Shawn Mende

UWRT 1102
5/28/2014
I BelieveParadoxical
The Paradox of what I believe would have to be religion extremist for I believe in
a self-taught philosophy. For this I will use current and consistent examples, meaning
that each given example are not only a group that are alive today and practicing this
way of life but are also consistent in the sense that they do not or will most likely ever
waiver in their own belief.
I will try and begin with the Westboro Baptist Church, explaining their chosen
belief and touching a bit about their history as well. It all started in 1955 when Pastor
Fred Phelps established the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas. According to
the church they follow the strict teachings of the bible and preach against all forms of sin
including but not limited to fornication, adultery, divorce and remarriage, sodomy, and
so on. The teaching continues to also include the doctrine of god and insist that the
sovereignty of god to be taught publicly to all men. To expound even more, they follow
the acronym TULIP which translates to T total depravity, U unconditional election, L
limited atonement, I irresistible grace, P perseverance of the saints. Tulip is also
known as the 5 points of Calvinism by John Calvin who lived in the 1500s France
during the protestant reformation.
Westboro Baptist Church further engages in daily peaceful sidewalk
demonstrations opposing the sinful actions and wrong doings of others that go against
gods will and teachings. These peaceful sidewalk demonstrations started in 1991 and
have continued to grow with over 52,794 demonstrations proving the power of god is
infinite. The church demonstrations would show and teach others of what this group or
individual has done wrong so others may follow in gods path which would include
colorful picket signs, free bible lessons from the gospel, and peaceful interaction with
the community. Some of the peaceful demonstrations that the church would show up at
are but not limit to homosexual parades and other events, funerals of impenitent
sodomites, and false churches. The Westboro Baptist Church has been nationally
recognized, has also received international attention, and has been the subject of
several documentary films.
In conclusion the Westboro Baptist Church sounds ok but their actions
prove otherwise by their extreme ideology and biblical beliefs. They are but one of many
examples that plague this world and do way more harm than they could ever do good
as they currently are. This is the paradox to what I truly believe.