[ Telling the truth isn't hate ]

Telling the truth isn't hate

By Margie J. Phelps

Special to The Capital-Journal

The vote against adding homosexuals to the civil rights ordinance early in the morning on 9-11 was a victory! Three out of four of the 90-strong crowd opposed the law, saying it is not the policy of Topeka to give special legal status to homosexuals.

One speaker said a sleeping giant has finally awakened. Well, Mr. Giant, you'd better watch out, because danger still lurks. When people whose identifying trait is a burning lust for lasciviousness assess moral apathy, they strike. You can't afford to sleep.

Note the rationale council members Price and Duffy used to justify their "yes" vote. The hate and intolerance demonstrated by the speakers, they said, satisfied them this law is necessary. The council has known our view for months --- even years. The new information for them was the voice of the moderate Christian community. They're angered at the slightest suggestion that sin is wrong.

For nearly 12 years we've said this city must stop trying to silence us and debate this issue. We've finally reached that goal, so let's set some new ones now, shall we?

Goal 1: Return words to their sensible and accurate meaning. Telling people the truth is not "hate." Encouraging a deadly lifestyle is not "love." Insisting on the Bible way is not "extremism," and fearing God is not "fanaticism." Tagging sin is not "hate speech," and rejecting "it's OK to be gay" is not "intolerance." Talk of hell is not a "verbal assault," and eschewing homosexuality is not "homophobia." Moral suasion is not "force," robust debate is not "harassment," critiquing immorality is not Nazism, and 1 percent is not 10. What holds this city hostage is mediocrity and Bible-illiteracy, and its current reputation is for repressive unrighteousness. The good news is you can change all that with these new goals!

Goal 2: Learn the truth about practicing homosexuality. Even if you pretend not to believe in God and his law, don't ignore the harmful effect of this way of life. "Gays" have disproportionately high rates of suicide, depression, other mental illness, debilitating sexually transmitted and other serious diseases and a shortened life expectancy --- all of which costs the nation billions. If you believe this behavior should be a civil right, then so should substance abuse, drunk driving and smoking. If you claim to love a person you teach this path, you're a liar. Just like a parent who sends her child to a crack house every night in the name of love.

Goal 3: Say plainly you don't want to obey God, or study what the Bible really says on the matter. Don't hide behind "God loves everybody," pretending only the Old Testament condemns this crime, and feigning shock at the thought God punishes in his wrath. Read John 3:18-21, Romans 1, Philippians 3, 2Thessalonians 1, Hebrews 12, 2 Peter 2 and 3, Jude and Revelation 6. If you think 9-11 was God's love pat, study what the Bible says about his hate, anger, wrath, judgment and vengeance. It's a stunning sight, all of America worshiping its perceived strength, utterly blind to the fact that with the blink of an eye God could destroy this nation.

Some say we are the homosexuals' best friend. It's true, not because we've mobilized them, but because we've told them the truth. The question is whether any of you are going to do the same. Or is everyone going to sit around with puffed chests and wait for the next blow?

Margie J. Phelps is a member of Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka.

Copyright 2002
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