Print
E-mail
Palin Church Fire Sparks Debate
By Joe Murray, The Bulletin
Sarah Palin’s church was badly damaged by a fire the authorities are treating as an act of arson. The fire, which comes after a heated presidential campaign where Mrs. Palin’s church was ridiculed by major media outlets, has some Christian activists contending secular intolerance and bigotry directed toward Christians remains a serious problem in America.
Continued On Page 7 “It’s a scare tactic,” proclaimed Bishop Janice Hollis, pastor of Progressive Believers Ministry. “It is a ploy to make Christians more docile and timid, less likely to fight for their rights.”
While it is unclear whether or not the fire at Mrs. Palin’s church was related to the Alaska governor’s unsuccessful run on the Republican ticket, some say the fire is just a reminder of permissive intolerance toward Christians that goes on with the tacit blessing of an increasingly secular American society.
“We know persecution is going to increase,” said Bishop Hollis, adding Christians should take comfort in the fact the Bible foretold of certain hardships. But she stressed Christians must remain vigilant in the fight to preserve their faith.
“[The persecution] is a challenge to the church because you cannot straddle the fence. We have to stand against those things that we know to be false.”
During the presidential campaign, Mrs. Palin was repeatedly mocked by the media for her religious beliefs. The media ridiculed her church for participating in a “Love Won Out Conference” sponsored by the conservative Focus on the Family. The conference is held to “help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome.”
The media also mocked Mrs. Palin’s relationship with the Rev. Thomas Muthee. The Rev. Muthee claimed he waged a successful fight against a witch in Kenya and prayed over Mrs. Palin in 2005. He asked Jesus to protect Mrs. Palin and place her in the governor’s mansion.
But the Palin episode is one of many instances of permissible ridicule directed at Christianity.
In Washington, the state’s governor permitted a sign declaring there is no God to be placed next to the state’s a nativity scene. Such a controversy, some say, would not have never happened if a Neo-Nazi group had asked to place a sign next to a menorah.
“This is mockery,” said Bishop Hollis. “It is ultimately a blatant display of in-your-face defiance.”
Bishop Hollis explained the purpose of the continuous assault on Christian beliefs is an attempt to strip Christians of their identity. She contends an uprooted Christian community is one that will wither — and that is exactly what opponents desire.
“That is what our adversary is after: the Christian identity. Rob the Christian community of its identity and you will lessen its power,” Bishop Hollis said.
And while most Christians are accommodating and will do their part to avoid uncomfortable situations, Bishop Hollis stressed there is a difference between addressing controversy and causing a commotion.
“It is OK to be controversial because we are mandated to oppose what is not of God,” Bishop Hollis said. “We are not stirring the pot, just defending the faith.”
Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us.
Continued On Page 7 “It’s a scare tactic,” proclaimed Bishop Janice Hollis, pastor of Progressive Believers Ministry. “It is a ploy to make Christians more docile and timid, less likely to fight for their rights.”
While it is unclear whether or not the fire at Mrs. Palin’s church was related to the Alaska governor’s unsuccessful run on the Republican ticket, some say the fire is just a reminder of permissive intolerance toward Christians that goes on with the tacit blessing of an increasingly secular American society.
“We know persecution is going to increase,” said Bishop Hollis, adding Christians should take comfort in the fact the Bible foretold of certain hardships. But she stressed Christians must remain vigilant in the fight to preserve their faith.
“[The persecution] is a challenge to the church because you cannot straddle the fence. We have to stand against those things that we know to be false.”
During the presidential campaign, Mrs. Palin was repeatedly mocked by the media for her religious beliefs. The media ridiculed her church for participating in a “Love Won Out Conference” sponsored by the conservative Focus on the Family. The conference is held to “help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome.”
The media also mocked Mrs. Palin’s relationship with the Rev. Thomas Muthee. The Rev. Muthee claimed he waged a successful fight against a witch in Kenya and prayed over Mrs. Palin in 2005. He asked Jesus to protect Mrs. Palin and place her in the governor’s mansion.
But the Palin episode is one of many instances of permissible ridicule directed at Christianity.
In Washington, the state’s governor permitted a sign declaring there is no God to be placed next to the state’s a nativity scene. Such a controversy, some say, would not have never happened if a Neo-Nazi group had asked to place a sign next to a menorah.
“This is mockery,” said Bishop Hollis. “It is ultimately a blatant display of in-your-face defiance.”
Bishop Hollis explained the purpose of the continuous assault on Christian beliefs is an attempt to strip Christians of their identity. She contends an uprooted Christian community is one that will wither — and that is exactly what opponents desire.
“That is what our adversary is after: the Christian identity. Rob the Christian community of its identity and you will lessen its power,” Bishop Hollis said.
And while most Christians are accommodating and will do their part to avoid uncomfortable situations, Bishop Hollis stressed there is a difference between addressing controversy and causing a commotion.
“It is OK to be controversial because we are mandated to oppose what is not of God,” Bishop Hollis said. “We are not stirring the pot, just defending the faith.”
Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us.
 |
 |
|
| Obstetrics Crisis Growing In Pa. | Free Speech Rules In Iraq |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of thebulletin.us.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
