Is This Blasphemy - Washington Post?

[Elihu]

The real danger in Jones' response is that he uses his office to speak for every minister in the United Pentecostal Church International. I dont think it is wise for the General Secretary of the UPCI to enter the political arena.

And if the UPCI decided a statement needed to be issued, why wasn't that statement issued from the leader of the movement, Kenneth Haney?

I do not believe this newspaper cares in the least what Jerry Jones thinks. Probably all they see is the title General Secretary. They probably looked at that and thought JJ was an office clerk.

[Hoovie]

Jones' letter is fine - I think.

People should be angry.

I truly believe this will help McCain/Palin.

There are 600 million Christians in the world today that trace their roots to Azusa St. and a good chunk of those are American citizens that vote!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Jones' letter is fine - I think.

People should be angry.

I truly believe this will help McCain/Palin.

There are 600 million Christians in the world today that trace their roots to Azusa St. and a good chunk of those are American citizens that vote!

Agreed!

[George]

Here is another response I received in an e-mail...

Letter to the Editor
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20071

Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to your recent cartoon lampooning Pentecostals.

First, I am somewhat shocked at the paucity of judgment in running such a demeaning piece (not to mention the awful artwork). The crassness and lack of discretion shown in your cartoon reveals a surprising narrowness and ignorance of world realities by both the cartoonist and those who approved it. When I compare such with the intellectual perspicacity, the enduring utilitarian beauty, and the unparalleled literary skill of the writers of the New Testament (all of which were Pentecostal, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4) your newspaper comes out a sad and very distant second. (An example of such beauty is I Corinthians 13. Yes, it is written by a Pentecostal preacher and author).

Further, it is evident that someone at the Post may not know that 16% of the world’s population is Pentecostal (not just “Christian” but “Pentecostal Christians”). This is approximately 500 million people worldwide. Further, this number is expected to continue its exponential growth for decades to come. So impacting is this phenomenon that, several years ago, Time magazine estimated it may be one of the most impacting events in the last one thousand years.

The liberating power of Pentecostalism also has a direct impact on the political climate of the world. For example, China is being revolutionized from within by conversions to Christianity, much of which is Pentecostal. This emphasis on the value of the individual versus the state is literally readjusting the philosophical underpinnings of the world’s largest nation.

In the intellectual and spiritual Hall of Greats, Jesus I know. Paul I know, but I gently ask, who are you?

Respectfully,

Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D

[tv1a]

Agree. The upci has little weight behind it. I believe it was a personal letter, but adding the title was to add more credibility.

Originally Posted by shamgar1

The real danger in Jones' response is that he uses his office to speak for every minister in the United Pentecostal Church International. I dont think it is wise for the General Secretary of the UPCI to enter the political arena.

And if the UPCI decided a statement needed to be issued, why wasn't that statement issued from the leader of the movement, Kenneth Haney?

I do not believe this newspaper cares in the least what Jerry Jones thinks. Probably all they see is the title General Secretary. They probably looked at that and thought JJ was an office clerk.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by George

Here is another response I received in an e-mail...

Letter to the Editor
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20071

Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to your recent cartoon lampooning Pentecostals.

First, I am somewhat shocked at the paucity of judgment in running such a demeaning piece (not to mention the awful artwork). The crassness and lack of discretion shown in your cartoon reveals a surprising narrowness and ignorance of world realities by both the cartoonist and those who approved it. When I compare such with the intellectual perspicacity, the enduring utilitarian beauty, and the unparalleled literary skill of the writers of the New Testament (all of which were Pentecostal, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4) your newspaper comes out a sad and very distant second. (An example of such beauty is I Corinthians 13. Yes, it is written by a Pentecostal preacher and author).

Further, it is evident that someone at the Post may not know that 16% of the world’s population is Pentecostal (not just “Christian” but “Pentecostal Christians”). This is approximately 500 million people worldwide. Further, this number is expected to continue its exponential growth for decades to come. So impacting is this phenomenon that, several years ago, Time magazine estimated it may be one of the most impacting events in the last one thousand years.

The liberating power of Pentecostalism also has a direct impact on the political climate of the world. For example, China is being revolutionized from within by conversions to Christianity, much of which is Pentecostal. This emphasis on the value of the individual versus the state is literally readjusting the philosophical underpinnings of the world’s largest nation.

In the intellectual and spiritual Hall of Greats, Jesus I know. Paul I know, but I gently ask, who are you?

Respectfully,

Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D

Ok, now THIS letter is over the top!!!!!!!!!

Insulting the artwork, using words such as perspacity, the dripping sarcasm, and the use of Pentecostal lingo, which is indigenous to Pentecostals only.

I do not think this letter is going to be effective at anything other than making the editors laugh, unfortunately.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Ok, now THIS letter is over the top!!!!!!!!!

Insulting the artwork, using words such as perspacity, the dripping sarcasm, and the use of Pentecostal lingo, which is indigenous to Pentecostals only.

I do not think this letter is going to be effective at anything other than making the editors laugh, unfortunately.

But, his first sentence was nice.

[Sister Alvear]

Someone needed to write...I am sure I would have made a lot of errors...so at least they wrote.

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

But, his first sentence was nice.

Yeah, I'll give him that!

[Sister Alvear]

Well, at least we know how to begin a letter!