Dear Westboro Baptist Church...

Okay, I haven't blogged in a super long time, I know. Partly because I'm busy and partly because I haven't had any idea on what to say. But as of 10 minutes ago, I have something.

I was trolling around on Twitter a minute ago and randomly came across the Twitter account for Westboro Baptist Church. And I only call it church to make sure you know who I'm talking about, from now on I will not be giving it such an undeserved honor.

Now usually I'm not a fan of using social media as a soapbox. I have nothing against it but it's not something I like to do myself. But when something this sickening comes along, rules are bent.

Here are a few examples of the many pictures, signs, and sayings that appear over and over again on WBC's twitter account:
"God hates f-gs"
"God is your enemy"
"Pray for more dead soldiers"
"God hates sluts"
"You're going to hell"
and, my personal favorite
"God hates the world" <-- Whoever wrote this has never held a Bible, obviously...

This is not okay. The one that put the cherry on top of my disgust was a post about the Kenya mall tragedy, referring to it as "God's judgement of the world". This was accompanied with a bloodied sign that said "God sent the killer".

The more I read about these people, the more I begin to understand the way Jesus felt when he drove the moneymakers from God's temple. These people are not only giving Christians a horrible reputation, they are misrepresenting the God they pretend to follow! Showing up at military funerals with signs that say "All military men are in hell", picketing against homosexuals and calling them names?? Yes, people are sinners and yes, God will judge the world one day. But they leave out a HUGE part of the story. Namely, that God's love for His people was so great that He heaped our sins on His perfect Son in order that we could be free of death and be His children. And that's as Biblical as it gets. John 1:12, John 3:16, Colossians 2:13-14 are great examples. If you want more, read the entire New Testament. Actually, the entire Bible. It's all over. Jesus took the brunt of God's wrath for us.

According to Westboro Baptist Cult, they are the "true" Christians and thereby better than everyone else. By their belief, I'm hell-bound as well because I strongly disagree with them, to put it mildly, and therefore I'm a fake believer. One thing I find amusing is that these people strongly assert that God hates sinners...however, I'm inclined to bring up the story of "he who is without sin casting the first stone". I'm a sinner. So are you. So is everyone on this planet, and that includes the pharisees at WBC.

I don't mean to rant but this nearly makes my blood boil. It's one thing to spew heresies and hatred everywhere, but to then claim that it comes from the Bible and the will of the Almighty God?? That's what makes me so angry.

All this to say - if you are not a follower of Christ, please do NOT think that these people represent anything to do with Christianity. God is nothing like WBC says He is. He hates sin. He does not hate you.

As I step down from my soapbox, I'd like to say something to the people at Westboro Baptist Cult (I'll be tweeting this link to them). If you're really so dead-set on inciting arguments everywhere, let's have one. Don't forget to bring your Bible.

Sorry this was so sobering! Next time it'll be lighter. Until then!
-Christiana