Christians — all over the world and throughout history — areknown for pushing their values onto others regardless of theirconsent. Recently, members of a Christian club on campus haveperpetuated this pattern byharassing the LGBTSU, starting a debate on morality and sin while theclub was trying to recruit members. It was a selfish thing to do, butthe club members had good intentions.
Most Christians have good intentions.
The preachers on the Free Speech Steps have good intentions. Bytelling anyone who walks by that they are going to hell, they imaginethey are saving many souls from Satan’s torture wonderland.
By protesting outside of concerts and graduation ceremonies withsigns proclaiming, “God Hates Fags,” they hope to convert the”hell-bound” to a lifestyle that will please their Lord, ultimatelysending these converts to heaven. How noble.
By blowing up abortion clinics, these “soldiers of God” hope tosave the lives of the children they believe are being murdered in theclinic.
They have good intentions. Nevertheless, they don’t have God’sendorsement. God doesn’t want these people to selfishly bombardothers with their message of “love.” He definitely doesn’t wantanyone thinking he hates them, and he ABSOLUTELY doesn’t want anyoneblowing up buildings and wrecking havoc as a message against murder.He is a god of love, not intimidation.
Many Christians apparently don’t care about this fact. They havetheir goal, and they see it through by any means necessary,regardless of God’s opinion on the matter. They accost nonbelieversand “debate” to the point of harassment.
Two months ago, two members of Victory Christian Fellowship with”good intentions” began a debate with members of the LGBTSU while theclub was tabling in Aztec Center. They debated with the club for morethan an hour on immorality and homosexuality. I’m sure they believedthey were being open-minded — debating rather than throwing tomatoesor slinging epithets. Sounds progressive, doesn’t it?
Then you may ask, “Did the LGBTSU agree to this debate? Did theyeven know about it ahead of time?” This is where the dilemma pops up.The LGBTSU never agreed to the debate; in fact, it annoyed themtremendously. The Christian club blocked their table, and harassedpotential members who made it through their barricade. The LGBTSUtold the Christians several times that they didn’t want to debate,but the Christians continued to argue with the club, even quotingBible passages that condemned the club members’ lifestyles.
Christians, yet again, were pummeling the rights of others to gettheir message across.
I’m sure God was positively red-faced with embarrassment.
Regardless of their intentions, these VCF members made Christianslook bad, and they made God look bad. This certainly wasn’t theirgoal, but treading on the rights of others tends to make peopleangry. Go figure.
Members of VCF, listen closely. Regardless of what you may think,you can’t worship God and be Him at the same time. The laws ofthermodynamics forbid it. So here’s the deal: You can either startrespecting others’ rights to their opinions (and space), or you cancreate your own universe. Just make sure you leave ours first.
–Rebecca Martin is a journalism sophomore.
–This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of TheDaily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com.Anonymous letters will not be printed — include your full name,major and year in school.
