Christian spirit? - Page 3

**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

Pitt Gorilla · 09-08-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

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. ?

Evidently it is not okay or you wouldn't be crying about it.

Mr. Laz · 09-08-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Weird. You almost never see some religious nutjob passing judgement at inappropriate times.

If anyone wonders where anti-religious sentiment stems from, this is a good start.

dam straight

and people wonder why organized religion ticks me off so much...

**DaKCMan AP** · 09-08-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

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. ?

3. Christian white men

keg in kc · 09-08-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

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.

I don't care if I "offend" someone. It's my right to live the way that I choose, and it's my lot in life to deal with the consequences, should there be any. Those church members have the exact same right, and so long as they live their lives the way that they see as "right", nothing that I or anybody else does can touch who they are or what they believe.

**luv** · 09-08-2005, 12:03 PM

And we seem to be overlooking the fact that, no matter why they believe this happened, they are still donating money and items to the relief. That doesn't mean he shouldn't take the sign down, I think he should. But it is the church's property, so they can put it up if they wish.

**Bowser** · 09-08-2005, 12:04 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?"

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I don't think saying this sign is bullshit makes us hypocrites, unless we're going to his church and telling this nut and his followers that they should go to New Orleans so they can marry voodoo women and live in sin.

**DaKCMan AP** · 09-08-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boozer

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

rep

Simplex3 · 09-08-2005, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Evidently it is not okay or you wouldn't be crying about it.

I'm not a Christian. I am a white man, but I prefer to classify myself as "obese" so that I'm a victim, too.

**Saulbadguy** · 09-08-2005, 12:06 PM

Whatever. This was a flood. No fire and brimstone. No raining down sulphur.

**Saulbadguy** · 09-08-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I'm not a Christian. I am a white man, but I prefer to classify myself as "obese" so that I'm a victim, too.

****ing open source geek.

Pitt Gorilla · 09-08-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2rite

And we seem to be overlooking the fact that, no matter why they believe this happened, they are still donating money and items to the relief. That doesn't mean he shouldn't take the sign down, I think he should. But it is the church's property, so they can put it up if they wish.

That is interesting. What else could one put on a sign? Nudity? Swearing? Sex-acts?

09-08-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

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.

I thought there was some sarcasm there, but I could be wrong. I think it's best that I just leave this thread alone because I'm a real dumbass.

Pitt Gorilla · 09-08-2005, 12:08 PM

Are we going to turn into salt for watching it on TV?!?

keg in kc · 09-08-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I prefer to classify myself as "obese" so that I'm a victim, too.

Hey, me, too. Although I think of it as being a victim to me own overwhelming lack of willpower and insane uncontrollable urges to eat things that I know are bad for me. It's like I'm a smoker, but addicted to a different kind of cancer-causing batshit.

**Saulbadguy** · 09-08-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

That is interesting. What else could one put on a sign? Nudity? Swearing? Sex-acts?

Only fake nudity.

09-08-2005, 10:53 AM
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $-1334563	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: 51,600

09-08-2005, 12:03 PM	#35
luv You think you can get by this? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $-1250000	And we seem to be overlooking the fact that, no matter why they believe this happened, they are still donating money and items to the relief. That doesn't mean he shouldn't take the sign down, I think he should. But it is the church's property, so they can put it up if they wish.
Posts: 63,567

09-08-2005, 12:06 PM	#39
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $736966	Whatever. This was a flood. No fire and brimstone. No raining down sulphur. __________________ http://www.goemaw.com
Posts: 47,020

09-08-2005, 12:08 PM	#43
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $-129806	Are we going to turn into salt for watching it on TV?!? __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 47,382