In response to godhatesamerica.com...
I e-mailed the following message to the Westboro Baptist Church (Godhatesamerica.com) on 9/3/05 at aexactly 6 pm. I made the letter far nicer than I would have liked because I would like an answer, if they're not too busy being dumbasses to answer me. The fact that people who preach such hate can honestly claim to be God's Chosen disturbs me:
Dear Westboro Baptist Church,
First, I wish to state that while I do not personally share your beliefs, I respect your right to believe whatever you would like, whether similar or contrary to my own belief. That being said, I have a few questions regarding your doctrine. I ask these in a non-agressive manner, and would appreciate a sincere answer if you have the time to reply.
Throughout your website (Godhatesamerica.com), you make many references to the Bible. Your belief statement says that the Bible is the direct Word of the Lord, uncompromised by human error. Yet, many different versions of the Bible exist, several of which differ in their narration and presentation of information. Which version of the Bible do you hold as truth? Also, these versions of the Bible have been translated from several languages (Latin, Aramaic, Greek), all of which contain numerous synonyms. Who but the original author can know what the true intent of a word is? In your FAQ, you stated that the Greek version uses the word "firebrand" as a synonym for a homosexual. In American English, the word "firebrand" denotes one of mischievious or malevolent demeanor. According to your beliefs, "firebrand" would be an accurate name for a homosexual, but who can say that was the intended definition of the original Greek?
Through my life, I have met several respectable homosexual people. I personally believe that homosexuals are exactly like other people, differing only in their sexual preference. They have the same ability to do good as well as wrong, to create as well as destroy, and to love as well as hate. Every human being contains these aspects. That being said, does the act of sodomy brand one as a sinner, or is it the sexual preference of homosexuality that denotes a sinner? There are heterosexuals who practice sodomy, as well as homosexuals who abstain from sexual intercourse entirely. I am unclear as to where, specifically, you glean the fact that homosexuals, even lawful ones, are the abhorration of God. Surely one who molests or murders women and/or children is condemned by God to a greater extent than one who is, to use your words, a "fag".
Also, there are several points where your usage of the Bible contradicts your intentions. For example, the well known passage: "for God so loved the world that he gave up his only begotten son [...]". In your FAQ, you state that the Greek word "kosmos" is mistranslated. It is my understanding that "kosmos" denotes the the universe in the Grecian sense: the cosmogony of all living things. Given my definition, the meaning of the passage, unless completely mangled in previous translation, remains intact. God refers to his followers as sheep, and those who believe in Him may be called "sheep." Therefore, according to the Bible, even homosexuals who believe in God will be "led through the gate". You even state in your quotation explaing your use of the word "fag" to denote homosexuals that in Amos 4:11 "I brought upon you such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: you were like a brand plucked from the fire; Yet you returned not to me, says the LORD." Yet chapter 4 of Amos speaks of the Lord reprimanding Israel as a place which has fallen from the face of the Lord. Surely a city cannot be homosexual?
I do have other questions, but I feel this email has gone on rather long and, since I would appreciate an honest answer, I will cut this short. If you have the time, please take the time to reply.
Sincerely,
Brian
Dear Westboro Baptist Church,
First, I wish to state that while I do not personally share your beliefs, I respect your right to believe whatever you would like, whether similar or contrary to my own belief. That being said, I have a few questions regarding your doctrine. I ask these in a non-agressive manner, and would appreciate a sincere answer if you have the time to reply.
Throughout your website (Godhatesamerica.com), you make many references to the Bible. Your belief statement says that the Bible is the direct Word of the Lord, uncompromised by human error. Yet, many different versions of the Bible exist, several of which differ in their narration and presentation of information. Which version of the Bible do you hold as truth? Also, these versions of the Bible have been translated from several languages (Latin, Aramaic, Greek), all of which contain numerous synonyms. Who but the original author can know what the true intent of a word is? In your FAQ, you stated that the Greek version uses the word "firebrand" as a synonym for a homosexual. In American English, the word "firebrand" denotes one of mischievious or malevolent demeanor. According to your beliefs, "firebrand" would be an accurate name for a homosexual, but who can say that was the intended definition of the original Greek?
Through my life, I have met several respectable homosexual people. I personally believe that homosexuals are exactly like other people, differing only in their sexual preference. They have the same ability to do good as well as wrong, to create as well as destroy, and to love as well as hate. Every human being contains these aspects. That being said, does the act of sodomy brand one as a sinner, or is it the sexual preference of homosexuality that denotes a sinner? There are heterosexuals who practice sodomy, as well as homosexuals who abstain from sexual intercourse entirely. I am unclear as to where, specifically, you glean the fact that homosexuals, even lawful ones, are the abhorration of God. Surely one who molests or murders women and/or children is condemned by God to a greater extent than one who is, to use your words, a "fag".
Also, there are several points where your usage of the Bible contradicts your intentions. For example, the well known passage: "for God so loved the world that he gave up his only begotten son [...]". In your FAQ, you state that the Greek word "kosmos" is mistranslated. It is my understanding that "kosmos" denotes the the universe in the Grecian sense: the cosmogony of all living things. Given my definition, the meaning of the passage, unless completely mangled in previous translation, remains intact. God refers to his followers as sheep, and those who believe in Him may be called "sheep." Therefore, according to the Bible, even homosexuals who believe in God will be "led through the gate". You even state in your quotation explaing your use of the word "fag" to denote homosexuals that in Amos 4:11 "I brought upon you such upheaval as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah: you were like a brand plucked from the fire; Yet you returned not to me, says the LORD." Yet chapter 4 of Amos speaks of the Lord reprimanding Israel as a place which has fallen from the face of the Lord. Surely a city cannot be homosexual?
I do have other questions, but I feel this email has gone on rather long and, since I would appreciate an honest answer, I will cut this short. If you have the time, please take the time to reply.
Sincerely,
Brian