Open Season on Christians has Begun
“All I want to do is kill as many of you as I can, especially Christians.”
- Matthew Murray, Colorado mission school and church gunman.
I had already decided upon this subject matter for my column (the “imaginary” war on Christians eventually promoting violence against Christians, specifically the missionary group dormitory shooting an hour’s drive from my home in a Denver, Colorado suburb on Sunday, December 9), but as I was writing, I learned of yet a second shooting a few hours later at a church in Colorado Springs.
“COLORADO SPRINGS – Authorities say two to three people were shot on Sunday in the second shooting of the day at a religious organization.
The gunfire erupted in the 10,000-plus member mega-church, New Life Church, just after 1 p.m., according to authorities. …the shooter walked into the crowded foyer of the New Life Church as the 12 p.m. service was getting out and opened fire.”
- NBC affiliate KUSA 9News, December 9, 2:41 PM
Earlier that day, Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 23 were killed and two others were wounded when a black ski-masked man walked into the Youth With a Mission missionary training center in Arvada, Colorado and cut loose with a firearm.
Perhaps I’m just paranoid or pathologically neurotic, but I can’t help counting the countless instances of anti-Christian behavior and the increasing anti-Christian zeitgeist as an affirmation of that which I and many of my colleagues have asserted for just as long – that there is a war against Christianity being waged in America by certain Americans.
Before I became a Christian, and long before I understood anything about politics, I used to wonder how the early Christians, given the doctrine they preached, could be so viciously maligned and cruelly and doggedly persecuted.
“Police hunt gunman who killed 2 at missionary center”
“Gunman opens fire at church; gunman and two victims killed”
- Story Headlines, CNN, December 9, 2007
I’ve wondered a great deal over the last year how I would respond if some animated fecal golems masquerading as members of homo sapiens, homegrown or otherwise, burst into my church and started blasting away at the congregants. As far as the plan of action that materialized, I shan’t say more.
Then the are such things as the public display by the Connecticut Valley Atheists recently reported by another major online news agency. This one smacked of the asinine tussle that took place where I live recently relative to religious versus secular holiday displays, with a full complement of secular-atheist claptrap and veiled anti-religious rhetoric. In Connecticut, the message was that religions of various stripes were the cause of all the world’s ills, claiming that all forms of faith were primitive flights of science fiction and fantasy, and proffering the kind, wise, benevolent and superiorly-evolved religion of Man (atheism) as the only possible solution.
“Al-Qaeda is not a terrorist organization that happens to be religious, it is a terrorist organization that is inspired by its religious beliefs.”
- Connecticut Valley Atheists coordinator Dennis Himes.
A bigger crock I’ve never heard. Al-Qaeda is not a religious organization; it is an organization of disaffected thugs and sociopaths (brainwashed by their equally sociopathic Imams) posing as devout Muslims – albeit extremist, fringe retrograde ones. And all we need do is look at history, past and present, to see how feral human beings become when they are not constrained by moral doctrine.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families at this tragic time. It is incomprehensible that such atrocities could occur in places of faith and worship. It is my hope that the assailants are caught and swiftly brought to justice.”
- U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO)
Why “incomprehensible,” when we have a self-righteous, arrogant, conceited atheist lobby with a design that is no less than the wholesale disenfranchising of Christians, and which is protected by a complicit media, far-Left politicians and activist judges who routinely tailor our First Amendment to suit the agenda?
There are atheists and agnostics, as well as gays and other minority groups who just want to be left alone to live, work, and sock away a decent retirement. Atheist activist groups on the other hand, like so many niche activist groups, do not seek the parity they claim to seek as regards social expression. They are hateful, malignant pustules on the behind of our society, full of infectious cultural bacterium standing by to sickeningly burst in the face of America.
Now that I do understand something about politics, I understand why the early Christians were persecuted: They threatened the political status quo. These days, we threaten the emerging political paradigm, that which would imperiously and self-righteously manage the new status quo.
In an interview I did earlier this year on CNN’s Paula Zahn Now, peripherally addressing this topic, it was a classic case of the opponent making my point for me. Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists appeared, and acquitted herself very well – if one considers coming across as an escaped psych patient “well,” blatantly, vigorously and viscerally overflowing with disdain and mockery of all things Christian. At one juncture, I honestly thought she might physically attack her fellow guest, the Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, a socially conservative and prominent pastor and writer.
As I finish this column, authorities now claim they believe the two incidents might be linked:
“Investigators had reason to believe deadly shootings Sunday at a Christian missionary center in Arvada and a Colorado Springs evangelical church may be linked – and witnesses in both incidents described a gunman wearing a dark ‘beanie’ hat and a dark jacket.”
- Rocky Mountain News, December 10, 2007
Whether or not the attacks were linked, and despite that they seem to be homegrown rather than international terrorists, the message has been sent: One can gun down Christians in America; not only do we have Saudi-beholden invertebrate politicians who tolerate Wahabbists putting down roots here, but we also have our own cultural suicide bombers in the form of the atheist lobby.
There are pundits and writers who have been suggesting for some time that Christians – particularly ones who attend church with any regularity – ought to begin arming themselves. This will prove difficult to varying degrees due to the nanny-state socialist-influenced firearms laws that have proliferated over the last 40 years. Some may have to become de facto criminals in order to secure their own safety and that of their church families.
If it comes to saving lives some Sunday morning, however, I’m sure that many will be happy to serve the time.
| More from Erik Rush
Stumble It!
December 12th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
“Me, I still believe in a loving God . . . but not the christian god who is full of hate . . . and never did anything at all all these years while I’ve cried out for answers for spiritual truth . . . your christian God never did one thing about any of the abuse me and my christian friends went through . . . why the f*** should I care about any morals?”
Matthew Murray
This was also something he posted – interesting
December 12th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
[...] Men News Daily, a paper which claims to be “Right of Center”, vindicates the bigotry of the religious right by simply coming out and declaring the atheists as our own version of terrorists. [...]
December 13th, 2007 at 12:14 am
I personally do believe in the one and only beloved God and I am totlly convinced in what he says in his word so that gives no place for any doubt or if any HE and thei Holy Spirit will abide in me so I know if I must,otherwise GOD knows whats best for US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Further more NEVER STOP BELIEVINNG AND KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE!!!!
LOVE
December 13th, 2007 at 3:29 am
Open season on real Christianity began long ago when some tried to tell us that the United States Constitution says we can have freedom from religion. It does not. In fact “separation of church and state is NOT even in the Constitution. Our founding fathers were afraid of a strong central government such as we have now. It wanted to assure the states had more strength then the central government.
On to the purpose of this article. Since the ACLU and many others have tried to silence Christians, (notice it is only Christians that are being silenced) I have written the following:
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Tolerance.htm
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
There is a vast difference in BEING a Christian and calling our self one. I notice an earlier reply said: “but not the christian god who is full of hate . . . and never did anything at all all these years while I’ve cried out for answers for spiritual truth .”
My friend. that is not the description of the GOD I serve and yes I have had many come to Shattered Men stating the very same thing…where was GOD when….
I am not just speaking out of my hat. I was kidnapped and raped as a small child yet if the person that did this to me were to walk into this room and were to confess it, I would ask…do you know my Jesus? I urge you to come to Shattered Men and find out that GOD was there.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Shatteredmen/
It was suggested that Christians “ought to begin arming themselves”
I ask….did Jesus arm Himself? He could have called a host of angels to literally destroy the world and set Him free. In fact, I think He had to order these angles to STAND FAST! Instead, Jesus willingly laid on that cross and allowed nails to be driven into His hands and feet. (the other two had to be forced)
I also ask…did the early Christians arm themselves as they were being led into the area to be fed to lions? I would not be surprised to one day face death for my faith in my LORD. If it does happen, I fully intend with the grace of GOD to be singing the following by Ray Boltz as loud as I can when I am lead away:
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
I would not do this for a “religion” but I would gladly do it for a relationship with the almighty GOD of the universe….a GOD I can call….DADDY!
You too can have this close a relationship with HIM
http://www.shatterdmen.com/first_step.htm
December 13th, 2007 at 3:33 am
Open season on real Christianity began long ago when some tried to tell us that the United States Constitution says we can have freedom from religion. It does not. In fact “separation of church and state is NOT even in the Constitution. Our founding fathers were afraid of a strong central government such as we have now. It wanted to assure the states had more strength then the central government.
On to the purpose of this article. Since the ACLU and many others have tried to silence Christians, (notice it is only Christians that are being silenced) I have written the following:
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Tolerance.htm
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
There is a vast difference in BEING a Christian and calling our self one. I notice an earlier reply said: “but not the christian god who is full of hate . . . and never did anything at all all these years while I’ve cried out for answers for spiritual truth .”
My friend. that is not the description of the GOD I serve and yes I have had many come to Shattered Men stating the very same thing…where was GOD when….
I am not just speaking out of my hat. I was kidnapped and raped as a small child yet if the person that did this to me were to walk into this room and were to confess it, I would ask…do you know my Jesus? I urge you to come to Shattered Men and find out that GOD was there. You can find the interactive group by “Googling” Shattered Men.
It was suggested that Christians “ought to begin arming themselves”
I ask….did Jesus arm Himself? He could have called a host of angels to literally destroy the world and set Him free. In fact, I think He had to order these angles to STAND FAST! Instead, Jesus willingly laid on that cross and allowed nails to be driven into His hands and feet. (the other two had to be forced)
I also ask…did the early Christians arm themselves as they were being led into the area to be fed to lions? I would not be surprised to one day face death for my faith in my LORD. If it does happen, I fully intend with the grace of GOD to be singing the following by Ray Boltz as loud as I can when I am lead away:
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
I would not do this for a “religion” but I would gladly do it for a relationship with the almighty GOD of the universe….a GOD I can call….DADDY!
You too can have this close a relationship with HIM
http://www.shatterdmen.com/first_step.htm
December 13th, 2007 at 3:34 am
Open season on real Christianity began long ago when some tried to tell us that the United States Constitution says we can have freedom from religion. It does not. In fact “separation of church and state is NOT even in the Constitution. Our founding fathers were afraid of a strong central government such as we have now. It wanted to assure the states had more strength then the central government.
On to the purpose of this article. Since the ACLU and many others have tried to silence Christians, (notice it is only Christians that are being silenced) I have written the following:
shatterdmen.com/Tolerance.htm
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
There is a vast difference in BEING a Christian and calling our self one. I notice an earlier reply said: “but not the christian god who is full of hate . . . and never did anything at all all these years while I’ve cried out for answers for spiritual truth .”
My friend. that is not the description of the GOD I serve and yes I have had many come to Shattered Men stating the very same thing…where was GOD when….
I am not just speaking out of my hat. I was kidnapped and raped as a small child yet if the person that did this to me were to walk into this room and were to confess it, I would ask…do you know my Jesus? I urge you to come to Shattered Men and find out that GOD was there. You can find the interactive group by “Googling” Shattered Men.
It was suggested that Christians “ought to begin arming themselves”
I ask….did Jesus arm Himself? He could have called a host of angels to literally destroy the world and set Him free. In fact, I think He had to order these angles to STAND FAST! Instead, Jesus willingly laid on that cross and allowed nails to be driven into His hands and feet. (the other two had to be forced)
I also ask…did the early Christians arm themselves as they were being led into the area to be fed to lions? I would not be surprised to one day face death for my faith in my LORD. If it does happen, I fully intend with the grace of GOD to be singing the following by Ray Boltz as loud as I can when I am lead away:
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength
With all I am
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
I would not do this for a “religion” but I would gladly do it for a relationship with the almighty GOD of the universe….a GOD I can call….DADDY!
You too can have this close a relationship with HIM
shatterdmen.com/first_step.htm
December 13th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
There appears to be some confusion about my post. The comments in quotes are not my comments, but Matthews Murray’s comments in a letter.
What is interesting about it is that his friends are Christians; and best I can tell, he is a Christian. He was trying to become a missionary for his church. Yet he turned his angry violence on his fellow Christians because they rejected his services, friendship, and basically him in general. I find it hard to believe that he hated Christians, rather he hated the rejection. I believe the entire event could have been avoided had someone extended a hand of friendship to this confused young man. I’m not making excuses for him, just making a point.
This is not a case of secular society declaring war on Christians (at least not in this case), but rather a Christian turning on other Christians. This is certainly worthy of examination by all people of faith.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
GreatMRNI
Thank you for clarifying this. What you have said is little surprise to me. Some of Shattered Men’s greatest opponents have been other Christians.
I agree that often the problem is not the anger we see in someone. Often the anger is a result of constant rejection the person feels and as a result, they will push others away to keep from being hurt again. We see this often in SM.
http://www.shatterdmen.com/Rejection.htm
December 28th, 2007 at 6:32 am
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