MattGlover.com

Read this article from todays’ paper first and check out their website if you’re game.

Dear Members of Westboro Baptist Church,

I read with interest today your intention to use the tragic deaths of five young Amish girls to let the world know that God hates homosexual people.

If your protest had been about gun control or support for people struggling with mental health or something of that nature, then perhaps I could understand a little of where you were coming from. As it stands though, I am finding it difficult to comprehend the motivation behind your protest.

Firstly, the death of these girls is tragic. For such a horrendous event to be visited upon a simple, peace loving community is beyond my comprehension. Romans 12:15 tells us to mourn with those that mourn. I would have thought that the first course of action for people of faith would be to join with the Amish in their grief - debates about lifestyle choices could surely wait for another day.

Secondly, 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should always be ready to give an answer for the reason we have hope. As I understand it, the reason we have hope is because of the love God showed to all of us through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is pretty famous - For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so whoever believed in him wouldn’t die but instead would receive eternal life. There’s a lot of talk about love there. Not a whole lot about hate. So why do you see a need, at a time of great pain, to portray the God of comfort as one who is full of hate?

Thirdly, the report I read said that you thought the murder of the Amish girls was the result of Governor Rendell’s comments about your church. Just a heads up - this event is not about you. I fail to see why you would want it to be.

Finally, God is a God of love. I’ve said that already. Fortunately, he loves all people, even if they happen to be people that make mistakes. God loves drug addicts, prostitutes, Muslims, homosexuals, and even  hate-loving church goers like you. Please take some comfort in this. Remember, that if anybody needs to change, then let God do it. It’s not your job.

I hear that you have based your beliefs on what is in the Bible. I’ve been thinking of getting rid of one of mine because it has been falling apart, but I’m happy to send it to you if you’d actually like to read one. You’d be surprised about what’s in there.

In the mean time though, if there happens to be another murder and me or any of my friends or family are victims, please feel free to come and mourn.

But please leave your message of hate at home - it will not be welcome.

Don’t expect to hear the preacher degrade homosexuals - it’s not going to happen.

Please come with ears to hear that there is a God who loves you (and others that make mistakes, like homsexuals)

And if you happen to be a victim instead of me, then I hope you get to experience a biblical faith before you die. A faith that shows compassion for the oppressed instead of oppressing them further. A faith that welcomes the marginalised instead of marginalising them further. You know what I mean - a faith like Jesus wanted us to have instead of one corrupted by evil, self-indulgent, hate-promoting thinking.

Regards,

Matt