Soooo the Harlan Daily is running a letter from one of their readers in which it is suggested that I need to re-examine my my relationship with Christ.

The gentleman who wrote the letter actually sent me a copy via email as well that sparked a very polite email conversation that allowed me to ask a few questions as to what he was referring to in his letter exactly. As it turns out he feels that as a Christian I shouldn't be going to some of the movies I go to, watching the television shows I watch, or listening to the music I listen to.

Like I said it was a very polite conversation and I actually appreciate his concern even if I don't agree with his points.

Anyway, here's a link to the letter. Feel free to discuss it in the comment section, but please don't insult this guy personally if you disagree with him. It's a small internet and I don't want this guy stumbling upon this place and feeling attacked. Save your ire for someone who deserves it. Like the Colonel.

Labels: column

Wow. I just love how people use liberalism and sinfulness as synonyms.

Would love to read your response ...  


My response was pretty much to thank him for the compliments at the beginning of the letter, thank him for his concern and then ask him what he meant by "liberalism and filth" assuring him that I had no intention of entering into an online debate with him.

It was in his reply that he pointed out that he felt the movies, tv, and music I discuss in my column aren't becoming of a Christian. He suggested I ask myself "What would Jesus do?"

That comment has sparked a column that I'm working on for in a couple of weeks. I figure I'll shoot him an email first to warn him that his comments inspired a column but that it's not meant as a backlash against him.  


I really appreciate your spirit (and the other guy's) in all of this Patch.

Breezing through his letter reminds me that:

- we're all inconsistent when it comes to living out our verbage

- two people can see the same thing from radically different perspectives

- love and kindness can trump a lot of crap  


Thanks Freddo.  


It physically hurts me to read such false things about my best friend. What a sad life this guy must lead.

PS: I can't stand it when people refer to themselves as "brother".

ET  


Great, now I'm tearing up at work...  


Am I right that in his letter he is claiming to be able to determine if a person is "saved" or not?

Hmmmmm....that's interesting.  


I COMPLETELY agree with this guy. Here are some of my favorite points...

- God hates some people because they sin.
- No one under the age of 18 can be saved. Not only does it say so in the Bible, but it is also declared somewhere in the Declaration of Independence - which God also wrote. Little known fact.
- God created the world, said it was good, but now we are all supposed to hate it or we'll feel his wrath. I, myself, hate the crap out of this world!
- "Sugar"? Please! I don't even use Splenda! Vile, sinful sweetener!
- Vote Republican!  


My brain hurts after reading that article.

I don't like this guy taking shots at you.

FIN  


I appreciate how my blog regulars represent a wide variety of reactions (variety in the style of their responses if not their point of view). Mostly I just appreciate the sense of protectiveness.

I... I have something in my eye...  


Okay, I'm gonna play devil's advocate (pun intended) and just say that while this guy comes across a little jerky, his points are valid. Christians do tend to fail when it comes to setting good examples. Probably because everyone has a different idea of "good", but his heart is in the right place.

It would be great if Christians were always perfect and inspiring...but it's hard to inspire anyone from a cave.

okay, now you can pick up your tomatoes and hurl.  


I don't think anyone here would disagree with the idea that Christians often don't set good examples for non-believers. And I certainly wouldn't argue that I never fall down in this regard either - or that I don't sometimes do so in print for all of Harlan and my friends here to see.

I'm not sure, however, that I accept his specific points about me and the things I write about in my column. I can appreciate the fact that you or someone else might,though, so no tomatoes coming from this direction.  


Patch's heart is in the right place...........I'm not sure about this guy.


ET  


Do you think your editors would print a rebuttal to this letter from someone other than yourself?

Brother Chris

(don't hate me ET!)  


Good question. I'm not really sure as I don't have much of a feel for that kind of thing. The last thing I'd want is to start some kind of flame war, but feel free to give it a shot. I trust you to be level-headed and kind about the whole thing.

I'm gonna start calling you Sister Christian, though. You know, because of the song...  


Oh, you won't be the first to call him Sister Christian, but maybe the first because of the song (wink, wink). Just kidding! We have a friend that sings that to him all the time!

Anyway - Patrick, I cannot tell you how proud I am of the way you handled that! Everyone has a right to their opinion, but WOW! The funny thing is, he's saying you're setting such a bad example, but he's doing the exact same thing. Judge not, lest ye be judged....  


Ditto Cher...P, sounds as if your response was handled with much class.

Thanks for engaging this guy on this topic with love and kindness...  


I still want to beat him down.

Colonel - You in for a midnight run to Evarts? I'll take you to Waffle House on the the way ba-ack!  


I see, understand, and respect where everyone is coming from when they are saying the right way to approach this situation/person is with kindness...but I'm kind of tired of the idea of having to nicely and gently respond to individuals (especially other 'Christians' - which is a term I'm growing more hesitant to associate with myself anymore) who are directly attacking and judging someone that they don't even know. Yes, the guy has read many of Patrick's columns but do these columns completely encompass the person Patrick is? No. Patrick's a great writer, but there is no way that a person can really know who he really is by reading his column.

Does this guy know the Patrick (and Sara)that came to my house a 5:30 AM to watch my daughter while Sally and I went to the hospital to deliver our second child? Does he know the Patrick that is always there to listen to me when I'm struggling with something? Does this guy know the Patrick that we all know and care for?

The answer is NO to all of these things and quite honestly, I think it's kind of arrogant that he feels he can confront, question, and reprimand someone he doesn't even know in such a manner.

Yes, Patrick writes a column in a local paper - and yes, it's a free country; but this letter was specifically written to Patrick and not to the Editor. If you don't like what the paper prints, either a: write the editor, or b: stop reading the paper!

Now I'm not saying the appropriate response is to rip this guy a new one....which he may actually deserve, I don't know b/c I don't know him...I'm saying why respond at all? Does this type of behavior merit a response? It's been my experience that more times than not when someone attacks another, what they really are looking for retaliation. Why give them the satisfaction?

(I now slowly and gently step down from the soap box)  


well Patrick, I would say that the frenzied cry from your frinds goes to prove that you definately showing more people your love of Christ than this guy has given you credit for.

So love on my "brother"  


OH!! just reread my first comment and by "valid points" I wasn't refering to his personal attacks on you, I was refering to the broader aspect of us setting bad examples.

except for your enjoyment of filth and spreading the liberal agenda...the re-education camp will be taking new inmates in the fall. I'll comp your first week (after that you will be so brainwashed that you will give me all of your money just to claim the tax rightoff)  


No worries, Ami. I didn't think you were validating the comments about me personally. Let me know when the bus for re-education will be here. Also, will I have to shave my head?

You guys are all so awesome. You've all turned a slightly stinging event into a great big affirmation for me and you all have no idea how much that means to me. We should all get together and love each other in person.

That didn't sound right at all, but you get the idea.  


Also, Sara would like it to be known that the only reason she hasn't joined in on this thread is that she has nothing nice to say. And by "nothing nice" I mean "nothing that wouldn't sound like it came out of the mouth of a sailor." What a girl!  


Wait...you read all this as an affirmation? It's supposed to be an intervention. You got real problems dude.

Geeze...see everyone...I told you he would be too stupid the know the difference. Idiot!  


By your fruits, you will be recognized.

Patrick, your friends know what fruits you bear that is why you are so loved and supported.

Not one of us can claim to live such a "spirtually fit" life, and if we have a problem with another Christian, we are to go to that person in love and confront in a personal, private discussion, not via a letter to the editor.

I'm sorry there are ugly, judgmental opinions out there, but most of all I'm sorry for the non-believers who have to read such a gross display of "plank-eyeism" (I just made that up myself :).

You may not be an inspiration to all Christian values, but you are obviously, by the volume of your support, a good friend with a kind heart. What would Jesus do? I think he would give you a great big hug....and a wedgie.

That's just IMHO.  


you're all world lovers! great! now i have to go dig my eyes out with a fork for reading this! I hope you're all happy.

Down with the world!!!  


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