Christian spirit? - Page 7

**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

Mr. Laz · 09-08-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Can we please strive to keep this thread on topic. I don't wish to offend anybody by moving it to D.C.

yeeeeeeeeessssssssssss dad

kepp · 09-08-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

heh... that was more a sarcastic shot at certain someones around this board.

of course there are biblical beliefs about lust/sex etc ... he's not gonna be grabbing a blunt and getting nekkid.

Ah, okay. Just wondering.

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyWise

That sign shoud read 'Welcome to Tyler! The asshole of Texas.'

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

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

The Preacher is wrong.

In Genesis God promised he would not destroy the world for its sins by flood ever again. It must either be the vengence of some other God who made no promises to Noah.........or George Bush.

-HH

I was unaware that he whole world was destroyed!! I'd better watch CNN a little closer tonight.

craneref · 09-08-2005, 01:38 PM

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.

KC Kings · 09-08-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adept Havelock

Well for starters, the Sermon on the Mount, the Philosophy of "If a man strike you on your cheek, don't retaliate, but offer him the other one", and the statement about it being easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a Rich man to enter the gates of heaven.

Any of those would get SOME RWNJ's spouting off about damn hippies.

Of course, in fairness, some LWNJ's would be busy trying to shut down his ministry as "insensitive".

The other cheek parable is not letting a man hit you then cowering down like a scared little girl and taking another beating. You have to be man enough to be able to stand up and whip the guys tail, but then offer the other cheek in order for the story to be valid.

Judging by what the other non-belivers said about Jesus before he was hanging nearly dead from a cross, saying that he was a drunkard, glutton, mamzer or bastard, etc... I don't see where tree hugging hippie comes into play?

Cowardly hippes don't go waltzing into the headquarters of the Jews being protected by Roman soldier ordered to keep the peace at all cost and start tearing up the place.

jspchief · 09-08-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Can we please strive to keep this thread on topic. I don't wish to offend anybody by moving it to D.C.

Mr. Laz · 09-08-2005, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craneref

The only difference between Christians and other hypocrites is that most Christians admit it

you've been around different Christians then i apparently

everyone i have ever talked to sees nothing hypocritical in their stances

ie

pro death penalty,pro guns,pro war ≠ pro life

jspchief · 09-08-2005, 01:46 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.

What amazes me is the righteous attitude of some christians.

KC Kings · 09-08-2005, 01:46 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.

The voodoo woman remark was in reference to Marie Laveau. She was the first white voodoo queen, mixed Catholism with voodoo, and has been sung about on country radio since the mid 70's.

Pennywise · 09-08-2005, 01:49 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.

Its the asshole of Mexico, silly.

**Bob Dole** · 09-08-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

What amazes me is the righteous attitude of some christians.

Don't make Bob Dole smite you.

(And for the record, smiting is over rated.)

HolyHandgernade · 09-08-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Area 51

I was unaware that he whole world was destroyed!! I'd better watch CNN a little closer tonight.

Yeah, but in that day and time, the entire human populated world could not have been much bigger than New Orleans.

-HH

craneref · 09-08-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

What amazes me is the righteous attitude of some christians.

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.

Area 51 · 09-08-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

you've been around different Christians then i apparently

everyone i have ever talked to sees nothing hypocritical in their stances

ie

pro death penalty,pro guns,pro war ≠ pro life

What you are saying is that you are a hypocrit, you just don't go to church to validate yourself.

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
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09-08-2005, 01:38 PM	#95
craneref He Man bronco hater club Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of the Uneasy Calm Casino cash: $10004977	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. __________________ I have two favorite teams, the CHIEFS and whoever play the broncos this week "I'd say the French and broncos were 'scumbags' but that would be a disservice to bags full of scum." - Dennis Miller -
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