From here:
A baptist church was at the centre of a police probe after a sign which suggested non-Christians would ‘burn in hell’ was investigated as a ‘hate incident’.
The offending sign at Attleborough Baptist Church in Norfolk, pictured burning flames below words which read: ‘If you think there is no God you better be right!!’.
Now the church has been forced to remove the sign after a passer-by complained to police that it could ‘not be further’ from the Christian phrase, love thy neighbour.
Robert Gladwin, 20, said: ‘It is my basic understanding that Christianity is inclusive and loving in nature.
‘The message being displayed outside of the church could not be further from the often uttered phrase ‘love thy neighbour’.’
Mr Gladwin said he was ‘astounded’ when he spotted the poster by chance as he was walking home.
Robert Gladwin, who makes no claim to being a Christian, has taken up the burden of interpreting what true Christianity is for the benefit of those who actually are Christians. Apparently, true Christianity is “inclusive and loving in nature”; clearly Gladwin is a latent Anglican.
Unfortunately for Gladwin’s prospects for a career in hermeneutics, Jesus mentions gehenna or hell, twelve times in the New Testament, making it clear that it is an extremely disagreeable place of punishment where the unredeemed are liable to spend a very long time. Not to point this out to those who are perishing is hardly an act of kindness. Pretending that hell doesn’t exist and everything is just fine is the most unloving thing a Christian can do; it’s almost a hate crime.
Pascal’s wager makes much the same point as this sign – rather more subtly. I imagine Pascal would be accused of hate speech today, too; although he might be saved by the unlikelihood of today’s doubters having a long enough attention span to read and understand his argument.
Sadly Mr. Gladwin has a basic misunderstanding of the Christian Faith. It is one of the most basic parts of the Christian Faith that our souls are saved from the eternal damnation that is hell only by the Redeeming Grace of Belief in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So basically it gets down to this, only Christians are saved, all others are not. Telling people this truth is not an act of hatred. Indeed it is a most gracious act of kindness.
The church should contact the Christian legal centre and seek an apology from the police. Who in the world made snotty 20-year old atheists into policemen?
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you”
“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.”
People do not like the truth
Hardly surprising. This is what is happening in England now. You can be visisted by the police if you quote some things said by Winston Churchill (no, I am not making that up). No wonder so many Scots want to separate. For an easy read, about one pastor’s change of belief, read Brian Jones’ “Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admint It)”.
I like the poster. Cozy fireside chat. Can’t imagine why Gladwin had a problem with it. 🙂
I checked the Mail Online where it said “‘National guidance required us to investigate the circumstances and the matter has been recorded as a hate incident.” Hmm, very sensitive folks in Norfolk if they think that is hateful. Maybe that young man should check out the local mosque.
Assuming he can read that well, maybe that young man should read “Jesus Mean and Wild”. It might open his eyes.
The sign “speaks the truth in love”, the trouble is many don’t want to hear the truth, and face it’s consequences. How do we speak the truth in love to a society that doesn’t want the truth, and won’t let it be spoken?