I struggle loving Jesus

I heard a pastor on the radio yesterday say that as Christians we love Jesus only as much as we love the person we love the least.

With that in mind, on days like today with people like these, I must confess that I struggle with loving Jesus sometimes.

Comments

[Louis]

The only way to love evil people is to see them as enslaved by evil forces: hatred, ignorance, jealousy, greed, stupidity, and so on. Needless to say, this is virtually impossible. I prefer the virtue of compassion: I can feel some degree of compassion for them, but not love.

[seeker]

I don't think people who act badly are either entirely victims or entirely guilty. I think we can have compassion, while also holding them responsible for their behavior. That's the biblical view, I believe, and a good one.

[Sam]

Seeker,

The Westboro Church is a pox upon Christianity. That you won't distance yourself from their madness is interesting. You can't possibly agree with these lunatics, can you?

[Louis]

I well remember the "humans" of the Westboro lunatic asylum picketing the church I used to attend simply because they welcomed people like me (there were a series of people picketing at various other times as well). The people of my church staged a peaceful counter-demonstration. My opinion was that they should have been met with baseball bats and snipers (they are truly pathetic "human beings"). At the time, I was beginning to realize that I didn't belong in any xian church as I didn't (and don't) believe the pacifist teachings of Jesus and thought (mistakenly) that I could simply ignore the historic and scriptural hate-mongering against gays. I wish I could, but I can't. I got tired of having to defend myself to orthodox xianists (like seeker and Aaron). I appreciate the people of the Episcopal Church for trying and cheer them on, but it's just too personal for me. This led to further questioning until I found I couldn't recite the Nicene Creed without feeling like a filthy hypocrite, nor could I take communion. It's a shame, but there it is. I admire (in a way) gays who try to make a place for themselves in xianism, who take seriously its claims at mercy and reconciliation and inclusion, but I just can't. The way I see it, xianism has too much to answer for (and it's not just people committing mistakes). Deep within its very heart it is for straights only. So it goes.

[seeker]

. You can't possibly agree with these lunatics, can you?

I have many times. They are so beyond the pale, I don't even really talk about them much. They are crazy people. Sick. Have you watched the series on youtube? Wow.

[seeker]

I well remember the "humans" of the Westboro lunatic asylum picketing the church I used to attend simply because they welcomed people like me

There was news that they were going to picket my church too, but because we don't preach their brand of hatefulness. However, it was a false alarm, but we were ready (but not with guns ;)