When I was in high school, K-92, a popular radio station in the area, ran a contest. The winner of the contest would get a concert at their school by the Jets. For those of you that don’t have a sufficient background in 80′s awesomeness to know who they are… . Oh… I miss you synth key-tar!
Our school lost. But that isn’t important. What is important is that the concert consisted of the Jets lip-syncing two songs and then leaving! My point? That is how the Westboro demonstration felt.
Please understand, I am grateful that we only had five or six protestors show up. I am also grateful that the counter-protests at the site stayed very calm and were mostly light-hearted. Take a look at some of the pics I have stolen from my good friend Franklin…
So, even though the Westboro turnout was low (unfortunately because several protesters shifted plans and were headed to West Virginia to protest at the site of the mine collapse), it was still upsetting. One of the most upsetting parts was seeing the kids from Westboro holding such terrible protest signs. Please join me in praying for the children that were a part of the Westboro protest group. I cannot even imagine what expereinces like they are having must be shaping them. Always having people yell back and ridicule you must only further serve to drive them deeper into the false theology and world of Westboro Baptist Church. I am truly afraid for them.
If you are interested and able, I did a short interview with WDBJ-7 (our regional CBS affiliate). Should be on tonight at six or 6:30. If I can get a copy of the story I will post it here. I primarily spoke about how they are misrepresenting the bible for their own purposes. How they are simply now a protest organization and should be seen as such. That I believe they no longer (if ever) deeply seek the Lord, willing to do whatever he wants them to do. I think they find a tragedy, make a sign and then hit the road.
And so, a tough start to what for many will be a tough week begins. Please pray for all those affected by the shootings, both here in the New River Valley and beyond. This week, more than most, we need God’s hand to give us peace.
Jim
said...
1Jim,
Thank you for posting this. I do not have TV so I will miss your interview. I appreciate your thoughts on today, it is so easy to get caught up in the moment and forget that both the parents and children are loved by God.
I hope they hear him calling one day.
Grace and Peace,
Allen
04/9/10 2:01 PM | Comment Link
Rob said...
2Jim,
The joke’s a bit on me now that youtube is recommending music videos by “The Jets” based on me viewing that one… they’ve got the marketing down a bit too extreme now it seems…
But hey, great to read the feedback there and good point about the innocent kids that need support in one way or another.
The WV mine got a big counter-protest group as well.
I hope your comments with WDBJ get out there — a good way to broadcast some truth.
-Rob
04/9/10 3:25 PM | Comment Link
said...
3Looks like the video is up:
You are featured in both clips. The second one is shorter, but it’s more of you.
04/9/10 5:06 PM | Comment Link
said...
4Glad someone linked to your interview – I’ll check that out next.
I forgot about the demonstration today and Tim and I tried to go to Cabo for lunch (but ultimately couldn’t find parking). I still wish the community response had been to completely ignore them. In that case they’d have been 6 people standing on a corner yelling at nobody.
It is sad to see the kids.
04/9/10 7:36 PM | Comment Link