Message from my pastor ... sigh ...

[Lesleymo]

I attend a contemporary-yet-fundamental church near Dallas. The pastor is very active in supporting local food pantries, missions trips around the world, etc. He generally stays away from political issues. I kind of suspected that he leans to the left, politically. But yesterday his weekly church-wide email included this paragraph:

"This weekend, a church in Florida will be burning the Koran even though the Pastor has admitted to never reading a copy, while the leader of a proposed Mosque near Ground Zero moves forward with plans while standing firmly on the rights that were catastrophically ridiculed on that fateful day nine years ago. Can you feel the tension rising? While these two leaders step out in mind-numbing insensitivity, what do we do with all of this?"

At first I thought he was going to explain the difference between desecrating another religion's holy book in a spirit of fear and loathing, and seeking reconciliation while "standing firmly on the rights that were catastrophically ridiculed" nine years ago.

But no. "Mind-numbing insensitivity" all around.

Indeed.

[sarge43]

1. You could start by informing your pastor that

it's NOT a mosque. It's a community center with a Muslim prayer room.

And oh yeah, in passing, Muslims were killed in the WTC destruction and the vast majority of the world's Muslims were appalled by 9/11.

In short pastor, you're shit stirring. Stop it; Jesus wouldn't approve.

[spanone]

3. and the dumbass pastor is not a 'leader' he's a fucking idiot

[jdlh8894]

4. Jesus - stir up shit?

Have to think about that for a while.Was under the impression that was what he did. JMO

[sarge43]

5. Mainly just about hypocrites

My impression is he didn't have much use for people who skewwed the truth.

[47of74]

12. Also on 9/11

You also might want to tell your pastor about the Muslim prayer room that was on the 17th floor of the south tower.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/nyregion/11religion.html

[dkf]

15. Or maybe it's a CIA front.

Seriously.

[NNN0LHI]

2. Bad things bring either the best or the worst in people

Obviously this brought out the worst in this flim-flam man.

Don

[yellowwood]

6. Why?

Why do you attend and contribute to his organization?

[ZombieHorde]

11. I asked the same question about the Catholic Church. nt

[w8liftinglady]

7. As one who knows...your pastor IS more liberal than most here in DFW

...and he may be trying to avoid,again,the political aspect.many religious groups in my area...south of Dallas..wear their "faith" on their sleeves-cursing the life of those who may differ from them politically or religiously,while claiming their love of God.

[JoePhilly]

8. Tell him you were disappointed in his message.

He's not God.

A long time ago, I was intimidated by any religious leader. The thought of challenging one would have never entered my mind.

Not any more. They are just people, no better than anyone else. But they have a pulpit. And if they get up there and talk, you can go and tell them that you are unhappy with anything they say.

You might teach him something.

[wookie72]

9. Here's an idea

Email your pastor and suggest this: have him write to both Imam Rauf and "Pastor" Jones. In each email, have him ask why they are doing their respective action (in neutral language, not "why are you doing this mind-numbingly insensitive thing?"). I think the responses from Rauf and Jones would do a lot more to change your pastor's mind than anything you or I could say.

[missheidi]

10. And the Community Center has a prayer room for all faiths.

[Odin2005]

13. WTF are you doing belonging to a fundie church?

[saltpoint]

14. I wish for you a bluer church, Lesleymo.