LadyLeslie:
Kathryn O:
LadyLeslie:
Kathryn O:
So the Westburough Baptist Church showed up at a Paul show to hold up signs. I heard there was an official meme that had their signs replaced with famous Paul lyrics I don't know what they were protesting about Paul, but he must be doing it right
From where we were standing at limo watch, I don't remember seeing these protestors at all, but they must have been nearby, because we were on the opposite side, facing the arena, on a similar grassy area. Not sure why they felt they had to do that... maybe because Paul is kind and supportive of gay people? or maybe they're just now hearing that the Beatles think they're more popular than Jesus? who knows.... At any rate, I'm so glad there was a group of us there who were able to have signs with positive messages, and that he was able to see those last before he entered the venue!
I actually don't think they were there to protest Paul at all since there was no official statement from them as to why they ere there. I think they were only there because they knew the event would draw a large outside crowd and they could be seen....and that makes it even more wrong. It's one thing to stand up for your beliefs and protest something you think is wrong like military funerals (I don't agree with them but I agree with their right to protest...and my right to counter protest dressed as a zombie and pretend to eat them and watch them run which is a bizarre comments on their beliefs in the afterlife) but in this case, they were just there to ruin our fun. it's also like they were protesting comic book conventions. I assumed they were there since comic books are pretty dark and twisted (that's why I like them) but nope. they were there simply protesting that people have an interest in things outside their personal religious beliefs. they were actually saying things like time spent reading comic books was better spent reading the bible. Now that really upset me as someone who was always told she liked all the wrong things all her life When I was reading Star Trek novels as a child, my mom said I should be reading about the saints instead. I had to stand up and defend myself using the old cliche, the Heart wants what the Heart wants Plus, I was bullied by the religious people in our small town. they made it clear I wasn't one of them Guess what? You don't do that to someone you wish to convert to your beliefs. I explained that to a WBC church person who was protesting at a gay church in Ferndale, MI and he actually apoologized that the bullying happened to me. still won't convert me though. It's too late.
Thanks for your post, KathrynO! So sorry you were bullied, no one deserves that! You know you have friends here! I can identify with many of the things you wrote because I was raised in a very conservative religious environment as well... and have seen first hand the hurt that is caused by judgmental people... I've been hurt as well for asking questions that they didn't seem to like, or didn't know how to answer, lol... and went through the same thing where my parents didn't approve of any hobby or activity that wasn't "church oriented." When I was 15, I remember seeing on TV that Wings would be in Kansas City over Memorial Day 1976... at that time my Beatles fanship had to be "in the closet" since rock music wasn't accepted within the religious environment I was in... but I wanted to go and see Paul, and asked my mother anyway. I remember her saying I was too young, and also she was afraid that there would be a lot of drinking and smoking (and she was just thinking cigarettes ) and out of control behavior, and "someone could jab you with a needle of dope!" Have no idea where she got that from Anyway, even though I'm not gay myself, I believe it's wrong to be unkind to ANYONE, or to discriminate. No one ever scores points for their beliefs when they're judgmental or unkind. I liked what Whoopi Goldberg said in The Ron Howard Beatles documentary: "The Beatles made everyone feel welcome.... " I think that's true, and I think the world would be a much better place if we all did try a little kindness! (to use a line from a song, lol).
I remember watching a documentary of the Westboro Baptist Church a few years ago.. The reason they protest concerts, award shows, and such is because they claim we "worship false idols." They claim that we attend these "worship" events and idolize these false prophets, but we should be instead worshiping God. They are not at these events to try to "covert" anybody, but they claim "they are just saying the word of God" by doing what they do. They are here to "warn us" because they "love their neighbors and they don't want to go to hell." : Lol it's interesting and comical to me because their own signs are very hypocritical to me. I was raised a Catholic and I attended private school my entire life. I DO happen to be gay myself, so according to them, I am probably going to the hottest place in hell. They says "Gays can't repent," but it's only ok for them to repent?" lol If you aren't familiar with the scriptures, in Roman Chapter 9, it gives the analogy that God is the potter and we are the clay in his hands. The twins Jacob and Esau, before either of them could do bad or good, God already had a plan laid out for them. God loved Jacob, but Hated Esau. SO God created some people as vessels of mercy, and others are vessels of wrath for destruction? Made for the express purpose of destroying them. Of torturing them in hell for eternity. God making you do all the things that you do and blessing some and destroying others. Go why does God find fault for who resisted his will? So he makes you do it and he punishes you for it? We can't resist God's will, so are we already destined to be destroyed without ever having a chance? In 1 John 1:9, "If we confess out sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So how can He, is some of the "bad" people are already made for destruction? The Westboro Baptist Church sincerely believes they are warriors for God, when they don't see their own hypocracy. (P.S. I know some of my text went off topic a bit lol But I am just speaking what has been on my mind since I heard the Westboro Baptist Church was also protesting outside the Omaha show! I was there!! :lol