Nats' Church Apologizes for Remarks About Jews

The Washington Post ^ | September 21, 2005 | Alan Cooperman

[gscc]

The Washington Nationals suspended a volunteer chaplain and distributed an apology from outfielder Ryan Church yesterday, two days after Church was quoted in a front-page Post article as suggesting that Jews are headed for eternal damnation.

[gscc]

Nats' Church Apologizes for Remarks About Jews

By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 21, 2005; E06

The Washington Nationals suspended a volunteer chaplain and distributed an apology from outfielder Ryan Church yesterday, two days after Church was quoted in a front-page Post article as suggesting that Jews are headed for eternal damnation.

Tony Tavares, the team's president, issued a statement saying the quotations in the article "do not, in any manner, reflect the views or opinions of the Washington Nationals franchise."

Tavares acted following complaints from Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld, leader of an Orthodox Jewish congregation in Washington, who said it appeared that "the locker room of the Nationals is being used to preach hatred" and urged the club to distance itself from Church's remarks.

Tavares said he was conducting an investigation that might lead to the permanent removal of chaplain Jon Moeller, an FBI agent who volunteers for Baseball Chapel, the Pennsylvania-based evangelical Christian group that provides unpaid ministers for many major and minor league teams. "I don't dispute his right to teach his Christian beliefs. It's just the way this was done, turning this into some public pulpit . . . that's what troubles me," Tavares said.

An article in Sunday's paper about Baseball Chapel quoted Church as saying that he had turned to Moeller for advice about his former girlfriend, who was Jewish. "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed? Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word," Church said.

In a written statement yesterday distributed by the team, Church said: "Those who know me on a personal level understand that I am not the type of person who would call into question the religious beliefs of others. I sincerely regret if the quote attributed to me in Sunday's Washington Post article offended anyone."

A spokeswoman for the team, Chartese Burnett, said Church would not have any additional comment.

Moeller did not respond to e-mails and telephone calls, and neither did officials of Baseball Chapel. But some evangelical Christian leaders defended Moeller, saying he had simply reiterated the traditional Christian doctrine that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

"Just how many ways can you interpret the words of Jesus in John 14:5-6, 'I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me,' " said the Rev. Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. "The worst this chaplain could be convicted of is ascribing to orthodox Christian historic faith, which is what I would think you would want from a Christian chaplain."

The Rev. Christopher M. Leighton, a Presbyterian minister who is executive director of the Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, said that while the "dominant tradition" in Christianity has emphasized the exclusivity of salvation, Roman Catholics and many Protestant denominations have moved toward the view that God has a "continuing covenant" with the Jews.

"It's a real shame that this challenge had to be mounted by a rabbi. This is the work that really belonged to other Christians, to say this is an unacceptable understanding of our faith," he said.

Tavares said that the choice of chaplain was made by the players, and that the Nationals would be glad to make similar provisions for Catholics, Jews, Muslims and others who work for the club.

"But one of the cautions I intend to give anyone who comes in here is, these are private services and should be kept private," he said. "I'm not trying to change anyone's religion or beliefs. I just cannot provide a public pulpit."

[highball]

"Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word," Church said.

Yeah, that's why Jews are still Jews - nobody's told them about this Jesus guy.

Ballplayers should keep their own personal opinions quiet, just like actors should.

[wallcrawlr]

Everyone has a right to speak of their personal faith. These werent public comments..they were made in a locker room.

How they became public...???

How they determine this minister is using a public pulpit....???

To me it seems the only person that deserves an apology is the pastor. He volunteers, in an unpaid position, gets asked a question about salvation, then gets publicly fired.
Is it expected for him to lie about what he believes? or just not provide an answer?

[highball]

"How they became public...???"

That's the question. I inferred that he was speaking to a reporter or in an otherwise non-private context. If that's the case, he should learn to keep his big trap shut. If that's not the case, then I have no problem with him.

[wallcrawlr]

Well it seems the Rabbi made them public with his complaint.
How he learned of the nod...who knows.

The reporters obviously showed up after that looking for a comment.


As an aside:
My problem with the Rabbi's complaint would be the extreme choice of words he used. "preaching hatred" To me thats over the top, look at me, give me attention ego language that he knows will bring the media.

Its a difference of opinion on salvation, its not preaching hatred.

[highball]

I agree. The Rabbi's language is way over the top.

Regardless, the religious views of athletes are the same as the political views of actors - private, and ought to be kept out of the public sphere.

[wallcrawlr]

Glad we worked through that one. :)


Although I cant agree with you on your second point. It doesnt bother me to hear people (I dont care what their occupation is) express their faith (I dont care what their faith is) publicly.

[Between the Lines]

Ryan Church goes to chaplain Jon Moeller in private and asks a question regarding his faith. Moeller give a correct response in private. Then Church goes and tells the press who print the quote in an article (most likely for the sole purpose of upsetting Jews). And it is Moeller who is dismissed and accused of using his position as a "public pulpit"?

Moeller did nothing wrong! He only gave good council.

Who ever the reported was, knew that by printing this quote that it would incite condemnation from Jews, yet he reported it anyway. I would like to know when Ryan Church asked this question of Moeller. If he asked the question after he knew there would be an interview by the press on this subject, then I believe that Church asked the question not in sincerity, but to instigate trouble for Moeller and the Baseball Chapel program through sensationalism.

The Rev. Christopher M. Leighton, ... said that while the "dominant tradition" in Christianity has emphasized the exclusivity of salvation, Roman Catholics and many Protestant denominations have moved toward the view that God has a "continuing covenant" with the Jews.

See, all of the good Christians are forsaking the word of God for the sake of their new god ,political correctness, you should too. < /sarcasm >

[highball]

Then you have no problems with actors declaring their own deeply-held political beliefs?

Fine, I guess, so long as you're consistent. But I don't really care to hear either one. Hit the ball, catch the ball, say your lines to the camera and keep your personal opinions to yourself.

[Texas Eagle]

Do Jews believe everyone goes to Heaven?

[Pio]

Don't worry Mr. Church, there's no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The Washington Nationals suspended a volunteer chaplain and distributed an apology from outfielder Ryan Church yesterday, two days after Church was quoted in a front-page Post article as suggesting that Jews are headed for eternal damnation.

Now if he'd only "suggested" that Jews are invading exploitative capitalist colonialist bloodsuckers and that Israel should cease to exist, that chaplain could be head of the National Council of Churches!

[gbcdoj]

while the "dominant tradition" in Christianity has emphasized the exclusivity of salvation, Roman Catholics and many Protestant denominations have moved toward the view that God has a "continuing covenant" with the Jews.

Not so!

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/relations-jews-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19820306_jews-judaism_en.html

In virtue of her divine mission, the Church which is to be "the all-embracing means of salvation" in which alone "the fulness of the means of salvation can be obtained" (Unit. Red. 3); "must of her nature proclaim Jesus Christ to the world" (cf. Guidelines and Suggestions, I). Indeed we believe that is is through him that we go to the Father (cf. Jn. 14:6) "and this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (Jn 17:33).

Jesus affirms (ibid. 10:16) that "there shall be one flock and one shepherd". Church and Judaism cannot then be seen as two parallel ways of salvation and the Church must witness to Christ as the Redeemer for all ...

[murphE]

while the "dominant tradition" in Christianity has emphasized the exclusivity of salvation, Roman Catholics and many Protestant denominations have moved toward the view that God has a "continuing covenant" with the Jews.

Hmm, I wonder where he ever got that idea.

[scottro]

That's the same thing the Pharisees thought. I think Jesus will do the saving and not organized religion.It's one thing to talk about God and another to know him

[mirabile_dictu]

"Hit the ball, catch the ball, say your lines to the camera and keep your personal opinions to yourself."

Please, Father (or Bishop), just say Mass, visit the sick and dying, but keep your personal opinions on politics and social issues to yourself.

[highball]

Nonsense. Ministers and rabbis are paid to do that. Ballplayers are paid to hit the ball and catch the ball, not chime in with their personal opinions on anything beyond that.

I guess you'll support Susan Sarandon the next time she opens her mouth and opines on the President or his policies? It's the same thing.

[Pio]

The Pharisees had no authority and were not established by Christ himself. To attempt to divorce Christ from his Church (a.k.a his bride)is what modern Phasrisees do. The road to perdition is wide.

[asformeandformyhouse]

Do Jews believe everyone goes to Heaven?

No, but they believe everyone can.

As I understand it, Gentiles are covered under the covenant of Noah. Gentiles have laws similar to the 10 commandments (7 - I believe) to follow concerning worship to God and proper conduct in life, but they are not the same as required of Jews.

I'm trying to remember the freeper who first told me this years ago. If I think of them, I'll ping them for a 'better' explanation. For more info look up "Noachide Covenant" on the internet.

[scottro]

Who is His Bride?