 03:48 PM..
Posts: 19,414

09-08-2005, 02:48 PM	#118
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $2100400	Poor taste by the pastor...... very poor. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 37,980

09-08-2005, 02:52 PM	#119
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-1146301	I thought the Baptists said that Las Vegas was the modern day Sodom and Gomorah??? ....no wait, maybe it was San Francisco .....oh I give up, this is all just too confusing.
Posts: 5,661