Driscoll under fire......still
Well it is getting work for Pastor Mark and Mars Hill. They are now under attack from Endfundamentalism.org. Instead of re-telling you the whole story, here is an excerpt. (all links remain as they had them, no editing by me. Quoted text is in blue)
Mark Driscoll has been promoting a brutal form of Christianity for more than 10 years. Through his church (Mars Hill) and network of churches (Acts 29), Mark has been actively preaching misogyny to an increasingly large audience in Seattle and beyond through his books, podcasts, and blog, grinding up lives like a woodchipper. (For you fundamentalists out there who are unfamiliar with the term “misogyny” having grown up captive to its influence all your lives, Wikipedia has a nice overview.)
‘Preaching’ may be too staid of a term. He has been relishing in his misogyny, rolling around in it like a feline in catnip. His latest women-bashing came in a blog post about former pastor (and former head of the Christian umbrella organization National Association of Evangelicals) Ted Haggard’s marital infidelity. As is typical with misogynists and other abusers, Mark blamed women for the terribly hard time pastors have controlling their sexual urges: “It is not uncommon to meet pastors’ wives who really let themselves go…” The post makes for an interesting read; Helen, over at Conversation at the Edge dissected it well, so I won’t rehash it here.
Mark also regularly rants against men who don’t meet his minimum testosterone bar, which seems to be a Father Knows Best, 1950s, I-Am-Man-Cook-Me-Dinner, Bear-My-Children sort of fantasy ideal. His poison, though, is woven insidiously through much of his writing and thought. (See for example how he just has to bring the hammer down in an unrelated post here.)
After standing by while Misogynist Mark beats up on women regularly, it is time for us to stand up for the oppressed. People Against Fundamentalism is sickened by the injustice preached from the Mars Hill pulpit. We are done standing by while Mark the Misogynist takes his misguided religion and hollows out the humanity, dignity, and equality of the women in our midst.
So, we’re organizing our first direct action. On Sunday, November 19, we’re going to take a physical stand against injustice outside the Mars Hill Ballard Campus in Seattle at the 11am service.
We’ve no idea if Mark the Misogynist is going to be there. We are not seeking an explosive confrontation or a shouting match. We simply want to show Mars Hill congregants and the rest of Seattle that we will no longer tolerate Driscoll’s view of women.
If you’re interested in participating, sign up at http://lists.endfundamentalism.org/listinfo.cgi/marshill-endfundamentalism.org. Info on how you can help, coordinating details, etc. will be sent to that list. We’re working on a game plan. Your ideas for slogans and placards are welcome.
If you have a story of oppression at the mouth of Mark, please share it in the comments.
Want to know my thoughts? Not sure why we can't all just get along. If we are all on the same team, wouldn't we use love in our interaction instead of hate and back-bitting.
A few weeks ago, I was reading through Phillipians which was written by the apostle Paul and I read this:
"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Philippians 1:15-18.
From my understanding Paul is saying that even though he doesn't completely agree with what some are preaching. He thinks it is still all good as long as Christ is preached. I do not however find Paul organizing a lynching party.
When men (or organizations) who are supposed to be like Christ handle themselves in ways that are so obliviously not of Christ, filled with his love, or done according to His word, it does make me wonder why they do this Christianity thing at all. ummmmmph!
Comments
I have mixed feelings about this. If this organization is truly made up of Christians - and other faiths as I read their front page - then I am bothered more by the above quoted text more than their gathering to protest, especially if they really mean not to seek "an explosive conforntation or a shouting match". How they intend to keep their participants from acting differently, as I note the above incitive rhetoric, I don't know. But if they are Christians, it seems to me a dichotomy that they issue such scathing comments about someone whose comments they abhor.
Pastor Driscoll's remarks have rubbed me quite the wrong way also, and I have to admit, my first thoughts were mean and sarcastic. But that won't make Mark Driscoll reconsider his views or remarks, and I doubt very much if it impacts whether he is "removed".
I do appreciate your thoughts on this, MOJ, thanks for the insight.