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God loves gays, ex-cons and hypocritical preachers

Thursday, October 25 at 6:00 PM

This Speakout has not been edited.

By Michael J. McCarthy

Mercy has an impact. It melts hearts.

But just who are the ministers of mercy: the church, the government, or the general public?

It is so easy to pass-the-buck, when innately, we know that we are called to help. We claim that we are ill-prepared to assist. We make the excuse that we are untrained to handle a particular crisis.

A friend of mine, recently had this experience.

He was convicted of vandalism in February of 2006.

In a drunken stupor, he broke into a local saloon, after it was closed. He pleaded guilty; deservedly so, and received a 3-year state prison sentence.

Parolees; if homeless, generally are ordered to parole back to the county of their conviction.

In my friend’s case, this would mean paroling back to the county of his conviction - with only $100 gate money and his prison dress-outs.

While incarcerated, my friend, started to prepare for his release.

He, wrote a dozen or so local churches, pouring out his heart for assistance (I know because I helped him to write the letters). He didn’t ask for money. He sought a spiritual mentor to hold him accountable to the moral lifestyle he is now committed to. He desired friends in the community that might help him to maintain his sobriety, obtain employment, find housing, etc. ... He also sought a home church to commune with God. He even volunteered his assistance as a handyman.

Writing over a dozen churches, only two replied.
One church, generously offered a $25 gift certificate to Target. Yet, they failed to embrace, his release into the community.

One pastor, drilled and basically interrogated my friend.

She claimed that they were not equipped to help him. (Remember, he only sought a mentor.) She, lamented that she needed training. This pastor told my friend, she felt that he wasn’t forthright in his crime. She wanted references, and my friend’s mom would not suffice. She wanted financial data; including his outstanding obligations. In addition, this “pastor,” never even invited my friend to come down to talk with her.

My friend, provided this pastor with pictures of his daughters. A telephone contact with his mom; who is a longstanding member of the same denomination. But none of this was enough. She sent, my buddy, packing. This pastor didn’t even invite my friend, to a service at her church when he gets out. Her tone was abrupt, arrogant, and condescending.

You see, my buddy, has no references, no money ... he’s an ex-con committed to starting over, reaching out for help.

Jesus never asked for references.

God loves gays, ex-cons, and even hypocritical preachers. It’s their sins that he is not too fond of. This pastor knows that.

I went to this churches’ website and almost choked on my ravioli.

Lo and behold they welcome everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, etc. ... but not my buddy! Perhaps, his pockets weren’t deep enough for this “Lord of the Mountain.”

There is the old adage: Love thy neighbor as ourselves. But just who is our neighbor? I like to think: Not all men are my brothers, but everyone is my neighbor.

Nevertheless: Where is the mercy?

Just who will embrace the ex-cons running around with no money, and no home?

More than likely, the police, lawyers, and judges will - when these men and women break into a home or business - again.

And who is really to blame?

As much as ex-felons hold an obligation to reintegrate into society successfully — society must afford them every opportunity to succeed.

Otherwise, don’t bitch, when you come home late at night from work, and find my buddy, rummaging through your refrigerator.

Michael J. McCarthy is a resident of Denver.

READER COMMENTS

Congratulations!! Another's eyes have been opened. This is the responsibility of our whole society. However, Christ understood that an unredeemed society was not capable of handling the sinners in which it housed. Kind-a like the blind leading the blind. So through Christ that responsibility was given to the church, otherwise known as the BODY OF CHRIST.

The church is falling down on the job in several areas. Like our society anything that is not a one time fix or a quick fix they don't want to invest their resources into; spiritually, emotionally, or financially.

Posted by Harry on October 29, 2007 02:06 PM

The pastor who denied my friend Rex Pinegar help, was Kari Reiquam, of Lord of the Mountain Lutheran Church in Dillon, Colorado.

I can mail you a free copy of her letter to Rex, if you care to see for yourself.

Contact at: mjmccarthywrites@yahoo.com or call me at 303-605-9879

Posted by Michael J. McCarthy on October 28, 2007 01:22 PM

"And who is really to blame?

As much as ex-felons hold an obligation to reintegrate into society successfully — society must afford them every opportunity to succeed.

Otherwise, don’t bitch, when you come home late at night from work, and find my buddy, rummaging through your refrigerator."
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If I catch him doing that, I won't bitch... I'll just shot the sonofabirch dead!.

Posted by Hank on October 26, 2007 09:28 AM

If he is such a buddy of your ,why don't you help him? Why don't you give him some money.Why don't you give him a place to live? Why don't you help him get a job? Why don't you feed and clothe him? Why don't you be a mentor for him?

I'm expecting you next to ask the saloon owner to help him.

Society doesn't owe him ,he owes society. If he is truly sorry ,he will find a way to right his wrongs and live a decent life without drinking and committing crimes.

Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on October 26, 2007 08:53 AM

This is a very sad story to read. Just what does it mean to be a Christian in our world today? As many are saying, some Christians have hijacked Jesus. Remember who Jesus hung out with during his life, people similar to your friend. I don't know how these pastors can sleep at night. Jesus was all about not judging others and unconditional love, yet we have many so called Christian leaders today who seem to only reach out to those that think and believe and live their lives according to their definition of what is good and right. Isn't their job to gather everyone into the fold and administer to those most in need. I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel for your friend. At least he has you, that is something special right there.

Posted by JJ on October 25, 2007 08:33 PM