How is it possible that the good news of the Gospel can be considered a hate crime?
Welcome to the 21st Century.Dear Careful Christian Thinker, It’s hard to believe that a simple prayer request would create a national furor. That’s what happened, though, when the Southern Baptist Convention encouraged their congregates to “pray each day for Jewish individuals you know by name that they will find the spiritual wholeness available through the Messiah [Jesus].” The reaction was immediate. Abraham H. Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League, said the campaign “projects a message of spiritual narrowness that invites theological hatred.” A consortium of religious groups in Chicago, including Christian denominations, warned that the Baptists’ evangelism in their city would encourage hate crimes. Larry King devoted an entire show on national television to the complaint. Even Billy Graham distanced himself from his fellow Baptists. On television, in the press, and on local radio shows Christians have taken three hits: Our views lead to hate crimes, we are intolerant, and
