Source: Verum Serum

Comments: Scott responds to Slice’s current obsession with Barak Obama speaking at Saddleback (on a weekday with a large number of other speakers across the political spectrum) on the subject of AIDS for Saddleback’s Global Summit on AIDS and the Church.  He pulls no punches repudiating a number of Obama’s political position, but also disputes Slice’s borderline hysterical calls for a pastor from a church to which they don’t belong in a denomination of which they don’t belong in a city they don’t live in to do their bidding.
Memorable Quotes:

I’m not talking about compromising what we stand for and selling out our beliefs as Christians in order to “get along” with society. I’m talking about recognizing that at times, though our faith can and should infuse everything we say and do as Christians, it doesn’t mean that we should withdraw from and/or refuse to participate in the process of living in this world or from working along side others as we do so. The process of being the salt and light of this world necessitates interacting with the world on a daily basis…in work and play, in buying and selling, in meeting the needs of society and fighting against social ills and injustice. It is ALL covered by our faith. Our commitment to the Lord and how we live our lives as Christians on a day-to-day basis is how the rest of the world can see Christ.

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In the same way, abortion is a crime and is evil on every level…morally, civilly, spiritually, socially, psychologically. It’s wrong all the way around. It doesn’t matter to me if the people fighting along side me to stop abortion are doing it for spiritual, moral, or social reasons. It is important that it stop. Period. Where they stand on other issues is important to me, but it won’t stop me from accepting their help (or from offering mine) in the battle to stop the murder of the unborn.

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Source: Verum Serum

Comments: John comments on the ongoing hysteria with Slice and some other watchbloggers who are having conniption fits over Rick Warren’s visit to Syria. While he agrees that Warren’s visit was ill-advised, he notes the wild gloating tone Ingrid has taken on with her possibly being mentioned in a letter from Rick Warren which refutes four watchblogs – with Slice presumably one of the four.
Memorable Quotes:

[From Warren's Letter] We are in a spiritual battle for the lives of billions, so we expect opposition. The Bible tells us that “Satan is the accuser of the brethren.” Unfortunately, sometimes Christians do Satan’s job for him. They accuse and criticize other believers. I’m sure that makes Satan smile. [emphasis John's]

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Clearly Mr. Farah’s site counts as one of the four “bloggers”, but I have to suspect Slice was another. Why? Because Ingrid issued a press release on this faster than you can say “God-centered theology.” It was one of Google’s top search results on Warren’s trip within a day of being issued.

With that sort of savvy marketing (something Ingrid is against in the church ironically), things are booming in the brethren-bashing sector.

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Warren’s letter of explanation is probably as ill-advised as his trip. Sure he’s being treated unfairly and has every right to do some damage control, but acknowledging Slice and — worst of all — letting them know that they do indeed have the ability to irritate him will only make matters worse. And to be fair, the name calling is beneath him. At least he acknowledged that these are fellow believers attacking him. That small grace keeps him one step above the Slice crew.

Ingrid is riding high and, differences aside, you have to feel good for her. She’s worked so hard to become Warren’s online nemesis and here at last is her moment in the sun.

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Source: The Todd Blog
Comments: Todd has a rough first introduction to Slice of Laodicea, learning that Fred Phelps’ brand of Christianity wears many faces, courtesy of folks like the ones on Slice. The commenter even had time to misuse a number of scriptures, including “you will always have the poor among you.”
Memorable Quotes:

[The quote that made him sad] “Sure, we as Christian individuals are do our part in showing compassion to the hurting for that is the Spirit of God working in us. But that is not the commission of the church. It is to preach the Gospel, not cure AIDS or what ever else comes along. In while delivering the Gospel we come across someone with AIDS , yes , we are to help. But as Jesus said, let the dead bury the dead. You will always have the poor among you. Jesus did not see a vision of eradicating suffering at least not in a practical way. He saw it in salvation and the promise of an afterlife of a sufferingless existance. Our suffering is to draw us to Him. If that is the case, then for those that would come to Him , suffering is a blessing in disguise. For what truly matters is our soul, not our present bodies. For unless one repents , they will all likewise perish.”

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