August 28, 2009

Today I learned of the <a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/illegitimate child/2009/08/tempe_pastor_steven_anderson_p.php" target="_blank">remarks</a> made by conservative Christian pastor, Steven Anderson who stated to his congregation recently that,

"God hates Barack Obama", "I hate Barack Obama."

Further stating in his sermon that,

"You're gonna tell me that I'm supposed to pray for the socialist devil, murderer, infanticide, who wants to see young children, and he wants to see babies killed through abortion and partial birth -- and all these other things -- you're gonna tell me I'm supposed to pray for God to give him a good lunch tomorrow, while he's in Phoenix, Arizona. Nope. I'm not going to pray for his good. I'm going to pray that he dies and goes to heck. When I go to bed tonight, that's how I'm going to pray."

Terrible to believe that a man of any god would say such hateful things.

I hope all of you are as shocked and worried as I am. No pastor, minister or man of God should ever endorse or promote the murder and death of another human being; regardless of their faith.

Remember to "Do That Which is Right" - the world is a scary place, if we let it be that way.

I'd like to believe that one day, we will all truly see the light - living peacefully always with no room for intolerance and judgment.

Peace, Love and Eternal Progression. If you feel passionately about peace and activism please leave a comment and share with me your views and opinions.


Br. Jacob

Audio Link: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/...before_even.php


<a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/illegitimate child/2009/08/tempe_pastor_steven_anderson_p.php" target="_blank">http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/illegitimate child/2..._anderson_p.php</a>

Dear Br. Jacob,

I find it difficult that a minister of any denomination would spew such venom, but in the event that your quote is accurate, it is the duty of those who were witness to report him to authorities. While I do not view the wishing of someone to be dead the same as promoting murder, anyone familiar with the faith is aware that these thoughts are not in keeping with Christianity.
Most Christian faiths have a long and grueling educational and practice period; surely a man with such distain and intolerance would have been detected much sooner. This being said, one must wonder if this poor man has suffered some sort of breakdown, or impairment to his mental capacity through disease process.
Truly, I share your dream of universal harmony and peace, but it must start somewhere. Perhaps the ULC with it’s devotion to practice what we preach, will be that starting point as an example for the world.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

I would hope most are praying that God use him despite his politics and that he either be made to see reason or that his foolishness (yes I think hes a dolt) be used to make the rest of us see reason and for once give ourselves better options at election time.

I also would pray that he has a long life and if he is en rout to heck that he have many more chances to find the place to turn around.

I would also pray for some protection from the total doom that every other idiot in his position has brought us towards previously.

I might pray that his lunch might somehow be used to convince him that things really do need to be fixed but to quit doing things that have previously been tried and failed pulling us further into crisis as a nation.

Those that simply pray for the devil's ** early demise underestimate God's ability to use the devil's ** evil doings to bring sinners back to the right paths.





** devil (de' vil)- N the leader of those cast out of heaven in Jewish and Christian teachings ...
The devil is not to be confused with any actual living person in political office no matter how evil the actions of that person unless in fact the angel Gabriel has announced that that person is in fact the devil incarnate.

Ahhhh, thank you for bringing up those most excellent points dear Brother!
The idea that God gives continuing chances to all sinners is not a new one, but one that is often forgot. Each person is given life, and therefore purpose, so no one is counted out until their time has passed on this earth.
Another point you touched on, is the idea of self-reflection. I agree 100%!
The prayer about his luncheon also enforces the idea that God can work through us and with us at any given time. Our whole lives are an ongoing opportunity for such love given us by our Father. Very good point.
Finally, your last prayer most ingeniously gives praise and faith in His ability, and a true testimony of your trust that God always knows best.
Thank you again for reminding us of these wisdoms.

God’s blessings,

Rev. Campbell.

It is the natural characteristic of the human condition to villify another when one is recognizing his own diminished spirit and minimal capabilities. Pointing the finger at someone who has a desire to change for the better a world in chaos is not unfamiliar to many who are feeling the oppression of a conservative, right wing moment of desperation.

Desperate people do and say desperate things. And when the bottom is falling out of a philosophy that can no longer hold water with the common people, those common people will call on their God to save them from the ensuing insanity of conservatism. Whether one thinks of our president is a dolt or not is truly irrelevant and is also a reflection of ones own frustration and despair of being unable to effect any change of their own. And so, one must continue to bash that one who does have the wherewithal and ability to change what has been broken for a very long time and attempting to use new and innovative means to ensure that change does occur.

Because one does not understand the process of what our president is doing, it is easier to throw stones forgetting that they too have been living in a glass house. God forbid considering giving this new president a chance to do something in a different and controversial way, thinking that he in any way might just possibly be on to something right. No, no! Please just condemn him and judge him before he is even out of the gate, don't even think of giving him a chance.

Yeah, if nothing changes...well..then nothing changes. And God did not intend for mankind to rest on his laurels but to get off his pity pot and the judgement seat and do something....anything! At least Obama has God on his side and is motivated to recognize and help the less fortunate members of our society, those who have no voice, who have no faces, and who would be held nameless until eternity if certain mentalities were not kept in check.

What purpose does it serve anyone to constantly chide and berate a person because they happen to see things from a different perspective or window into the future? Because it does not conform to their personal beliefs they only see the glass as half full and are not grateful for that, at least, it still contains something to quench one's thirst. They would rather cast away the water that is left and go thirsty than to consider someone is trying their best to help and do what is right.

Yes, God forbid that any of us should have to admit that maybe we were not always right, and there were times when we should have entertained different thoughts than what has been programmed into our finite brains. I would gladly sacrifice a portion of my finite brain for a morsel of infinite wisdom. I thank God for the leader in question, Barack Obama, and realize he is only a man who will occasionally fail and make wrong decisions. But I am at least willing to wait and see what he brings to the table and allow God to be his judge.

I will leave the judgement of those angry, sanctimonious, self pious, bigoted, hypocrites who claim to be ministers of God, to God. To me, God's grace is sufficient and I am willing to suffer joyously for that in this despicable and hateful world of mankind. So, you go Obama! Do your best and what you believe is right for our country. Let no man deter any of God's children from their ordained mission on this earthly plane....I will pray for Mr. Anderson's salvation from himself.....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

I know it has been said, I state the obvious, but sometimes I think that becomes necessary. I think Br Jacob's original title sums it up nicely in the first section; " ULC here to light the path to religious tolerance..." It is indeed a time in this country and our lives to embrace the practice of tolerance throughout the spectrum and expend much time in prayer.
There was a line in a movie, that is so appropriate( paraphrasing): "Freedom of speech is not just being able to say what you believe, it is the 'other' guy screaming at the top of his lungs that which makes your blood boil, and something you would spend your time screaming at the top of your lungs against. That is freedom of speech."
Bigotry and hatred have NO place in modern society, but we need to learn from the great teacher, to turn the other cheek. Prayer, tolerance and inclusiveness are far more powerful weapons than bigotry and hatred. They may not always be the loudest and most notable, but in the end, they are the strongest and those which will bring about the needed societal changes.
I personally think lots of prayers for guidance are needed from all viewpoints of the debate.
Thank you to ULC for providing a place for us to practice what we believe in and preach.

Rev Jeff

[quote name='Br. Jacob' date='Aug 28 2009, 02:49 PM' post='21867']
August 28, 2009

Steven Anderson who stated to his congregation recently that,

"God hates Barack Obama", "I hate Barack Obama."

Reply: God hates no one. And by Mr. Anderson's next statement he has condemned himself swearing hatred against his brother.

Further stating in his sermon that,

"You're gonna tell me that I'm supposed to pray for the socialist devil, murderer, infanticide, who wants to see young children, and he wants to see babies killed through abortion and partial birth -- and all these other things --


Reply: These are all issues that existed and were endorsed by earlier presidents who also did nothing to change them.

.....you're gonna tell me I'm supposed to pray for God to give him a good lunch tomorrow, while he's in Phoenix, Arizona. Nope. I'm not going to pray for his good. I'm going to pray that he dies and goes to heck. When I go to bed tonight, that's how I'm going to pray."

Reply: This statement of hatred could merit a response from homeland security or presidential security to investigate this obviously unstable person.

Terrible to believe that a man of any god would say such hateful things.

Reply: Amen! And even though I hated the lies and deceit of our former president and his staff, I wished them no ill will except to hurry up and get them out of office.

I hope all of you are as shocked and worried as I am. No pastor, minister or man of God should ever endorse or promote the murder and death of another human being; regardless of their faith.


Reply: Amen! And yes you are right.

Remember to "Do That Which is Right" - the world is a scary place, if we let it be that way.


Reply: The world is not so scary when one has faith that God's Will will prevail in all things. I have stated before that evil has no power or authority over me except that which I allow. And that Br. Jacob is by our own free will and choosing. You are absolutely correct!

I'd like to believe that one day, we will all truly see the light - living peacefully always with no room for intolerance and judgment.

Peace, Love and Eternal Progression. If you feel passionately about peace and activism please leave a comment and share with me your views and opinions.


Br. Jacob


Reply: And when we strive for that goal, we will also be judged, scrutinized, persecuted and killed for following God's 2 great commandments upon which rest all the others; to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is obvious that this man has very little love for himself or he could not hate with such passion. Thus the content of my first post. That you for revealing to us once again, the hatred and animosity that hides within the walls of churches, religions, faiths, and philosophies, and is in direct contradiction to what our God would have us do....May God's Love and Light shine upon you....To`na Wanagi