Hatred, Revisited

Jerry Falwell passed away. I'm not a Falwell lover. As a matter of fact, I was criticizing some of his bold, argumentative statements just this past weekend. The guy loved to talk, and to take a stand.

I think there are groups of Christians that feel called to be that. It's almost like a Christian Shock Jock. He He. I just pictured Howard Stern as a TV evangelist. Sorry, back to the point.

I never realized how much Falwell was hated. Jerry never held back from speaking his thoughts, and unfortunately, people are not afraid to share their thoughts of him. During a staff meeting today several of the discussion boards on Falwell's death were read and discussed. Take a look at some of the headers. "Burn in Hell Falwell" is the general theme. The lost world hated this guy. Why? Because in their eyes Falwell hated them.

I hesitate to ask, but when Billy Graham dies, do you think there will be this animosity towards him? I don't think so. Why? Because Billy never focused on the sin. I don't remember him making bold statements about Gays going to Hell, Abortion being murder, etc. Billy focused on the need for the world to know Christ. We're all sinners, we're all guilty. What's there to hate if the world is just as guilty as me? Even though I'm saved, I still sin. I'm worse than those that Falwell banished. At least I know what I do is wrong. Yes, I'm saved by Grace, but I'm just as bad as the worst there is. I hold no authority over anyone. Why should I condemn them, publically or privately?

What's the old adage? Don't hate the sin, love the sinner?

If Christ is love, how is the world going to see that love unless we show it to them?

{Update: As of 6:30pm many of the hateful discussions that were posted on the Falwell Discussion Board were censored and removed.}

Comments

[RC of strangeculture]

in my current christiany job it's been interesting to see that some people cried over his death and some people say "it's about time."

i nod my head and listen.