Posted on 05/24/2005 8:17:58 AM PDT by BigFinn
FOREST CITY -- A sign in front of a Baptist church on one of the most traveled highways in the county stirred controversy over religious tolerance and first-amendment rights this weekend.
A sign in front of Danieltown Baptist Church, located at 2361 U.S. 221 south reads "The Koran needs to be flushed," and the Rev. Creighton Lovelace, pastor of the church, is not apologizing for the display.
"I believe that it is a statement supporting the word of God and that it (the Bible) is above all and that any other religious book that does not teach Christ as savior and lord as the 66 books of the Bible teaches it, is wrong," said Lovelace. "I knew that whenever we decided to put that sign up that there would be people who wouldn't agree with it, and there would be some that would, and so we just have to stand up for what's right."
Seema Riley, a Muslim, who was born in Pakistan and reared in New York, was one of those upset by the sign.
She moved to Rutherford County for the "small town friendly" atmosphere, she said. When she saw the sign on the side of the highway Saturday she felt angered and threatened.
"We need a certain degree of tolerance," said Riley. "That sign doesn't really reflect what I think this county is about."
She said that according to Islamic faith, a follower does not even touch the Koran without going through a ritual cleansing. Muslims believe the physical book to be a sacred item that is treated with respect and reverence, much like the image of Jesus in Christianity, according to a report on National Public Radio.
"For someone to put that sign up -- the person just didn't understand -- didn't take into consideration what putting up that sign means," said Riley. "I don't think it should be posted on a sign in public viewing on the highway to create a hostile environment for me."
The appearance of the sign follows a national news story from last week. Newsweek magazine retracted a story reporting that military guards at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay flushed a copy of the Koran down the toilet during interrogation of a detainee. The Newsweek story sent Washington in a frenzy and was blamed for igniting Muslim riots and deaths abroad, including a particularly violent outburst in Afghanistan.
"Our creed as a Christian, or a Protestant, or a Baptist church -- of course we don't have a creed but the bible -- but we do have the Baptist faith and message that says that we should cling to the 66 books of the Holy Bible and any other book outside of that claiming to know the way of God or claiming to be God's word is automatically written off and is trying to defeat people from the way of true righteousness inside of our viewpoint in how we view the word of God," Lovelace said.
"Putting such a sign in a public place is an un-American example of intolerance, of aggressive disrespect for other citizens' deeply held views," said Donald Searing, Burton Craige Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "This is the sort of attitude and action that seriously endangers the liberty which lies at the heart of our democracy. It is also a good reminder that just because one may have the legal right to say something, doing so may not be morally, socially or politically desirable."
When Lovelace was asked whether he considered before he put the sign up that there may be some consequences or that some people may be angered, he said he was aware of the likelihood of angering some people.
"Well, I thought about it and I said there may be people who are offended by it but the way I look at it, Jesus told his followers that if the world hates you, don't feel bad because they hated me first," said Lovelace. "If we stand for what is right and for God's word and for Christianity then the world is going to condemn us and so right away when I got a complaint I said 'well somebody's mad, somebody's offended, so we must be doing something right.'"
Danieltown Baptist Church belongs to the Sandy Run Baptist Association and the association's Director of Missions the Rev. Jim Diehl said that Lovelace's opinion does not necessarily reflect that of that organization.
"Each of the churches of the Sandy Run Baptist Association are autonomous bodies," said Diehl. "Each church can develop a stance on doctrinal issues and can develop its own stance on moral issues."
The Rev. Billy Honeycutt, of the Green River Baptist Association said that he hopes that those who see the sign keep tolerance in mind.
"Respecting religion is important and respecting other people is important," said Honeycutt. "Hopefully, a lot of people will have that thought when they see the sign."
Following the religious controversy at a church in Waynesville where several members were asked to leave in what was termed a dispute over politics, several groups threatened to boycott the entire town due to the actions of one preacher.
Director of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Bill Hall said he does not think that the Danieltown sign will have a negative impact on the county's tourism or economic vitality.
"It is unfortunate that things like that happen and it certainly doesn't represent Rutherford County," said Hall. "I think that most people will understand that that is not a common attitude in this community."
Lovelace said he felt it was the work of God to display the sign and that no one in the church has spoken up against it to him.
He said the church has 55 members on the roster and he has only received one angry phone call since the sign was posted.
"We have a good group of people," said Lovelace.
Lovelace said the sign changes every week.
"About Friday or Saturday we will have a new sign," he said. "It should state to some effect 'Where are your treasures? Are they at the flea market or are they in heaven?'"
Lovelace said that he does not have anything against the flea market that recently opened up down the street from the church.
"I enjoy a good flea market, but if people can be down there at eight o'clock why can't they be at church at 11," he said.
Anyone want to start a pool on when thic church is burned down, or the pastor beheaded, by Religion of Peace (tm) members?
Maybe Baptist denominations don't force pastors to resign if they screw up.
Other denominations do.
So sorry, Seema, that your feelings are hurt, but gee - that's your problem. If you can't handle freedom of speech, you can always go home.
I agree with this fella...Call a spade a spade...Only one way to God...That's thru Jesus Christ...That's the fact of it...Any murdering cult teaches otherwise, drag 'em thru the mud...
This national (probably international by now) attention may get this church more members...Lot of Christians out there who will not tolerate Satanic cult views regardless of that being the 'American' way...
That's why we have millions of illegal aliens in this country...That's why your kids may grow up into queerdom...That's why we had 9/11...We are way too tolerant...
Me neither, but your saying so seems a bit harsh.
Wrongo! It's an entirely American example of free speach!
His loud mouth and her whining may be amusing stateside, but it feeds the destabilizers overseas.
You don't witness to people by insulting them for no reason.
Chapel Hill Isn't that the school that attempted to keep the
Christians from a club-the school that has discriminated against Christians?Seem to recall where the US supremes stepped in and decided Chapel Hill had bad policy a few short years ago. Everything the Prof said can be reasonably applied to the school he teaches at and their
intolerance of Christians.
Baptists are not denominational in the traditional sense. As long as the preacher can keep most of the deacons and the big givers happy, there is nothing the larger church can do to make him go away. Ordination and pastor selection is handled by the local congregation. The most that the larger church can do is throw them out of the convention.
There is no higher authority as in a Methodist, Episcopal or Catholic church. There is not even a body of equals which can discipline, as in the Presbyterian system. So there is no 'organization to move him on' or 'denomination' to force him to resign.
Sometimes you need to swat a mule with a board to get its attention before you can explain to it what it needs to do.
Ya think?
By this "thinking", DUmmie trolling on FR about the crimes of the election-stealing "Chimpus Khan" would be a great way to convert people to liberalism.
IMO the Jews killed one of their own because they believed
he was badmouthing their religious beliefs. He said much about false religion. And IMO Islam is a false religion.
Jesus declared "I AM the way the truth ,and the life .No man comes to the Father but by Me." Jesus taught "I AM the true vine." Jesus declared "I and the Father are one."And for what Jesus claimed-and did-- he was nailed to the cross
with common criminals. And neither the Jews , Nor the Muslims have manifested much tolerance of Christianity.
Agreed. I just think its bad marketing.
I hear the robot in Star Wars attempted to get Luke
Skywalker to turn from the Dark side by preaching "Love".
Didn't win any convert did he?
Me, too, but part of me wants to buy this pastor a beer!
I guess there's no chance of him taking me up on it, is there?
Am reading "When the Wicked Seize a city:A grim look at the
future and a Warning to the church " by Chuck and Donna McIlhenny -whose church was burned down by the peaceful homosexuals of SanFrancisco.IMO these worship the same false
religion. Yet the queers and the rears(Muslims) both claim to be people of peace .
OMG!! A christian church that actually preaches that Islam is not the way!!! HORRORS!!! This practice of actually preaching the tenets of your belief must be stopped before it becomes a habit!!!
Yeah-like tha tepiscopal church-- or the Lutherans whose preachers continue to embrace sodomy and malign other churches.
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