I’m not sure what something like this accomplishes.
While I was at the race I posted about yesterday, there were a few of these types of signs.
But, the kicker was a sign that said this: “Hitler supported the killing of innocent people like you are supporting the killing of babies.”
Apparently the Susan Komen Assoc. supports Planned Parenthood, which I didn’t know, but would have run even if I did know, because it wasn’t about that. It was about saving lives. So, we’re not supposed to support cancer research? This organization is one of the largest, if not, the largest donors to support finding a cure for breast cancer.
What kind of response are these people expecting to get from the use of these signs?
It just made me angry.
I understand that we should stand up for our beliefs. I get that. I do that. I’m not ashamed of what I believe. I’ll tell anyone about Jesus and how He saved me and how He can save them. I think that all Christians should pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with others. I am totally pro-life and am not ashamed to share my views.
But, not like this.
This is a total turn-off.
I was ashamed.
I’m running this race and paid my money to support breast cancer research. My grandmother fought breast cancer twice and lost her battle the second time. I have a friend who also died of breast cancer at 36. It’s a serious issue for me and I want a cure.
So, here’s some questions for these sign-holders:
Do you use AT & T or shop at KMart or Sears?
Have you ever stayed at a Holiday Inn or eaten Ben & Jerry’s ice cream?
Do you get gas at Circle K?
Do you wear Levi’s jeans?
Do you drink any Pepsi products?
Do you eat Cheerios, Yoplait yogurt, Cheetos, Doritos, Hostess cupcakes, Lucky Charms cereal, or anything else from General Mills, Pillsbury, or Betty Crocker?
Do you let your kids watch Nickolodeon or Disney channel? Or do you watch ESPN, USA, Showtime, Comedy Central, or Lifetime?
Do you rent movies from Blockbuster or see movies by Paramount, Miramax, Touchstone, or Buena Vista?
Have you ever worn a Band aid or Chapstick? Or taken Dimetapp, Robitussin, or Excedrin?
Have you ever eaten at Olive Garden, Taco Bell, or Burger King?
Then, guess what?
YOU support abortion.
And, I limited this list to just a few. There are many more.
Your judgmental, finger-pointing signs are not going to turn people toward God; they’re going to turn people away.
There’s another way. It’s called love. It’s called standing for what you believe in without personal attacks. It’s called stating the facts … the Truth … sharing your heart … and prayer. That’s how others will come to the Lord … not by sticking a sign in their face.
You go girl. Thank you. I plan to share this. I hope that is ok!
Well said, MB. It’s so sad to see people “fighting” wrong with wrong. Letting His light shine is much more powerful than that.
You are absolutely right!
I remember my DH having an issue while in college. A man was standing in the quad “preaching” the John 3:16 message with such hate in his voice toward sinners. When my DH reminded him of what John 3:17 says. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world might be saved.
Sometimes I think people forget that we are not the judges here – but ultimately we are all judged – and His verdict will stand.
Wow – that was kinda deep for this early in the am :}
Have a great one!
I saw the signs at the race the other day and it really was a downer! People have no clue!! Love what you wrote!!
Mama Belle,
I totally agree with your post today. ABSOLUTELY 100%.
In Baton Rouge, last week, there were about a half dozen people standing on an overpass one morning, holding signs that said “GOD HATES FAGS!”
I didn’t actually see the signs for myself, but was listening to the radio and people were calling in about them. GRRRR!
It just made me so angry, b/c these people called themselves Christians, but were not portraying a message of love to sinners. Just a message of judgement and hatred.
This is probably the thing that I struggle with the most in my Christian walk…just how so-called Christians can be so judgmental. I could really go on and on.
Thanks for sharing your heart and this great post!!!
Great post! I saw the signs as well. I was very annoyed. I kept running phrases through my head of what I could say to them to make them feel as annoyed as I was… but that would only have fueled their fire and made an ass out of me.
It just wasn’t the place or time for such a thing.
I heard they were there the night before at Downtown Alive as well.
I agree totally. Radicalism is a disease….no matter what the religion.
some local affiliates choose to give money to PP and Acadiana is not one of them.
the narional Komen organization does not.
I was going to say that maybe they feel if they bring this to others attention S.G.Komen Assc. would rethink where they donate. Thought I agree the signs are rather rude and abnoxious…but then you had your list…and I had NO idea they too all give to planned parenthood. And you are right, those signs aren’t bringing ANYONE closer to God.
This is all good food for thought.
Way to go running! I think that is awesome. I’ve thought about doing the 3 day walk…
Perhaps a silent boycott would have been more appropriate. As a post-abortive woman, I don't want to give a penny to Planned Parenthood. But I don't see that as a reality. It is truly shocking to see the number of corporations that give to PP…Johnson & Johnson, Sonic, Disney…these companies are for kids but against babies?! Makes no sense to me.
AMEN…and congratulations on running the 5K…I actually do those during the summer…I love them, and the morning is so beautiful as the sun comes up!
Sorry protestors had to ruin that!
SO true! I’ve been trying for the past few years to become less and less judgemental because God knows I SO don’t need to judge people. We are suppose to love and help out fellow believers when they’re going down the wrong path, and I’m totally for saying, “Um…that’s NOT really what we should be doing here!” but I think signs like that just totally turn people off to Christianity. They don’t serve any purpose!
To compare someone running in a breast cancer race to Hitler is pretty low.
We can’t ignore sin. And if someone knows we’re Christians and they ask our opinion, we’re under obligation to tell them what the Judge has already said – if we claim to believe in His Word. But what people forget is that WE are not sitting on the throne, HE is. It’s not up to us to pass a sentence on them.
If you study when Jesus confronted people in their sin (I’m specifically thinking of the Samaritan woman and the adulteress), He did not lessen the magnitude of their sins or sweep it under the carpet. He addressed it, and He moved on, encouraging them to walk forward in freedom of a new life. It’s a delicate balance, dealing with someone caught in a sin, leading them to their Savior while at the same time not making them comfortable in their sin.
Hate never makes progress. If these people truly have an issue with where the Komen foundation donates their money, then they need to take it up with the board, not with people just trying to support cancer awareness and cures.
I totally agree and the men that stand on the side of the road and shout through megaphones about people burning in hell are not helping either.
Great post and info…. I am going to link this to my blog…
Thanks for sharing and way to go on participating in the run!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Amen Sister!
Aaamen, aaaamen, aaamen, amen, amen! Tried to put this to the rhythm of the song!! I so agree with you!!! Found your blog while cruising and love it. I will keep reading!!
I agree 100%. I also believe in free speech, but there is a smart way to argue your point. Those signs just reinforce the other side’s opinion of us. Great post.
Blessings
I thought I was pro-life, but then you threw Hostess cupcakes and Lucky Charms in the mix and now I’m not sure where I stand. Good post, remember Romans 2:4 says it’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.
This kind of thing really gets to me too.
It’s a hard judgment call sometimes, because we are held responsible for what we know, and if we know some thing/organization supports things that are blatantlyt against scripture we have to make some choices. At the same time, like you brought out, it is EVERYWHERE! We would have to be completely self sufficiant to avoid such things.
Great post!
Too bad I was away and didn’t get my Tuesday’s Tantrum linky up. You should link this next week!
-FringeGirl
A-M-E-N!
It makes me sad to think that people really believe that spreading hate will help anything or anyone.
Well said.
Oh, honestly. Those signs…
Talk about a “clanging bell”.
I wonder what Jesus would have said to someone like that? “Take the log out of your own eye first”, possibly?