The Church of Hate

A few nights ago, my wife and I were watching the news when they began covering the Supreme Court decision regarding activities of the Westboro Baptist Church. The group who has tormented and antagonized countless people. Most recently, their target has become the families of our fallen heroes. I understand why the Supreme Court protected their speech, although like the majority of people, found myself shaking my head once again at the ridiculously hateful methods of this so called Church. As I'm shaking my head, my wife asks, what's your stance on this church?

Up until that point, I hadn't thought about it much past my frustration and anger towards them. I had wondered what I would do if they showed up at a friends funeral or elsewhere in Omaha and I was nearby. I'm not a violent person, but honestly, I would have to hold myself back from beating the love of Jesus into them (many people have had to do this already). Seriously, I wouldn't act on that, but that's the first thing that comes to mind for me. But that is what hate can produce - anger and more sin.

The Apostle John said "For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." (I John 3:11) Obviously, Westboro Baptist has no intention of spreading love. Their message of hate and judgement is light years away from the message of forgiveness, grace and transformation that Christ taught and lived. Even more, John also reminds us that "God is love." With this in mind, it is clear that not only is their message void of love, but also they themselves are not of God. In fact, the best characterization of what they represent is found in I John 3:14, where John reminds us that "whoever does not love abides in death." So it's rather a cruel irony that this group is spending so much time at funerals.

I doubt many would argue that Westboro Baptist is a group who is hateful and not of God. But I think the deeper issue is one that is so often overlooked. As I studied scripture and thought about this group, I began to think of the word "twisted." Ever had someone intentionally twist your words and used them to hurt someone else? That is what is happening here. The group from Westboro is deceptively and hatefully twisting God's Word - which has great power and truth - and in doing so, has inflected a great deal more hurt than what an ordinary Joe would. For the sake of their own agenda and publicity, they have carved out small slivers of scripture in order to justify their methods and message. But this twisted message is the worst kind. When the true Word of God is twisted and manipulated, the wounds often go deeper because the wounded then begin to wonder why people from a "church" would do this, and even more, why a God of love would allow this? But the reality is, the source of this deception is "the Father of Lies." Westboro Baptist is not working on behalf of God, but for Satan himself. And his goal is to steal, kill and destroy. Make no mistake, this group is on a mission of destruction by way of hate.

How do we respond? Not surprisingly, it starts with love, especially for those who are being wounded. Most of us can't do this personally, but we can pray for the families of soldiers and the many others who are targeted (the list is long). This is what Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians when he called believers to pray and "pull down strongholds." The other prayer is for Westboro. Yes, Jesus said that we must "love our enemies" and "pray for those who persecute you." Pray for the children who are growing up in this mess and for God's swift justice (Luke 18:18) to come down on the leaders of this group.

The most important thing to remember is that no matter how much hatred this group spews, the love of God "never fails" (I Cor. 13:13). The true followers of Christ must share His truth, grace and love. Then, God's light will shine through this darkness.