Thursday, May 17, 2007

Hate the sin love the sinner

A quote that we in the church have said many many times. I have said it lots of times but sometimes do not stop to really think about it in practice.

I was quite challenged reading Gary Lambs blog today when he listed the following quote about Jerry Falwell from Larry Flynt, the owner of Hustler Magazine. Larry and Jerry stood for very different things. He said:

“The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor. My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling. The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in.” –Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler Magazine

I never knew Jerry Falwell, I saw some news stories on TV and to be honest I sometimes didn't like what he said and I would have thought there was another way to do things. However if someone who he did so much battle with in life can say this then he can't have been far wrong.

God help me to stand up for truth at the same time as valuing people.

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