Protesters Hit Wal-Mart
Last updated Friday, December 15, 2006 5:05 PM CST in Business
By Anita French
The Morning News
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Wal-Mart Stores Inc. came under attack for leaving the "godly principles" of late founder Sam Walton from Operation Save America, a Dallas-based group that held a protest outside the retailer's headquarters and its Supercenter in Bentonville on Friday.
The Rev. Flip Benham of Operation Save America and around 35 of its supporters gathered outside Wal-Mart headquarters on Eighth Street and in front of the Supercenter on Walton Boulevard.
The group said in a news release this week that is was against Wal-Mart's partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and its decision to carry a next-morning birth control pill.
"Wal-Mart has been blackmailed by the radical homosexual agenda and the abortion industry. Rather than honoring God, Wal-Mart is now promoting homosexual sodomy and the killing of His children," Benham said in the news release.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Sharon Weber said in response that "Everyone has their own opinions and our focus is on serving our customers."
"Just as importantly, respect for the individual is one of the core values that has made us into the company we are today. We take pride in the fact that we treat every customer, every supplier and every member of our individual communities fairly and equally," Weber said.
Benham was with the group protesting outside the Wal-Mart Supercenter and he told The Morning News that they had received a "great reception" from store customers but not at Wal-Mart headquarters.
"They're just a little different over there. They're arrogant and unconcerned," he said. "We tried to arrange a meeting with them a week before last, but they said everybody's too busy. We're Wal-Mart customers. They love us when we come in to spend money, but when we come to confront them over the sin they're promoting ... they're quite arrogant," Benham said.
A group of around four to five people carrying banners that supported Wal-Mart showed up at the store in response to the protest.
Benham said Wal-Mart had abandoned the principles on which Walton built the company.
"Mr. Sam would never had allowed this to happen in his store," he said.
Weber said members of Wal-Mart corporate security team did meet with someone from Operation Save America because that is the company's policy towards uninvited guests.
"We do that to ensure we understand their agenda for coming, and that they plan to act in a safe and responsible manner," she said.
Wal-Mart was getting hit from both the right and left Friday. Wake-Up Wal-Mart, a Washington-based and union-funded group waging a campaign against the company, held candlelight prayer vigils in several cities Friday, including a stop in Little Rock.
Its campaign is called "Would Jesus Shop at Wal-Mart?" and includes an ad by a Kentucky Baptist pastor who takes Wal-Mart to task over its wages and benefits.
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Reader Comments (188 comment(s))
The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
Cindy wrote on Dec 15, 2006 11:34 PM:
" Wal-mart’s arrogance? Failing to love and accept all of God’s children is arrogance. How can you expect to bring “sinners” to Christ when you show them sinful hatred. These protests are bad examples of Christian love and do more harm than good.
You concentrate on one verse and ignore others. Please read Romans 13:8 "
Ira wrote on Dec 16, 2006 12:31 AM:
" Love sinners Yes! Love or put up with sin NO! Love the sinner hate the sin. You must take a stand somewhere, that IS what truth is. I worked at walmart for years and I saw the sad decline in there morals and values. Sam would not have it this way. Murder is murder, Sin is sin. God will not honor this country if we continue in the Debased way we live. Jesus did not condone sin, John 2:14,15 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables.
I will call SIN, SIN according to God's word:
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 16, 2006 1:45 AM:
" Galatians 6:1-5
We Harvest What We Plant
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Ira, I've read all the scriptures about homosexuality. There are many more that tell us NOT to judge our brothers and that command us to LOVE our brother. Protesting against one group of people is passing judgment and passing Hate. I have many friends who are gay and who love God and accept Christ as the Savior. But they aren't going to big corps trying to keep you out. The protests are not a Christian way to go! They are HARMFUL. Just how well did you know Mr. Sam to know he would be out walking in these protests? "
Cindy wrote on Dec 16, 2006 2:22 AM:
" I understand that you worked in Walmart for years and saw the decline of morals-but I've also heard the stories of Mr. Sam going up to any customer he came into contact with to shake their hands. He never put on holier than thou airs in the store or his daily life. He drove the same old pickup that Farmer Brown drove. He was no better or worse than anyone. Don't you see that protesting this way, you are giving a signal of "holier than thou"? Which is why I've heard so many in the gay community speak of "so-called Christians." But the true Lovers of God and Christ will pray for you because its so easy for you to point at them without looking at yourself and recognizing the judgment you pass on to them. Yes, Sin is sin, and your judgment is just as sinful as the sin you point to! There are no boundaries to God's love. "
jerry wrote on Dec 16, 2006 4:22 AM:
" religion is nothin but a hypocritical sate of mind. i am not religios, but doesnt it say some where in the bible to love all gods children? i didnt relize there was an amendment to that. i didnt relize that homosexualls were not gods children. see this is my problem with organized religion, they believe they have the right to tell others how to live there life. hypocrites every dang one of them. "
Dana wrote on Dec 16, 2006 8:20 AM:
" See the above statement "Love the sinner, hate the sin" I, as a christian, realize that we have a bad reputation for being "holier than thou". The judgement day will come. And I agree that Sam would be disappointed to see the decline of morals that Wal-Mart gone to.
"
Why dont you ... wrote on Dec 16, 2006 8:44 AM:
" Why don't you protest Starbucks? Same principles...More stores! It is a Sin and a Crime that I have to pay 5 bucks for a Mocha Frapp , but it does not keep me from sinning everyday @ 8:15... "
Annie wrote on Dec 16, 2006 9:24 AM:
" Jesus came to the world to transform it-not condemn it. Love transforms, hate condemns. Religious prejudice is the reason so many people died on 9/11/01, and the reason our men and women are fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Freedom for ALL. If we practice and condone religious prejudice at home, how can we justify fighting religious prejudice on foreign soil.
"
unknown wrote on Dec 16, 2006 10:43 AM:
" i thought it was adam and eve, not adam and steve, if god wanted us to be with the same sex he wouldn't have made males and females, plain and simple "
mark wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:11 AM:
" it is absolutely wrong to bring Sam's name into this issue, without knowing the man and what he stood for. i seriously doubt these bible-thumping know it alls ever knew the man, met him, or knew what his motivations were. i too worked at "big blue" and knew "the man". he stood for exactly what Miss Weber said. "what's good and right for ALL customers". Also... stop quoting single sentences from the bible, and making them fit your needs. It's stupid, and shows your ignorance of the entire book. "
Jan wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:22 AM:
" I have to agree with Ira. To recognize and call sin what is it is not judging. God has done that and through study of His word we can know that. Our world has become as evil as Sodom and Gomorrah and we know what the sin was that caused it to be destroyed. What makes us think God will continue to bless America with so much rampant sin. As a Christian I have to do what God would want me to do and that means not supporting evil in any way. I am to hate the sin and pray for the sinner and that is what I do. Satan is in control of this world and we see his handiwork every day. Wal-Mart is not the only business taking this view, but it is up to the individual to decide what to do. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and not Satan, which means we will not support any business we find taking the stand that Wal-Mart, Ford, Sears and others have.
"
Darren Mitton wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:29 AM:
" In The Gospal Of St. Thomas, Jesus says:
"Perhaps people think that I have come to cast peace upon the earth.But they do not know that I have come to cast dissension upon the earth: fire, sword, war."
These Christians are fulfilling his prophecy of causing strife and hate wherever they may. They exist only to cause suffering and pain. Their god would be proud of them, however as a human-being I am ashamed of the fact I am the same species as them.
May human compassion and brotherly-love win out; may their hateful religion die out. "
joe wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:43 AM:
" funny... i have read 3 versions of the bible. i have read through the sermon on the mount several times. i just don't remember jesus making a public announcement before any of his teachings that contained the text "hey y'all... any of you out there that're gay or lesbian need to git yourselves up on outta here... cause my team doesn't like your kind". Get over it. If you can't live with and love all humanity, regardless of who or what they are, stay in your house, lock your doors, and keep your mouth shut. you're part of the problem, not the solution. "
Ken wrote on Dec 16, 2006 1:22 PM:
" I am old enough to remember the time that there was a consensus, a general agreement, among the people in the United States about morality, right and wrong. Nowadays I see that consensus crumbling. There are many reason that we no longer agree about morality: the Bible is not as respected as it once was; we have been taught that we are random products of an impersonal universe and that there are, therefore, no absolute morals, etc. The big question that Abraham Lincoln posed to his generation is coming around to us today, "Can a nation divided against itself stand?" After that terrible Civil War, the netion had hope of being rebuilt because there was a consensus of reality and morality based upon the Bible. We are lacking that foundation today. I am genuinely concerned for our future as a nation. "
joe wrote on Dec 16, 2006 3:36 PM:
" i am old enough too. i don't know if morality has crumbled, or that we are less right or more wrong than when you and i were young. i do know this, because of the "toy" that i am typing this message on, i know more about this world than i new when i was growing up. it might not be that we are more immoral, it may be that we know too much about those that are. without the internet, would any of us, other than a small handfull who witnessed it, know anything about the demonstration yesterday? probably not, and our lives would be just fine for not knowing about it. we all need to realize that people will be what they want to be. we can only change ourselves. "
Ross wrote on Dec 16, 2006 3:59 PM:
" There is a common morality that our nation shares, but it is not found in the Bible. It is found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and it stems from the liberal philosophy of the Enlightenment - that all people are created equal. People who call themselves conservatives should look to the origins of the republic to inform their actions as citizens. This can indeed be a safe and civil society if there is enough mutual respect. Rarely do I feel sorry for Wal-Mart, but in this case they're trying to satisfy every customer. Flip Benham, on the other hand, is my candidate for Satan's agent, surely. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. "
Funny BizWax wrote on Dec 16, 2006 4:32 PM:
" Ah ha , the H.O. where men are men and so are the women. There is a lot of sick minds in NW Arky !With a lot of luck they will attract more of them there . Read your Bible if you know how . It says a lot about the subject . Of course not much Bible reading goes on there either .Lots of HIV there too . Lord have mercy . "
Operation Save Wal-Mart wrote on Dec 16, 2006 4:36 PM:
" Jeff sure hit the nail on the head, God will judge each and every one of us. For that very reason His Word makes it very clear what is acceptable, and what is sin, so that we could choose to walk humbly before our God, and we have the opportunity to repent when we find ourselves in error. The truth is that we have not passed judgment on Wal-Mart, we didn't have to, God already has. His Word states that homosexuality is an abomination (Leviticus 18). It also states that He hates the hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6). Because of that, we came in love to Wal-Mart, not to bash it, but to tell it the truth so that it can repent (Proverbs 27). "
Cindy wrote on Dec 16, 2006 6:15 PM:
" "IT" is a corporation, and I don't recall the Bible stating Jesus did his dying to save corporations. No-You weren't bashing Wal-mart. You were bashing their support of businesses that offer gays fair and equal employment and humanity. That's the same as trying to deprive them a livelihood. Yes, Jeff hit it square on the head when he also stated "(Jesus) taught love, peace and love thy neighbor." Whether you intended to our not, your protest was perceived by the gay community as another message of hate. You must realize you are following behind another clergy,Fred Phelps. His group protests carrying signs saying "GOD HATES FAGS".I'm not saying your signs said that. But that is the message that is being perceived. Please go back and reread Jerry's comments above.His comments are a strong example of someone who seems to believe in a Loving, FORGIVING, God.But people like Phelps have stood up and cast the condemning stone and his faith (and many others) has become the victim. His comments are the perfect example of why I believe any protest that targets ANY specific group of people, does much more harm than good. We all fall far from being worthy of God's grace, but He loves us all inspite of ourselves. I'm curious. Do you invite gay men and women to attend your church? I believe Jesus would. "
Shocked wrote on Dec 16, 2006 6:43 PM:
" What a nasty bunch of hate-fueled bigots Rev Benham and his followers are at what is meant to be a time of goodwill. It staggers me that people can be so narrow-minded as to obsess with attacking the freedoms of a minority when all around the country - not least in Arkansas - there is poverty. We see examples of religious intolerance the world over, but it particularly saddens me to see it on our shores at Christmas. "
Salt of the Earth wrote on Dec 16, 2006 8:02 PM:
" Matthew 5:
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Why would Jesus say that? Why would anyone want to persecute a "Loving" person if they simply left everyone alone and allowed them to live they're life the way they wanted to.
It's simple. In verse 10 Jesus used a little word that within it lies the answer. Righteousness. That word in Greek is "dikaiosune {dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay}" and it means:
1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
So, we know that, as a true beliver, you WILL (not might) be persecuted for attempting to live and stand for "the condition acceptable to God". "
Salt of the Earth wrote on Dec 16, 2006 8:12 PM:
" God does not accept sodomy. He stated through Paul in Romans 2:
26 ...God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[d] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Pretty harsh words. You may need to redefine love. Love is not allowing people to plummet into God's judgement. Love is telling them that there IS a judgement. If I was traveling down a road and found that a bridge was out then I would RUN down the road and attempt to STOP THEM from running into destruction. Why? Because I hate them? NO! Because I LOVE them. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 16, 2006 8:56 PM:
" And He also stated through Paul in Romans 15: 1.We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2. We should all please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written:"The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."4. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." If I felt like Rev. Benham was trying to keep them from falling off a bridge, I would applaud. But after I viewed the website dedicated only to "saving Walmart" from the gay agenda, I see it more as trying to pull the bridge out from under them. The Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Copeland ministries are speaking to all who listen to find guidance on how we can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. They who are strong in faith teach we the weak to pray and listen to God to guide us on the will he has for our own life. They talk of God's love for us and offer us hope. They target one group-ALL OF GOD'S CHILDREN-EVERYBODY. They teach ALL of GOD's righteous expectations. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 16, 2006 9:24 PM:
" Reverend Benham's theological platform targets two groups as living wrong-the gays, and those who use the Day after pill. He appears to ignore all other theology contained in the Bible and holds it over their heads without giving them hope or encouragement offered through God's love. I don't have to redefine love. Jesus did that on the cross. For all sin. But before he went to the cross, the adultress was brought before him and he was asked how she should be punished, since the normal punishment for the crime was being stoned to death. And he spoke to the crowd and said "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." And they threw their stones on the ground and walked away. Jesus looked at her and said "Where are your accusers?" "They are gone." "And as they have not judged you, neither will I. Go and sin no more." But He didn't follow her to the village and tell her neighbors to deprive her of food or water if she committed adultery again. He just went and died on the Cross for her, you and me and everyone else. And his dying words "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do." And its a mockery of His death to teach with hateful messages, when His death was about love. John 3:14. "
anon wrote on Dec 16, 2006 9:48 PM:
" sounds to me like you are judging the people you are accusing of being judging of walmart etc. "
joe wrote on Dec 16, 2006 10:10 PM:
" so many bible verses!! i never knew the bible spoke directly to the issues involving gays and wal-mart. funny, as soon as a contorversial issue like this arises, everyone runs to their bibles to find verses to justify their position. how is it that so many verses can be found in "THE BOOK" that support both sides of the argument? The bottom line is that the gay issue is a personal one, and does not belong in church or government. Thank GOD the Bible does not say that having black skin, or blonde hair is an abomination... I'm not a verse-quoter, but it seems to me that I have read something in there about "judge ye not lest ye be judged" and another one in there about those who chose to spread the word of Christ being the ones who will be most severely judged... "
Shawn Patrick wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:08 PM:
" Christians using hate and jealousy to go after Walmart. And to the gay haters in here, the Bible spends a lot verses talking about male-female adultery than it does homosexuality.
Every other major retailer also caters to many groups including gays.
I'm a Christian but it shames me to see those who call themselves Christians to use the Bible to promote hatred.
"
Anon wrote on Dec 16, 2006 11:23 PM:
" Lee Scott said this year "I am not running a company right now, I am running a political campaign." The partnership with the G and L Chamber is part of that campaign. Like it or not, WM is the most powerful agent for change in the U.S. right now. Look at the $4 generics they rolled out - patients have save $100's of millions already and have forced other competitors to "get real" on their pricing. They got the ratings rolled out on video games (do the research, it's true). The partnership with gays is disturbing to people because they know the true strength WM has - to change America. God loves the person, and hates the sin. That's why he outlines what is not acceptable to Him. Those that ignore that won't receive His love. Gay is wrong, and it's time the silent majority stand up and say so. As for equal treatment, the gay vendors are given preferential treatment through seminars on how to become an approved vendor. THAT is not fair, and that PROMOTES gay. "
grub wrote on Dec 17, 2006 7:06 AM:
" I expected as much, but it still suprises me how many have believe the lie that EVERYONE is a child of God. This is absolutely wrong. John 8:43-44a Jesus speaks of spiritual blindness 'Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.' 1 John 3:10 'In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.' We are not to judge the intent of a person nor of a false teacher, but we are to warn others of their dirty deeds. And Americans have swallowed the hook of false teachers as those mentioned above. What's more loving-to tell a blind man walking towards a cliff to be careful, OR to warn him of the cliff, tell him of his impending doom, and do what you can to get him to turn? Here is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ- if you've ever told a lie, taken something that didnt belong to you, used God's name in vain (very serious), or even looked w/ lust-on Judgement Day God will see you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. I've done those too. He will NOT allow everyone to come to heaven. Jesus is the ONLY way.Jn 14:6 "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 8:22 AM:
" All of the comments against the protest to date appear to have one thing in common - they use the word HATE as the primary motivation behind the protest. Typical - when you don't like the message, simply label it as hatred and you have won your point - right? Wrong! Look up the word hate and know what it means BEFORE you speak. These people are doing what they are doing BECAUSE they LOVE - not hate. They care about their seperated brethren lost in a cesspool of lust and sin. They don't want those actions to be condoned because that will only lead to increased behavior. The ultimate hatred would be to know that the behavior leads to eternal damnation, know that by their actions Wal-Mart is condoning that behavior and to do nothing. Caring about your neighbor - how can that possibly be labeled as hate? "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 8:40 AM:
" In response to Jeff - do you attempt to keep any historical perspective on your Christianity or simply read the Bible? Yes, in fact Jesus and all of the disciples DID go to the streets to preach their message of repentence - that would be why they were killed. If they just kept to their cumfty couches, they would have been safe. Also, not all sins are same - certain sins committed you would be better off to never have been born - but not all sins. Specifically, one who harms a little one and the one who betrayed an innocent man - what do they have in common? Both harm an innocent person. By Wal-Mart selling the morning after pill they are helping to kill many, many little ones. Lastly, holding our brethren accountable for their sin is the Christian's RESPONSIBILITY - not a right. We are called on to remove the plank from our eye (sin) so we can more closely see the sin our brother is committing - so we can admonish the sinner and help him to eternal life. Please, don't be a do-nothing un-caring Christian when you see what your brother is doing wrong and when you know where that action leads. "
FunnyBizWax wrote on Dec 17, 2006 9:22 AM:
" I am NOT a protester and I was NOT there . So there . Now , the homosexual does not read the Bible because they don't like what it says about them and they are there in the Bible. The ones who support them don't like it either ,but, it is there . Thats why they can't convert to be a Christian , because they can't overcome what it says ! So therefore the chips are falling where they may and it hurts don't it ? Sodomy is wrong and it is against the law in almost all these United States ! It goes against what the Bible preaches .It is un-Godly . They can't change what the Bible says about it and thats what they don't like . The practice of sodomy and lusting for the same flesh is nasty and vile to the core ! It should make anyone sick to their stomach . "
Golden wrote on Dec 17, 2006 9:30 AM:
" What’s interesting here is not the question of whether being gay is a “sin” but the fact that so may Christians (and other religions) spend so much time on this particular “sin”. With all the various sins, rules, restrictions and prohibitions why focus on this one? Gays are a small minority group why pick on them? Are they responsible for all the evil in the world? Do they start wars? Do they murder people? Do they steal from everybody?
Why aren’t Christians loudly protesting Walmarts pathetically low wages and lack of health care? THAT would be a worthwhile endeavor and firmly supported by scripture.
Frankly I find the type of Christian who wraps the bible around their various bigotries to be both ignorant and dangerous. I’ve talked to these people; they live on their own planet where they’re spoon fed whatever pap their community feeds them. They don’t need to be born again but need to grow up and think for themselves.
In any case, I suggest you Christians spending so much time harassing gays; try concentrating on the Golden Rule, the world really would be a better place then. "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 9:42 AM:
" Response to Golden. So you are condeming them because of the particular sin they choose to shed light on - interesting. You don't bother to say that it's not sin - you just thing they should choose another. By that train of thought, any time a person speaks about a sin, the person that objects could say the same thing thus rendering the salt of the earth tasetless. Christians are called on to be eye-surgeons. They should do their homework so they know what sin is, remove the sin from their own eyes and then (the last part is the kicker here that gets everyone upset) work to REMOVE IT FROM OUR BROTHERS. Christians that don't do the last part are like the eye surgeon that chooses not to practice - instead they just say to the person with the splinter in his eye (sin) - "oh, thats not so bad - look at that person over there, he has a splinter (sin) also". Maybe that splinter (sin) is bigger. I guess you would say there are too many eye surgeons doing this particular sugery. I would say that a practicing eye surgeon doing any surgery is better than one that just chooses to look past that ailment and do nothing. "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:15 AM:
" So you are condeming them because of the particular sin they choose to shed light on - interesting. You don't bother to say that it's not sin - you just thing they should choose another. By that train of thought, any time a person speaks about a sin, the person that objects could say the same thing thus rendering the salt of the earth tasetless. Christians are called on to be eye-surgeons. They should do their homework so they know what sin is, remove the sin from their own eyes and then (the last part is the kicker here that gets everyone upset) work to REMOVE IT FROM OUR BROTHERS. Christians that don't do the last part are like the eye surgeon that chooses not to practice - instead they just say to the person with the splinter in his eye (sin) - "oh, thats not so bad - look at that person over there, he has a splinter (sin) also". Maybe that splinter (sin) is bigger. I guess you would say there are too many eye surgeons doing this particular sugery. I would say that a practicing eye surgeon doing any surgery is better than one that just chooses to look past that ailment and do nothing. "
Golden wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:17 AM:
" To Mike; That's right, I'm condemning them because of the “sin” (note quotes) they choose to shed light on. Is there any doubt what hard core conservative Christians think about this? I ask you this; does this protesting feed one hungry person? Comfort the sick? Nope. All it does is feed hate and comfort ones own bigotries. As to your eye surgeon analogy, it’s more like that surgeon is spending all his time removing specks from peoples eyes instead of doing major surgery because surgery is hard work. Let’s face it , removing the log from ones own eye can hurt, that’s why so many people go around trying to remove the specks from others eyes first. Let me ask this; Do you have a problem with the golden rule (don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them to do to you)? "
Shocked wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:20 AM:
" Mike, since you piously talk about 'Christian responsibility', illustrated by the ludicrous analogy toi eye-surgery, I would like to know what 'surgery' YOU performed over, say, those who took our country to war based on lies, resulting in 3,000 US deaths and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi deaths (I think it's safe to say the final death toll will be millions in the Middle East). What y'a doing THAT plank of wood? The self-righteous love to puff out their chest and bully minorities, but when it comes to the REAL issues (poverty, the environment), the 'eye-surgeons' are too chicken to step up. "
joe wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:43 AM:
" response to all. Christianity needs to wake up. Yes, Wal Mart is a "money changer", but keep in mind, the biggest "corporation" in the world, with assets larger than any business is the Catholic Church. Yep, the same guys that were responsible for "editing" the original Bible over a thousand years ago. And speaking of gays... why does the church turn a blind eye to priests who like to fondle boys? i guess that "board" doesn't need removal. I agree with Shocked. The moral majority needs to focus on real issues that can be fixed, like the commandment about thou shall not kill. It seems that our esteemed leader with high moral standards missed that one. As for removing sin from your brothers, Mike had better realize that the only life you can change is your own. You can't change what makes up people. You can only change your attitude about THEM. "
Jen wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:54 AM:
" To Mike: if you think the WM protesters were being eye surgeons, you are sadly mistaken. Rather than removing splinters from 'sinners' eyes, they were punching them in the eye. WM merely forged links with a group struggling to obtain equality (isn't that a right of ALL Americans?). Most of the Fortune 500 companies have similar policies. The protests are hurtful to gays and harmful to the image of Christianity in this country. There is so much more a good Christian could do to spread goodwill to ALL men at this special time of year. "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 17, 2006 12:21 PM:
" Mike's statement that an eye-surgeon doing ANY surgery is better than one who does none is not true. As others have commented, there are so many things that Christians could act on - poverty, the environment, AIDS in Africa, our action in Iraq, our inaction in Dafur, child abuse - so if the so-called eye-surgeons only have limited time/energy, they should be more selective on whom they perform their surgery. It's clear that the Walmart protesters, in choosing to ignore the bigger issues, are betraying what really motivates them: they are full of hate for gay people. "
Eric wrote on Dec 17, 2006 12:44 PM:
" The Bible does say to love sinners, it doesn't say anywhere that we are to accept their sin. I know some of the people who get involved with Wal-mart boycotts and even coordinating them. None of them have a malicious attitude towards them. They are trying to show Wal-mart that by deviating from Sam's foundation they are also deviating from God's Word. It's not just a matter of supporting gays and lesbians, it's the fact that they agreed to give preferential treatment to them. Not equal treatment. Preferential. That in itself is wrong. If they were to give preferential treatment to a certain race they would be considered prejudice. People would be yelling how unfair it is. But now that people are calling Wal-mart on the carpet for prejudice against heterosexuals everyone is calling the Christians hypocrits. They are not doing anything hypocritical. They aren't even being judemental. They are calling sin sin and calling for the end to prejudice.
It really intrigues me that homsexuals make up about 4-6% of our population, and according to research the majority of Americans disagree with that lifestyle, yet our country is catering to them. It just shows that the wheel that squeeks the loudest gets the oil.
I think it time that it is time for the 80% of our country who claim to be Christians to take a stand and become the loudest squeeking wheel!
"
Tierranney wrote on Dec 17, 2006 3:11 PM:
" This is exactly the reason I despise calling myself a Christian! Anyone ever hear the term "Holy Hypocrites"? "I love everyone" they scream in church, then come out of church to hiss how they hate homosexuals and those that would use birth control. Let Wal-Mart put ads in a "HOMOSEXUAL" magazine...who complaining will see it? Now the Holy Hypocrites are reading it? Just to see who they can boycott next or maybe they enjoy reading it? Two years ago the government gave US doctors and pharmacists to dispense birth control for ANY reason if it was against their religious beliefs. My sixteen year old friend nearly bleed to death because her doctor said her "period" would straighten out because he didn't believe in birth control. Oh yes, you sinless, perfect Holy Hyprocites - you have done such a great thing there. Now you condemn the morning after pill, hate to break it to you but it WILL stay; it WILL be prescribed. Homosexuality will go on until the end of the world. PLEASE, boycott Wal-Mart,never shop there again, it will keep the lines shorter for me. The sins of others is not yours to judge or condemn. Here's a great idea, let Operation Save America promote what America started on - FREEDOM! How many stores will you condemn until you have no where to shop? Build Holy-Wart now, but you'll want "sinners" money too! "
Shocked wrote on Dec 17, 2006 3:46 PM:
" Why won't people like Eric understand that homosexuality is not a 'lifestyle' nor is it a choice. Homosexuals are a minority and their rights should not be open to a popularity contest by the majority; their right to equality should be protected by law. Saying that, year on year research shows a growing acceptance of homosexuals - and the boycott bigots are sure to find themselves on the wrong side of history. As for 'squeaky wheels', I would say the anti-gay lobby (Dobson, Falwell, AFA, your Arkansas possee) spit anti-gay hatred loud and clear at every opportunity -- but, thankfully, compassion and commonsense will always prevail as gays slowly march toward legal and social equality. "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 17, 2006 4:23 PM:
" Many of Eric's comments are disingenuous anc contradictory: he says there is malice from the protesters to gays - but it's hard to imagine a more malicious act than publicly protesting against fellow humans. He implies the protests are about 'preferential treatment' to gays - no they're not, they would protest ANY treatment that shows the merest respect to gays. He then says "They aren't even being judgmental. They are calling sin sin and calling for the end to prejudice." What contradictory nonsense!!! They ARE being judgmental AND prejudice at the same time! And, of course, the most disingenous statement of all: 'love the sinner, hate the sin'. If that were true, instead of public displays of virulent anti-gay sentiment, there would be compassion and outreach, but since some 'Christians' refuse to entertain the notion that homosexuality is not a choice, it proves NO attempt whatsoever to love the sinner. If you must hate gays, at least have the guts to say so - don't cloak it fake compassion. If I can see through it to the prejudice beneath, you can be sure Jesus would! "
Jen wrote on Dec 17, 2006 4:35 PM:
" News of the Walmart protest coincided with an invitation I received through the mail from a friend from England who I met 20 years ago in college. At the time, he was a quiet, withdrawn person, who (unbeknown to me at the time) was coming to terms with his homosexuality. Since then, he has 'come out' and been in a loving relationship with a man for 16 years. Next March, he's entering a civil union with his partner after it became law in the UK a year ago. The letter accompanying the invitation was the sweetest, most touching tribute to his love for his partner - it brought tears to my eyes. They are both successful career people and, instead of wedding gifts, have asked for donations to help build a classroom in rural India. Contrast this to a bunch of folks who have nothing better to do than vent anti-gay hatred on the streets of Arkansas. You make me ashamed to be American! God CLEARLY created homosexuals - there are millions all over the world. We must end the tyranny of hatred against them. "
Jael wrote on Dec 17, 2006 6:45 PM:
" I think what many are missing here, Wal-mart had been a "family friendly" store for many years. It was those traditional families that made Wal-mart the billion dollar company that it now is. For Wal-mart to take a pro-sodomite/lesbian stand, and to dispense the morning after pill which cause abortions is not only an ungodly, immoral decision; it's a bad business decision.Sodomites aren't having children. Lesbians may have a couple, by artificial means or through adoption, but the vast majority of customers are heterosexuals. So folks do the math......by sheer attrition, Walmart will be shooting themselves in the foot. Can anyone say "Kmart?" "
Salt of the Earth wrote on Dec 17, 2006 6:52 PM:
" It's amazing to me how "Christians" can reject what God has clearly stated. It's isn't about your feelings, my friends. God said what is right and wrong for a reason. It's true that anyone can twist the Bible to make it fit their needs. I agree that it is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG to expect that a homosexual to change on their own. Only Christ can do that. So, let's stop bashing EACH OTHER and practice what we preach HERE, ON THIS THREAD. The wonderful "judge not" scripture states, "1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?". It point's, once again, to judging someone while you practice (or are not practicing) the things you preach for or against. Those of you who say that they should do something about "poverty, the environment, AIDS in Africa, our action in Iraq, our inaction in Dafur, child abuse" and "The Golden Rule". What are you doing about those things? "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 17, 2006 7:08 PM:
" For my (small) part, I protested the war in Iraq BEFORE it happened because I KNEW it would be a disaster, I have instigated a recycle program at work and a toy drive for local children this Christmas, sponsor a child in India via monthly payments, and have recently done two charity runs in Central Park (including the AIDS run). I do not normally crow about this, but since Salt of the Earth challenged me. Some Christians seem more obsessed with supporting/defending their faith as if it were some baseball team in league against competing teams (gays, Islam, non-believers), rather than practicing the tenets of that faith - love, compassion, tolerance. You will one day be judged on your record and if all you can say is 'well, I bashed gays at every opportunity', you may not get the reception from God you think you deserve. And, to Jael, your 'Kmart' quip is pointless - MOST major corporations have policies supporting equality for all, including homosexuals. Singling out Walmart is laughable and will only hurt hardworking American families who are employed there. Why don't you boycott companies who exploit child labor, support rogue regimes or pollute the environment - or are these causes not as satisfying as bashing gays? "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 8:26 PM:
" To choose to sin is to choose spiritual death. To choose not to sin is to choose spiritual life. One thing that all of you who are BASHING the Christians have in common is that you all list other causes and say "why don't they do that"? In your hearts you know that, by and large, it is expected that those same Christians you are bashing are the people who normally would (and are) solving those other problems as well - all you are doing is acknowledging that the Christians are, in fact, the salt of the earth. Please note, it is not me that says homosexuality is a sin, it is not be that says abortion is murder - it is God. You can bad mouth me as much as you like, but to bash Gods word is futile. A special note to Joe who appears to have a problem with Catholics - they don't boycott the Catholic Church because that body has, in it's tenants, that homosexuality is a sin - there are just a small minority of priests who choose not to follow that tenant. They did not edit the Bible-THEY WROTE IT!! The books that were removed were done so decades after the
Bible was written by the Protestants specifically because they contradicted what the Protestants wanted to follow. Note, the Anglican Church was started because the Catholic Church said the King couldn't have a divorce. "
michelle wrote on Dec 17, 2006 9:35 PM:
" Paul and all those "tolerant" Christians: You won't find yourself being persecuted for starting a recycle program or setting up a toy drive even heathens do those things. No it is when you do those things that "sting" just like salt does to an open would that you will be persectued. I ask all you lovers of tolerance to look at your own lives for persecution, is it there? I don't mean the kind of persecution you mean either. You mistakenly take correction for persecution. Are you being spit upon? It is easy to call yourself a Christian as long as you don't have to do anything that causes you discomfort, as long as you decide how many children YOU want, as long as you can watch and read porno. Many problems would be solved if Christians stopped Protesting what the law of God says by starting new churches to please their consciouses.Many Christians are part of the problem in the acceptance of homosexuality as they themselves have participated in the destruction of the marriage covenant by seeking divorce and then remarrying for selfish means and by failing to do nothing about porno and the degradation of women. "
michelle wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:01 PM:
" Cindy and so many mislead Christians have sadly been indoctrinated into the new Church of tolerance. Tolerance of what? SIN! All they want to hear from the pulpit are words about how they are loved by God and forgiven. As soon as they hear about true repentance, changing their life and living as a Christian they want to leave and find a new church. They believe somehow that Christianity is supposed to an easy religion. Well guess what? It isn't. If you live a comfortable life without having to sacrifice where you shop or what you do you probably aren't traveling down the narrow path. The narrow path is not an easy one as so many "tolerant" lovers believe and live, it is one that is filled with sacrifice and asking every step of the way, is this Gods will or MY will. Do you really believe it is Gods will that 2 men engage in sick and perverted acts? I don't believe God sees it any different by the way if a man and women engage is sick and perverted sex. I wonder how many of these tolerance lovers actually believe there is a hell? There can't be a heaven without a hell, forgiveness without justice , mercy without repentance. So sad that so many of America's pastors are leading their flocks to the gates of hell because they don't want to hear the truth . "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:08 PM:
" Why is it that Christians, of all religions, are typically the first to protest everything? What difference does it make if Wal-mart has a partnership with the Gay & Lesbian community or sells the morning after pill? There aren't going to be sex toys for sale or easy-make abortion kits in the children's department. So why does it matter? Personally, I would rather see a teenage girl (who will have sex anyway) take two stronger birth control pills than dump their baby in the garbage.
"A new commmandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye have love one to another." John 13:34, 35 Unless the "another" happens to be a homosexual or take birth control/morning after pill? "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy." Psalm 145:8 Apparently his followers are required to love everyone and let God, himself, not mere mortals who are not free from sin decide who will rott in Hell. While you are burning books, take the writings from all the ancient Greeks, from Homer to Sopho to Plato/Socrates to Aristotle they were all homosexuals. Sopho was inprisoned on the isle of Lesbos, the start of the word lesbian. God said of David, sinner, that he was a man after his own heart. Boycott the Bible, God is a sinner! "
Mike wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:27 PM:
" Are you kidding me? You would rather see a teenage girl take the birth control or morning after pill? Well if that is the case, be sure there will be consequences - cervical cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, increased sexual activities leading to STD's, etc. This is not His way - this is your way. Boycott the Bible sounds real good until you are in a pinch or on your death bed and understand your mortality and start your prayers. Little room for repentance then - best to start now. "
Thank you all wrote on Dec 17, 2006 10:41 PM:
" How enlightening is was to read the rants and diatribes of so many. I learned that I live in a nation in which all people can have a voice, a faith in God, hope for redemption, and show mercy and kindness to thier fellow man. If that is true, then why must we comment on such novel ideas when they are inherent to the constitution? We live in a country divided still on what matters most, equality and justice for all. You would think after the civil rights movement that we would have learned our lessons. Gays and Lesbians are our fellow countrymen and by birthright deserve the same rights that so many of you above take for granted or as some men of faith would lead us to believe, gays are of lesser worth than themselves and deserve nothing but death. I hope that Wal-Mart continues to support the gay community, in fact I hope that Wal-Mart decides to give gay associates domestic partner benefits in all of it's holdings, not just where applicable by law. It's not about the Bible or the Koran, it's about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Thank you Wal-Mart, I applaud you for you fortitude where these protests are concerned. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 2:48 AM:
" Mike, are you kidding ME? Teens are GOING to have sex whether it's right or not. So you would rather have babies in dumpsters, buried in the back of closets, stuffed in pillowcases strangled? Read Texas newspapers. You think that is more Christian? Medical research shows that any woman under the age of 20 or over the age of 35 to give birth is more likely to get all of those diseases (minus STDs), plus more chances of deformities than someone on birth control. So a woman with uncontrollable bleeding should have to suffer rather than take a pill? Does that include sterile women?
Since you didn’t bother reading before running off at the mouth, I didn't say *I* was boycotting the Bible. I said that the Bible-beaters, who can‘t stand sinners, should, because the Bible clearly states what God said about David, it went right along with the list of homosexuals who are praised and read in every school. I said I despise people who claim to love Christianity and don’t love people, those who claim to be so sinless that they have a right to hate anyone who doesn't live as they pretend. This is the United States, no one religion rules it, people can be whatever they want and you aren‘t changing it. The only thing I need to pray for right now is that God isn't the unmoving, unforgiving, hateful person that you seem to worship, I'd beg to be in Hell! "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 6:54 AM:
" Tierranney is right that the harsh, cruel, judgemental, hateful God that Mike and Michelle worship is NOT the God I know. Some people are so mired in righteousness and judgement that they lose touch with reality and their humanity. It bears a frightening resemblance to the snarling mullahs Pakistan. Thank God the majority of Americans believe in love, tolerance, reason and believe that all men are equal. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and - provided our President doesn't start any more illegal wars - peace to everyone in 2007! "
MIke wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:10 AM:
" I never said that God is not forgiving - He is forgiving to all who repent (change their ways and wish, if they had things to do over again, they had followed His will). God IS unmoving in that His word was there in the beginning and remains unchanged - it will not change with the societal norms, regardless of who much we wish it would. God is not hateful, it is our own free will and desire to remain in sin that seperates us from Him - He is always there for us should we choose to repent (see above) and return to him. I do believe that all men are created equal - we all have the same choice - with HIm and His will (note, not ours) or against Him - it is our decision. God is not tolerant or intolerant - it is the sinner who is intolerant and will not tolerate nor follow His rules. Sorry guys but there is One Jesus Christ and He is the Son of God. We should love our brothers and sisters all the way into heaven - that avenue does not exist for our Muslim, Jewish, Buddist, Atheist, Homosexual or not friends. That doesn't mean I don't care about them - it means I care enough about them to tell them the truth. THERE IS NO AVENUE EXCEPT THROUGH CHRIST - Not MY words - HIS, like it or not. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:23 AM:
" Shocked, It doesn't matter what the "majority" as you say of Americans believe in love and tolerance. What matters is what God says,He is the ultimate Judge. It is the job of fellow Christians to be salt and light and many choose to unfortunately turn from that light and condemn it because they don't like the truth. Just as one has to choose whether or not to participate in fornication, lust and adultry a homosexual has the choice to act on their sinful desires. We don't hate them, we only ask them to not act on their desires. To have control, not act like animals who can't control themselves. Then again that is a HUGE problem we have in America, we hardly are taught to control our wants and desires.This again, lies at the responsibility of the Church for failing to teach. I don't claim to be sinless nor perfect. I struggle most every day. THe difference is in seeking Gods face before I choose to sin.Men and women are equally created by God,and loved by Him, but all will not make it into Heaven, this is by nothing but CHOICE.Godless Churches that continue to teach the sheep that homosexuals, adulterers and baby killers, are free to continue in their sin may God have mercy on them as they are surely leading many to Hell. Jesus taught to go and sin no more, not to go and continue to sin! "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:36 AM:
" I sit here reading the words of each of you speaking about my life. Casting your decision on my life. Casting your stones upon me. You worry about Wal-Mart supporting my community. What about the other places that I shop? I was born in the United States, I was born with the right to pursue happiness for I am one of, "we the people." I was raised in the deep south, I watched in horror the abuse that my fellow americans faced due to groups believing they too were 2nd class citizens. I watched as they asked permission to sit down on a bench along side of me. I remember the stories of families becoming homeless due to some groups burning down their homes and churches. I guess those groups felt they too were right.
In your world simply because you "fit" the mold of what some say you have the right to sit beside your spouse as they breath their last breath. You have the right to take your children to the hospital in emergency situations without having to push for treatment. You have the right simply because you "fit" the mold to receive medical benefits. You have the right to not have to spend money to have your welfare taken care of in the event something happens to you, your spouse assumes responsibility.
Continued...... "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:44 AM:
" ... continued
You have the right simply because you fit that mold to hold the hand of the one you love as you walk down the street. Seems to me that you have a good life, why would you want to waste so much energy in hating someone when you could instead build the love for your family, your spouse and child truly would love to have you more in their lives. While you are pondering my life... could you please answer one question for me? When I was born I had the same rights as you were given. We both had the right to pursue happiness. We both had the right to love. We both had the right as Americans to live the American Dream.... are you the one that took my right away? Are you the one that casted the first stone?
Wal-Mart supporting my community...well I have to say thank you Wal-Mart because these days my family is supported by many as it appears here. I did not choose my skin (there have been times I would have shed it), I did not choose my family, I did not chose to live a life that people hate me, nor have I chose how my heart loves. I would like to quote a soldier's grave, WWII vet, "Honored for killing hundreds of men, condemned for loving one man." It's ashame that this is the society we live in. Rings loudly with who we accept. "
Mike wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:23 AM:
" I am not giving my words-I am just restating His. I don't hate you - although I do hate that there are some with your lifestyle choice who are trying to normalize man/boy relations, I also recognize that they are in the minority-just as priests who have been with boys are in the minority. Thing is, I don't fit the mold by nature. I grew up with Playboy and Penthouse in my home and so was addicted to Pornography - I grew up with much older friends so got drunk often and still would like to - I have a relatively healthy labido and so would love to have multiple partners and girlfriends (money permitting, of course)-I would love to be able to remove His will (children) from intercourse with my wife so we could just enjoy the act. Thing is, to do any of those things would be to go against His will. I choose not to do those things because I choose to have Him in my life. I DO NOT hate you-in fact I hate that word because I believe it is mis-used in our society-to hate means I would wish you dead where in fact I wish you by my side in heaven. I get some things I like but can't have others (my car has over 250,000 miles on it and I rarely have money for lunch)-you may have better but need to abstain-I think you have it worse. "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:30 AM:
" Michelle/Mike: you are entitled to your narrow-minded worldview and you seem happy to live with claiming compassion while clearly showing nothing but contempt for most of mankind that is either not Christian or Christian and, in YOUR view, sinful. However, you have no right to impose this view on others by denying homosexuals the right to equality in this country. I pity your cold, bleak worldview because if there is one thing I am certain of, it's that the Creator of all the universe is NOT a spiteful-minded hater who simultaneously created the 6 billion people currently on Earth and condemned the vast majority to eternal hell, while sparing the likes of Mike and Michelle. Your arrongance beggars belief. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:40 AM:
" To yep,no one hates you,sadly you mistake love for hate,you DO have the power to control yourself or are you just an animal with no self-control?The person who loves pulls another from a fire, those who hate would let them die.You are wrong about doing nothing about the injustice to blacks or others, say those who have skin but are still in the womb.What are YOU doing about that INJUSTICE? No one is putting a "hit" on your life, like they do in abortion.I would be the one protesting loudly for lynching blacks and treating them without respect and eqaulity,just as I do for those children in the womb who have no voice had no hearing, but were condemned to die by the hands of blood thirsty baby killers. Sure you have the right to be treated equally in where you shop and participate in public life.You do not have the right to receive special privilidges because you are "gay" or act out on your gay tendencies and vile behaviors.We aren't talking about making gays sit in the back of the bus here.We are talking about saying NO to the further destruction of the institution of marriage, the increase in sexually transmitted diseases like HIV,and the further downward fall of our country.If you aren't going to ever change,please do so in the privacy of your bedroom & please STOP pushing your deathly lifestyles on our children.We are asking decent companies to stop pushing this unGodly agenda! "
Mike wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:49 AM:
" You have a problem with the Bible - NOT me because this is NOT my opinion. If it were up to me, as I said, I would remain in my lustful ways. It is conscious decision and one I need to make every day (sometimes moment by moment). Your "compassion" is a false compassion - you accept your brothers actions while on earth and will accept him all the way to hell - my compassion would like to spend eternity with my brother in heaven. Satan loves your compassion - just do as you are doing - did He really say don't eat of the fruit - just eat it, you will be fine. What kind of compassionate and loving God would throw out his very own creation in Adam and Eve simply because they ate of the forbidden fruit? What kind of compassionate and loving God would allow for His son to be scourged and crucified? Answer: One who has rules - like it or not - one who loves us enough to let us know those rules and who loves us enough to give us a way out (His Son). Ask yourself - if it didn't really matter - why would He have allowed His Son to endure so much? To my Homosexual brother or sister - you can not make it without Him - but with Him you can perservere through all - ask Him for the strength. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:51 AM:
" Shocked, I am saddened that you feel that in order to get love you have to participate in vile and disgusting sex acts, and cannot control your desires. This is NOT LOVE! How do you love someone and then do the sick things to each other that you do. You know those things that No one will ever discuss the real things that homosexuals do to each other? I fell compassion and pray that you will change your lack of respect for your body, in allowing another man to do to you what you think is love. I feel sorry for you, that you feel the only way you can be loved is by participating in these sex acts, that you have not found the love of Christ, to let HIS love contain you and carry you. I have a tremendous amount of compassion in that. I can't understand how you could believe that your acts are not sinful and further how they are loving. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:59 AM:
" Shocked,
I guess you also believe all are going to heaven? There is no heaven without a hell. Do you go to Church? "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:17 AM:
" Michelle, you do a great disservice to the Bible and its principals of love, compassion and not judging. You judge people harshly, you expect most of mankind to burn in eternal hell and you are prepared to spend your whole life obsessing with the sex lives of people you know nothing about. Your vitriol toward homosexuals far outweighs anything that can be interpreted from the Bible. In the meantime, you dismiss the love, compassion and non-judgmental principals therein. Your words are the very definition of bigotry. If you are so Christian, let us know what compassionate acts you are fulfilling today to offset the hatred in your heart. Incidentally, I am not homosexual. "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:22 AM:
" First off, michelle you do not know what happens within my home to call them vile and disgusting. How dare you judge if what I feel for my partner not love. You concentrate on the physical aspects of my relationship when what you do in the privacy in your home is not thought of by us. Why must we discuss "the real things that homosexuals do to each other?" The institution of marriage...you will find that there are a great deal of successful relationships within my community, if you only took the time. To blame the gays/lesbians for the destruction of marriage isn't even possible. HIV, STDs I believe the hetrosexuals have a bigger hand in the spread of these than you realize. There are many homosexuals trying to be what you want them to be and end up bringing things home to the wife/husband. I believe it to be the ones that you hold down that bring home the diseases. OUt of fear they live a dual life. Least I am true to me. I have my relationship with God, that you cannot judge. "Special priveledges?" I am American I was born with these rights. You and yours chose to snatch these away from me and my family. You sound offended about the lynching of blacks, means there is hope for you yet. One time they were seen as my community is seen. I stand in pride and in love. "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:33 AM:
" Mike,
Seems to me you have plenty of issues ongoing within your own life to sit and judge my life. It is people that are so judgemental that have children by the hundreds killing themself because they cannot live up to your expectations. Michelle, fights for the unborn child yet she allows to focus her bigotry to those that are just as fragile. Gay youth in America hear the very things you say and take that to mean that there is no other answer so to avoid the natural feelings they have they take the short cut because they know no other way. Judgemental people are killing our youth, but are you listening? Are you paying attention...or do you simply not care that another gay youth has killed themself?
You compare your sex drive with what I simply say is love. Ya'll need to get your head out of the bedroom and look at the hearts of my community. I get angry when young gay americans have no voice, no where to turn because hetrosexuals shame them to the point that life isn't worth it. I am sure of one that is paying attention to their cries...and that is the God I know. He sees their tears and you know what... I bet He doesn't turn His head to them. I am sure He gently picks them up and comforts them. Shame we can't all learn something from the lessons He has given to us.
"
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 12:04 PM:
" The reason we must discuss the things that you do to each other, is because it is NOT being discussed. Instead all we hear about is tolerance, well tolerance for what? For these very acts. No one will discusses how they denegrate the body, these are the real issues. Just as no one wants to hear what it is that CHOICE is. They call it hatred when you show them the truth of abortion as well. It is when you expose the sin that you are called a hateful person. That is interesting. For those poor children(I'll bet there are more today than ever before due to the indoctrination by TV and your radical agenda that is causing huge confusion to our youth)I would bet that as they truly pray to God for guidance and help He would not turn His head either. However, it is up to them as to whether they CHOOSE to act on their lustful desires just as it is the adulter, fornicator or baby murderer who chooses to act on theirs. I don't think God sees any of these acts differently. Baby murder however is the shedding of Innocent blood, but that is another topic. "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 18, 2006 12:08 PM:
" Yep, your heartfelt words are in such contrast to the nastiness and closed-mindedess of some of the Christianists on this messageboard who are trying to impose their interpretation of the Bible onto everyone in this country. These people would force WM to cut its ties to gay/lesbian organizations and force the estimated 10 million American homosexuals into indoctrination therapy. God would scratch his head and wonder why they are being so nasty to His people. Don't worry, Yep, God loves you for who you are; He created you this way; and you seem to be blessed with a good deal more humanity and compassion than those who seek to degrade you. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 12:12 PM:
" Yep, sorry but homosexuals are NOT just as fragile as the unborn. You are NOT INNOCENT and you HAVE A CHOICE! It is because of your perverse Gay Pride parades that I focus on your acts.It is you, in the gay community that brings it out in the open. If you want to be treated with respect, start with respecting YOURSELVES! If you can't respect yourself how can you expect anyone to respect you? You are a child of God if you believe that as I do please act like it, respect yourself and your friends, don't denegrate them with perverse,lewd and obsence sex acts. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 12:31 PM:
" I have a gay uncle. I would bet he wasn't created that way. He was sexually abused as a child.He is now homeless and hopeless.He's lived in the gay lifestyle for many years. It's precisely because of what it did to him and his degradation that caused him to indulge in alchohol.It helps him take away the hurt and pain and loniless.He even tried to kill himself,his own brother whom he was living with at the time threw him out on the streets.It was the last straw after all the lying and stealing. Sad though that this other uncle who treated his own brother on the street at the same time was brought into a big Baptist church and baptized into it, all the while never forgiving his own brother and for what?For trying to end all the pain that he's dealt with living in the homosexual lifestyle all those years.That is NOT the life that God created anyone to live!It is precisely because of this damage that we are saddened by your life choices and why we are spending any time on this subject at all.We believe that all children of God are to be loved and cherished not treated like a piece of flesh or meat or for that matter as a sex object.Gays don't deserve to be treated like trash any more than an unborn child whose been murdered in the womb deserves to be thrown away. "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:08 PM:
" Michelle, It may not suit to to hear this, but homosexuality is NOT a choice, as the overwhelming majority of homosexuals will testify. I am saddened to hear of your uncle's plight, but his story is NOT typical. Most of the homosexuals I have met are some of the most career-successful, wealthiest and educated people I have met -- all the statistics bear this out. If anything is going to drive a homosexual to despair it's PEOPLE LIKE YOU, the Rev. Ted Haggard, Donald Wildmon etc. Gay Pride events exist BECAUSE of people like you. The gay rights movement pushes for equality because people like you fight to keep homosexals as second class citizens. And stop bundling homosexuality with abortion - they are TOTALLY separate issues. And will you PLEASE tell me what positive Christian work you do - because all we hear from you is twisted logic and an obsession with gay sex! "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:18 PM:
" Your uncle, Michelle, with all due respect had more issues than what we are speaking of in this forum. Not all gay/lesbians have been molested or sexually abused. I am sure the abuse did lead him to drinking. May I ask, why didn't the family reach out to him to aid him in his struggle? You are correct that gays do not deserve to be treated like trash, you mention our parades, you sterotype all gay/lesbians based on parades? That would be me sterotyping you as Jim Jones, Topeka's finest, Phelps or David Koresh. Each of us are created in the image of God. Each child no matter what label you place on them are fragile. How can you fight for one and load the gun for the other? If I might quote Erik Erikson,"Someday, maybe, there will exist a well-informed, well-considered, and yet fervent public conviction that the most deadly of all possible sins is the mutilation of a child's spirit."
I beg your pardon, but I highly respect myself. I am also respected by many people from various walks of life. I am very respectful for everyone's belief. I may not share the point of view of the person, but I respect that they have passion in what they feel is correct.
My last question to you is about choice... why would I choose to live a lifestyle that is viewed as 2nd class? As a woman & lesbian I want equality. "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:31 PM:
" "I would bet that as they truly pray to God for guidance and help He would not turn His head either. However, it is up to them as to whether they CHOOSE to act on their lustful desires just as it is the adulter, fornicator or baby murderer who chooses to act on theirs."
In response to Michelle. Gay youth they hear, God hates you. You are vile. How can they feel they can go to God to pray for guidance when it is the "right wing christian" that tells them they can't because they are filth. Instead of leading them to Christ you are pushing them away. Tolerance... we are not asking for you to tolerate anything other than we are not like you. Yes, we love, yes we get up and get dressed just like you, yes we pay our bills, our taxes, vote and even fall in love. We have the right under the consitution to be treated equal. American does not mean you are white. American does not mean you are straight. American does not even mean that you are a christian. America was built by those seeking freedom. First thing we did was enslave those we saw as different, funny how we haven't learn that no one is better than another. We are all equal, just some of us have to prove it. I hope my child stays balanced in his beliefs. I hope that he understands love is love & people are equal. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:42 PM:
" Shocked,
Abortion is an excellent issue to expose the truthfulness of ones compassion. It exposes the person you are today. Many claim that if they were alive during slavery they would have harbored slaves, or during the holocaust harbored jewish people. A true measure of the truth as to whether they would have acted then, is how are they acting now in light of todays most horrendous injustice, abortion. Many Christians claim to be prolife but all they do is vote for some supposed prolife candidate, that is easy anyone can do that.
You claim people are trying to take away the rights of gays, but NO ONE involved in the Save Walmart campaign (I do believe) is calling for the death and dismemberment of anyone.Instead they are calling out to them in love and compassion to come out of this lifestyle and find peace and love in Christ, not continue in a demoralizing lifestyle. Shocked those that you know who are homosexual may be very successful in their jobs and extremely weathly, well of course they are they don't have any children to spend their money on & any children to take time off of work to spend with. But do you really think these people are statisfied? Are they truly happy? Money can't buy that. I would bet if you asked them and they gave an honest answer you'd be quite surprised.How well do you really know them? "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:48 PM:
" Michelle, did you actually READ the topic of this forum??? It's about HOMOSEXUALITY and WALMART, not about abortion. Homosexuals earn more money, regardless of who they have or don't have to spend it on. Homosexuals also have families - including the Vice-president's daughter. I have met many happy homosexuals, as much as that sticks in your throat. You are revealing time and time again your deep dislike of gays - and you throw all you can at them, but it only reveals the bile in your heart. And you STILL haven't told us about the positive Christian deeds you undertake. "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:57 PM:
" Hey, I see it this way. Yes there is a choice....
you can choose to go to Target...Kmart
You do not have to spend your money at Walmart. If you are so against the company being supportive to diversity, move right along. "
Appalled by Wal-mart wrote on Dec 18, 2006 1:58 PM:
" As a Christian and a registered Republican, I will NEVER shop at Wal-mart again! "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 2:13 PM:
" Shocked,
this forum is not about me and my deeds I already mentioned the work I do to try and spare unborn babies from the death of child killers while also trying to spare those poor and scared women into a life of remorse and regret knowing they've killed their own child.
I don't have a deep dislike for gays. Thats funny that you and others continue to believe and confuse the truth. What I do dislike and hate that it is being done are the things they do to each other to degrade their bodies and each other. Why is that so hard for you to understand? The fact that I want them to respect their bodies and those of others and not treat others like sex objects means in your opinion that I have bile in my heart.The topic of abortion just brings out YOUR own hypocracy and your selfishness.You only care about the supposed lack of rights of gays? What do you do to help anyone anyway?
Gays have the same rights as anyone in this country,if they want to get married they have the right to marry the opposite sex, hey, that is the definition of marriage.What they don't have is the RIGHT to PUSH their vile agenda or movement on anyones children!Maybe God doesn't want them involved in any sexual relationship.I believe God wants them to serve the orphans and widows not engage in self destructive behaviors! "
Yep wrote on Dec 18, 2006 3:12 PM:
" Glad my home address doesn't show up...
probably would love to see fireworks out of my home too. "
michelle wrote on Dec 18, 2006 3:22 PM:
" To "Yep," now you have nothing to say but to resort to nonsense. Guess the truth hurts. You don't know how to respond I guess, since I am not what you want to believe I am. Instead you respond with ridiculous inuendos, thats just immature. "
Shocked wrote on Dec 18, 2006 3:35 PM:
" What nonsense that gays have the same rights as everyone else - they do NOT currently have the right to marry the person they love because of their gender. That's discrimination in its purest form. And how does the topic of abortion bring out MY selfishness and hypocrisy? I choose not to discuss this issue on a topic about gays and Walmart since it's IRRELEVANT to that topic. And your last statement, about gays being created by God to serve orphans and widows, reveals the true extent of your twisted, supersticious worldview. You were born in the wrong century - your views belong to a time when witches were burnt. Yep, I agree: I would not want Michelle knowing my address either!!! "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 4:16 PM:
" Shocked, I completely agree with you. I don't believe in a God who smotes every sinner the second they sin - this world would be completely empty. My God teaches me to love everyone rather than pick and choose for who to love. I'm not perfect, I don't want God to punish me for pointing out the flaws in others; I'm not so holy I can do that. There are ten homosexual couple who go to my church, four of them are in the same Bible study group as I, they are treated just as us heterosexuals because they pray and love God. Does it bother me that they are same sex? Why should it? I'm not concerned with what they do in their bedrooms. I don't engage in homosexuality. I don't mind other people having a different religion, I was involved in the clean up of more than 10 Muslim centers after 9-11. Why? Because God said to love thy neighbor, he didn't tell me to pick and choose. I feel as though I am arguing again with my Grandfather. He believed in a vengeful, hateful, unforgiving, unmerciful God. He also believed that you should point out everyone else's sins and make them wear a Scarlet Letter on their chest for whatever their sins were. Around children he preached death, pits of fire, hell and damnation, he told them of all the sins *continued*... "
Cindy wrote on Dec 18, 2006 4:21 PM:
" To Michelle: First: my arguments for love has come straight out of Bible scriptures. There are many more versus in the Bible about loving your brother than there are about what is detestable. The point I've tried to make was reemphasised by Yep-you are pushing them way. And our best example from the Bible is through the life of Christ. Certainly you have read the story of how Peter used a sword to cut off the ear of a soldier coming to lead Jesus to his torture and crucifixion. Certainly you know Jesus reached over and restored the soldier's ear. Certainly you know how Jesus reached down to touch the leper who was from all others considered an OUTCAST, and healed him. As far as my pastor is concerned-the Dr. Rev. Charles Stanley. He's nationally known and adored by MANY Christians as a true Christian leader. I've also read many of his books and watch him on PAX TV every Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. Right now he's teaching about the Ways of God. Every morning I say a prayer asking the Lord to Guide me in a path of His will for that day, and everynight I ask his forgiveness after I have reviewed my day and saw ways I could have acted more in a more Christian manner. Now you have my Christian resume. I'm also a straight female. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 4:34 PM:
" that they committed every single day that made God mad at them. Did I mention that he became religious because he killed my Great Grandfather? Or that he was kept in a mental institution for nearly 3 years? Did I mention that his viewpoints of such a horrible, unforgiving God got him removed from SEVEN churches? They asked him to either keep his rather frightening opinions about God to himself or find another church that was more suited to his belief. He used to sit at the dinner table and wait until everyone was calm and quiet then rip me out of the church and demand, "If you died right now, where would you go?" He knew everyone's sins and held them against them like he was The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. Does that sound familiar here? I don't know, I thought it did. Although I have been accused of near Satanism for all that I need to repent for; I have spent every single day of my life morning and night praying to a God of mercy and compassion, when my parents wouldn't take me to church, I read the Bible and watched every religious program I could find on Sunday morning. I read the Bible every day, go to church and fight my own temptations. If I am wrong about the person I believe in, then I will happily take my place in Hell! "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 5:12 PM:
" Yup, God Bless You, if my God means anything. God made us all in his own image, which means YOU too, I see your struggles everyday in my town. I don't condemn you, judge you, or preach that you are evil or sinful. You are just another child of God, you cannot change what you are attracted to anymore than I can change my attractions. You love beyond many obstacles, I don't think that many of us heterosexuals could make such a giant leap, to put ourselves in a position where we knew everyone was going to look down upon us, which such is the attitude now for you. I respect that you can do that, I tried desperately to get out of a relationship with a guy that everyone condemned, of course, he was the only one to stand by me when I "adopted" my Mom. We are getting married in five days. :o) I had only a small taste of what you go through and it was nearly impossible for me originally. Love whoever you want if it brings you happiness. My fiancee and I are both ACLU members and activists for gay and lesbian rights as well as female reproductive rights. America owes you the same rights as everyone here. God doesn't make mistakes; He made you exactly as you are. Love blindly or else you see some of the people writing in for what they really are. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 5:19 PM:
" Cindy? What is PAX TV? And is 7 eastern, centeral, mountain, or pacific time, please? I've never heard of him before, I would very much like to hear him. Sorry, I'm a writer I don't know much about television these days. Thanks!! "
Cindy wrote on Dec 18, 2006 5:32 PM:
" 7 central. Pax is a cable network. I'm on the Dish Network. BUT, his website is InTouch.org, and you can view the sermons on your computer if you can't get him on TV. He even has a daily radio broadcast. You can here those on his website also. His website provides a lot of Christian information also. I hope that helped.
"
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 5:46 PM:
" Thank you Cindy, that did help! I'm out in the country of Dallas county so I'm dish too. You are the best! Thank you!!! "
William wrote on Dec 18, 2006 5:51 PM:
" I am deeply saddened by the statements I have read here. God made us to love Him. He gives us the choice whether we do or not. He calls us all to holiness. Each of us has different obstacles that we have to overcome to pursue the call to holiness. We are called to change our lives for Him because we love Him. If we truly love God, then we will love our brethren and want them to love God also and go to heaven. Out of love for our neighbor we must tell them right from wrong, just as a mother tells her child not to touch a hot pan or play in the street. The problem is that no one wants to change. Like a child can not touch a hot pan without being burned, we cannot continue to live in sin and go to heaven. People want to believe that they can live how they want and still go to heaven. God loves us all. He is a merciful God, but he is also a just God. Forgiveness cannot be granted unless one seeks it...Cor Jesu Sacratissimum, miserere nobis. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 6:37 PM:
" William, I understand your statements, but let me remind you - Christianity isn't the only religion in the world. Do you want Muslims or Hindus telling you how to live? No, you don't. How many people close the door on Jehovah's Witnesses after telling them that they have their own opinion. What if a Satanist started quoting from Anton Levay or the Satanic Bible in general. You would repel it, wouldn't you? What gives YOU the right to force YOUR religious opinions onto others. Right now, the Christian Bible is under a great deal of controversy about it being filled with Hate Literature. Yes, you do tell your children not to touch hot pans. But who are YOU to treat anyone else like a child. We are God's children, not your children. We will all stand before judgment, if the Christian religion is right and GOD will pass His judgment. If a murderer wants to believe he will go to Heaven that's his business to believe - not yours. Not the Christian faith. Hindus believe when they go to their Heaven they will get 72 virgins- just another religion. There are different religions, with different beliefs, why is it that only the Christians have the right to preach to everyone their religion when you tell everyone else you have your own faith? The door is allowed to be closed on you as well. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:44 PM:
" I’ve been re-reading all of the comments and discovered something interesting in those that have supported the protests, and calling sin what it is-sin, and you’ve been up in arms and defensive with those of us who feel the protests are based on judgmental messages targeted at gays. What you don’t seem to be realizing is that you are becoming just as offended with us for calling judgment the sin it is, and you have accused us
of only choosing what we want to hear in the Bible, being too tolerant of sinful acts because of the love the Bible also offers. I offered additional scriptures that promoted the love of God and Christ, and substantiated that we are not our brother/sister’s judge through the scriptures. I never did invalidate the other scriptures being quoted. You know judgment is a sin according to the Bible, so you attempt to try to invalidate our message by judging our motivations behind our message-and in essence try to push our message away or sweep it under a rug. It just gets in your way of trying to force them out of Walmart. Doesn’t that sound the least bit familiar? "
Cindy wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:45 PM:
" All HUMANS respond to acts and words of love much more successfully than anger, hatred, and judgment. You’ve read how those who identified themselves as gay have responded to your comments, but you haven’t seen them respond with anger to mine. You are hurting your own testimony as a Christian because your statements are what prompt their comments of “so called Christians.” Which should also be an indication to you that they have read the Bible a lot more than you are giving them credit for. Offer them God’s love and a motivation to find out more. The gays know Leviticus 18:22 better than they know their own Social Security number. They have heard it a million times since they first came out. But what they don’t hear being said to them in most circumstances are the verses I chose to quote. Tell them the additional truth that is also there. Someone accused those of us who were quoting the scriptures as just quoting those that fit our needs. The interesting thing about that is that every sermon I have listened to, the pastor always uses the specific Scripture(s) to validate his message. That was my motivation. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:46 PM:
" . My Dad used to tell me when you point your finger at one person, you have three pointed right back at yourself. He also used to tell me you could catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. Old sayings both of them-but they’re True. Since we are talking about the business of Walmart, let me give you an analogy of your consumerism. When you go shopping what type of salesperson do you respond to the best. The one that shows you their presence and offers their assistance when you need it, or the one that stays in your face and tries to force their product down your throat?
"
eurekan wrote on Dec 18, 2006 9:48 PM:
" I grew up in the 50's, am a registered Republican and had to attend church as a kid. I am appalled that church folks would try to control our lives in the modern world. According to 2 friends who are history and anthropology majors, social control was one of the main goals of religion, but come on, this is not 1500 AD!! I have sworn off religion due to this kind of behavior, from local to federal levels.
Let's leave that attitude of control to the kooks in the mideast. "
Thank you all wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:06 PM:
" Again, I read and am in disbelief. Although everyone, myself included, has an opinion and has voiced his or her thoughts, convictions and concern. again, nothing was solved. We are as we have always been, against one another. Instead of the way of Christ so close to the day we celebrate his birth. Today, as 2000+ years ago, we are at odds with each other, over faith in what we believe to be right. Why can't we all agree to allow each of us the right to love whom we choose and respect that as equal to the value we put on our own choice in love? Isn't that the true message of God and the Christ? Love one another as I love you? Stop. Listen. God loves us all, gay, straight, black, white, jew, muslim, hindu, gentile, budist. Why can't we be more godlike? More like Christ? You keep your faith, I'll keep mine. God will decide in the end who he loves more, right? If you win, bravo! If my God choses to love me and not you because you condemed me, then I win, right? But what if, by some strange chance, God loves us both, because we both believed in him and knew in our hearts that he loved us? Who wins then? Oh yeah, God wins. Stop singling out Wal-Mart and bashing them and the gays and... "
Thank you all wrote on Dec 18, 2006 10:10 PM:
" ... the venom spewing christian radical. Stop. Love one another, make your choices where to shop and who to love. Just stop hating. Kmart, Sears,Coca-Cola, IBM, Dell, Lowes, etc. are all doing the right thing for workplace equality. Kudos to Wal-Mart again for standing up for themselves and the countless other companies that did not and will not bow to the radicals on either side of the argument. They are simply doing what you all have been, believing that they are doing the right thing for the right reason. Respectfully, goodnight. "
HnD wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:34 PM:
" To Eurekan; Right on. These are the kind of Christ Killing Christians that have all but destroyed the once Holy Name of Christ. These egotists are the very reason why religion has such a distasting reaction to people's ears nowadays. Instead of organizing against those that legislatively support abortion and those that legislately support the action of homosexuality, these egotists hammer home their hate to a company and to the people that choose to shop at company. There will be a special place in the recycle bin for these loonies. May God have mercy on their souls for they not know how stupid they sound. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:41 PM:
" Cindy, Thank You All, Eurekan, HnD, I want to thank you. One of the things that I think everyone here, including MYSELF, is missing is that the Bible tells us that slavery is right (Leviticus 25:44; Exodus Chapter 21:20; Titus 2:9); women are worthless defilers who should remain silent at all times and have no voice at church, which one person seems to miss especially as she is damning the homosexuals for what they “do“, while she, a woman, stand up and say what she wants, which IS against the Bible (1 Corinthians 14; 1 Tim 2; 1 Peter 3:2-6), if we followed the Bible exactly as it says the entire world would be dead, for we are to stone: Everyone who works on the Sabbath; everyone who does not believe in God; Anyone who curses father or mother; everyone who commits adultery; everyone who happens to be Homosexual; everyone who takes the Lords name in vain; everyone who breaks the 10 commandments. After that, who is to stone the last person? I KNOW that sounds as though I am being hypocritical of the Bible, but the USA freed the slaves; there are some Christian bookstores that are open on the Sabbath; I know almost no one who hasn’t taken the Lord’s name in vain or broke a commandment, at least, once. I am a female who, at the age of thirty, hasn‘t been married,*continued…*
"
Tierranney wrote on Dec 18, 2006 11:44 PM:
" …I used to work on the Sabbath, as you can see I am NOT silent, I want my rights as a human being. We don’t mind that women are allowed to have rights, we don’t mind that blacks are free now, no one has went out to stone people working on the Sabbath, we aren’t stoning anyone, we have given all races, religions, creeds, nationalities rights; but we fight now because homosexuals want their own rights. I just don’t see how any of us have the right to object to the Gay and Lesbian community having the same rights that were granted to the rest of us, that several of us weren’t supposed to have. If those beliefs, or the fact I will not bow to my husband’s superiority over my inferior self, make me a bad Christian then so be it. As this is my final entry, as I have neglected my writing too long, and there will never be an end to this discussion, I wish to say I don’t condemn anyone here for their viewpoints, I didn’t start writing to aggravate or upset anyone (it just happens to be something I am inadvertently good at), I only wished to show to my personal support for a group of PEOPLE (human beings) who are fighting for the same rights that were given to me - to everyone. God bless you all and have a very happy and safe holiday season! "
Truth is wrote on Dec 19, 2006 7:42 AM:
" Sam Walton had beliefs, that the current leadership does not. His kids included. It will never be the same. After Christmas when the cuts come that is when most of us will up and quit and that is exactly what they wanted. "
Mike wrote on Dec 19, 2006 7:59 AM:
" Hey I got a good idea-let's just make Jesus whatever we want Him to be - that would make things so much easier. For that, let's also just read those passages in the Bible we like or take them out all together or perhaps feminize it. Jesus did EXACTLY what these guys from Operation Save America are doing. I just think none of you have even the slightest knowledge of what hate actually is. Don't I hate my brother more when I look past his drug addiction? We can't get an "I don't like what you have to say speech" law so let's just call it hate and pass a hate speech law? You are all right that we are called on to love one-another - that is the greatest commandment. Thing is, love is NOT tolerance. Jesus did NOT tolerate the prostitute-he came to her aid and then said...what!!!?-now go and SIN NO MORE. Was it hate that he called her actions sinful? NO-the hate would have been those who wanted to kill her. The hate would have been to tolerate her behavior all the way into hell. No one here is condoning killing anyone-that WOULD be hate. All these guys are doing is what all Christians are obligated to do-admonishemt of the sinner is A SPIRITUAL ACT OF MERCY and something we are called on to do-BECAUSE we love. "
Thanks wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:08 AM:
" to Cindy for her insightful comments. As a gay, happy, successful Christian man, I appreciate people like you :-) "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:13 AM:
" To Jerry Hawkins-I would like to challenge you to support your statement with Biblical scripture. If you do not have a Bible, Bible Gateway on the internet is a wonderful place to go to read the Bible. The life of Christ will be found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and in Acts. I hope you take this challenge. "
Yep wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:42 AM:
" And the words still flow. I would like to say as the one pointed out in this forum as the lesbian in the group, thank you to those that believe in the "human race." Thank you for understanding that we(gays) are not trying to force our "lifestyles" upon anyone. I truly wouldn't wish anyone of you to walk this life. I know without any hesitation that I have been created the way I am. You only look at my "gayness" but there is much more to me. I am the one that holds the door for the elderly. I am the one that if you only have 3 items in line at Wal-Mart lets you go ahead of me. I am the one that will treat each person I come in contact with as a human. I do not see color, I do not see wealth, I do not see any of you any different than myself. God decided long ago that I will walk upon this earth ad He has you. If you want to know my background, I was raised southern baptist and I attended college at a southern baptist college. I have studied His word. I have gained a relationship that no one can judge. Continue...... "
MIke wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:42 AM:
" I do have one last entry into this conversation and it is a personal situation I was engaged in 5 years ago. We had a young man at our Church who was dying of aids. He placed me in the position of confessor (something I was highly uncomfortable with but did it anyway). Yes, he was homosexual. We even had what most believe was a homosexual priest as his pastor. Who was there in the end? Was it his family who openly accepted his chosen lifestyle? No, not them. How about his lover? No, they had a falling out. How about all of his friends who supported him and his chosen lifestyle? No-supportive but absent. As this man whithered to 90 pounds and died-none of them were present-not even the feminine priest. They were all at the funeral though. They all wanted a sermon about how we needed to accept this mans lifestyle-about how homosexuality was not a sin. This precious child of God was left to rot by all of those "loving" and "caring" people in his life. It was a Christian loving him to his grave, kissing him goodnight and holding his hand (yes, this bad Christian who didnt approve of his chosen lifestyle)-his tolerant and accepting "friends" and family were nowhere to be found. You tell me you love-give me a break-love enough to stop before its too late. "
Yep wrote on Dec 19, 2006 9:15 AM:
" ... continued...
This forum is not going to resolve this issue. Each of us were given a mind and heart of our own. Each with different beliefs. If you must lash out at those that support diversity then so be it. There are many companies do support diversity so you may want to research those that do so you may stick with your convictions. I would give you a website, but it is sponsored by the those that do support equal rights to ALL humans. I guess I can understand your need to not support these companies, it's your right. Just as I make decisions based upon if a company does support diversity. I would rather my monies go to the companies that support each person not just a select group. I am happy to say that the list is growing that have broaden their support. Since you say you are not going to shop Wal-Mart because they support diversity, I believe you should go with that decision 100% and not just point out Wal-Mart. You might be surprised that many companies have the policy to not discrimanate based on race, creed, religion, sex or sexual orientation. You can't just limit your decision to one company simply because they are a giant. Research. Investigate. See just where you can spend your monies. Merry Christmas to all. Peace and Pride. "
Thanks to all wrote on Dec 19, 2006 12:38 PM:
" For those of you who have interest, please view this buying guide:
http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide/
I believe both side of the issue will find it enlightening. I admit I make buying decisions from the information it provides. I urge you to do the same.
peace and pride, I like it! "
Mike wrote on Dec 19, 2006 12:59 PM:
" To thanks, "As a gay, happy, successful Christian man" - please read my comment above and then tell me - if I didn't really care, why would that have happened - if I didn't really care, why would I say anything to anyone at all about homosexuality? It would certainly make my life significantly easier to just sit home on the couch and not reach out to anyone. Do you not realize that Jesus died on a Cross the way He did to bring reconciliation between those who SIN and the Father? Do you not realize that it is those who call themselves by His name who are called on to show why that reconciliation is needed? Do you not realize that homosexuality is just another sin of the flesh - like masturbation and adultery - no better, no worse - one whose roots lie in selfishness and perversion? Do you not realize that it is by love that I am motivated to care for Eddie and it is by love that I am motivated to call my brother out of the bondage of sin? You know what - at the end Eddie told me that no one had touched him flesh to flesh in weeks - it brought tears to his eyes. Isn't this love? Don't I love more by trying to ensure that it doesn't happen to someone else (and yes, Eddie said it was most likely due to sex)? "
Dave wrote on Dec 19, 2006 2:42 PM:
" Mike, you live in a sad coocooned world of self-righteousness. I pity how the world around you must make you feel - the diversity, the humanity, the different religions and beliefs which contradict your own dogma. I pity you for the anger and hatred you feel, and for the struggle you have to try to cloak it in 'compassion'. Your last tale about the man who died of AIDS is your most twisted attempt at propaganda yet - implying that those who 'support' homosexuality are the very ones who abandoned this man; while those, like you, who spit anti-gay sentiment at every opportunity, are the only ones who really care. I say it again - I pity you, and anyone else, who is unable to accept the diversity of the world in which they live. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 3:13 PM:
" Mike, your compassion, love and caring for your friend Eddie is without a doubt something to be praised and applauded. And I do. This is the first time I have been able to read the comments today or I would have said so earlier. I would like to say more now, but must wait until I can from my home.
"
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 19, 2006 3:24 PM:
" As touching as Mike's story is, the reality is that when the gay community in the US was being ravaged by AIDS in the 1980s, the Reagan administation and Christians in general stood by and did nothing. A major crisis was happening in our midst and Ronald Reagan did NOTHING. He remained silent on the issue, while fundamentalists almost gleefull declared AIDS was God's wrath on homosexuals. Just like the Catholic church which preaches abstinence to the people of Africa as the only way to prevent the spread of AIDS, while tens of millions are dying. If Mike's story is true, his caring Christian would be scorned as complicit in sin by many Christianists. "
Christianity rules the world wrote on Dec 19, 2006 4:56 PM:
" 'Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)... There are just some kind of men who - who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.' - Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
Maybe you should try the whiskey instead.You knew a homosexual with AIDS like a racist says they aren't racist they have a black friend.If you want one religion that rules all go to Iraq. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 5:53 PM:
" I started posting comments because of my concern for Rev. Benham's motivations of protesting Walmart. I have viewed their website and additional concerns grew. For those who don't know, there is a definite gay hate group in Wichita Kansas known as Westboro Church. Their spiritual leader is Fred Phelps. In 1998, a 21 year old openly gay college student was beaten, tied to a fence and left for dead in Wyoming. His name was Matthew Shepard. He died five days later. Fred Phelps and his church went to Wyoming with their hate signs and attended that man's funeral. They terrorized and harrassed that grieving family during the funeral. He has recently informed the city of Caspar he intends to erect a statue to Matthew Shepard which states "Entered the gates of Hell Oct. 12, 1998 in defiance of God's Warning." and will quote Lev. 18:22 on the statue. Now this Fred Phelps is attending the funerals of U.S. Soldier's who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan to vent rage against the United States for tolerance of homosexuality. There is no indication that the soldier's were gay. He's harrassing the families who have already lost a son/daughter who DIED to protect us all. He has two web sites. Godhatesfags.com and GodhatesAmerica.com. He has done nothing short create an emotional and psychological holocaust of the faith of the gay community NATIONALLY.continued "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 6:08 PM:
" He isn't trying to save Gays-he's telling them God hates them. So now here comes Rev. Benham trying to save a corporatation from gays. A corporation is a piece of paper that represents a business that's filed with the home state's Secretary of State's office. I find that too closely familiar to the start of the Phelps's campaign. They have a different method than Phelps, but just as Phelps, the gays are being targeted. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 6:21 PM:
" To Mike (if you are still even viewing this post site) again I applaud your compassion to your friend and being with him till the end. AIDS is a horrible thing. I'm afraid that PaulNYC's frustration lies in the fact that aggressive reseach didn't begin until it started infecting heterosexuals. To Christianity Rules the World, lets just pray that none of us has to know or lose anyone else to AIDS and give Mike the credit where the credit is due. And, I'm afraid my vote of who needs to move to Iraq would be Fred Phelps. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 19, 2006 7:54 PM:
" I told myself that I wouldn't read this anymore because it made me sad, but I wanted to address PaulNYC. I was born a Catholic and stayed that horrible way until I met my real father and finally realized why I was so fascinated all my life with Greeks. The government and the Greek Orthodox religion which is more me, since my mother was barely Methodist. It's very hard for the Greeks to have any views against homosexuality considering that ancient Greeks were homosexuals. Democracy (in it's truest form) was invented by the ancients, and lived successfully in the City-State Civilization. Socrates, written by Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Aristophanes - you name it, read in our schools today and held as true classics, all homosexuals. The Catholic Church wouldn't even acknowledge that Galileo was right about the world being round until 1990. Mother Theresa suffered an exorcism when she lay dying because they thought the devil was in her. There beliefs are set in stone and fact isn't ever going to change them. HOWEVER, Greek citizens have among the lowest HIV rates in Europe, a political party, began to ensure Gay rights has given Greek homosexuals more rights than they have every had, and abortion is accepted in Greek society, and its performance is perfectly legal. Unlike in America, where religion plays a large role in homosexual rights and opposing abortion (legal in America), the Greek Orthodox Church is not strongly anti-abortion or anti-homosexuality. Continued... "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 19, 2006 7:57 PM:
" Cindy, you are right that the stubborn refusal of Reagan to acknowledge the AIDS epidemic in this country leaves me angry. Maybe I would have gotten over it by now, but when you see in 2006 the 'God Hates Fags' placards, those gay-hating narrowed eyes of Pat Robertson, the majority of Kentucky folk voting against gay marriage rights, the Bible-thumping Walmart protesters... you know the lies, bigotry, prejudice, and hatred are still there. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 19, 2006 7:59 PM:
" Certainly, I'm not telling homosexuals to move to Greece, but you are confronted with a great number of churches that believe gays and lesbians are instantly going to Hell - there are religions in Greece and all of Turkey that aren't so narrow minded. The Greek Orthodox Church used to be as unbending, yet they aren't anymore, someday, it will all change and everyone will be allowed to live as they want. One step at a time. "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:08 PM:
" Tierranney, Moving to Greece is an attractive idea. I spent much of my life in Britain and, even though there is a conservative streak in the British psyche (the last hurrah of which was Margaret Thatcher), the British generally show a tolerance and worldliness that leaves them dumbfounded by the continued existence of American puritanism. When Brits see the God Hates Fags troop, southerners trembling and speaking in tongues in mega-churches, and Presidents pledging to write anti-gay legislation into the Constitution, they are perplexed and would be amused if those same people didn't have the chance to vote for the most powerful man on Earth (the US President). "
Cindy wrote on Dec 19, 2006 8:21 PM:
" Absolutely. But please remember to keep God in your heart and do NOT let the words of man keep you from getting to know who God is completely. Don't allow the words and actions of man to steal away from you the Love of God. Satan creates the hatred in this world, and the bigotry, and the prejudice because he wants all of us to be separated from God. And we have to make it our own individual responsibility to daily seek out God through prayer and reading the Bible. The Bible is a huge reading undertaking. And it is also a huge leap of faith to believe in something we cannot see in front of us. Especially when we daily walk in a world that is wreaking with man's inhumanity to man, bigotry, hatred and prejudice. There is a verse in Matthew: Seek and you shall find; knock and door will be opened to you. The Pat Robertson's, Phelps group, etc. are just mortal men and are just as prone to sin as we all are. I told someone else today, if you don't have a Bible of your own, Bible Gateway is on the internet. Give it a try. It belongs to you just as much as it belongs to everyone. See and you shall find. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 19, 2006 11:45 PM:
" PaulNYC Greece is a beautiful, tolerant country that realizes everyone is an individual with their own rights, own abilities, own voices. When the Greek Orthodox church WHO BELIEVE IN GOD can accept people for who they are I am always surprised at this country that stands for not allowing anything that they don't "like". Anytime you want to go, my father would give you food, clothing and shelter until you could do for yourself, and SURPRISINGLY he will give whatever he can without telling you to convert to Greek Orthodox religion, without forcing God down your throat, without trying to change you, your lifestyle is entirely your own. Greek's have this wonderful attitude that basically says, we will offer Bibles, offer churches, if you want to read them then they are there for you, if you ask for help, we will help you, until then you are loved for being a person. No one is going to tell you how to live. Besides, the islands are AWESOME!!!! Never been to Britain, but I know a few Brits and yeah, they pretty much think we spend too much time minding everyone else's business. Unfortunately, if I leave the US and don't go to Greece, my Dad gives me guilt trips, but maybe I'll take him to Britain. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 19, 2006 11:55 PM:
" PaulNYC, Forgot to tell you this...Christmas is BEAUTIFUL in Greece as well. My father lives in Athenai (Athens) and it's sort of LIKE New York City, where you are surrounded with the big buildings, but when you look up, beyond those buildings is the Acropolis, and ohhhh, it's just gorgeous!! During Christmas everything is decorated and just amazing! The marketplace in Athens is always full of stores with beautiful hand made things. If you like night life, Greece doesn't even come to life until night - it's like Christmas every night in Greece. Greece depends a great deal on tourist money so there are English speakers everywhere. Ever had a 12 course Greek meal? Ummmmmmm, yummy! "
Daniel wrote on Dec 20, 2006 6:29 AM:
" I am so ashamed to me an American. To see all of this "spewing" of venom and all around Walmart and the Bible...Come on people, wake up...we have "bigger fish to fry" in this world today. I have no stomach for people who quote the bible by verse, and I am even more suspicious of people who judge others. Go help someone; do something nice for a loved one. Stop waisting your time! "
Jerry wrote on Dec 20, 2006 8:17 AM:
" My!!! My!!! All these ignorant non-Christians putting words into Jesus' mouth, and misquoting the Bible to serve their own immoral agendas.
At Jesus' first advent, He warned that all mankind were sinners against God, who would receive the "judgment" of God's WRATH at death.
Jesus' Gospel (good news) was that He came to provide a way to avoid God's WRATH. Submit your life to Him. Be "born again" as a spiritual son of God. Jesus' Spirit will then live in a Christian's heart, and help them to live a life in accordance with christian principles.
Every sinner, be they a practicing homosexual or a regular church-going "pharisee" who never was truly "born again", will receive God's WRATH when Jesus Christ returns at His second Advent.
"Good people" don't go to heaven.
"Saved people" go to heaven.
Everyone else receives "judgment" in Hell. There, you will be able to practice "love" for your fellow homosexual occupants all you like. You will have all the time you like to argue how your standards of morals and "love" are better and higher than what you "thought" was in the Bible. You will be in Hell, because that is exactly where you will belong. You will have eternity to weep and gnash your teeth. Probably, noone will listen. Your neighbors will be too busy weeping and gnashing their own teeth.
"
Johnny wrote on Dec 20, 2006 9:53 AM:
" Was Jesus tortured and then killed a very painful death on the Cross for a reason? If so, what was the reason? If it was due to sin, what kind of things were people doing back then that were sinful? It sound to me like everyone wants to say there is no sin. If we are still doing some of those same things today but have a way out in Jesus if we repent, what does repentence mean? For I have set before you life and death...now choose life... Yup, we can choose to sin but unfortunately there is that little verse that says if our brother sins and we don't warn him of the repurcussions, his blood will be on our hands. "
Whew! wrote on Dec 20, 2006 1:47 PM:
" Thank goodness that we, in our ignorance, have Jerry to speak for Jesus! Of course, you could have just said that only good Baptists go to heaven - that would have been much more succinct. There has been plenty of ignorance spouted on this blog, much of it by heterosexuals who have so much to say about the homosexual "agenda" and "lifestyle choice". I guess your world view would crumble if you entertained the mere thought that people might really be born gay. Most, if not all, of the homosexuals posting on this website would tell you that the notion that a person could be HETEROsexual is as foreign and unnatural to them as the concept of HOMOsexuality is to you. When did you choose to be straight? At what age did you make that decision?? Surely you haven't always been that way, as far back as your earliest memory...it's definitely a choice, right? "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 20, 2006 4:30 PM:
" Whew! Chromosomes 4, 7, 10 are involved in sexuality - also there is an antigen produced in the mother's womb (us, defilers of men) that interacts with male sexuality, ESPECIALLY in the case of several male births. So, there you have it, it's all women's faults again...well, no, the antigen is the women's, chromosome 10 is the mother's...but chromosome 4 & 7 is the father, which is actually more common than antigen. I didn't chose to be straight, nor did I chose to have an attraction to blonde muscular men. I just looked around one day, saw a ton of guys and singled one out that I thought was the most attractive to ME. Jerry, I'm a female, I singled out a man, with long blonde hair, and lots of muscles - am I going to Hell? As for homosexuals POSSIBLY being born that way...weren't we all created in God's image? Oops, I have broken the Jerry commandment - I must go pray. Obviously, to my heathen God, but it counts because I'm Greek Orthodox and we aren't so anal retentive! Yea! "
Protest Sin wrote on Dec 20, 2006 4:37 PM:
" Lord God in Heaven our prayer is that you open our eyes that we might see and open our ears that we may hear through the power of your Holy Spirit, and become doers of Your word and not just hearers of it.
Amen "
Cindy wrote on Dec 20, 2006 5:46 PM:
" Jerry, I really do hate to burst your bubble, but I am going to Heaven. Since you don't know me, I'll introduce myself. I am a Christian. That means I accepted Christ as the Savior who died for my sin and your sin. For all people's sin. I pray for his guidance and try to live my life in a way that would please Him. I treat my neighbor the way I would want to be treated-with respect and dignity. I try to set a good Christian example and I try to show people how God has worked in my life so that they might want Him in their life. I pray for family and friends and for people I don't know. I live my life in peace, love and harmony with everyone that I am around. I am slow to anger and fast to praise. And when I do face anger, resentment and pain, I pray for my inner peace from the one I know can give it and will. That's who I am.
Johnny, if Rev. Benham had been warning people about the sin in their lives-all sin, all people, it would be different. But he was trying to convince Walmart that they should deprive gays equal employment by iliminating the businesses that support their right to equal employment. It's completely different. "
Cindy wrote on Dec 20, 2006 5:51 PM:
" Now, I'm going to a retirement party this evening for a man who's worked in the same job for 35 years. Oh yeah, he's straight. He's always had the right to equal employment. "
Who is Kidding Who? wrote on Dec 20, 2006 9:49 PM:
" Quoted in article "We take pride in the fact that we treat every customer, every supplier and every member of our individual communities fairly and equally," Weber said."
Yes, That was Sam's Beliefs!
Lee Scott and the rest of his crew's translation...show me the $$$
"
Heather wrote on Dec 21, 2006 11:30 AM:
" The sad part is I know that nothing I say here could possibly change anyone's mind, because I've learned the hard way that it's pointless arguing with hardcore christians. I guess I have to give you one thing--you're damned well-set in what you believe, no matter how flawed it is.
I'm gay. I did not choose to be gay, I just am. I remember having crushes on other girls from when I was five or six. Explain to me, how a six year old can openly choose to sin? I used to go to church, I went to sunday school and listened to everything. I was never molested, I never lacked any parental figure, I was a very sheltered kid, innocent as the driven snow. I never had many friends, and certainly no wild, deviant ones. We were the goodie two-shoes. While everyone else was partying and getting drunk and having sex, we were doing our homework. So where did this horrible evil influence come from? Where was "Satan" in my life, and how did he convince me to turn gay?
Maybe he didn't.
But it doesn't matter. March outside walmart with your signs and your bible versus and scream to the skies that I should not be allowed to have rights.
I'll be living my life happily with someone I love, no matter what you think. "
Whew! wrote on Dec 21, 2006 1:55 PM:
" Well said, Heather. You have described my childhood and upbringing perfectly. "
PaulNYC wrote on Dec 21, 2006 2:39 PM:
" Tierranney, Thank you for the invitation to Greece, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Jerry, I pity you. So full of righteous indignation at 90% (95%? 99%?) of the world YOU consider to be sinful. I hate to disappoint you, but there is no way - logically, morally, biblically - that the creator of all the universe would condemn the vast majority of his creations to a fate worse than anything Hitler could have imagined. If that is not implausible enough, that he would spare someone as hateful and bigotted as you in the process renders your argument void of any credibility. "
Enuff wrote on Dec 21, 2006 4:47 PM:
" Lets close all the walmarts! But where would the poor people shop? Maybe it would even end the influx of Hispanics? Free enterprise is free enterprise something this country was founded on. The company doesnt have to stand for anything other than customer service. If you dont like it dont shop there. Bibles and politics have no place in business. Take your opinions and your business to someplace that feels and acts the same as you. The Waltons have a homesexual in the family and want to support them. If you had someone in your family and could support them you would to. Quit preaching and start teaching by example, stick with your own kind and fester the hate among yourselves... "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 21, 2006 11:52 PM:
" Paul, you are most certainly welcome for the invitation, I would be a complete and total idiot, to put my email address on here, although I am sorely tempted to, my father is Jonathan Adrianne Sandalis (my first name is JonAdrianne - imagine that), he lives in Athenai (Athens) and owns a little Greek bakery (it's in Greek so no one here would be able to see the Greek lettering) on the main strip of the marketplace (you'll find it), there are three signs in the window (in Greek, English and Arabic); Everyone feed here, as he also keeps a kitchen decently stocked with food for anyone who is down on their luck; Everyone loved here; Everyone welcome here. If I had never before understood the meaning of humanity, love, compassion, or a sense of caring before - I learned it from him. Even if you need absolutely nothing from him, stop in and tell him JonAdrianne sent you in, he has a beautiful little boat he is so proud of, named after his wife (passed away), and he will FORCE you to take a tour of the islands! "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 22, 2006 12:08 AM:
" ENUFF You tell them! I was behind some of those Holy Hypocrites tonight at Wal-Mart, they who CLAIMED, to be at the protest (I live in Dallas - so I wouldn't doubt it) and I have to say, they looked so pinched face and prudish, looking down their noses at everyone, like they had a enormous candy cane shoved somewhere unpleasant. Meanwhile, I had been Merry Christmas'ing everyone, my fiancee had been picking out presents, laughing and just having the Christmas spirit - loving God and being good people, JUST good people - race, creed, color, religion, sexual orientation, we didn't know or didn't care. We had a basketball and were bouncing it at each other through the store laughing. Everyone was laughing with us, saying Merry Christmas back, we were HAPPY and passed it on. I accidentally got carried away and said "Merry Christmas" to a couple who were very obviously Muslims, I said I was sorry tried to say Happy Holidays but before I could, he held up his hand and said, "It was fine, Merry Christmas to us (my fiancee and I)". We offended no one, passed smiles and laughter on, while they just stood there with a sour look on their faces complaining. I'm sorry, but I don't see angry, nasty, pinched face people as celebrating the day that we, as Christians (if everyone reading is), are supposed to be embracing. Who is having a merrier Christmas? "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 22, 2006 12:17 AM:
" To the Michelles, Jerrys, Mikes, Erics of the world - God is going to judge me when I die - not a single one of you with your holier than thou opinions. God is going to judge the homosexuals, the sinners, the women on birth control, those who had an abortion, who believe in respecting everyone else whether they are a "sinner" or not. Merry Christmas to you, I'm going to have a wonderful wedding and Christmas with my Athetist sister, my homosexual brothers-in-law, my sister who had an abortion, my mom who gave me a different father, my mother-in-law who doesn't believe in the Bible - and we are going to celebrate the birth of a man who loved us and died for our sins. "
Bill Hewitt wrote on Dec 22, 2006 9:43 AM:
" WHEN are these jerks going to quit lying and own up to the fact that the reason they are againse abortion, etc, is because it takes away a tool they used to have to scare people away from having "sinful" sex? The same people who want to get involved with the relationship between a woman, her doctor, and her pharmacist, are the same ignorant, backward yahoos who wanted all contraception to remain illegal. Remember when condoms all had the "this product is for the prevention of disease only" label on them because they couldn't legally be sold for contraception?
Better to spend eternity in hell than to spend a week with these holier-than-thou creeps. "
Shocked wrote on Dec 22, 2006 11:09 AM:
" Haha, Bill: I have often wondered how heaven could possibly be 'heaven' if it was supposedly to be filled with the likes of Jerry Falwell, Rev Phelps, Pat Robertson etc. (and the Muslim version with the likes of Osama Bin Laden and his suicidal hijackers) all of whom profess intimate knowledge of the meaning of life and afterlife. They spend their life on Earth making other people's lives hell, then condemn them to the 'real' hell afterwards. And they do so without realizing how much they have lost the plot. Let's hope 2007 is a year of reason and humanity, and sees the end of medieval superstition and bigotry. "
Larry wrote on Dec 22, 2006 11:22 AM:
" Christ said to LOVE all people not to just the ones that you approve. I just don't picture Christ holding protest signs and screaming at innocent people in his day. This is just not the way that Christ taught to treat others. I think that what the country needs is for the pastors to retrain their congreagations in the Bible (especially Southern Baptist) to love each other and stop their hatred toward others. "
Wow! wrote on Dec 22, 2006 11:51 AM:
" This lesbian would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm going to enjoy this holiday season with my family and friends that know me and love me for who I am NOT for the person some of you have decided I am...Thank you Wal-Mart for realizing that people are different and we don't all come in the same neat little package. "
Jolly wrote on Dec 22, 2006 11:54 AM:
" I hope that Mr. Benham and his band of hateful elves have a Merry Christmas. I have a feeling that the only thing Santa will be leaving Mr. Benham is a huge lump of coal. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 22, 2006 5:34 PM:
" Bill, LMBO!! Well, I could always quote my sister here, she had an abortion when her husband, who cheated on her regularly, gave her an STD that would have killed the baby, he was leaving her for a stripper named X-tasy. I remember taking her to the abortion clinic, this was during the string of bombings where those pro-lifers where killing even the receptionist who was just trying to support her family, we passed through the venom spewing idiots with armed police officers, and I remember my sister said, "I wonder how many of these people had parents who wished abortion was legal when they were pregnant." I COULD quote the 11-year-old, in the waiting room with us, 3 months pregnant with her father's baby. She couldn't get him to "leave her alone"; her father was a preacher at a local church. She was covered in crap that those pro-lifers were pitching at her, I still wonder if her father was in that crowd protesting her. Between the Catholic schooling, that girl, and the group outside who wanted to kill us, my sister became Atheist. My two beautiful little nieces and precocious little nephew, ARE raised in the Christian faith. Both my sister and that girl were shown the evil side of religion all of their lives, how could God punish either of them when all of zealots of God hated them? My sister teaches a loving God, we think she'll see him through her kids; we don't preach. "
rich wrote on Dec 23, 2006 10:13 AM:
" wal-mart is a public market and not a church. You cannot expect a public market to marginalize or disenfranchise an economic segment based on sexual orientation. Wal-mart has no spiritual authority or responsibility do so. I would suggest that operation save america, go to work to expunge sin from themselves and then they can show us the way. I would point out that Jesus called the established church a "den of thieves." And was known to perform his great miracles in the marketplace. "
advocate for BORN & UNBORN equally wrote on Dec 23, 2006 2:23 PM:
" Tierranney wrote of an "11-year-old, in the waiting room (of a baby kiling center)with us, 3 months pregnant with her father's baby".
I would think that most states now have a MANDATORY reporting law for "medical professionals"
I wonder why the police were not called by the abortuary or YOU to investigate this child's rape?
Have YOU no moral obligation to this child?
"
Tierranney wrote on Dec 23, 2006 9:30 PM:
" advocate for BORN & UNBORN equally, why don't you read some of my earlier comments and then you can go about and preach at me. First of all, I am Greek Orthodox, like the USA, Greece is a country with abortions legalized (LIKE MOST EUROPEAN STATES) so I really don't have to care what you or your Christ Killing Christian hate groups say - it's legalized so your opinions are worthless to me. You don't know what I did or didn't do for that little girl but I sure wasn't throwing garbage at her. Jack, how prosaic for you to spell my name "Tyranny" - SO original. As for me standing judgment, I will GLADLY stand judgment for all two babies, mine and my sisters, because her father was a man of YOUR God. You are not going to judge me, GOD is, and I would rather spend my eternity in Hell than in a place were YOU congregate. Christians were once persecuted now they persecute. Keep throwing your stones, ladies and gentlemen, there won't be a single person left on earth. Let's just burn people at the stake in that devote Christian way. "Imperious, choleric, irascible, extreme in everything, with a dissolute imagination the likes of which has never been seen, atheistic to the point of fanaticism, there you have me in a nutshell...kill me or take me as I am, for I shall never change." Marquis de Sade "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 23, 2006 9:47 PM:
" I find it truly odd that whenever Christians can't handle something they SUDDENLY turn to the "proper authority". The government is not in support of the Christian Beliefs only. Check the Bill of Rights, Christianity isn't the only religion in this world or in this country. If you don't want the Hindis, the Muslims, the Johovah's Witnesses of the world telling you how to live, WHERE do you get the right to tell everyone else how to live. That little girl was signed in and paid for by her preacher father and left there. The "proper authorities" were slammed when this came out by those same preachy people who swore that their preacher wouldn't do such a thing. Those "flock" stood outside the court screaming their profanity. You call on the "proper authorities" when YOU need them, when they are separating you from an ABORTION clinic, you hate them, because "God" gave you the right to hate everyone. Meanwhile, you would let this eleven year be shoved into a hospital where people look at her like she's dirt to give birth to a more than likely deformed baby. You would rather a mother die than a child who is going into orphanage. Are you out there also championing the increases in taxes to support those children in state care? I doubt it. Your churches aren't, your churches don't pay taxes. *Continued* "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 23, 2006 10:03 PM:
" I hear one of you laughing as you prepare to write how the GOVERNMENT ended third term abortions. Well, newsflash for you geniuses, third term abortions at the point that the law was even thought about were not performed in a clinic, they were performed in hospitals with ONLY Ob/Gyns for the women's or child's health. No one could just walk in off the street and have one because they wanted one. You won nothing but to have motherless children and deformed babies. YOU would want to have rape victims be forced to carry a child that was not their choice, as well as possibly carry on the violent genes their father had. You protest abortion but don't want the tax increases, you don't know a single thing about the adoption system that usually winds up making a baby several years old before they can be adopted. I see the Christian way is to talk out of both sides of your face. What you are championing is clothes hanger abortions! Women aren't going to stop having abortions EVEN if you could get all of the clinics closed, they will wait until the child is between 5 - 7 months and then they will coat hanger them out. Teens kept from abortion will kill their children so one finds them. You're right, much more Christian there. But then, why should you care, you pro-lifers are bombing entire clinics full of people, that's Christian all right. "
Bobby wrote on Dec 26, 2006 2:25 PM:
" I've learned that there is no point in trying to explain your views to some evangelical Christians. Their minds are unchangeable, albeit wrong and based on fairytales. They will never see the harm they are doing and they will continue to spread hate,lies, and wars in the name of their god. They care nothing about the environment and global warming. They will be the end of us. "
Parker wrote on Dec 26, 2006 3:22 PM:
" It's interesting to see how that one event causes so much arguing--sometimes about things not even related to the events at hand. I noticed that many of the statements were religious in nature, as well as argumentative. But I wonder...If there was no religious aspect to this whole story, Would all this bickering, arguing, and fruitless debate have even happened? If you look at all the comments, they have not gotten anywhere. Think: In a Hundred years, will this conversation even matter? I doubt it, for it barely matters now. "
Lane wrote on Dec 26, 2006 4:33 PM:
" Religious zealots from every creed are exactly the same. Thier dogma may differ, but thier intolerance of anyone different transcends those minute differences. They're the only ones who are right...ever and anywhere. Anyone who doesn't share their ideologies are damned, and they damn wal mart for not showing the same contempt, intolerance and hatred of homosexuals that they exude every time they take to the streets. They are amongst the worst humanity has to offer. Saying they love the sinner whilst hating the sin may guell any guilt-if ever there ware any- of promoting state and privately sanctioned discrimination, but those who are on the receiving end of that discrimination have to live with the persecution these people preach everyday "
Chris wrote on Dec 27, 2006 3:24 AM:
" John the Baptist wouldn't be welcome as a guest speaker in most American churches today! Neither would Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, etc. These brave warriors took a stand for truth and righteousness and warned the world of coming judgment for sin. For those of you who misquote MAT. 7:1 ("Judge not"), John the Baptist rebuked King Herod publicly with the words, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!" How much more should we who profess to know the Lord be sounding the trumpet whenever homosexuality and abortion rise! Jesus said it would be just like the days of Sodom when He returns - Sodom was engrossed in homosexuality, and was not ashamed to let it be known! God answered by fire. He will answer by fire again, against America, if repentance is nowhere to be seen; not only that, but the Bible teaches that those who do not speak out for truth and righteousness in the name of Christ (I didn't say "kill" in the name of Christ, I said speak out, so don't misread me) will be more condemned in the end than those who never professed to know Christ to begin with. If that's you, wake up and speak out, or Christ will spew you out of His mouth. If you don't want to speak out, the least you can do is pray for those who do speak out, as Paul asked his readers to pray for him; only, do not oppose them! "
Chris wrote on Dec 27, 2006 4:38 AM:
" Homosexuality is evil. Infant murder is evil. The American Holocaust (involving the deaths of tens of millions of babies, outnumbering the deaths caused by all of America's wars combined) continues to this day, while the most common professing "Christianity" in America hides behind "judge not" as the excuse not to "remove the plank out of your own eye so that YOU CAN see clearly to remove the plank from your brother's eye." That is what MAT. 7:1-5 teaches; the Bible cannot say "Judge not" in the way so many professing Christians have been taught while commanding, "Judge righteous judgment" in JOHN 7:26, "Do not be unequally yoked" in 2COR. 6:11-15, "Watch out for false prophets" in MAT. 7:14 and so many other passages that command Christians to judge righteously - not hypocritically (we do have to get the thorn out of our eye, lest we become "blind leading the blind"). Who of you, when your son or daughter approaches a busy street toward certain death, will listen to someone who tells you, "Just tolerate it! If your child wants to run and play in the street, let him! Don't do anything to stop him! You would be ruining his fun, and that wouldn't be loving!" If you are human, you won't take this advice (unless you're an abortionist); if you're a Christian, you won't wink your eye at people who you know are without Christ and are heading for a far worse (ETERNAL) danger while you say nothing! "
Heather wrote on Dec 27, 2006 10:25 AM:
" People like you make me so so so glad that I'm Pagan. I find it so hard to believe that such an enormous number of people can live happily with so much hatred and ignorance in their hearts. "
TheDownGetter wrote on Dec 27, 2006 12:35 PM:
" You people are all ridiculous. Stop crying about everything thats none of your concer. If the gays want to be gay let them. If the psychos want to protest Wal-Mart, thats their choice, let them. Just worry about yourself and try to be what you consider a good person. "
jrhorton02 wrote on Dec 27, 2006 5:30 PM:
" I see this as something similar to children.No matter what our children do or don't do;we as parents don't always like what they do or don't do;but we love them anyway.In the Old Testaments God destroyed a whole nation of Sodom and Gomorrah for the very act of men liking men and women liking women.It made God ANGRY to see something he created;turn and worship the Devil.It's almost like;if you invent a robot and you put a voice command inside of the robot to obey your every command but everytime you tell it to do something;the robot just stand there but when someone else that did not make the robot gives the robot a command;it does what the stranger tells him to do.Imagine how frustrating that would make you. Imagine how embarrassed you would be. Well that's how God feel when we go against his word.God is about reproduction. That's why he made both male and female for them to come together and reproduce and we all know that a man and a man can not reproduce anything and woman and a woman can't either but the man needs the woman and the woman needs the man to reproduce and if we're doing anything other than what God had plan then we place ourselves in trouble with God.I believe that's why things happened like it did in New Orlean because the people where doing some of everthing at Mardigra. So, God just got Angry with the people just like "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 27, 2006 5:44 PM:
" Parker, you couldn't be more right if you tried. Take Christianity out of this and no one would be protesting it. Christians are the first to protest absolutely everything; after 9-11 the Muslims were too afraid to come out and protest. But let a Christian read anything and they protest. Espeically about this whole Wal-mart thing, it amuses me because no one protested Wal-Mart's partnerships with any other religion or creed, and the list of their partnerships are longer than any other business in the country. No one protested when Wal-Mart partnered with the religious groups. Nope! "
jrhorton02 wrote on Dec 27, 2006 5:47 PM:
" I do not judge homosexuals;I just think I can find more to do with my time than that.Everyone in the world have some type of short comings and we all have to continually ask God to help us with the different things we face in life whether it's homosexuality or stealing or cheating on our mates.We still need Gods' HELP.We have to understand there's no big i's or little u's in Gods' eyesight but He see us all the same. To God sin is sin whether it's lying or stealing or cheating or killing to God he sees it all the same.We as people of different race and different color are the ones that try to make a difference in sin but in order for us to judge right we must look at all situations through the eyes of God.That is the absolute only way we will ever judge people right and correct.Give God back HIS job and let Him be the JUDGE OF ALL. When we judge people we're telling God;HE NOT DOING A GOOD ENOUGH JOB. "
jrhorton02 wrote on Dec 27, 2006 5:54 PM:
" AGAIN I SAY; LEAVE IT ALONE AND LET GOD FIX IT. HE CAN FIX IT LIKE NO ONE ELSE ON THIS EARTH CAN. IT'S NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE PEOPLE FOR THE SHAPE THEY'RE IN. WE'RE STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT PERSON LIFE THAT MADE THEM START LIKING THE SAME SEX. WHAT'S OUR JOB? WE ARE TO PRAY FOR THEM AND WHILE PRAYING FOR OTHERS; PRAY FOR OURSELVES. ASK GOD TO HELP US TO STOP JUDGING OTHERS SO MUCH. STOP HATING SO MUCH. ASK GOD TO TAKE THAT STUFF OUT OF OUR HEARTS AND MIND SO THAT WE CAN LIVE THE WAY GOD WOULD HAVE US TO LIVE. UNDERSTAND! IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD. "
Manyhats wrote on Dec 27, 2006 5:57 PM:
" I find it interesting to read the comments from all of these so-called Christians who love to hate. The existence of homosexuality goes back to the very beginning of the human experience. It has been a part of every tribe, culture and nation that has ever existed; yes, even before the so-called homosexual agenda that so many religious fundamentalists love to talk about. Why would an all loving God allow people to be born gay if he would only then destroy them? For that matter, why would this same God who fundamentalists say considers abortion to be murder, allow for so many pregnancies to be terminated by spontaneous abortion, otherwise known as miscarriage? Could it be that in the days closer to humanity's infancy that we needed certain rules to keep us from that which we did not understand?
Consider this: A baby or young toddler just learning to walk attempts to touch a fan. "Don't touch," his mother tells him. "That will hurt you." As the child grows into his teenage years, he turns on the fan as needed. Perhaps he learns to operate a motor vehicle or chainsaw too. He has now gained enough understanding to take on adult responsibilities. Perhaps the Bible's stance on homosexuality is like that. Still, as a pagan myself, I'm right there with Heather. I find your Bible squablings amusing. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 27, 2006 8:54 PM:
" Unfortunately, I'm not Pagan, although those Christ Killing Christians make me wish I was. What I don't understand is the references to children in this forum. Not one of the Bible thumpers here denies that we are "all God's children". Unless, of course, someone is of another religion, and then they are someone else's children. That being the case, I love to hear the arguments in reference to "children". We teach our children not to touch hot pans...this is the example that most wrote in throughout. Being that we are GOD'S children, why do they need to instruct anyone else...isn't that God's job? Those religious are now our God to tell us what to do and how to live? I don't need anyone but God to tell ME how to live. Everyone here, capable of writing, doesn't need to be told what to do with their lives. Christianity isn't the only religion in the world; why force it down everyone's throat? I say it again because it seems rather relative here. We close the doors on Jehovah's Witnesses, we would run from a Satanist if they told us how to live according to Anton Levay, Muslims aren't going to make us pray to Allah. Why do Christians think they are any different from Jehovah's Witnesses when forcing their religious beliefs on everyone else. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 27, 2006 9:21 PM:
" Wait, wait, wait! I think we, the OVER tolerant Christians, need to stop a moment and realize how hateful we are being to the true Christians. Stop laughing, I'm serious. I just finished reading about a huge Christian organization that we should see as a "positive" example of good, God fearing people who just wanted to make Americans better people. They wanted to live as the Bible told them, they wanted homosexuality ended, the Catholics to stop having an idol above God himself, to make the Jews realize that there was a Jesus Christ. This group pointed out the moral lapses taking place in America - raiding brothels, pointing out teens who were getting just a little too heated in their kisses and touching, women and men who had divorces. This group was for America!! They wanted political and social changes; let America be a pure country for God to smile upon us. Keep America beautiful, I guess. They did, unfortunately, want to stop immigration, but it would have kept Catholics (a HUGE influx of them during those days) from tainting our society, Christians can't pray to Mary, because we are taking away Jesus, as he is supposed to intervene to God for us. How could you not like this group? They were God fearing men trying to stop the degenerates from ruining the United States of America. How is that bad? "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 27, 2006 9:39 PM:
" Well, it MIGHT be bad because "moral lapses" were punished by lynchings and murders. The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were God fearing people, they hated Catholics, Jews, blacks, Hispanics, people who divorced, brothels, homosexuals, JUST LIKE IN THE BIBLE. The KKK hates Wal-Mart with you, of course, the sheets are cheaper, after Easter they discount the crosses, rope is cheaper there, matches are on sale so I think they'll make an exception, but they'll hate it the whole time. See, my fellow tolerant Christians, we are wrong to stand in the way of those true Christians...I think, but I might be wrong. Yup, I'm pretty sure I'm wrong on this one because the United States said that it's illegal. We should all get down on our knees and pray that God doesn't judge us for thinking His Christians, those who live their lives if only to stop others from sinning (no matter HOW they stop them), are bad. If God wants me to go buy a sheet then I'll be happy to be in Hell. "
PDM wrote on Dec 28, 2006 4:47 AM:
" Truth hurts, which is why lot of people hate it. When truth told people call it judgement and hatred. God is the God of truth, the truth is homosexuality is wrong in God's eye, whether you like it or not its remains a fact, love it or hate it, God loves gays and lesbians but hate the practise, if you re gay or lesbian you need to seek deliverance, and God can restore you cause He loves you unconditionally. "
Tierranney wrote on Dec 28, 2006 5:30 AM:
" PDM, Yet again, you are only talking about Christianity, and your branch of it. Greek Orthodox doesn't preach it, and they are Christians. The truth does hurt, you aren't God to judge or preach to anyone. God is the God of Christianity and Christanity ONLY. Whether you like it or not, the KKK WERE good, God-fearing Christians following the Bible as EXACTLY as it was said (keep the slaves, do not allow anyone to sin. etc., etc., ad nauseam), love it or hate it, which is exactly why the Christian Bible is currently being considered full of hate literature. Have we considered that there are people here who either don't believe or like the Christian God, who don't want redemption or deliverance, and don't want YOU telling them how to live their lives? Let me guess, they are going to Hell...and this would include those of other religions? All animals are going to Hell because in nature homosexuality is not a novel idea, it's very often seen. God did not even give animals the ability to know "right and wrong" or "sin". Children brought up in the mountains with no access to religion who grow up in their tiny community who dabble in homosexuality, or whatever is available...going to Hell? The majority of homosexuals will tell you, this wasn't a choice for them, God made them that way, God doesn't make mistakes, does he? I didn't chose to be heterosexual it just happened. "
antibenham wrote on Dec 28, 2006 7:08 AM:
" "... Wal-Mart is now promoting homosexual sodomy ..." says Benham.
So heterosexual sodomy is OK? "
Joe B. wrote on Dec 28, 2006 12:58 PM:
" This is why when people from the two coasts read the news from the middle of the country we think you're all crazy.
Hey, fundamentalists, if you don't like Wal-Mart, stop shopping there and just shut the heck up.
You made the mistake of turning your small towns over to Wal-Mart, letting all your mom and pop stores close, and now all you got is the Wal-Mart. You're own fault, folks.
See, if you would have had some foresight, you would have realized that you can't control a global company with your religious garbage and you would have continued to support your neighbor's hardware or food or clothing store.
Now, you got no choice, it's Wal-Mart or nothing.
As someone who supports the rights of gay people and women who want to use birth control, it just makes me laugh when your hairbrained right-wing conservative fundamentalist schemes go bad on you.
I'm sitting here in California laughing at all of you. "
Tim wrote on Dec 28, 2006 1:01 PM:
" Why don't all you whiney people just shut up and go shop at KMart, Target, Sears, wherever. If Wal-Mart is such a bad entity. Thats the beauty of America, you can shop wherever. NO ONE IS FORCING you to shop at WalMart.
See you at WalMart,
Tim in Minnesota "
BMW wrote on Dec 28, 2006 1:27 PM:
" May God have mercy on those who have used fear and hatred against others in His name. I hope and pray that Walmart will stand strong and not pander to the whims of the facist religious zealots. "
Brian G wrote on Dec 28, 2006 1:43 PM:
" The Hate Mongers should REALLY put their shopping habits to test by boycotting these gay-inclusive companies as well:
- Don't fly on US Air, Delta, or any airline that has Boeing airplanes.
- Don't buy or wear any clothing from the Gap, Levi, Liz Claiborne, Nike, or Nordstrom.
- Don't buy cars from: Chrylser, Ford, GM, Volkswagon, or Jeep.
- Don't bank at American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Charles Schwab, Citigroup, Fannie Mae, Goldman Sachs, Chase, Lehman, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Visa, and Wachovia
- Don't buy anything associated with Dow Chemical and DuPont(anything made out of PLASTIC)
- Make sure your computer equipment isn't associated with IBM, Apple, Dell, HP, Sun, or Xerox
- Don't use Google or Yahoo
- Don't watch anything in from Viacom or Walt Disney(ABC, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon)
- Don't buy or consume any products from: Anheuser-Bush, Coca-Cola, Coors, General Mills, Kraft Food, and Pepsi.
- Make sure your insurance companies aren't Aetna, Cigna, ING, MetLife, Nationwide, or Prudential
- Don't use any Bausch & Lomb products.
- Avoid products from: Cisco, Corning, Kodak, Intel, and Motorola.
- Never stay at any Hyatt Hotels
- Don't buy gas from Chevron
- Avoid products from: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Best Buy, Clorox, Estee Lauder, Sears, Walgreens, and Whirlpool
- Drop your phone serivce if it's AT&T, Bell South or Sprint/Nextel
- Don't use services from: Con-Ed, Keyspan, PG&E and Sempra. "
Vincent wrote on Dec 28, 2006 2:08 PM:
" Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963 "
Andrea wrote on Dec 28, 2006 2:43 PM:
" Please, don't come to where I live- just stay where you are(hopefully, far away from me). You go ahead and use the Bible and God as your justification to hate others and tell others how holy you are and what sinners we are. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. "
Brian wrote on Dec 28, 2006 4:12 PM:
" Anyone who passes judgement on someone else judges the condition of his/her soul and draws a conclusion about his/her whole life, saying it is of such a kind and condemns him as such. This is a very serious thing, because in doing so you usurp God's right to judge and condemn yourself to God's wrath.
St. Dorotheos of Gaza explains this with examples that even Baptists and the people at Operatioln Save America should be able to understand. See her article on judging here: http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/dorotheos_judging.aspx
Walmart policies are in accordance with principles outlined in the bible. Those who condemn Walmart for these policies are only condemning themselves to the wrath of God come their judgement day.
"
grub wrote on Dec 28, 2006 9:36 PM:
" Tierranney-you stated that none of the Bible thumpers ever stated that we not God's children. please refer to the 17th of Dec, approx 7 am, and see my response. God said that we are children of the devil, children of Belial (satan) until we are born again. Jesus stated that unles a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. sounds as if we best find out what it means to be born again. not everyone who claims to be a Christ-like Christian will enter into heaven. Jesus said He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but by Him. These other religions-Islam, Hinduism, catholicism- are false and their followers will be doomed to hell UNLESS they repent of their sins and place their trust in the Saviour Jesus Christ. Have you ever told a lie? Rev21:8b 'and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone' either you can pay the penalty or place it on someone else, Jesus. "
BurninginHellFire wrote on Dec 28, 2006 10:44 PM:
" The bible was written by men to keep eachother in check. There is not a person on the planet who believes exactly the same thing spiritually nor anyone who follows 100% of the teachings of their faith. Armageddon is not a forgone conclusion so stop trying to ruin the planet and kill everyone on it. Live each day like its your last and like this life is not a practice run or test for some greater calling. May God save us from his followers! "
Raybob wrote on Dec 29, 2006 10:30 AM:
" If God had meant for men to have sex with each other he'd have put holes in their butts. Religion fosters hate. Is Wal-Mart a church? No. It's a *store*. "
Manyhats wrote on Dec 29, 2006 10:51 AM:
" Not only was the Bible written by men, but many of the scriptures available at the time were thrown out in order to serve the interests of crooked politicians. During the time of the emperor Constantine for example, there was a great debate taking place between those clerics who believed in a trinity and those who did not. So Constantine devised a plan. He sent one of the leading critics of the trinity away on a mission. He then quickly called for a council. It might have been the Council of Nicea, but I'm not sure. Anyway, with the opposing voting block out of the way he now had the votes needed in order to make belief in the trinity one of the doctrines of the church.
Much of what is in the Bible is the result of such political posturing. The Bible tends to be authoritarian because political authoritarians threw out scriptures which didn't support their point of view.
Before the time that Christianity became one and the same with the Romean Empire, there were many differing beliefs among those who claimed to follow Jesus; particularly during the latter part of the first century into the third. Their belief systems often did not closely resemble that which is represented as Christianity today, especially on message boards such as this. You fundamentalists are free to believe whatever you want, but quit forcing your beliefs upon me. History proves that they are erroneous. "
Jeff wrote on Dec 29, 2006 11:50 AM:
" Let's take this so called 'christian 'attitude to its logical conclusion.
Do not support equal rights for gays.
do not let them marry
do not let them serve in the military
do not ban job and housing discrimination against them.
Do not let them have families.
Since they don't have jobs, and are homeless in the streets, best to round them up and arrest them.
Since they may corrupt prisoners, lets segragate them in special 'camps'. We can call them 'concentration camps' since they 'concentrate them together'.
They are too much of a financial drain now. Lets kill them 'humanely'
Seems to me this has been done before. You people never seem to learn from history, do you?
"
Jeff D wrote on Dec 29, 2006 10:59 PM:
" A quick comment to those who keep referring to Sodom and equating it with homosexuality. The Bible quite clearly defines the sin of Sodom in Ezekial 16 (King James for those of you who won't read anything else):
(49) Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (50) And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Also Romans 1 has been referred to, but I ask that you read at least the first several chapters of Romans, as they go together and follow an outline, a flow of thought, that pretty much goes:
1) Introduction (greetings)
2) An essay on how/why the gentiles are sinners, ending in the famous verses about men and women lusting after each other....
3) Oh, you Jews, who think you're better, here's how/why you also are sinners...
4) A summary: ***ALL*** have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
5) The good news of a loving God who died to save us.
To pull out the anti-gay section and focus only on that does violence to the sacred scriptures.
That's all I have to say - God bless. "
Colleen N. wrote on Jan 23, 2007 9:25 AM:
" We as Christians have a right yo voice our opppinion,at least one time.
We are to be repesentives for God's kingdom,because that's who we are.
Sam may have told his view if he were alive....but he isn't.
We need to be fair and say that everyone can shop at Walmart...People who look for God & Christianity will find it.We can pray for any and all people,not reject them.God created all of us...so why not share the gospel,whervever we are;being critcal won't get Chrostians anywhere!! "
Joseph wrote on Feb 18, 2007 1:04 PM:
" Rollin over and playin' dead isn't my idae of standing up for what's right either. My bling bling$$ comes from a generous God. I choose how to share his generousity. No one who supports Planned Parenthood will get a plugged nickel. As for the whole "gay" agenda - you support them I won't support you. Love isn't license to choose evil. Seems like folks on this site don't know evil from good. Oh that's right..someone's gonna come bash my comment because i see the killing of the preborn as evil. Or because sex between two men or two women is evil...duh.....If you can't see it I pray God removes your blindness. You say I'm smug...I say your deceived. God gives us freedom to choose the good. Not license to do evil under the hot button word "CHOICE"
Jesus I beg your Precious Blood on me. Help us see your truth. "
Not already registered?
Jeff wrote on Dec 15, 2006 10:17 PM: