Westboro no model of Christianity

The Supreme Court has ruled that the bizarre Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas has a constitutional right to free speech that includes picketing at military funerals with anti-gay posters, slogans and chants. I am a pastor at a Baptist church. “That Westboro group” (I don’t want to call them Baptist or a church) does not speak for us.

Just because our nation’s highest court has protected their right to protest against homosexuality at military funerals does not make it the right thing to do. There are many things that as a father, husband and pastor I have a legal right to do. That certainly does not mean it would be wise or right for me to do them.

The Apostle Paul said, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” A Christian’s speech should follow those guidelines: build up, fit the occasion and give grace. The Westboro approach fails at every point.

When people are grieving, my church will help them with our compassionate presence, not protest. When people are down we will build them up through acts of caring, not confrontation. When people need the touch of God we will sit and talk with them, not march and shout at them.

I want my church to be known by what we are for, not what we are against. I want us to be known for the positive ways we serve our community. And I sure wish that doing those things made the news like the actions of “that Westboro group.”

Curt Hansen

Lead pastor

Elk Grove Baptist Church

Elk Grove Village