WESTBORO: Baptist? No, blasphemous

The misguided followers of Fred Phelps and Westboro [Baptist] Church are scheduled to promulgate their erroneous doctrine at selected schools in Coeur d'Alene today. Such individuals could not remotely know or understand Biblical Christianity, let alone its Founder: Jesus Christ. Fred Phelps and his agitators are not representative of the true New Testament church, which was purposefully designed by God to be a conduit of the "good news."

These contrary souls do err not knowing the Scriptures. Jesus Christ instructed us to pursue peace with all men; including those with whom we disagree. Placards espousing hatred and spewing forth lies about the character of God are certainly not the way of the Lord nor in keeping with His teaching. Your readers must not associate this blasphemous, unlearned group with the Baptist church in their neighborhood, either in message or method.

Those of us who truly [and experientially] know Jesus Christ strongly denounce the attitudes and actions of these pseudo-christians as hateful, harmful and heretical. "Vengeance is Mine saith the Lord; I will repay." Indeed, God is Judge and His justice is certain. Such personal accountability and responsibility extends to false preachers and teachers. My counsel to our community is to "let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind."

DR. DANIEL J. PERRY

Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church