It was only a matter of time, sadly.

[emmagrant01]

You knew the crazies would say it sooner or later:

“New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence [gay pride parade] and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again."

Read the article here: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/22005b.asp. (Thanks to amy_leone for the link.)

People like that give you Christians a bad name, and I know you're just as angry and inscensed about it as us non-Christians are. And maybe they would listen to you? Cause you know, they already think I'm going to hell...

There's an email address for the editor of Agape Press, who published that story, at the bottom of that page. I encourage any of you, especially Christians, to send an email to him at editor@agapepress.org and express your outrage at those very un-Christian words.

Comments

[cabari.livejournal.com]

Oh, like NOLA is going to go all Good Christian Community once it rebuilds. I for one would be severely disappointed.

Some of the best Christians I know are from LA. And you know what, they're also gay and celebrate Mardi Gras and drink and smoke and eat too much. And they are wonderful, wonderful people. And if they're going to hell, well, I'd much rather join them than the alternative.

[cabari.livejournal.com]

(that's LA as in Louisiana, not the OTHER L.A., by the way)

[stardustmajick.livejournal.com]

Actually, yeah, I remember people bandying about God's "divine retribution" after both of the other tragedies. People will stop at nothing to scorn other peoples beliefs/practices/religions.

[clara-posts.livejournal.com]

I know what your saying, but there's a part of me that thinks even linking to these posts is giving them more attention than they deserve. I can just see them sitting there, watching their hit counter spin and thinking that people out there *agree* with them.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Perhaps -- but not if we email the editor and express horror and outrage at those words.

[wickedsix.livejournal.com]

Oh how horrid. Trying to blame the city for it's distruction.

[blackboggart.livejournal.com]

Urrgh. *bangs head in frustration*

I'm obviously going to hell, and I'm damn happy to. I'd much rather be 'damned' then be a bigoted hypocritic little shit.

Grr.

[brushfire2437.livejournal.com]

exactly. and if heaven's full of people like him, that's not heaven, that's hell. and if hell's full of the left wing and the gay people and the minorities, then that's heaven enough for me.

[slayra.livejournal.com]

Not only are these people being mean, revolting and sick because of those words, but they're giving other people a wrong idea about Christians. I've already read (unfortunately) some similar comments and I am totally disgusted. These people are everything a religious person should not be... I think. :p

[oxoniensis.livejournal.com]

So he says: "We don't want a Supreme Court that is going to say it's all right to kill little boys and girls" but that the hurricane, which killed little boys and girls, is "God's judgement". Hmm...

*seethes and composes scathing email*

[shanna-souzou.livejournal.com]

I'll be sending off my email tonight once I've calmed down enough to be properly articulate.

Quick note to Mr. Shanks, Mardi Gras is a family holiday. The flashers aren't locals, they're very confused tourists. Mr. Shanks, you are an idiot.

But what do I know...I always thought that "witchcraft" was part of the city's historic flare and heaven forbid we allow an oppressed minority a chance to celebrate on our fine streets. I can't believe I've been so misguided.

*hits head on desk*

[crimsonclad.livejournal.com]

No, they don't listen to us. They roll their eyes and can't imagine how anyone could be so MISGUIDED.

I had a Kerry sticker on my car during the election just so that I could drive to church and remind people not to assume we were all republicans- and the comments I got were very illuminating. They don't listen to us. They don't listen to anyone.

You should know, though, that some of the younger generation are not quite so rigid and hateful, that they are not growing up in a world where they have he luxury of not knowing anyone different. It's not enough, but it's a start.

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

I'm sad to admit that you are probably right. I will write my letter anyway, and hope that maybe... just MAYBE they'll listen. I have to calm down first so that my letter won't be one long rant that they can ignore or write-off as an insane woman's misguided theology. I'm not misguided. They are. I hope they get TONS of letters from Christians who are as appalled and offended as I am at their sentiment.

[burningchaos.livejournal.com]

As a Pastor’s daughter and a woman who was raised in church I find what those men said disgusting and appalling. Even my father who is as straight laced as they come (military family, pastor, prison Chaplin ect) would never say that. He says hate the sin not the sinner, which I still don’t agree with. It is however a better way to express ‘God’s love’ then this. This makes true believers look bad. It makes religion look bad. It is just sick.

[princesskirsty.livejournal.com]

i've been brought up catholic my whole life. God does not seek vengance, thats what i was taught. He lets us do what we want, free will, then on judgement day HE and only HE will will judge. Thats what i was told, so if all those things that idiot is saying are sins (which i don't believe they are) GOD will tell us on the last day, not before. He won't seek vengence even then, at that point its heaven or hell. All Christians know that, and if thats what he believes then he's not a very good Christian.

i hate when people use Christianity as a weapon.

[elrienne.livejournal.com]

I'm not a Catholic, but I have been brought up in the Catholic school system my whole life until I went to college...and I DON'T remember reading anything like what this guy is "preaching" anywhere in the Bible or the other texts we were taught!! He should not even be in a position of authority in the religious community 'cause he's definitely NOT spreading the message of God! ...(>_<)...

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

That guy isn't a Christian. He's the Devil in a preacher suit. I'm sickened that he would say such a thing in the name of my God. May he and his ilk get what is righteously coming to them.

[aquila7.livejournal.com]

I'm of exactly the same opinion as yours T_T

[schmoosey.livejournal.com]

Nah, we arent gone just displaced and I have to tell you when the City is back up and running Mardi Gras is the going the biggest thing ever.

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

Will be there! I plan on making Lara come as well.

[brushfire2437.livejournal.com]

you know, i used to get all worked up about people like that, but now i just laugh at them and honestly, feel sorry for them. Their world is so narrow that they cant see a good thing if it standing a foot in front of them wearing a purple dragon costume and walking on its hands. There are always gonna be bitchy crazy people out there who hate people for no reason at all. Out job it to educate and go about our buisness. And you know what, gay people will go back to New Orleans, Mardi Gras will be back maybe not this year, but probably by next, and everything else will make its way back to the city. People just need to learn to keep their "religious" thoughts concerning politics to themselves bc not everyone shares the same viewpoint.

[elrienne.livejournal.com]

This is just ridiculous! These are not religious people!! Neither God or any other religion has ever taught its followers to "enjoy" the misery of others!! (>_<)

[lagreyeyes.livejournal.com]

I just KNEW that shit would start soon!! *is enraged and has no words*

[maureenlycaon.livejournal.com]

Psychopath "religion" strikes again, eh?

New Orleans is indeed "free" of what he hates . . . free of everything but misery and death. And that, at bottom, is what such people want -- a lifeless wasteland littered with corpses. Ever noticed how the only orders their "God" gives them are to hate, destroy and kill? Their deity looks suspiciously like the Christian Devil.

(And I really need to make a better icon for these occasions. I'm no longer surprised in the least.)

[mschneider.livejournal.com]

RETARDED. Mail sent. Gaaahhh, so... argh.

[sesptwd.livejournal.com]

Oh fucking hell. Just reading the quotes above are enough to infuriate the piss out of me!!!!!

[ashkitty.livejournal.com]

Sent.

It's times like this when the ability to stick a 'Rev.' in front of your name is satisfying.

Bastards.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

You too? Wow, I know two ministers in fandom!

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

If his logic is correct, then why is it that one of the largest non-flooded areas of New Orleans is the predominantly gay area?

[cenas-plots.livejournal.com]

The biggest area of 'sin' -- Bourbon, hell, the entire French Quarter -- isn't flooded or destroyed in any way.

I bet he truly hates that news.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

My email: Bill Shanks is representative of the reason why I want nothing to do with Christianity. I used to go to church, but after years of being told that people I knew and cared about--people who were the kindest, most decent people I'd ever known--were going to go to Hell, I realized that Christianity doesn't seem to be about love. It's about vilifying everyone who doesn't think the exact same way that you do. I will have no part of it, and my soul will be just fine, thank you.

If Mr. Shanks' logic is correct, then why is it that the largest non-flooded portion of New Orleans is the predominantly gay area?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Heh. Good point!

[lildove42.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I've been reading in several places about this theory about god causing the hurricane to rid New Orleans of the homosexual "threat" and stopping Southern Decadence, but you really have to stop and think about it...Southern Decadence was supposed to be this weekend...If god really wanted to rid the world of them, or send them a message, wouldn't he have waited a week and then sent the hurricane when all the gays would actually be in New Orleans...Just something to think about...

[zahavah.livejournal.com]

1) well, that's just disgusting.
2) doesn't this man know his bible? g-d promised never to destroy everything (via flood) ever again. it's one of the most important covenants in the history of judeo-christian religion.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Yeah... isn't the rainbow like a sign of the promise?

[dragonfly-lily.livejournal.com]

I am a Christian and, well, this just pisses me off. I do not want to be in the same category as these idiots. I took your advice, Emma, and wrote the flipin editor (and sent it too, by the way). This is what I wrote:

Dear Editor,

You say your paper is a 'Reliable News from a Christian Source'. You call yourselves Christian. You believe in the way of Christ. Tell me, then, when did Christ become prejudiced against people? When did Christ JUDGE people "about such things as abortion, prayer, and homosexual marriage" instead of opening his arms and heart to them? When did Christ become so condescending, patronizing and denigrating?

In your article, New Orleans Residents: God's Mercy Evident in Katrina's Wake, you write, "The New Orleans pastor is adamant. Christians, he says, need to confront sin. "It's time for us to stand up against wickedness so that God won't have to deal with that wickedness," he says." Well, I am standing up. How dare you call yourself a Christian and then play God by judging people! Where in your Bible does it say that humans need to play God? Isn't that blasphemy? Isn't that going against everything the Christian church is supposed to stand for?

I was taught that Christ loves everyone; including the people you feel are the sick, the maimed and the poor. He does not prejudge, he does not turn his back on those in need. The Christ that I believe in loves all God's children. The Christ I believe in wants to help those he sees need it the most. I guess in this case, that is you.

Alice XXXXXXXXXX
Christian at heart, not just in words

[yaycoffee.livejournal.com]

Oh! Lovely!

They'll be receiving a letter very similar from me once I can think properly enough to actually write words that are less hateful than theirs.