With signs reading “get Nazis out of Denver” and “stand up to bigotry,” members of a group calling themselves the Denver Communists have protested a Christian coffee shop every month for the last two years. They say that The Drip Café, which was founded by local ministry leader Jamie Sanchez, is a hateful, anti-gay front for Christian propaganda.
Sanchez says he just wants to sell coffee and uplift Denver’s local homeless community while doing so.
Is it possible that an unassuming coffee shop in the Denver arts district could really be a secret front for anti-gay hatred?
Grande Backlash
Sanchez opened The Drip Café in 2023 as an extension of his homeless ministry, “Recycle God’s Love.” Through his ministry, Sanchez works with local churches, businesses, and volunteers to provide the homeless with food, clothing, haircuts – and now through his coffee shop – jobs.
He says that he started receiving messages accusing him of being anti-gay before his coffee shop even opened its doors a few years ago. "I was in shock," Sanchez explained. "Our whole purpose opening the café was to serve the homeless community and help people get off the street, change their lives. And here we got a group who just hates us because we're doing that, and we're Christian."
Those messages were referencing the mission statement posted on the Recycle God’s Love website, and were mass organized by the Denver Communists group. “This organization is opposed to homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle,” reads the RGL mission statement, which has since been scrubbed from the internet amid the controversy. “The Bible instructs that it is a sin that leads to death.”
The Protests Begin
Dozens of members of Denver Communists were there to protest the opening of The Drip, and for months after the coffee shop opened they were there every single week with signs, bullhorns, and literature to hand out to passersby.
"It is bigoted,” said protester Chelsea Jacobs. The coffee shop is “a front for a right-wing, bigoted church that is against the queer community.”
For the last two years, Denver Communists have continued protesting every single month outside the coffee shop during the city’s art walk event, when foot traffic is high. They say they want patrons to know the values of Drip’s owner, as well as what their coffee purchase might fund.
The group even says Sanchez’s proclaimed charity work is anything but. "They also disguise [the cafe] as a charity by hiring unhoused folks and exploiting their labor," Jacobs stated.
"This is something they use to garner credibility to make themselves look good. But in reality, the profits that they make are going to their right-wing church.”
Super-Charged Demonic Gay Commies?
Sanchez has an answer as to why the Denver Communists have been so relentless in their protesting pursuit: They’re possessed by demons.
“It was very clear that they’re all being led by demons because they have it on their shirt,” said Sanchez, referencing a shirt worn by a protester reading ‘All Hail Satan’.” They’re not afraid to claim that they’re following Satan.” Sanchez described the spiritual battle against the allegedly demonic protesters as “so intense… like the walls were closing in on me.”
But protesters say they’re not motivated by Satan, or even to drive bigotry out of their community, though they say that would be a major plus. Rather, Denver Communists say that the protests are part of the bigger picture to tackle anti-gay bigotry at a national scale.
“Our protests are part of a broader struggle against a wave of reaction that seeks to force queer people back into the closet — or into an early grave,” reads a statement on the group’s website. “LGBTQ+ rights and lives are under attack by the Trump administration…. [and] the protests against the hate-café are serving as a training ground for new queer-rights activists.”
What is your response? We’re often told to vote with our wallet… but just how much should the faith and politics of businesses we frequent impact our purchasing decisions? Do the protesters have a point, or are they taking things too far?
116 comments
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Thank God unity does not equal uniformity!!! I have found many of your statements/beliefs/feelings quite interesting. Many have valuable thoughts to be considered and I HOPE that we call all set offense aside and truly consider many of the thoughts shared here.
I am a 'Christian' but I do not believe as I once did because I allowed myself to set traditional beliefs aside and dig for my own answers. BTW...My mind is still 'transforming'. I Love the idea that we should never be taught WHAT to think but HOW to think. I have also learned after 64 years on this earth, that I don't have all the answers (Pride), though I like to think so at times and often proven incorrect.
I think it's important to ask good questions but all too often the questions we ask seem to trigger offense in people and the dialog comes to an abrupt end (Sad).
I also wonder how much of what humanity deems "normal" is actually from a self-protective response to a pain or trauma in our past that has never healed. Imagine a bruise left behind from getting punched in the arm. Then, when someone accidentally touches that unhealed wound we have a knee jerk, protective reaction to a PAST pain.
It also seems so easy to judge others yet we usually have no idea where people are coming from. What family "culture" did that other person grow up with. Does their brain process information as mine does??? NOT likey! Do the words I use to communicate paint the same images in another's mind? (They often do not seem to in my wife's mind even after 45 years. LOL).
With all these tripping points I hope I can SLOW down and truly listen. I hope we can try and get to the 'roots' of peoples beliefs, lifestyle choices, offenses. Seems I (we?) can be in such a hurry to be RIGHT I lose sight of what's truly important... relationship.
The one core value of Christ I think all admire was His self-LESS-ness. He was self giving. It seems that perhaps the root of all human struggle is rooted in... self-ish-ness? In ME ME ME! What might this world be like if we could all "lay our lives down for each other"? Just imagine 2 selfless people coming to a discussion table... Wow! And as ole Nat King Cole once sang "... Oh what a beautiful world that would be"
In the end, I know none of you personally and visa versa. We all were brought up with different biases ingrained into us. As such, I hope I can be... Gracious to you. (Though I fail miserably at times. FYI). May we all be whole externally as well as internally. The Greek word for this concept is sozo, our English word is... 'Saved'. This might have been the mission of Christ I sense. To 'save' us from... our selves??
-
Martin L Stigleman
I would need to look into this story a bit more, but on the surface I'm seeing 2 hateful, intolerant groups that are fighting like entitled, little children.
The word "Communist" has a far broader meaning than the average American cares to learn. In its original meaning it is a community where everyone is equal, everyone is cared for, and everyone has all they need for happiness. No one is above, or beneath, anyone else. Modern values have caused "communism" to be everyone subjugated and kept poor while to working to support the elites (let's think huge tax breaks for big businesses while jacking up taxes, cutting benefits, and raising inflation on the poor...just as an example).
On the other side...I literally HATE avocado. It gisgusts me. When I go to get Mexican take-out for my wife, I ALWAYS get guacamole for her. I tell her how disgusting it is and make gagging noises while she eats it...BUT I STILL GET IT FOR HER!!! Why? Because I am free to hate something and even talk about how much I hate it. Does the Cafe refuse to help LGBTQ+? Are they refusing shelter to them? According to this article, they are being publicly harassed and their business threatened because they said "We hate avocados!!!".
People need to grow up...
-
Patricia Ann Gross
I agree that there has to be a lot more to this story than what is presented here. However, an extablishment that claims publicly that a certain group of people who are likely the people they are doing outreach to (LGBTQIA+ community) are: "an alternate lifestyle,”... “The Bible instructs that it is a sin that leads to death.” is a little more intense than saying, "we hate avacdos." I asked questions earlier in this thread if anyone actually knows if this is something they are preaching during their "service" to the community and do they serve, employ and house "out and proud" LGBTQIA+ people in their programs. I know the verbaige has been taken down from their website, at least when I looked at it a few days ago, but that doesn't stop them from continuing to provide their services with the same bias and hate.
-
-
Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
Here's the thing. If a place refused to serve single, white, Christian / Catholic individuals, massive communities would be throwing absolute fits and there'd be tons of lawsuits to FORCE the place to serve them. And, likely, violence against that business with people making death threats against them and even, physically, attacking and vandalizing the place and trying to actually do serious harm to the owners, workers, and patrons.
But if a place refuses to serve minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, or people who are pagan or other "non-monotheistic" religions? Most of the time you hear crickets, or mouthpieces going "Well, it's their religious right to do so" and "It's their business, they have the right to serve, or not, whom they wish."
Hypocrisy at its best.
-
Ari Joseph Bertine
Everyone has the right to talk about and react to a business's behavior as they will. People who support the coffee shop have every bit as much right to go around praising it and help them advertise as people who don't like it have to protest it.
I am almost suspicious that this entire protest has been put on. Communists are not the champions the LGBTQ+ community would prefer to have.Communists + Satan shirts sounds like something that the extreme right would put together just to have something truly horrible to point a finger at, but then it's Denver and "communist" probably means "hippie" or something, I don't know. Doesn't make me comfortable, but then neither does any church that says in public that homosexuality "leads to death", which sounds rather threatening.
I very much doubt there is actual demonic possession going on, and that sounds very drama queenish and silly in its sheer scale of evil. However, these accusations of The Drip inviting Proud Boys, Three-Percenters and skinheads into the community are also very crazy, over the top evil things to pin on someone. I somehow don't see a church that takes care of homeless people having anything to do with the any of those three groups. I think both sides need to provide evidence of what they're accusing the other side of.
-
David Buck
Not quite sure why a coffee shop feels the need to weigh-in on these matters on its website, but if they do, they must perforce accept the loss of business that would have come from those with whom they disagree. As has been suggested, vote with your wallet.
It has to be said though, that I hate, loathe and detest communism in all its forms and am thoroughly sick and tired of constant protesting about one thing or another.
-
Richard Anthony Truluck
As Tom Petty sang “Stand Your Ground”.
-
Cyndi Everetts
Whaaaat??? How on earth have these people made a connection between a PRIVATE business and the rainbow community? Yikes! I’m all for anyone doing whatever makes them happy so long as it doesn’t affect anyone else, but this coffee shop needs to sue this group!
They’re reaching so far they’re gonna fail out of their chair!
-
Walter J. Holbrook
Are you for real. The hypocrisy of how Christianity has evolved into a cult.
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
The definition of a cult based on Google dictionary is: "Cults exhibit intense devotion to a leader, ideology or object, often demanding unquestioning obedience and loyalty". I would propose there are (sadly) many ideologies (Causing great division) that fall under the umbrella of Christianity. So therefore, it may be fair to consider there are numerous 'cults' under that umbrella and that not all should be thrown into the same catagory. Equally it seems, the LGBTQ2 community (I remember when it was only 2 letters I needed to remember) also may exhibit characteristics of a 'cult' IE: "demanding unquestioning obedience and loyalty". It appears, anyone who questions their lifestyle and is not 'obedient' to their beliefs about sexuality is equally demonized. I heard a comedian the other day talking about 'pride month' in comparison to the: One day given to celebrate those who wear a uniform (Veterans day) One weekend to celebrate 2- Great american presidents birthdays (Washington and Lincoln) One day to celebrate the end of slavery. And One day to honor those who gave their lives for this country. (Memorial day) And yet...There's an entire month dedicated to 'celebrate' the sexual preference of one, minority group. So might it be fair to even consider that this whole thing has gotten a bit out of hand?? Not casting a judgment here, but the big picture deserves a longer look I feel. PS> I am not asking you to feel the same way. Just to give these thoughts a consideration. Hope you are well.
-
-
Scot M Cantalupo
While businesses often like to share some of their beliefs or missions in their documentation, it seems that more often than not it is not a good idea. People will support with their cash, let them decide by your product, not your doctrine or you risk alienating a group and discouraging patronage.
We may be able to guide but we should remember not to judge, that is a job for another and at a future time. In the meantime, lets support each other, even if we disagree, as that is the true way to influence or help others.
-
JT Sunrise
🧬☕ THE GOSPEL IS NOT A TRANSACTION:
A Scriptural and Scientific Rebuke of Conditional Love
By Rev. JTSUNRISE | Celestial Nexus Church A Theological and Rational Response to the Simulation of Ministry
⸻
In the scriptures of every faith tradition, there is a recurring commandment: do not separate love from truth. When we disguise control as compassion, when we condition welcome on agreement, we violate the sacred structure of both moral law and biological design.
The controversy surrounding The Drip Café in Denver—a café that serves the unhoused but privately condemns LGBTQ+ identity—offers a window into this contradiction. This is not just a clash of values. It is a collision between authentic spiritual ethics and institutional mimicry.
⸻
🕊️ SCRIPTURE CALLS FOR INTEGRITY, NOT SIMULATION
“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” — Exodus 23:9
This commandment does not say to welcome the stranger if they mirror your beliefs. It requires memory, empathy, and action untainted by self-interest.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before others to be seen by them.” — Matthew 6:1
What is the Drip Café if not a staged display of righteousness? It becomes a simulation of inclusion, undermined by silent doctrinal exclusion.
When a church erases its condemnation of LGBTQ+ people from its website but retains it in policy or preaching, it reveals not repentance, but renaming. This is not change. It is image.
⸻
🧠 SCIENCE VALIDATES THE SCRIPTURAL MODEL OF JUSTICE
Modern neuroscience confirms what scripture teaches: conditional acceptance harms the body and brain.
When marginalized individuals are welcomed publicly but condemned in belief, the double bind causes stress, mental harm, and distrust (Pachankis et al., Psych. Bulletin, 2015).
The gospel that says “love the sinner, hate the sin” may seem virtuous, but it becomes harmful. It mirrors emotional harm seen in manipulative systems.
This creates ambivalent rejection—where one’s value is affirmed and denied at once. Not surprisingly, queer people from condemning faiths are 2.5 times more likely to suffer anxiety and suicidality (AJPM, 2020).
Scripture spoke first. Science echoes it.
⸻
🔥 ALL MAJOR SCRIPTURES WARN AGAINST DOUBLE-STANDARD VIRTUE
“Woe to you… you give a tenth of your spices… but have neglected the more important matters: justice, mercy and faithfulness.” — Matthew 23:23 “God commands justice, the doing of good, and generosity… and forbids shameful deeds.” — Qur’an 16:90 “Speak the truth. Do not become angry. Give, even if you only have a little.” — Dhammapada 224 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.” — Psalm 89:14
The Drip Café, though it offers food and jobs, fails the higher measure: justice paired with unconditional love. It practices economic charity and moral exclusion.
⸻
🌿 SYSTEMIC DESIGN REQUIRES MORAL COHERENCE
Institutions that betray their own message collapse. If you claim to serve the broken but degrade their identities, your theology becomes pathological.
In ecology, this is like planting pollinator flowers and then spraying them with pesticide. The contradiction destroys the system from within.
Your café looks like grace but functions as containment. It conditions rather than liberates.
⸻
📜 THE FINAL TEST OF SACRED LEGITIMACY
The sacred is not measured by mission statements. It is shown in belief matched by action.
If a church causes trauma while claiming to heal— If a café excludes while claiming to serve— If a ministry smiles while hiding condemnation— It is not holy. It is not righteous. It is a simulation built upon dissonance.
“Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” — Matthew 5:37
⸻
🧭 THE ETHICAL MANDATE
This is a call to coherence. If Drip Café holds exclusionary theology, it must own the harm. If it seeks alignment with the Gospel, it must abandon conditional terms. It must act with love and justice.
Anything else is mimicry.
— Rev. JTSUNRISE Celestial Nexus Church “The sacred is not what you say. It is what your structure permits to flourish.”
-
Joseph Grieco
OK, outside of this guy having a "Christian Outreach" aimed at the homeless, what evidence do the protestors have that he is anti-gay? Has anyone been denied service because they are gay? Or as the group refers to themselves as Communists are they automatically bashing anyone calling themselves Christians? Especially as their protests started before this shop even opened.
-
Gary Michael Steele
Read it again.
-
-
Keith Bailey
The Protestors are 100% correct. Hatred and Bigotry disguised as religion have no place anywhere. Obviously, the words and actions of Jesus and every other religious leader about love and compassion are lost on this coffee shop. Newsflash, the Bible didn't contain anything about homosexuality in it until the Germans revised it to promote their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. Printings that predate those revisions still exist. The King James Version was also done for very political reasons; texts were altered, or left out entirely, because they didn't fit with the political view of King James. So you should go by the words and actions of the spiritual leaders they claim to be about, which were love, compassion and understanding.
-
Steven Ferrell
That group of protesters are the bigots and hateful ones. If you don’t agree with their sin, they harass and try to force everyone to their thinking.
They only drive the division more by trying to force everyone to condone how they live.-
Gary Michael Steele
Q E D
-
-
Miriam Gates
This is ridiculous! Where are the signs saying no service to….. refused service to….
Apparently it’s not working because this shop is still in business. Why don’t they protest themselves for being hateful!
Paying homeless is not hurting but helping!
-
Michael Dwayne Cooper
How about we get both the nazis and communist off the streets and bring some freedom loving Patriots back in.
-
Herb Kopper
We have a black barber down the road, I, an old white man am not welcome. So, I guess I have a choice, put him out of business or get my hair cut across the street. If a coffee shop has a different case don't drink their coffee and look for the glbt coffee shop. America is a fine country, people can shop wherever they want and businesses can target their customers. How did this become an issue? Religion has a right, to be anti is a right, but not to block the business, if people buy his product and he supports homeless, doesn't sound like Hitler to me, maybe they rewrite history?
-
Roy S. Thorpe
Again fear is the motivation! If you don't understand you fear! A people! A race! A custom! A group! A religion! A technology! I remember when left handed people were on the list of strange things! Let God's light of knowledge and understanding guide you,not fear!
-
Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
Remember, the project 2025 promised to target and attack democracy and democratic states...every state that supports democracy has had issues, mass murders and attacks on democratic and social service. Seems suspicious the USA government promised to do what's happening today...who holds leaders to justice?! It's sad they are using the LGBTQ2 and Christian communities to play against each other...but it says their membership is open and anyone can say they are with them. Take note of the issues some of the democratic states are dealing with today, there is a pattern that is hitting them with unnatural events while the conservative states are being attacked by natural disasters...I guess they are fighting Gods.
-
John Reseigh
Question: Does the coffee shop serve LGBTQ persons? If not, it is, itself, a hate group. Also, it is not what I consider a Christian organization since Jesus said to love one another and your neighbor as yourself. Finally, gayness is NOT a life style. It is the way some people are born.
-
Glenn M. Goetzinger
It never cease to amaze me the that freedom of speech always finds a one way street. The coffee shop has their freedom of speech as everyone does. The Bible has 25 verses about homosexulality! At the heart of the claim that the Bible is clear "that homosexuality is forbidden by God". There are some key Bible verses about homosexuality to understand the biblical view of gay relations. The most commonly quoted Bible verses are Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, which state that it is an abomination for a man to lie with another man as he would with a woman. In Romans 1:26-27, Apostle Paul says that homosexuality is contrary to God's natural order and results from rejecting God. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists homosexuality as one of the sins that will prevent someone from entering the Kingdom of God. While the Bible is clear in its view of homosexuality, it is essential to remember that God loves all of his creation and offers forgiveness to those who repent and turn away from their sins.
-
JT Sunrise
Dear Glenn,
Thank you for your comment. I hear your conviction, and I honor your engagement with scripture. The question of how to faithfully interpret the Bible in matters of sexuality is not new—but it demands more than selective citation. It requires moral coherence, spiritual humility, and the courage to see where tradition has sometimes been misused to marginalize rather than liberate.
Let’s consider your point that “freedom of speech always finds a one-way street.” I agree: freedom of speech must apply to all. But freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence—especially when that speech comes cloaked in selective theology that produces social harm. The café has every legal right to its beliefs. But the community also has the right to examine whether those beliefs are being used to exclude, condition, or traumatize vulnerable individuals seeking care, food, or dignity.
⸻
🕊️ WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?
You cite Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, laws from the Holiness Code—a priestly text that also prohibits wearing mixed fabrics, eating shellfish, and commands death for adultery, dishonoring parents, and blasphemy. If we claim these verses still apply literally, do we then apply the same punishment? Are we prepared to uphold all 613 commandments equally?
Christ Himself said:
“You have heard it said… but I say to you…” — Matthew 5:21–44
Jesus interpreted scripture through the lens of mercy and justice, not legalism. Not once did Jesus speak of homosexuality—but He did speak consistently against hypocrisy, greed, exclusion, and pride.
⸻
🔥 ROMANS AND 1 CORINTHIANS IN CONTEXT
Romans 1 is often misunderstood. Paul critiques exploitative temple practices and idolatrous domination, not consensual same-sex love. Scholars such as Dr. Beverly Gaventa, Dr. Dale Martin, and Rev. David Gushee note that Paul was addressing a specific Gentile context where sex was tied to cult abuse—not mutual covenant.
As for 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, the Greek term “arsenokoitai” is ambiguous and historically mistranslated. Many scholars now affirm that its meaning is closer to economic exploitation or coercive sex, not loving partnerships.
Paul’s broader message in Corinthians is this:
“And such were some of you. But you were washed… you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 6:11
It is about spiritual transformation—not condemnation.
⸻
🧠 SIN, SCIENCE, AND SPIRITUAL COHERENCE
If LGBTQ+ people are to be defined as sinners because of orientation, then we must also ask: what do we do with the biological evidence that same-sex attraction is natural, consistent across species, and not chosen? (LeVay, 1991; APA, 2021). Does God design people for exclusion?
Can sin be rooted in the very biology God formed?
The answer is no—because scripture itself says:
“We are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
And Christ taught:
“By their fruits you shall know them.” — Matthew 7:16
If the fruit of LGBTQ+ lives includes love, covenant, care, and community—then the Spirit is clearly at work.
⸻
🌿 REPENTANCE IS NOT ERASURE
True repentance is not about erasing identity. It is about turning from injustice, greed, harm, and deceit. Being LGBTQ+ is not a sin to be repented of—but using scripture to justify exclusion, shame, or harm certainly is.
Jesus rebuked those who used religious law to withhold healing on the Sabbath. Do we now withhold welcome from the queer neighbor at the communion table—or the coffee shop counter?
“Woe to you, teachers of the law… you shut the door of the kingdom in people’s faces.” — Matthew 23:13
⸻
✨ GOD’S LOVE IS NOT CONDITIONAL
God’s love is not a contract to be negotiated with behavior. It is a covenant of radical welcome. The Gospel is not a purity test—it is an invitation to live in truth, humility, and compassion. That truth must include all of God’s creation, including those who have been cast aside by human institutions in God’s name.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” — Psalm 118:22
I say: many of today’s queer believers are those very cornerstones.
⸻
In faith, justice, and sacred clarity, — Rev. JTSUNRISE Celestial Nexus Church “The sacred is not what you say. It is what your structure permits to flourish.”
-
Paul Johnson
I guess God was mixed up when He made man and woman, Are it seems like that maybe what you want the people to believe are so it seems. Otherwise God would have taken a rib from Adam and made him a friend instead and would have never had to say go forth and multiply. I never get over how the ole Serpent has never given up on trying to get us (people) involved in a conversation, as he did in the garden. We lose and once again he wins. When will we ever learn!
-
JT Sunrise
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I understand that for many, the story of Adam and Eve offers a sacred blueprint—but I believe it was always meant as a living parable, not a rigid template.
God was not “mixed up.” God is vast. The Genesis story reveals a truth deeper than biology—it tells of longing, companionship, and divine breath animating earth. The first human was split not for hierarchy or heteronormativity, but for relationship. And relationship takes many forms, not limited to one design.
“Go forth and multiply” was never only about reproduction—it was also a call to grow kindness, multiply justice, and spread mercy. Not everyone is called to marriage or childbirth—but all are called to love.
As for the serpent in the garden, let us be careful. The danger is not in conversation, but in deception that shames the vulnerable and calls it faith. If we teach that some are cursed simply for being born different, then we are not resisting the serpent—we are echoing him.
Christ walked into the temples and broke open traditions that had become instruments of exclusion. He did not scorn those outside the law—He rebuked those who used the law to close the gates of the kingdom.
And He said clearly:
“Let the one without sin cast the first stone.” “By their fruits you shall know them.” “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
I believe today, many of our LGBTQ+ siblings are that rejected stone. And God is doing what God has always done—turning rejection into foundation.
Rev. JTSUNRISE 🕊️ The Celestial Nexus Church
-
-
-
-
Patrick Meier
The drive towards a one world governance is a Communist ideology. Communism does away with religion attacking it by any means. Once this central governance is installed they will get rid of the right of worship and therefore outlaw religion (only the government must be worshiped). And they will attack all so called "useful idiots" that were mere means (stepping stones) to an end. Nowadays everything is political, twisted and deceiving on purpose to advanced the agenda under cover of the turmoil it creates. Time to turn towards our creator and seek divine protection in prayer. Don't be deceived so easily by the craft of the adversary. Be human, don't attack groups, but instead help one another whenever you can. Know that any government has been infiltrated and corrupted in order to force us into this world governance communist system and ideology We all know this when we see relentless targeting by government forces to destroy holy sites in the middle east and the drive to paint every priest as a pedophile criminal and the continued targeted economic and cultural degradation of the masses. Know who your enemy is and don't become a useful idiot too easily. Be critical, very critical, especially on what is being sold to you constantly via the media and ask for protection and guidance, always. God help us, protect us, have mercy on us and guide us, amen.
-
Peter Merlin van Coller
Good morning The idea is we should all respect one other no matter what religion or sexual partners we like.
God loves us all for who we are. We mite not , understand the idea behind this. We should just respect each other this world will be a better place.
-
Peter Merlin van Coller
Good morning:
We are all Gods children can't we just respect each other.
-
obere mchugh
i say let it be known to everyone put up flyers and get the message out to everyone in the whole community, if it is a fear based right wing christian group then by all means get the message out there, as well as a community, get a new and better coffee shop opened up that is really and truely open to any one and everyone matter what with no pre-concieved hated/bigotry and just put these people out of business and make sure to really help the homeless and get them jobs there food and a way off the streets for if the social services and other organizations are not doing there job then the community should and let the other zelots go to the other shop and let them be unto them selfs.
-
Paul Johnson
I guess we could be like Lot just welcome all in untill the servants of God showed up, and made the desires known to Lot when they wanted those men rather than his virgin daughters. How ever the next day was the ultimate test as Lot and his family were being led out of the city and Lot's wife just had to take that one last gander at what she thought she couldn't do with out. And then all hell broke lose and five cities are no more are there citizens.
-
ServantOfJudgement
What exactly did they do wrong?
I see the same exact usual response from the Hive Mind lemmings. After reading the article a few times searching for examples of hatred and bigotry that you're crucifying the coffee shop over but just can't see it.
What a tragic state of mind to be in. One doesn't have to suppose or assume that what Jesus said of the Hive Mind Mob. They will(and do) judge in hypocrisy. You left ARE the haters, consumed with bitter bigotry. What a spectacular testimony to the authenticity of the Bible's prophecy.
Thank God for clarity and independence of thought. It's so wonderful to be free yet so sad to see my fellow man stuck in repetitive nothingness.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
SOJ,
I suppose you missed the part here it said their original mission statement included: "This organization is opposed to homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle,” reads the RGL mission statement, which has since been scrubbed from the internet amid the controversy. “The Bible instructs that it is a sin that leads to death.”
If an organization called your marriage/family arrangemet an "alternate lifestyle ... that The Bible instructs is a sin that leads to death" wouldn't you consider that hate speach? I have been out to their website, and the article is right that the verbiage is off the website now, but that doesn't stop them from preaching it in the name of "helping the homeless." A lot of the homeless population is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, primarily because of the discrimination they face from society and their own families. It doesn't say whether or not they refuse services based on sexuality/gender identity, but their attitude toward them would certainly alienate them. They may not be as open and loud with their hate speach as Fred Phelps at Westboro Baptist Church was, but the underlying message is likely still there.
-
Paul Johnson
Anything that God instructs us to do is not Hate its Love. He gives you time to understand what his laws are and allows time for whoever to adjust so that they don't have to take a fall. Again if you want to look at something that you think should be your way and not Gods then I guess we will have to see who the big winner is in the end. I'm pretty sure who is going to win. At least that's what Job finally came to his senses and asked God to forgive him and things changed. But it is still each and everyones decision I'm not the judge.
-
-
-
Robert Gagnon
Don't much care for the name of the protesting group. Seems antagonistic in itself. Never cared for forcing the homeless to prey for soup and shelter. The whole demons thing is comical, so is the guy in the dress. Makes me think of my favorite line in needful Things "Kill them all and God sort them out"!. The sad part is the homeless are the ones being punished.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Robert,
I agree with what you said. I worked with the homeless for 8 years, and the main shelter in town requires the people to attend a chapel service before they can even eat dinner or stay for the night. The LGBTQIA+ community got a full dose of shame, and most Muslims would rather sleep on the streets in the rain and snow than go there. There is helping the needy because they are needy and then there is helping the needy only when they can at least pretend to think like you do. One is virtuous and the other is self-righteous. I don't get it. Do they get "points" for every person they presumably bring to Jesus? Our agency, instead, would only point someone in that direction when there was no other option in town and let them make the decision on whether they wanted to endure the indoctrination.
-
Robert Gagnon
You can be sure only their most promising converts get to work at the store. When you're one meal away from starvation you'll do anything. Thought Jesus fed the poor with no preconditions.
-
-
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Just to be clear, not all Christians subscribe to LGBTQIA+ hate, so calling Christianity a "hate group" is wrangling in more than it should. More than half of the Christians welcome and embrace the LGBTQIA+ communitie(s). The problem is the evangelical fringe is the loudest voice. Many of us don't wear our Christianity on our sleeves or imprint them in our coffee.
That said, a business that has part of its MISSION STATEMENT as anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric deserves backlash from those it calls "sinfull." I wonder how many of the unhoused employees this establishment employes are out-of-the- closet queer people? I would suggest that none of them are.
I worked for a social service agency that was Christian based, and we welcomed the queer folks, as clients and employees. They have even extended their housing program to be friendly toward the trans community, offering safe shelter to trans-people who are recovering from addiction or just out of incarceration and trying to put their lives back together. Their logo is draped in a rainbow, even though the establishment isn't exclusive to the queer community.
-
Paul Johnson
Why is it so important for the christian to be at fault, is it wrong to disprove something when you know it's wrong are should you just except something that's not normal.That has been happening for the last 100's of years and now look what are where it has taken the world too. Just Reverse Psychology being used to trick people to get in a conversation; Just like the Serpent did in the garden getting you to believe the lie. It's spiritual trickery.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
I cannot respond until I know which Christians you are talking about: the ones who try to follow the example of Jesus or those that read The Bible only to find verses that would justify their own biases with no regard for the context or genre of the scripture they are reading?
-
Amber Fry
Because it isn't the disapproval that is the problem. People are not perfect and they are going ot have their biases. The issue is in not putting that bias aside and just following through with whatever the duties are. If you are helping the homeless then their orientation shouldn't matter. They are people in need. Unless you know they are violent and harming people, unless they are taking from others, just let it go and do the task at hand.
-
-
-
Minister Don
I am a follower of Christ. I do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus. I cannot remember any of his teachings about hating someone that is different. To me, he taught love acceptance and understanding. Did I read it wrong? Well, anyway, I beg you to not hate just because of a person's religious beliefs or because of who they love.
My uncle married a wonderful man, and I am very proud of him for standing up, in court, for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Because of what he did, a lot of people's marriages became recognized in the state of New York. My uncle later became an activist for the environment. I am so very proud of you Uncle D. I wish I told you that when you were here with us. I am also sorry that I did not open my eyes when I was younger.
God has opened my eyes and gave me the ability to see love for what it is. It is a pure thing. One of the true things we have in life. You had that with Uncle T. I am so very proud of you. (Please understand that I have used initials to protect them, if they do not want me to put their names in this post.)
Any way... People! Do not judge someone because of a few wicked people in their religion! Do not judge someone for who they love. If love in consensual and of age, who are we to judge? Love is Love is Love. It is pure, it is wonderful, it is. Thank you for letting me rant. I send you all my love!
P.S. Hate is easier to spread than LOVE. Let us all work on spreading love. The world has plenty of hate in it. Open a door for someone, smile at someone, wish them a good day, wave at the person that cut you off with more than one finger, say thank you, say please, be happy and spread joy into the world. It is more fun than you might think!!
-
Paul Johnson
Nothing new the Serpent still showing up trying to get people into a conversation with him as he did in the Garden of Eden with Eve it clearly states that he was more cunning than all the creatures in the Garden. The next real test was in the wilderness with Jesus and how did Jesus respond simply by using the Word "it is written you shall not tempt the Lord" this didn't get rid of the enemy but for a season. This is no different today you have the LGBTQ++ USING "REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY" calling someting that isn"t as though it is. Calling christians Haters when who is it that is displaying HATE you guess it. Wanting it to be their way. So if the enemy can get us into his conversation guess who will win; as it was in the Garden "Don't get in the Conversation" remember what the Apostle Paul tells us the old testament is there for and example "READ AND BE TAUGHT! The ole Serpent hasn"t changed much.
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Before they ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve were like children. They had no sense of right or wrong, good or bad. They couldn't even understand why they needed to obey. Along comes this dude who says to Eve, "Hey God, your father is smart, don't you want to be smart like your father?" Like any child that wants to be like their parent, she ate the apple and was good natured so she shared it with Adam.
The first mistake they ever made. As a parent, children make mistakes. It's how they learn. They'll make thousands before they're 18. Could you imagine any parent today, tossing their child out of the house because they ate a cookie that they were told not to touch? The parent would be charged for a variety of crimes. We have all kinds of agencies out there, for just these kinds of abusive parents.
Worst of all, God is allegedly, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. If that's the case, he knew what was going to happen before he made the tree or the couple and did it anyway. He was also present and didn't try and stop this child from doing something wrong (like any loving parent would).
Analysis: God is a cruel, sadistic, narcissist. A celestial child services should take us away from him and foster us out to some loving deity.
-
Paul Johnson
God is kind loving and most of all he allows us to have a free will. If we don't want to listen to Him then we will have to feel. That sometimes hurts but that doesn"t make Him all those horrible things that you would like for Him to be. He is still forgiving and kind and most of all He really loves us more than we can ever fathom! Be Blessed and Seize the Day!!
-
Patricia Ann Gross
On the other hand, if a parent continually shields their child from making mistakes, how is the child supposed to learn? Sure, teachers teach and parents lecture, but nothing teaches better than lived experience, and sometimes that lived experience has very negative consequences.
-
-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Great wording on that post. Just 5 words in and I knew it was pointless to read any further. Religious babble and willful ignorance on full display.
-
-
Daniel Todd Kamm
Why do people seem to be getting more and more stupid?
Frivolous accusations, poor excuses, and an underpinning of all too convenient religious justifications in toto, both sides have flaws in their analyses... and then there is the shop owner's claim @ his opposition's demonic possession? Which takes his case to the even more stupid.
On the other side, I was quite politically active back in my youth... and I encountered all kinds, including multiple socialist groups, but also the RCP and it's diminutives. The half dozen of them used to show up at community events just in time to unfurl a banner in front to make it look like it was their event; or knock over trash cans, break windows, or set fire to something.
One would think that the allowance one received from one's wealthy overindulgent parent would weigh in. But those allowances usually continued after the legal charges were dismissed, so who knows?
Elders still fighting the good fight... I honor your true commitment to what change you want to see in the world, and bid you peace!
Everyone needs to find their way. But demon possession? Please.
Reb tk
-
Nicholas J Page
More discrimination against the gay community why do it is it because they won't fight back prejudiced that's what you people are and it sickness me and I'm heterosexual. We have 2 day girls live above us with no problems and we help each other out as I'm disabled after a brain tumour op.
-
James Mounts
It seems to me you all attribute the hate to the wrong group. Christians are taught to hate the sin but love the sinner. Seems like LGBT... ad nauseam, hate anyone who disagrees with your chosen lifestyle. Why force yourselves upon people who obviously don't want to be around you? Heed Skye's advice, open your own shop and don't invite Christians.
-
Michael Hunt
Being LGBTQ isn't a chosen lifestyle though. The "sin" they are committing is being queer and they can't change who they are attracted to, so as much as you claim to love the person, by hating their "sin" you're really just saying you hate who the person is.
-
Jimmy Moon
It is a choice. Don’t let Satan blind you to that fact. He wants you to burn in Hell.
-
Michael Hunt
Tell me, Jimmy, if you were attracted to women, as a man, why would you choose to date men instead and become persecuted by groups who believe them to be sinners or unnatural?
If choosing to be attracted to the same sex is a choice, when did you choose to be attracted to the opposite sex? Personally, I never made a choice, I was always attracted to women. Ask a gay person when they chose to be gay and I guarantee you they'll tell you the same thing.
-
Jimmy Moon
The veil is over your eyes. Hopefully one day you will see Satan’s lie about your so called born that way.
-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
And Moon fake pumps, throws a veil in the defender’s face, now he shoots and….
MISSES THE ENTIRE BACKBOARD TRIPS OVER HIS OWN FEET AND FALLS ON HIS BUTT!!
But he still has a supply of distraction veils.
-
Jimmy Moon
It’s your future. You decide what you want to do.
-
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Mr. moon, Question: If I told you you were believing a lie and we had no trust built between us to date, no matter how true my statement to you might be, how willing would you be to believe you were believing a lie? Or... would you go into self protection mode and shut me down? I would propose we ALL are believing a lie in one way or another, often about ourselves (Often about the heart of God) but for me anyways, I might have trouble receiving "correction" from a complete stranger. "Truth in LOVE". The delivery can be just as important as the message perhaps? I hope you are well!
-
Jimmy Moon
One day ALL will believe.
-
-
-
-
Elizabeth Susan Cosgrove
OK, choose to be gay. Trust me, as a straight woman, it would be far easier if I WERE attracted to women. I'm not, I did not choose to be attracted to smelly, thoughtless, lazy brutes. I know I'm generalizing a lot. I married a good one, but he's still smelly and occasionally thoughtless or lazy.
-
-
-
Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
https://medium.com/backyard-theology/the-problem-with-saying-hate-the-sin-love-the-sinner-5d415ca05473
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Jesus is the prince of Peace. God is allegedly the God of Love. Why are you supposed to hate anything? Regardless, as is evidenced by all my years on this site, Christians hate the sin AND the sinner.
-
-
Melinda Fulk
Hmmmm, don't like it when the script gets flipped?
-
Douglas Robert Spindler
This is part of the Christian agenda to bring back segregation and Project 2025. They are slowly getting their way.
-
ServantOfJudgement
One cup of coffee at a time, they're absolutely diabolical.
-
Benton Wade Standard
Comment removed by user.
-
Benton Wade Standard
Comment removed by user.
-
-
Skye
It is a private business, you don't like it don't go there. Or better yet, spend your money and open up a coffee shop the way you want to.
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Even better is stop the hate.
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Even better is stop the hate.
-
Amber Fry
Yes, and even private businesses are subject to discrimination laws.
-
-
John P Maher
DO NOT GO THERE, PUT THEM OUT OF MONEY, YOU CAN GET GREAT COFFEE ANYWHERE, STOP THE B S !
-
ServantOfJudgement
It's terrible a coffee shop gives homeless people a place to sleep.
Right John? Right?
-
Amber Fry
Please stop being ridiculous. You know very well that isn't the reason. Excluding people from the the program for not being straight is the issue. That's hate behind a religious shield and shouldn't be part of a healthy religion. Either help people in need because they are in need, or don't. But don't be segregating based on a twisted version of righteousness.
-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Yeah, you’d be throwing the baby out with the bath water. At the same time actions, and silly beliefs, have consequences.
-
-
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Enough is enough. It's time to declare Christianity a hate group.
-
Echo
Agreed, hiding hate behind Christian doors fails every one. Christianity needs to follow what it preaches of "love thy neighbor," not "hate because they aren't me"
-
Jimmy Moon
Christianity is the ONLY one that is not a hate group. All others have no tolerance for our beliefs. We hate the SIN. But we pray for the sinners to come to accept JESUS as their SAVIOR.
-
Reverend Paula Copp
Mr. Moon, have you heard about the Salem witch trials? How about the Inquisition? And then there are the Catholics who helped the Nazis in WW2? Christianity is a cult and a danger, as are all religions, to humanity. Religion is the pablum of the masses.
-
Jimmy Moon
Have you heard about JESUS CHRIST who came to save the lost? All others are false prophets.
-
Lionheart
Bless your heart. Thank you for adding some humour to this article. 🤗
🦁❤️
-
Rev. Mike Eggleston
Mr Moon, there is no real, independently verifiable, evidence that "Jesus" character ever existed. The stories about him were not written until a few decades after the alleged events, there are no contemporaneous reports of him whatsoever. It doesn't seem credible that anyone could do the sort of things it's claimed he did without even the Romans bothering to make a note of it.
-
Jimmy Moon
Prove there is no evidence of GOD.
-
Lionheart
Prove there is evidence of Fairies, Elves, The Loch Ness Monster, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, Sasquatch, Thor, Your God, My God, et al 🤭
As for proving there is no evidence for your God, I would just start with going to a children’s Cancer Hospital, pray to your god to heal them all, then stand back, and watch nothing happen. 🤷
You will then no doubt try to explain that your God works in mysterious ways and has a very valid reason why they are all dying. I bet you blame it on us mere mortals.
🦁❤️
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Hello Again Mr. Lionheart. I would propose that one of the great struggles in "believing" Is the lack of personal experience. It is easy to be a "doubting Thomas" without an experience to get us to consider other possibilities. True life story: For most of my life, aprox 50 years, I had little "God experiences" to rely on. Though there were some in my youth I still remember to this day. I was taught in church to "pray" a particular way which was basically the "shot gun" prayer. Toss up a bunch of prayers and hope one catches God's heart. I was also never taught in my denomination how to recognize God's voice so my 'experiential' prayer life was lacking lets say. Then about 15 years ago, I went outside my home back in Ca. (We had a 45 acre mountain ranch) looked to the sky and shouted... "If this is all there is to being a Christian (Non-experiential) I'M DONE!!!" and I walked back into the house. Over the next few months, then years, my experiences changed quite a bit! I learned how to recognize thoughts that were way to wise to be my own. Often I would be praying, asking a question, and an answer thought would flow into my mind even before I was done asking the question. I found that quite interesting. But to your post. During this season I began to experiement praying for people with injuries. Not the "sit in my prayer closet and pray for people" excerise but actually going up to people obviously hurting, asking if I could pray for them. What was the worst that could happen, nothing? At least they would know I felt for them hurting. Look like a fool? Heck, that was most of my life. So I "risked" investing my 'faith'. To my great surprise many reported back to me after my 30 second prayer, that they felt a change in the pain levels or they felt warmth, or a peace had fallen over them they could not explain. Then one day, a friend who knew I had been "experimenting" asked if I could come pray for his mother in law who was dealing with stage 4 cancer which I hesitantly said yes to. As I 'prayed' (I pray way different now than most understand as prayer) this woman's eyes rolled back into her head and she began to shake as if electricity was flowing through her. It scared me!! But as I took the finger I had placed on her forhead, off she seem to come out of it. No other change was noticed other she asked if she could hug me. At that point I knew that at least she knew I cared for her. A few days later my friend called to tell me that his mother in law was being released and that they could no longer find the cancer in her body! I almost hit the floor!!! (I have experienced 3 such cases to date with cancer) So, I sense the struggle to believe is that: 1) We pray insanity prayers. you know, praying the same way over and over expecting different results. I had to humble myself a try something new. 2) We have not been trained to consider that God may actually be speaking but we just don't recognize it. 3) We must be willing to be humble enough to admit we don't have all the answers thus we may need to "change the way we think" which is the original Greek definition for our English word 'repent'. 4) We (Christians) have not been taught how to pray with expectancy. Expect nothing... receive nothing.
Anywho... I can say that my beliefs have changed a lot and with this "repenting" came different results. Christianity became actually fun and I love to reminisce on some of the fun experiences I've had. I totally understand that believing without experiences is quite difficult.
(PS. I had been ridiculed by "believers" for praying differently which has been rather painful and caused me to stop 'loving on' the hurting for a period of time. My bitterness towards them seemed to have a negative result in "hearing" God. Just being transparent. God dint let me down, people did)
Peace.
-
Rev Ned
You can’t prove a negative. If out of the thousands of religions, only one is true, logic dictates that none are true. That said, to hedge my bet, I have a pole arm to be buried with me, in case the Valkyries carry me across the 🌈 bridge to Valhalla to fight the ice giants.
-
Benton Wade Standard
The burden of proof is upon those making the positive claim and not the other way around. I say that and I'm not an atheist or an agnostic.
-
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Rev. Mike Eggleston Have you heard of Wes Huff? He has some interesting insights based on his years of focused study. He is currently pursuing a PhD in New Testament and Christian Origins. Youtube has some great short videos to consider. In regards to: "there are no contemporaneous reports of him whatsoever." Have you read any of Josephus' writings (The Jewish historian of that day) or Tacitus, the Roman Historian who spoke of Jesus while writing about the Roman fires of 64 AD? Both of which were non-Christians and even hostile to the Christians in those days. Interesting reads I found.
-
-
-
-
Michael Hunt
You seem to be unfamiliar with the Baha'i faith or most Eastern religions which do advocate tolerance for other beliefs.
You hate someone for who they are because you believe that who they are is a sin. That sounds like a hate group to me.
-
Jimmy Moon
Whoever read this to you could not possibly be able to read and understand very well. I never said I hated anyone. Please get someone else to read the reply so maybe you can understand what I’m saying. GOD hates the Sin. As do I. But a person can still come to know JESUS CHRIST as their SAVIOR if they repent of their lifestyle. Easy peasy, Japanesy.
-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Look! Look! He’s ridiculing the Japanese!
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Jimmy,
Why would God hate who they are since that is how God made them? God making them a way you do not understand does not justify your hate of who they are or what they do. If you still believe that it is a sin, please leave the judgement to God, and love them the way that Jesus taught.
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Hello Patricia Ann!! According to google: "Research indicates that sexual orientation is not determined by a single gene. A large-scale study involving half a million people found no single genetic cause for same-sex sexual behavior. I also have a scientist friend (PHD in relational health) Who shared that though the may be a predisposition towards a gay lifestyle, they are not "born that way". I have studied a bit of this myself and found that emotional trauma can lead to Homosexuality IE: A fathers love being withheld from a son it can lead to that need being filled by another male. I have also seen a young heterosexual girl (She was dating my son) get rejected my her biolocial father then her step dad, then a couple boys then turned to homosexual relationships out of an apparent (And understood) self protection. (Please also see the life stories of Elton John, and Freddy mercury and note the relationship each had with their fathers. Seems it could have been a factor in their lives as well)
So to say "God made them that way" may not be fully accurate. But please... Don't take my word for it. I am no expert!! Do your own due diligence. Have a good one!!
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Jeffrey,
While there is some truth in what you say, and many within the LGBTQIA+ community have sexual trauma and/or abandonment by one or more parents in their childhood, this has never been an indicator of the orientation. The DSM5 no longer considers homosexuality to be a mental illness, so as recently as the 20-teens, the research is pivoted on their understanding of the source from psychologicall to organic. I have known many whose parents have fully embraced the orientation or gender identity and just as many whos family disowned them. None of this is scientifically relevant, as it is my own experience and who knows what other factors may contribute. Every person's attraction is different, and making it all fully genetic or all fully experiential does not explain why this happens. For example, why do some women become attracted to the "bad boys" or search for only men with money, or men who resemble their father? Parental influence and trauma/culture/other social factors all contribute to why one person is attracted to another, and that includes the gender involved. I am sure, however, that it is a mix of genetics and social influences.
When I was working on my doctorate, I did some research, particularly regarding the trans-community, and from the articles I read from scholarly sources, there are indicators that there are certain genes, other than the X/Y chromosome mix involved. It is all in the way that the brain is wired, and one thing that can signficantly change the person's brain chemestry is a signficant trauma, but at the same time, one cannot automatically label every person in the LGBTQIA+ communities as victims of childhood abuse or abandonment, because there are those who exist who have not experienced any of those.
-
-
-
-
-
Matthew Mastrogiovanni
I'm a witch and an ordained ULC minister. I respect all faiths that do no harm. But lately, some Christians seem to be returning to forced conversion tactics. Your religion should guide your life—not control others.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
I agree with you, with emphasis on SOME Christians, not all of them.
-
Amber Fry
They didn't really stop. They never really do. They just went quietly underground with it for a while. Its only coming out again now because there is an excess of it in general lately and it's time to bring it to attention again.
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Mathew> Hello. Interesting that you introduce yourself as a "witch". No judgement here BTW and yes I call myself a "Christian" though I ditched organized religion and the corporate church. Could you define that word (Witch) as it relates to you? Thanks.
Jeff
-
-
Lionheart
Don’t forget, Mr. Moon, that your God was full of hate for those that did not comply with his wishes, so he decided to try and drown everyone, and that would have included babies, infants, toddlers, young children, and pregnant mothers, and yet, for some unknown reason, people still worship that monster deity and call it a God of love. 🤷
🦁❤️
-
Jimmy Moon
HA HA. Your eyes have a veil on them.
-
Lionheart
Yes you’re right, Mr Moon, I forgot and left out when your god killed those children of the first born when he had an anger management issue with Pharoah.
Plus, there was also that very silly story in II Kings 2: 23-24: Where Elisha, who was bald, went up to Bethel and as he was walking up the path some small boys came out of the city and harassed him, chanting words to the effect of ‘Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy!’ He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled the 42 children to death.
But not to worry, your god is still a god of love and you think I have “my” eyes veiled. 😎
🦁❤️
-
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Where’s Moon’s response to this scripture? Maybe it would be another weak, nonsensical retort about veils?
-
Jimmy Moon
What would it take to get you to believe the Gospel?
-
Lionheart
Undeniable demonstrable evidence.
It’s a bit like when I cross the road. Do I walk across with faith the road is clear, or do I need sufficient evidence the road is clear by checking there are no vehicles to prevent me from being run down?
🦁❤️
-
Jimmy Moon
Look around you. Evidence is there. Or do you believe in evolution?
-
Michael Hunt
I believe in evolution because we can see fossils over time reflecting how species evolved. There's lots of scientific data to support the theory of evolution. The only reason we still call it a theory is because it takes so long to actually occur, we can't actively witness and measure it happening. We can however, look back at fossils and genetics and see that species have evolved over millennia.
-
-
Jeffery D. Sanders
Mr. Lionheart. First of all I appreciate you opinions as I once also had confusion about a "loving God who kills His children". Sadly, much of the modern bible translations have been "Adjusted" due to the religious bias's of the translators. As we get closer and closer to the original writers, in the original languages, with original contexts and original cultural understanding I believe we reach a 'purer' writing much of which is nothing like we read today. If you don't have the time to research more original writings, nor the time to learn the original languages and nuances I propose a couple of theologians: Dr. C. Baxter Kruger and another who has come out of religiosity and yet maintained his love of Christ is John Crowder (lots of fun Youtube videos). I was raised Lutheran and my view of God is now quite different than what I was "taught to believe". If Jesus is God, which I believe He is, and if Jesus is one with the Father, which I believe He is, and if the scripture holds true in which Jesus said "If you've seen me then you've seen the Father... For I only do what I see and hear from the Father" then I must go back to the old testament and reread those troubling scriptures through the lens of Jesus. Can you image Jesus killing people?? Actually that idea is quite contrary to the Jesus that so many seem to love, quote or try to emulate. So what changed? Perhaps the translations??? Last thought; I don't know about you but my 'pendulum' tends to swing as far away as possible from anything that has caused me pain in the past. It is my self-preservation mechanism. But... that mechanism has also kept me from a lot of good things. I have to allow my pendulum to find a safe center to be truly free internally. The way I know I am harboring unresolved pain is that if I think about the person, or organization, that hurt me (And I have been hurt by well meaning churches numerous times) and still feel angst (a feeling of deep anxiety or dread) towards them, then I know I have not forgiven them. And as the saying goes: "Not forgiving is like drinking poison and then hoping the other person dies". It kills us (slowly) not them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
-
Lionheart
Thank you for your very courteous reply, Sir Jeffery. I do understand your view and thoughts with regards to much of the stupidity written in the Bible. You did briefly mention that you “also” had confusion about what is called a loving God, which indirectly tends to imply I also have confusion. In actual fact, I don’t have any confusion at all because I don’t rely on faith to believe in a God like most people on earth do, hence the number of different religions we have here on earth.
I am possibly like you for the most part in that I don’t believe in any of the gods that mankind has created here on earth, which is very similar to yourself, apart from the fact that I don’t believe in the god you have singled out of almost 3,000 gods to believe in. I of course do realize that you will believe yours is the one and only god to believe in, much like everyone else does on earth that believe in Gods.
Regarding Jesus, I do realize it’s very possible that someone like him did exist, but we actually have very little evidence to support his reality, even though it’s possible he, or someone like him, was real.
I see you quoted something where you said “If the scripture holds true……”. The Bible is full of conjecture, and we have very little evidence to know what, if anything, is true, especially of what people are supposed to have said.
If there really is a God, it’s pretty sad that he/she/it didn’t have any better plan to support its reality.
Thank you for your very nice reply sharing your thoughts. 🤗
🦁❤️
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Jeffrey,
I really appreciate your thoughts. I went to a progressive seminary, and met several of the authors of commentary in the New Interpreter's Bible. There is a single Bible and a multi-volume set of the commentaries. I just re-purchased another copy of The Bible for preparation for my PhD, and it is full of the authors and commentators you cite.
One other author/speaker/theologian that completely changed my view on multi-faith issues was Amy-Jill Levine. I took a summer class from her on the exegesis of the Gospel of Matthew. The thing that makes her extraordinary is that she is an Orthodox Jew, so she comes at the scripture in the Gospels from the Jewish perspective. Just to be clear, she is not a Messianic Jew, but an Orthodox one. There are several of her speaches out on YouTube, so a quick Google will give you a sample. Her analysis of meeting St. Pter at the Pearly Gates, and what happens is a classic.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Douglas Robert Spindler
Already been done. Just need more prosecutions.
-
Patricia Ann Gross
Only for certain splinter groups, though, and that is as it should be. Not all Christians subscribe. I go to a church where the LGBTQIA+ community is welcomed and embracd as human beings who are granted grace like any other, not sinners in need of redemption.
-
-
Christopher Clyde Peoples
Hah funny , Christian’s are not the problem. People like you calling people hate groups are the problem. The Bible says what it says no matter how you try to twist it. And I have news for you , I read the final chapter (GOD WINS)
-
Steven Ferrell
You are the one showing hate because you want anyone who does not agree with your views to be considered hate. That makes you a very hateful person. I pity you.
-
Benton Wade Standard
I don't have to agree or disagree with their message to support their right to operate the way they choose to. It's called freedom.
-
-
Stefano Di Stefano
Lo scrivo in italiano, non posso giudicare ,siamo in una situazione mondiale compicata e devo ancora informarmi meglio Grazie
-
Lionheart
Va benissimo. Penso che scoprirai che la maggior parte qui comunicherà in inglese, ma grazie per il tuo commento. 🤗
🦁❤️
-
Shango MasterExorcist, D.D.
Yes Stefano, the word situation is complicated.
-
Serve the public or serve no one.