My area (Spokane, WA, U.S.) has the
grand privilege of hosting the rancorous and outright hateful Westboro Baptist folk in a few weeks. You know about them – the group with the
website www.godhatesfags.com
They really are a sad group. There are counter protests
being formed across our city. I am
certain that there will be hundreds, if not thousands out to meet them, with varied
approaches. In one way, the
counter protest is perfect for them – they get more attention. I honestly think
they are the enemy of love and Jesus told us what to do with our
enemies…right? I don’t know what that looks like exactly, but I do know that
Paul said we were to overcome evil with good.
So, how can we live into what we believe, instead of being sucked into the emotions of a group that grows strong on reaction?
“For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.” James 2:13
First, we can’t hate them and seek harm to them (what I would naturally like to do). Among other things, it actually adds charged fuel to their cause. I also think we must not, cannot under-sell the call to earnestly pray for them. I am not an atheists nor a determinist. I believe that pray can effect the situation. Lastly, do we offer a cup of cool water in the name of Jesus? Maybe something tangible like that.
I dont think the question is what is the “best way”, but rather what is any way to display “love to your enemy” in this situation. Can you suggest any examples on how you would demonstrate your love for this enemy even if it not the “best way” to do it?
When I was a child I was mistreated badly in the black neighborhood where I grew up, and I learned how to hate black people because I didn’t differentiate between the kids being black, and the kids being bullies. The very first thing that God changed in me when I accepted Christ was hatred toward blacks. I love everyone now. I just wasn’t aware of how ignorant I was for so many years. Just pray. God is awesome. He can change ANY heart.
Hey Pern, so sorry to hear of the story of your bro and his son. I do think we take a stand, but the real question is what is the best way to do that. Often times we fuel the enemy by our stand. I don’t want to be passive in this, but non-violent, non-reactive love is by far our most powerful weapon. Examples: Ghandi, King, Mandella – all experienced oppression and hate at a magnitude that few will ever have to grapple with, but with long-suffering love overcame.
That said, we need real divine and creative wisdom on know how to love well.
Hey Rob,
I saw your post this morning and I hope I’m not taking this in the wrong tangent but a recent event is still fresh in my mind that I still haven’t resolved the best response towards hate.
My brother and his wife have an adopted 2 yr old boy (half mexican and half black). While on a walk a total stranger drives by yelling “Take that F…N…back where you got him” and drives off.
I’m totally dumbfounded by this kind of hatred (and seriously, who’s racist against a 2yr old?).
How do we show love to a hostile group of people? I never expect non-christians to act like Christians but at some point don’t we stand to hatred that is unwarranted and devastating?
Hey Rob,
I was very upset to hear that WBC was coming to protest at Whitworth–this is very sad. I have had a previous encounter with them before, and in response to them, I tried to speak with them kindly, but it just didn’t work.
Personally, I am at the point where I find speaking to them, even at all, counterproductive. What they want is attention. So, don’t give it to them. The less people take them seriously and care about what they are saying, whether bad or good (though I haven’t heard anything good come from them), the less power and influence they have. Don’t give them the publicity they so desperately want–they don’t listen anyway.
I know this may sound “cheesy Christian,” which I am not particularly fond of, but we need to simply pray for them, pray, pray, and pray some more. I think that’s how show the love of Christ.