Webmail Letter

[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.

[ILG]

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, and sorry that you are so angry on the inside. I've had my share of being sick of judgemental people and hypocrites too, but we all have to make our peace before God. Just remember that people who commit suicide make a choice. We all have pressures and all have battles to wage. Gay people have their battles to wage and the rest of us have other battles to wage. It's too bad there are arrogant, judgemental people in the world. They are arrogant and need to change, and the rest of us need to make our peace and do the only thing we can do...change ourselves. We don't need anyone's approval. We only need our own and God's.

[scotty]

wow, It's kinda worth responding to and then it's kinda not.

As far as assuming that gay people are child molesters , that is wrong. I have never made that assertion so I will refrain from apologizing.

As far as the gay lifestyle being "ok". Sorry, I still stand by the fact it is a sin. Yes, there are many abominations in the bible.

a·bom·i·na·tion

Abhorrence; disgust.

1. A cause of abhorrence or disgust.

Why would one willingly do something that would make God "disgusted" with them ?

If God says "Don't do this because it disgust me" then why would I ? And no , while the bible does not specifically say "gay is sin" .. It plainly states that "disobedience" is.

Do you see "abomination" listed among the "fruits of the Spirit" ?

Do you see anywhere that says "Gods chosen ones will be an abomination unto HIM"?

Are we to live so that our lives as to Glorify HIM, or as to disgust HIM ?

[Pressing-On]

I'm sorry, the gay rant is not going to fly. The Word of God specifically calls it sin. A gay person trying to establish/reestablish themselves with God is not unlike any other sinner or backslidder. They are going to battle physical, emotional and mental anguish trying to get their bearings and relationship with God in right standing on a solid basis. There is no way around the battle. Every little step makes a person stronger. You have to keep walking and putting your trust in the love and delivering power of God's Spirit.

Let there be no doubt - the Word says it is a sin.

Romans 1:26 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile (infamy, disgraceful, shameful) affections (passion): for even their women did change the natural (instinctive) use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural (instinctive) use of the woman, burned in their lust (excitement of mind) one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly (indecency), and receiving in themselves that recompence (requittal) of their error which was meet (it is/was necessary).

I will also add that "broadbrushing" a whole group of people because someone is angry over a few that have disappointed them, isn't conducive to finding peace with God or within themselves. We have to focus on our own faults and go from there. I could rant about people that have hurt me, but I could not, in all honestly, point to them as a group.

In every faction of society, you will find those that reject and accept. It's part of human nature and society as a whole. That is one thing that will never change.

In every group I have been involved with - whether secular or religious, I have found those that are tolerant and those that are less tolerant. I choose to align myself with those that are in the same frame of mind as myself - Love the sinner, hate the sin.