The Ramblings of Charlie Brown

Along the theme of things I don't understand is the Westboro Baptist Church. The church that spreads pure hatred of anyone that is not them. They picket soldiers funerals. They say amen to tornadoes that rip through communities and destroy them. They call Obama the Antichrist. (Now, I'm not an Obama fan, but that's a wee bit harsh). Naturally they are against gay marriage. They hate Muslims, Jews, the gay community . . . anyone who is not them.

This makes me so angry. This makes me so sad. I cannot fully wrap my mind around this idea, this horrific concept. This makes me cry out of anger and sadness. How can a church be so full of hatred and racism - in the 21st Century?

No offense to anyone who attends church, or is religious in any form, but this is just one reason why I don't and am not (I won't go into my other reasons). This church, WBC, promotes hatred in it's purest form. I thought church was to preach the love of God. That as long as you accept Christ into your heart, He will love you and greet you in Heaven. And all that jazz.

I have spoken only a few times regarding religion. Mostly because I don't want to lose every single follower I have, but also because it's always such a controversial subject. However, I am entitled to my own opinion and beliefs. This is America, and I have those constitutional rights.

This church has hit my home town. Well, part of where I grew up anyway. Petty Officer Chad Regelin, 24 years old, was killed in combat on January 2, in the Helmand province in Afghanistan. His funeral was in Anderson. I have no idea who this young man is. But I tip my hat to him, and honor him for fighting in battle. This church picketed this young soldier's funeral. As they have for hundreds of other funerals.

In this church's mind, this young man, along with every other soldier apparently, is rotting in Hell. I believe the exact opposite - that these brave soldiers are welcomed into Heaven and watch over their families until it is time to meet them again.

How can a church say such things about people they know nothing about? How can they say that everyone who does not repent will go straight to Hell? How can the preach pure hatred and still believe they themselves will be given a one-way ticket to Heaven?

I believe that Hell is reserved for those that commit unspeakable crimes.

I have never attended church. I have never read the Bible. According to these people I'm the scum of the earth. What don't they know? I am a good person. I try to live by the Golden Rule. I respect my elders. I respect my peers. I volunteer where I can, when I can. I always buckle my seat belt. I am a tax-paying citizen. I work hard. I support my troops whether or not I support the war they are fighting in. I could go on.

So why then, should I be sent to Hell for being a good person? Simply because I don't have the same beliefs that this church does? I'm sorry, but that's just not a good enough reason. I don't see God or Jesus as hateful, spiteful beings. I don't believe that's their message. If God is as picky as this church claims, how can anyone make into Heaven?

I believe that God made us all hopelessly flawed. No matter how hard we try to attain perfection, we will never make it.

Families have asked this group to allow them to grieve in peace, to show some respect at the cemetery. Does this church allow those families to grieve? No, they don't. They shout out how their child will rot in Hell while a preacher/minister/reverend/bishop sends the soul to Heaven.

I am fully aware that this church has the right to believe what they want to believe. I am fully aware that they have a right to gather in a public place and protest. I am fully aware that this church shows absolutely no respect for other people, that they hate people because they are not them.

And with all due respect, they suck. And I hope that when they finally do meet their maker, He shakes His head at them and does the whole "tsk tsk" thing. And I hope He accepts the soldier before them to show them that He loves us all - and the ones that gave all.

My deepest sympathies to the Regelin family. And I say thank you to your son.

And I say a heartfelt thank you to all those serving in the military. You are far braver than I could ever be. God Bless. And come home safe.