I assumed that this sign was a fake when I saw it, but no. It’s real.
It’s also both shocking and refreshing. As a person who would like to believe in God and an afterlife but has been unable to do so, a logical, sensible, rational message like this makes religion seem so much more accessible.
Bravo, Tom Tate and company.
I’m also a fan of the Rose City Park United Methodist Church’s mission statement (even though I despise the notion of mission statements):
The Rose City Park United Methodist Church …
“Where we share God’s love Compassionately and Inclusively
… through Radical Hospitality.”
I could do without the ellipses (of course), but they aren’t egregious enough to ruin the spirit of the message.
But it’s close.
I also find it amusing that Rose City Park refers to itself as both a city and a park when it’s neither. It’s actually a small, overpriced (Forbes, 2009) neighborhood in northeast Portland, Oregon.
As a person who has read the Bible cover to cover three times, I might also suggest changing the word God to Jesus on their sign. Based upon Biblical text, I am quite certain that Jesus would prefer kind atheists over hateful Christians.
The God of the Bible (and particularly the Old Testament) wasn’t nearly as reasonable or rational.
This Post Has One Comment
Matt, I don’t comment on your posts usually, just share them. Today I’ll do both. If your family was looking for a church (yes, I know your wife is Jewish and you’re an agnostic bordering on atheist) you would find the task daunting I dare say. A Mission Statement helps you at least know which doors to knock on while you vet. For LGBT folk, a Mission Statement lets the know whether the church is open and affirming or not. Important to some. UMC along with the more conservative Episcopalian and certainly some other prominent religions, keep the Jesus talk low and paraphrase God- with and without ellipses. Thanks for your post.