Monday, December 17, 2012



FL.: Threats to Christian ministry close it down

Vigilante justice and widespread confusion comprised public debate following the Main Street Crestview Association’s unusually negative Christmas parade. A preacher who denied Santa Claus’ existence and shouted anti-gay slurs and eternal damnation from a megaphone drew the public’s outrage.

Hundreds passionately expressed their views — and search for truth on how to prevent similar occurrences — on the News Bulletin’s Facebook page.

But while some sought answers, others picked fights.  Well meaning parents posted various scenarios of how they would “handle” the ministers if they returned next year. Threats of vigilante justice rivaled the ministry’s own in-your-face style and ultimately undercut their purpose.

Then the fallout really began.  Save Me from the Fire’s website, savemefromthefire.org, states that it’s “currently undergoing scheduled maintenance” — for several days now. James Forrester, the street preacher, deactivated his Facebook account.

Despite overwhelming support for First Amendment rights, several supposedly free-speech advocates — a number invoking mama and papa bear privileges — publicly expressed violent scenarios they’d initiate if the ministers return. 

But any speech that theoretically threatens another person’s freedom of speech negates such sentiments, doesn’t it? In this case, it seems, the overwhelming negativity that ensued, doubtlessly hastened by the numerous threats, led to these sites’ closures. After all, firebrand fundamentalists like this ministry live to spread their message, not squelch it.

You can’t fight hate with hate and expect constructive debates or positive strides.

We have no reason to believe Save Me from the Fire’s ministry is not genuine. We may disagree on members’ methods of delivering the Gospel, but no current evidence suggests ministers see themselves as anything other than prayer warriors.

Source

9 comments:

Bird of Paradise said...

Lynus is right Christmas is not only getting too commercial its getting too dangerous

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Anonymous said...

Sometimes, "constructive debates" are not nearly as effective as some good, old fashioned tar and feathers. They always worked, and should be brought back.

One of the reasons we have so many radical people and groups running around forcing their views on us is because they have no fear of being "dealt with" by people who don't like being forced. They believe they are protected by the fact that so many people are addicted to political correctness which would keep them from "reacting". Well, they're wrong. We're not all addicted to PC.

In extreme cases, a tall tree and a strong rope also work well.

Anonymous said...

More double standards

http://voices.yahoo.com/jamie-foxxs-kill-all-white-people-statement-unsetttling-11930009.html

Go Away Bird said...

Anyway the left can to to shut down all our churches and replace them with leftists communists indoctrination centers theyll do it

Anonymous said...

Billy Graham reached millions of people by mearly preaching the love of Jesus for all mankind. He didn't bother with controversial or judgemental speeches. You don't win men's hearts by insulting them. You must speak the truth but you don't have to insult people. Yes, the preacher has the right to say what he wants. But what should his goal be? To convince people or anger them?

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Anonymous said...

This sounds like the same sort of ministry as that employed by the Westboro Baptist Church.
Of course, negative attention is still attention but there are better ways.
Of course they are free to spread their message, but it seems they have ruined a local Christmas pageant. I doubt that the pageant will survive it as no doubt banning them would constitute viewpoint discrimination and including them will offend many others who will stay away.