[rgcraig]

From time to time we receive emails in our webmail. Thought we'd share this one:

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that this is WHY it is that I am sooo sick and tired of organized religion. And, that's what Pentecostalism is (organized religion). It turns people AWAY from God (not bringing them closer). You guys seem to ALL be filled with sooo much hate for gays, lesbians, etc., etc., etc,.

Why sooo much hate?!!? What makes you guys soooo much better than everyone else out there? And, Who died and made you guys Judge and Jury??? Last time I checked, the Bible said, "Judge no, lest YE be judged." And, the Bible, according to you, does NOT change. Yet, ye continue to judge everybody and their Brother. You used to say that tv was a sin. And, now, a lot of the UPC churches have tv's right there in the middle of their living rooms. The rules keep changing (according to what people want - at the moment). It is HYPOCRISY at its finest, though.

I see people all the time that used to wear dresses ALL the time. Or, so I thought, anyways. But, now, they are out in public, wearing pants. Not even ashamed of it. And, they still go to church services. They just do what they want to do. And, the UPC is becoming just like all the other churches, in my opinion. Not trying to attack the UPC (or other Apostolic "Churches"). But, that's what I see (and have seen for some time now). Nothing but hate. Nothing but judgementalistic people. They think their stuff doesn't stink. But, I have news for you. IT DOES!!!

Anyways, I guess that's all I had to say. I just get soooo tired of seeing all the posts that are BASHING gays and lesbians. And, you call yourselves, "Men and women of 'GOD'???? And, moral people???"

I have no idea who I am writing to. Maybe you, yourself, are NOT like that. But, it seems like MOST of the people within your congregations ARE like this. At least, that's been MY experience. I am no longer going to go to a UPC church. I cannot possibly go there and also feel at peace with God, knowing what I know (and seeing how hateful these people are in these "churches". That's NOT God! That's Satan!

I hope you guys can sleep at night when you go to bed. I have known people who have COMMITTED SUICIDE because of people like you. They think of themselves as "horrible, horrible people" just because they are gay. And, they are the nicest, warmest, most compassionate people you could ever imagine. But, because they are "gay" (a word we probably shouldn't even mention, as it is sooooooooo "horrible" of a "sin"), they are automatically a BAD and EVIL person.

MOST gays do NOT molest. And, you guys make it out like most gays DO molest. Look at the statistics. They say that the overwhelming majority of child molestation cases involve STRAIGHT MEN and they usually molest their own daughters (or other GIRLS). Most gay men do NOT molest. That's a FACT!!! But, I wouldn't want to BOTHER you with facts. You're probably NOT interested in facts, anyways.

Sorry for rambling on and on. And, going off the deep end (and, I am aware that I am upset at this moment in time). But, I guess I am just emotional because I see just how much it hurts gay people (which I am gay, myself) and how you are driving people AWAY from God (and not towards Him - as you CLAIM you want to do).

I know, you think that you are JUSTIFIED in your thinking. "The BIBLE says that it's an abomination." Well, the Bible says that LOTS of things are "abominations." Do you take those verses literally, too???? NO, you don't. But, we won't get into a debate about the Bible, as I know how you guys are. You are ALWAYS right. And, the other person is ALWAYS wrong. So, there's no use in even talking Bible.

You guys are some of the MOST closed minded people I have ever met. And, like I said before, not necessarily talking about you, personally. But, just Pentecostals in general. I don't hate Pentecostals. I love them. But, they need some help. They are extremely emotionally UN-STABLE (and that happens through the constant brainwashing that goes on in the services and the ROLLER COASTER RIDE that you get during the services). One minute, they have you crying. The next thing you know, you are laughing. Then, crying again. All with the Preacher's command. They WHIP you into a frenzy of emotionalism. And, THEY control you. They can MAKE you have whatever emotion THEY want you to have at any particular moment. And, THEY are pretty good at it (as they have had lots of training in brainwashing and hypnosis).

Well, hope you have a good day. And, thanks for reading my email.