A businessman has apologized for briefly posting a sign in the window of his Springfield gelato shop informing those in town for a convention of religious skeptics that they were not welcome at his Christian business.
Andy Drennen apologized in a letter posted Monday on the website Reddit. He said he posted the hastily drawn sign in his shop, Gelato Mio, on Saturday after seeing someone attending Skepticon delivering a mock sermon and cursing the Bible.
The sign read: "Skepticon is NOT welcomed to my Christian Business."
Dreenen, 28, said his response was impulsive and "was completely wrong and unacceptable," and that he didn't actually turn anyone away from the store, which opened last year....
western Christians are going to have to get on their knees and learn how to live in this world---its less friendly, its post-Christian. and so many were taught they wouldn't have to go through persecution because the tribulation will come after they are raptured away. and here they are, being called by God as a living testimony to the light of the world. this is no menial thing. this is the calling of the believer. this man obviously grappled with the obscenities thrown at His Lord, and they mock him for a 10 minute sign--best that we work these things out in our prayer closet, and worry not what we will say, but receive word from the Holy Spirit.
Wow Mike, I went back and re-read the article and you are right. Does that make me a flip-flopper, maybe I should get into politics. This does make it a bit different. Why would one attend such a conference??? I guess I'm still not convinced about turning people away like that however.
San Jose John wrote: The store owner should apologize to GOD, who hates partiality. Been a while since I last visited it but John MacArthur's website's title page said "Skeptics welcome!". Which is the proper Christian attitude toward doubters.
It's one thing to doubt, another to "deliver a mock sermon" and curse the Bible. This may be a tad more than skepticism.
I respectfully disagree with his tactic's Ms. Wittman. Boldness is important, no doubt, but I feel it can be doled out with kindness and caring. If we turn away people with questions who will be there to talk with them. I guess I've had questions, especially when I was younger, and now I'm very grounded in my faith.
I just know if I look at someone that is overweight and tell them they are fat and need to lose weight, would they be apt to work our and watch what they eat or want to punch me in my nose?
Well, I was disappointed that the shop owner felt the need to apologize. If we had more boldness among Christians, we would probably have more converts to Christ.
Well put John, couldn't have said it better myself. Hatefulness will bring hatefulness, and it will not further the Kingdom. That is our primary goal!!!
The store owner should apologize to GOD, who hates partiality.
Been a while since I last visited it but John MacArthur's website's title page said "Skeptics welcome!". Which is the proper Christian attitude toward doubters.
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Jason Lisle | 6/1/2005
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