See how they love one another

The left has never been good as distinguishing between fundamentalism and evangelicalism; the way this story is framed by The Lead demonstrates that. The left likes to pretend that they are the intellectuals, but generally they show that they have spent no time whatsoever learning anything at all about those to the right of them that they like to critique. ed.


from The Lead by Andrew Gerns

Over on the Christian sideshow, Chick Tracts have been part of a segment of American evangelical culture for decades. They are little comic-style tracts that promote a literal interpretation of the (King James Only) Bible.

One of our favorites is the one about evolution, where people ride around on dinosaurs a la Fred Flintstone.

In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a local Roman Catholic priest says that these books are being given out a local high school. He says that these books are inaccurate hateful and inflammatory. "Don't spread lies," he says to the Baptist church that has given them to their members to hand out. Needless to say, the local Baptist pastor thinks this is just one more example of teaching the controversy.

WATE.com reports:

Two Baptist church pamphlets are causing controversy with a Roman Catholic church in Pigeon Forge.
The pamphlet suggests the Roman Catholic church isn't Christian and the pope is an anti-Christ.

While some people say the pamphlet expresses religious freedom, others say it's a hate crime.

Father Jay Flaherty, of Holy Cross Catholic Church, said he first learned about the pamphlets when one of his youth brought one to him.

"There's two of them that really upset me because I knew it would upset the children," Father Flaherty said. "One's called the 'Death Cookie,' which claims that our communion is from the devil...."

...Preacher Jonathan Hatcher says the pamphlets are meant to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"This is an isolated event where just one believer had an obligation to share with a Catholic friend, in a difference of what we believe," Pastor Hatcher said.

Father Flaherty feels differently. "I don't want another Columbine at Pigeon Forge High School. I can see by this stuff that some people who aren't straight in the head believing it and persecuting the Catholic kids," he said.

Pastor Hatcher doesn't want the pamphlets to cause violence. He hopes they can teach others about what they believe.

"The Bible commands me as a pastor not to be a brawler," Pastor Hatcher added. "The gospel of Christ is the gospel of peace."

Father Flaherty responded, saying, "Don't spread lies. Don't spread hateful material. That's all I'm asking."

Pastor Hatcher says his church doesn't plan to stop passing out the pamphlets.