Creationist Ken Ham, the dimwit who recently claimed teaching kids science was intellectual child abuse, is now chastising a church for helping homeless youth without judging them first.
A Phoenix-based congregation, Rebel and Divine, promotes “a mission of health and wholeness for youth and young adults.” Pastor Jeffrey Dirrim, the openly gay founder of Rebel and Divine, works to focus on the everyday needs of his congregation, many of whom are gay, lesbian, or transgender at-risk youth: People who might not always be welcome at other congregations.
One of the ways he does this is by offering a free Sunday dinner, where the young adults can receive help and community without shame or judgment.
While Ham grudgingly admits that love and acceptance might have some place in biblical teachings, he objects strongly to the congregations lack of hell fire and brimstone underpinnings.
“Now, we are supposed to help those in need. Reaching out to others by meeting their physical needs is important and admirable. But as a Christian or a church, what is the point of meeting physical needs while ignoring the ever more important spiritual needs of every person? People need food, water, toiletries, a roof over their heads—but how much more do they need Christ?”
Ham feels that by helping these marginalized young people feel safe and cared for, the church is missing an even greater opportunity to hold them accountable for their sins. Which is, to him, ultimately more important then helping those in need, because what good is surviving if you don’t admit what a horrible person you are for existing?
It’s this sort of vitriol that Pastor Dirrim has to work to overcome at Rebel and Divine. One member, Katrinna Alexandros, told NPR that before attending the church she didn’t realize she could be friends with Christians:
“My whole life, it’s just been Christians are the ones who hurt everyone, and here it’s not.”
Now, don’t think that Ken Ham is entirely bigoted and hateful. He openly admits that some Christians have difficulty finding a middle-ground between showing Christ’s love, while still “condoning” lifestyles they disagree with.
He maintains that it is important to “gently and lovingly call sin what it is.” Presumably this is done by denying assistance to those in need until they are property chastised. After all, how can people understand God’s love, unless you first drive home the point that they aren’t worthy of it, or a meal?
Featured image is a video screencap.
