Stanton is not seeking God’s truth

[Kate]

Stanton is not seeking God's truth

I would like to comment on an article in the St. Petersburg Times about Steven Stanton, the city manager of Largo who was fired for planning to have a sex change. In the article he said, "Life is funny, and God works in mysterious ways. It is up to us all to seek the truth about ourselves. I will try to do just that."

Mr. Stanton was not seeking the truth of God, and I can prove it by what he said in the article.


A letter to the editor from my favorite Pastor, Ron Sanders. I think it's interesting as it he more-clearly spells out his objections to all this, without getting quite as fire-and-brimstone nutty about it. It's important to understand how these people think, IMHO.

It's odd though, reading through the letter it all kinda flows and makes sense to me, within the context of Ron Sanders anyway... but then that last line:

I want to commend the commissioners who voted to have Mr. Stanton terminated. I believe their vote spoke for the majority of the people of Largo.

Just seems like some psychotic break somehow, like.. wait... how did we go from I THINK THIS PERSON IS MESSING UP HIS PERSONAL LIFE to HE SHOULD BE FIRED? What is the possible connection between the two? Sure, Ron is welcome to preach all he wants... but what's wrong with these people that they think it's perfectly fine to then APPLY that opinion to ruin OTHER people's lives? People who don't necessarily share his particular views on morality?

Although I guess the answer lies in his constant use of phrases like:

"I can prove it"
"Common sense tells us"
"This proves..."
"Anyone looking for the truth of God would not be going to these people for advice..."
"I can guarantee you that God..."

Don't his followers see the frightening arrogance of this man? I mean, forget the whole TS thing... this nut thinks he's The Word Of God himself. And that's REALLY scary.

Kate

[LostInTime]

For them the private life is a public concern, as long as we don't look at what they do.  They want to dictate how we can have sex, to whom we can be married to, and our appearance.  Religion has always been used as a way to control the masses.  Thousands of years behind us and yet this remains the same.

[HelenW]

Don't his followers see the frightening arrogance of this man? I mean, forget the whole TS thing... this nut thinks he's The Word Of God himself. And that's REALLY scary.

They see it and adapt it as their own.  They're CHRISTIANS, don't ya know, and they have ALL the answers.  The Bible says so!  (doesn't it?)   

[Kate]

For them the private life is a public concern, as long as we don't look at what they do.  They want to dictate how we can have sex, to whom we can be married to, and our appearance.  Religion has always been used as a way to control the masses.  Thousands of years behind us and yet this remains the same.

But it's downright WEIRD, isn't it? I mean, it's *almost* a form of delusion or insanity... like they're missing this critical piece of brain that allows them to separate personal opinion from universal law.

THEY don't want to change their sex, so anyone who does is mentally ill and immoral.

THEY don't want to marry their sex, so anyone who does is mentally ill and immoral.

THEY believe in a tyrannical God, so anyone who doesn't is mentally ill and immoral.

It's bizarre, it's like they don't grasp the idea of *individuals*. It's as if the whole world, including it's entire population, is just PART of them, inside them, no separation... it's like they think of us as being just parts of their OWN mind that they're afraid is going crazy. Like they somehow think that when WE change our sex, we're somehow forcing them to do it too. You hear it all the time, how we have this "agenda" or whatever.

It's really odd. Maybe this is what happens when you grow up in GroupThink, and can't tie your shoes without first consulting Authority - to avoid taking any responsibility for your own moral views and choices.

ODD people. Very odd.

Kate

[cindianna_jones]

Kate,

To them, we are a very real threat of evil and a demoralizing influence. From their prospective we are destroying their very culture. They fear for their families as a result.  They believe that this thing can be easily passed on as a "lifestyle" and because of this, others will quickly follow us.

The beliefs are real and it scares them silly. There is nothing we can do to change their minds for God's law is static and never changes. They also believe in a vengefull God who will castigate sinners for eternity.

This is why they are so vocal and determinate. This is why they attempt to control the lives of those around them.

Unfortunately there is little we can do except to continue to raise awareness by being in the public eye. Eventually, after observation, people will realize we pose no threat and will learn to tolerate us. Unfortunately, more of us will die at the hands of violence.

Cindi

[Melissa-kitty]

It is commonplace in every community now for some prominent clergyman to be found at the local cruisy reststop, or to have allegations of sexual misconduct, often of the vilest form. Violations of trust abound. And yet, they proclaim their innocence, how misunderstood they are, holding up their Bible in one hand, their other hand in their pants. Man cannot fully uphold a lie. But they are so blinded, that they cannot see their arrogance and the contradictions in their lives.
I went to a yoga retreat at the same place that was having a convention of a major religious body. It was eye opening. Group think. Everyone dressing the same, the same facial expressions, the same blindness despite pious utterances. (The clergy, not the yogis!)
Blessings, Tara

[Kate]

Oh wow, Ron has gone off the deep end. I knew he was a nut, but I didn't think he was one of THOSE nuts. I hope he keeps talking. I hope he keeps getting press. I want everyone to hear this idiot, since he's become The Voice of not only God, but the people objecting to Susan:


Clouds gathering over Stanton's fate

During the City Commission meeting on March 20, the Rev. Ron Sanders, pastor of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Largo, said God has protected Largo over the years from killer hurricanes because of the abundance of prayers.

But, he warned, "The Lord wants me to say some things."

"God's wrath is on America right now," Sanders said.

He pointed to the 911 terrorist attacks and the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.

Sanders said the gay, lesbian and transgender lifestyle is "an abomination against God." He said if the city allows Stanton to stay in office, "He will be a hero to all of those weirdos from New Orleans who are looking for a new home."


Ya know, even if Susan loses here, the exposure this has created - showing the utter stupidity and ugliness of these people, and the harm it can cause ANYONE not in line with their sterile version of "reality" - has to have at least opened some eyes out there.

"The Lord wants me to say some things." - and people LISTEN to this psychotic narcisist?

Kate

[cindianna_jones]

The next time someone tells me that I'm not doing what God wants, I'm going to respond with:

"Since you are in good with God, will you have him give me a call?  He and I will sort this out without your interpretation."

Cindi

[BeverlyAnn]

Kate, there have always been and always will be people like Ron Sanders, Fred Phelps, Jim Jones, etc.  They are literally religious nuts; people who rather than embrace the principles of a peaceful religion let it consume them instead and allow it to amplify their own hatreds, fears and mental disorders.  They are not religious leaders, they are cultists.  In the best of cases, we can just ignore them but in the worst of cases, they get TV time to spread their poison. 

I watched Ron Sanders on the web last night when he spoke to the Commission.  He did not seem to be a particularly articulate person which is perhaps why his church only has about 30 members.  His statement was basically the exact same thing he wrote to the paper with a few additional tidbits thrown in and to be honest, I really felt sorry for him that he was filled with so much hatred. 

Bev