Saturday
Jan252003
Planned Parenthood Flap
Saturday, January 25, 2003 at 6:40PM
In case you missed it this week, blogs4God posted a controversial series of posters against Planned Parenthood this week. Reaction was swift, primarily against the message and methods expressed by the parody. I was impressed by the insight shown in much of the response (see, for example, two outstanding responses at A Cup of Rich and at Rachel Cunliffe's website). Two highlights: Jordon Cooper's apology for his initial reaction. A class act. Second, insightful words by Dan Hughes on what our reaction to Planned Parenthood should be:
Roman soldiers were in the business of oppressing and killing on command. Zealots hated them. Zealots fermented war against them. Rome crushed the whole Jewish nation in three wars over ~90 years in large part because of the Zealots. The Temple was destroyed, Jerusalem was leveled and the whole Jewish people, because of Zealotry, were scattered. Jesus told people to help carry the Roman soldier's equipment; twice as far as the soldier's expected.It's been a painful week, but I think we've learned something.
Reader Comments (7)
On a historical note, Josephus also mentions how the zealots condemned to death those who sought flight. Of course, now the trick is today's world is figuring out just who exactly is a zealots and who is a Roman!-)
I enjoyed the posters - call it what it is man! I'd like to see similiar posters on the homosexual agenda.
Ummm...did you even read any of the outstanding responses I referred to?
So, what did we learn? Blog on!
I had hoped we'd learned something about loving our enemies.
No posters of adults with mill stones tied around their neck, gasping for breath as they're sinking to the bottom of the ocean...Jesus wasn't afraid to make strong statements.
One of our evangelical leaders took an abortionist in Toronto out for lunch. The abortionist was expecting the usual lecture. The leader said, "Not this time. You know I disagree with what you do. That's not why I invited you out. Today, I just wanted to tell you that Jesus loves you." Yes, Jesus made strong statements, but so did James and John. They said, "Lord, should we order down fire from heaven to burn them up?" But Jesus rebuked them. He said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men