… My Turn: Butch Hudson, Trouble with Christians

Editor’s note: Responses to Glenn “Butch” Hudson’s My Turn column in Tuesday’s paper were so strong that we’re devoting today’s Talkback column to them. 

Thank you, Mr. Hudson for this excellent article! I wish more people believed this way. I’m so tired of people using their religion for their own personal gain, when as you say it’s all just a fairy tale. And a bad one at that.

— Robin Hager

Way to go, Butch! American Christianity is fast becoming conservative Christianity, i.e. hate-filled, exclusive, self-centered, anti-minority (any minority). Your article should be required reading in all Rowan County Sunday school classes.

Bring back E. Pluribus Unum. That’s America. One nation indivisible.

— Pete Prunkl

I agree with what you said about the direction Christianity is heading, but I’m a believer whom society would label some kind of Christian, be it Baptist, Protestant, etc. … I love all, as commanded by my Lord and Saviour. I try to be aware of my actions so as not to sin, but all have sinned and came short of the glory of God.

What has become “Christianity” should be these fundamentals: love all people no matter what they may have done, and know that there is but one God. The holy trinity; and also to just simply try your hardest to do right, repent of any sin (in the eyes of God all sin is equal) and most importantly, believe in Jesus- for he is our savior.

— Jennifer McKeithan

Typical liberal ideology. “I don’t like hearing something, so someone else has no right to say it.” If a few words can hurt Butch that badly, I suggest there are deeper issues involved here. And I can only imagine the outrage and turmoil, the deep-seated hatred, of having to carry American money (In God we trust) while living in America, or hearing the Pledge of Allegiance, or seeing federal tax-dollars used to pay for holiday-pay on the biggest celebration of the year… Christ’s birthday.

— Steve Pender

Hudson, let’s just say that I am zealous to protect your free speech as I am in protecting the free speech of all who pray in Jesus’ name. There is an amendment protecting free speech. There is no amendment guaranteeing you won’t hear something you are offended by.

As for your opinion about God and the Bible, I know Him, I know His Son. I have felt His presence many times in my life. Also, I have seen the lives of those who believe in Him, and the lives of those who don’t. I’ve seen how believers face the end of life, and how those who don’t believe do. …

I’m sorry you’re mad about people praying out loud, but you are just going to have to cut those who believe in God some slack, just as they have to concede your right to voice your noisy unbelief.

The issue is freedom of speech. We just haven’t reached the point of sophistication where we will put your outbursts ahead of our constitutional rights.

— Stephen Owen

How does prayer work? If what you are praying for is already God’s will, it will happen without prayer. If it’s not God’s will, it won’t happen. Unless you are saying you can, through asking, change God’s mind, in which case find it frightening that an omnipotent, perfect creature can be swayed by sinful creatures of infinitely less intelligence who aren’t even worthy to be alive.

— Greg Page

Which science book told you that God gave us small pox? You keep regurgitating that statement after stating that God does not exist. Which way is it? Small pox is real and definitely exists, so how could it come from someone that you claim doesn’t exist? I have faith. That is what lets me know that God exists.

— Eric Sloan

You don’t want to hear it but you deserve to be reminded that Satan has reserved a special place in the hereafter specifically for you and those who have had the opportunity to live their lives in and for Christ and yet reject it. You certainly dispel the old adage “once saved, always saved.”

In regard to God and His Word, you either believe that God is perfect and is fully capable of delivering His message via 40 some authors exactly as He wanted it or you don’t — again, a choice. You must remember that God is perfect and created everything out of nothing; as smart as our scientists are, not one can do that. …

In all fairness, you are right about some who call themselves “Christian” who really are not. God actually hates a lukewarm Christian and it sure ain’t a good thing if God hates what you are, not to mention the likes of you.  …

If you attend a meeting and we are going to pray in Jesus’ name you are free to leave the room, I promise we will call you back in when the prayers in Jesus’ name are finished. But trust this Mr. Butch, we will pray in Jesus’ name whether you approve or whether you do not approve.

— Don Ledbetter

Ahh — can see you are full of that Christian love I heard about. If you are the example, Don, no wonder folks like Mr. Hudson feel as they do.

— Rod Goins

“You can safely assume you have made God into your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do.” — Anne Lamott

— Susan Bame

I’ve always thought of prayer as a time of personal reflection, with as many ways to pray as there are people on the planet. And since I’ve witnessed some of the actions of those who want to “lead in prayer,” I say, keep it to yourself. Thank you, Butch, for putting your opinion out there.

— Wendy Beeker

It is truly heartbreaking to think you have had a personal relationship with God, and now you are campaigning against Him and Christians. How could you have truly known God and turned your back on Him? It is frustrating to hear some “right” liberals feel is violated each day. Of course everyone should respect your freedom of speech and freedom from religion, but that is not good enough. You want to take away their freedoms. The Bible is the inspired word of God. It is not to be cherry picked or edited to one’s liking.

I can tell you I live with two miracles, my husband and my son. My husband is a two-time cancer survivor and by any textbook he should have died in 2002. He is cancer-free and well only by the Grace of God. We were told we could not have children. “Medically impossible.” I have all the paperwork to prove it. My son is here by the Grace of God. …

I thank God every day for the blessings in my life. Sorry, but you are gravely wrong about the fairytale. He is real, and so is hell.

— Wendy Robinson

There is a lot that Butch wrote that I disagree with and a lot I agree with. The thing I point out is that Butch and those folks on here that agree with him, are having their tax dollars (maybe as much as $300,000) put at risk so that five folks elected to be political, not religious leaders, can ensure that their chosen prayers to their personal deity only will be heard at county commission meetings. That’s wrong and it’s precisely what the establishment clause is supposed to prevent.

— Todd Paris

Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.”

— Helen Malone

Interesting person writes here (at the link below) about his return to a follower of Christ. So Mr. Hudson, good luck with your atheism. I used to describe secularism as a “spiritual desert” and was lost there for many, many years, In case you tire of that hollow existence, this writer might provide you with some answers to many of the questions we all grapple with in our faith. https://jamesbishopblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/21/arguments-for-gods-existence-leads-former-christ-hater-darrin-rasberry-to-christ-follower/

— Mike Jones

I don’t agree with most of what is written by any of you on here; however, I do respect your opinion. I will leave you with some thoughts.

1. Two people in my church were told that they have cancer … they attend church regularly and we prayed hard for them. Both of them were told when they went back … the doctors could not find any growths. No treatments whatsoever just prayer during that time.

2. We did not evolve from monkeys or fish because we still have both.

3. Simple solution for commissioners, pray behind closed doors before the meeting. That is my opinion and my solution.

… I will stick to what I do and you can stick to what you do, but when Judgment Day comes and you don’t get into Heaven and experience salvation, then who is to blame? Peace be with you and may God bless you.

— Gail Frances

Look, the whole point of separation of church and state was to protect religious freedom. Prayer has no place in government proceedings, period. The government is not and should not be in the business of promoting any kind of prayer, be it Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.And it is particularly offensive that our county commissioners choose to waste our time promoting their own particular faith. Get on with the business!

— Bob Paolino

This article is completely ridiculous!

— Katelyn McCubbins

This just goes to show that there is indeed an ever-rising hatred in the “Christian” faith. I am all for free speech, but at the same time appalled by this posting. I am a believer in Jesus Christ, and I believe all words in the Bible. I may not understand all of it, but that’s why they call it the “living book.”

If I were to post something about the Islamic Center in Salisbury being blasphemy against our nation (due to current events abroad, and not to mention the fact that it was started by Donnie Morgan, a local American), I would be scrutinized and labeled a dogmatic bigot evangelist; which is funny because I don’t identify with organized religion. … I simply read and believe the Bible, and that Jesus is the son of God,  who came to set us all free from the wages of sin. …

With that said, I see where you are coming from. Hypocrisy runs wild in organized religion, and I prefer the term believer rather than affiliation with other “divisions” of Christianity. …

— Jeremy McKeithan

I am happy to be a seeker and a follower of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. This life choice fills my days with purpose. I am glad there are others who feel the same way and with whom I can learn to develop this faith life. There is a time and a place to “come to the table.” Government meetings don’t qualify.

— Karen Puckett

There are no contradictions in the Bible. You cannot find one. And if you think you did, then you don’t know what the Bible says.

— Christine Davis

Read Bart Ehrman’s books. There are several in the library in Salisbury. He is a professor of religion at UNC-Chapel Hill, but what he states has been coming out from scholars since the 18th century. … Dr. Ehrman can actually read the Bible in the original languages and has the advantages conferred in understanding it and its changes over time through exegetical and historiographic research.

— Richard Creel

There is a God and there is a Devil. There is a heaven and there is a hell. I hate to hear that you and others commenting on here are willing to roll the dice with eternity. I put all my faith and hope in Jesus Christ because he is the only way into heaven. If I’m wrong, which I’m not, I will simply die one day and that’s the end, which is what you think. On the other hand if you are wrong, separation from Jesus and a literal burning hell will be awaiting you. Why resist the one that loves you and wants you in heaven? Why would you refuse to believe in God?

— Justin Hilton

First off, I am ashamed that my town would publish an article as misleading and foolish as this one. Since when were Christians pro-slavery?

And in case you didn’t know, there are numerous, numerous instances in which the Holy Bible has proven its sacredness. It is much more than just a book, Mr. Hudson. House fires have taken place and nothing remained but one thing — the Bible. Recently there was a story on the news of the famous country band, Lady Antebellum, and their tour bus caught on fire. Nearly everything was destroyed on the bus except for one thing-the Bible. Why do you think that is?

Second, if you did actually read the Bible as you claimed you did in your article, then you would know God tells us to pray to Him about anything and everything. Whether it be wisdom during a meeting, forgiveness of our sins, or anything else, we are to lay our burdens at His feet. … How can a simple prayer in a meeting make you so irate to the point that you must go to such great lengths to stand against it? I think that would be because you know in your heart there is a God and you are searching for someone to prove it to you. …

— Shannon Tippins

All I can say is God have mercy on you soul, Mr Hudson! I serve a loving living Savior who helps me every second of my life. You have no peace in your life because you are talking about something that you have no clue about. I feel as if you are just being a showboat to get attention. All I can say is that I would hate to be you on judgment day and when you’re burning in hell for eternity, you’ll have plenty of time to think about what you said!

— Tammy Jordan

What’s truly sad about you is … you made the choice to accept this gift of salvation from Jesus Christ — and once saved, always saved! So you, my friend, if in your heart you made that choice, you will be in heaven one day. How many people have you led to hell while you yourself made the choice many years ago to be safely in heaven?

— Melissa Phillips-Jack

Butch, glad you will agree with the historical figure, Jesus. You appear to be a learned scholar, I would only suggest you consider some more historical figures. Let’s start with the saints, one you can relate to: St. Peter, the fisherman. Wonder why he didn’t just go back to his fishing boat?

Moving on to key historical figures, Nero — he was real, the persecutions were real and all the way up to today, ISIS is continuing with real Christian persecutions. I would also suggest reading St. Teresa of Calcutta, not quite the country club picture you paint.

If historical facts are not your thing, why don’t you spend some time working with the volunteers at Rowan Helping Ministries; those people are the hands, feet and face of Jesus….

We are all lucky enough to be in the town of Salisbury, in the state of NC, part of the US, having this conversation because of many that fought and died for the freedoms of speech and religion.

— Teresa Casmus

God is real, He works in me and through me everyday. You can categorize any religion; ie, all Muslims don’t cut off people’s heads. You speak like most atheists, so your comments and beliefs don’t surprise me.

I will say that I am sorry that a lot of Christians don’t try harder to live a life for Christ.

— Greg McCubbins

Reading through some of the comments I’ve seen the most hate and judgment from “Christians” ironic isn’t it? LOL

— Lauren Kesler

Wow! My God is an awesome God! Unfortunately, sin was created by Adam and Eve so it is our nature to sin. My God forgave me of my sins when he died on the cross. He paid that price so I wouldn’t have to. So that fairy tale God that you speak of — He is my father and king of kings. And I can promise you this fairy tale will have a happy ending.

— Courtney Alderman

One day you will all see what a God I have; then it will be late for everyone who follows this horrible article. May God have mercy on your souls.

— Claudia Shepherd

The problem is that Christians are not different from you in the way they act — sin and all. It’s the same people you have trouble with on the highway, the grocery store, council meetings and the bank. They aren’t always filling up a pew, either, but if they are, they are the same troubled people they were in other places you meet in life.

However, as a Christian we do believe Jesus came to … live and die for the sins of the world. We are forgiven. You can be too. … And if we as a Christian are living in Christ, you as an unbeliever should see a change in our hearts — less of us, more of Him.

— Michelle Brilliant

Praying for you and all the lost souls. My God loves you and everyone, We are all sinners but I am thankful he forgives us all. I pray that you accept him before it is to late. May God bless you!

— Clancy Fleming

I am very sorry that your view of Christians is what it is. What you said about some people who identify themselves as Christians concerning their actions I have witnessed as well, and I am disappointed. All I know is that I have a relationship with Jesus, and I depend on His grace every single day. I lean on His wisdom because, frankly, as a human, I need His guidance. God loves you whether you believe He exists or not, and I love you whether you believe that or not. I can only hope that you experience authentic Christian love from those of us who are willing to walk in it.

— Angela Roberts