In Baldwin, Pa., Carl Behr has decided to wage a one-man crusade against unseen atheists in his neighborhood. His solution? Erecting a 25-foot lighted cross on his yard facing his neighbor and another on his roof. I saw this on Reddit and it makes for an interesting nuisance case.
Behr calls it “a measurement of my faith” while the neighbor would call it a nuisance. He insists “[t]he way the world’s coming with all these atheists, it makes me sick to my stomach. If I can turn one soul towards the Lord with my sign, it was well worth all my efforts.” That goal appears to be achieved in this case by depriving his neighbor of the use and enjoyment of her property — and sleep.
City officials have asked Baldwin to turn off the lights. He seems to have skipped Luke 10:25-28 in his Biblical studies:
25And one day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?”
26What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you understand it?” 27He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.’(Deuteronomy 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.”
However, Behr’s faith does not include treating one’s neighbor as you would have them treat yourself: “I’m measuring my faith to the Lord, that’s basically all I’m doing. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
A fight on the question could pit free speech against nuisance protections. Presumably, the only basis for a nuisance would be the actual lights. However, he could cite the fact that Christmas light are not treated a nuisances absent the most extreme lighting. His cross is actually illuminated by Christmas lights.
It still remains unclear how many atheists have been converted by seeing Behr’s lighted crosses or whether he has been able to show that the difference between an atheist and a Christian is usually the absence of a lighted cross.
Source: CBS
Mr. Buddha,
I assume that you are a name only as the teachings of the Hindu’s are in error. For God so loved the world that he created me. This Mr. Zappa person, is he religious? I cannot say that I have knowledge of what he has done.
WB “Man”,
If “we are all created in God’s image”, you continue to prove Frank Zappa right:
If we’re just following *God’s Orders*
Hey, let’s get serious…
God knows what he’s doin’
He wrote this book here
An’ the book says:
*He made us all to be just like Him,”
so…
If we’re dumb…
Then God is dumb…
*(An’ maybe even a little ugly on the side)*
Mr. Gyges,
And for your blasphemy you shall be prayed for. I understand that this is not your intentions to offend the one that sent me, you are forgiven.
raff,
Not to be confused with the other Poe’s Law which states “Never talk to birds in the house or bury people under the floorboards.”
Mr. Rafflw,
Yes it is true, we are all created in Gods image. That is the problem with freewill. The sinners have chosen to act contrary to the destiny that the one who died for our sins. I am responsible for myself and showing you the error of your way. Now if you want to hand around with atheist and fags, that is your damnation. Since you know better you have sinned.
Until you drink of the cup that I or eat from the bread that I eat you cannot Judge. We will pray for you.
Rafflaw,
May I introduce you to Poe’s Law? I’m not saying Westboro’s not genuine, I’m just saying there’s no real reason to believe he is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law
Mr. Behr seems to have forgotten his Matthew 6:1-6.
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Too bad more of the Christian folk don’t take their own founder’s advice.
Westboro man,
I thought God made everyone in his likeness? Isn’t it presumptous for you to claim that you are his favorite? I think he loves the meek and hunble and those that actually live the way He told us to live and not the few haters in your group. I think God would prefer an atheist who actually takes care of his neighbor. I think God would prefer gays who actually take care of thier neighbors and follows His word. I think you and your fellow haters would be last on His list. Hhowever,I can think of someone else who might have you high on his “list”. Ask the Church Lady.
“Created in His image – and I have more than repaid the compliment!”
– Betty Bowers
I’d be busy building a 40 foot high spaghetti and meatball display if I were his neighbor.
I hope the atheists didn’t Facebook that cross story with smiley face emoticons. Because apparently America is crazy and that means you waive damages: http://lawblog.legalmatch.com/2011/02/02/smiley-faces-on-facebook-evidence-of-faked-injuries/
And you ask, who is this WestboroMan. I will tell you.
We are as follows:
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality. This includes you fags that condone this shit. We protest, just like you long haired hippy ass fags did then. We unfortunately picket funerals and desecrating the American flag just like you did. It is not true but some think we are known as a hate group, don’t like Jews or Poor People. This is not true. We tolerate all until the need to shut them down appears appropriate. Some think Hitler went too far in killing. We do to, the working class is always needed.
Our savior in charge here on Earth is Fred Phelps and the prophets that have been born unto him. We are located, the church, is headquartered in a residential neighborhood on the west side of Topeka about three miles west of the Kansas State Capitol at 3701 West 12th Street, Topeka, Kansas, United States.
These are some of the activities that you can join us in solving. The queers, we have been are an anti-gay movement since at least 1991 when it sought a crackdown on homosexual activity at Gage Park about a mile northwest of the church. I imagine some of you know where this hell hole is located. Come joing us this Sunday, please.
In addition to fags, we protests at military funerals, we also need vast exposure and need help in dissemination of the message at places like celebrity funerals. We need help in MN and CA. Please call to let us know you will be helping spread the word. There are more scheduled but this is what we need for Sunday. Please register.
http://www.godhatesfags.com/contact.html
Hastings High School in Hastings, MN February 13, 2011 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Staples Center (Grammys) in Los Angeles, CA February 13, 2011 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
I am Jesus’ favorite. He may love you, but I have been chosen, therefore, I am his favorite. Thank you my lord, savior and redeemer.
Chris
It is really difficult for some people to have religious beliefs and feelings and still have the wisdom to live in a secular world. I am thankful that my neighbor built an ugly four-car garage instead of a lighted cross.
Gyges,
Maybe we should just let them start their own Skull and Crossbones club and then they will turn off their big signs!
Rafflaw,
Because it’s what they believe The Bible says to do. Which it does. Yes I know it also says not to pray loudly in public, but hey the nice part about having a bunch of contradictory sayings is that you can find one to confirm your view in any situation.
Also, for the same reason there’s no real secret clubs. People like other people to know just how much better than everyone else they are.
Gyges,
I like the biggest sign comment. Why do evangelicals need to wear the “faith” on their sleeve and in this man’s case in huge lighted signs? You can promote religious beliefs by living a good life and actually living as Jesus would, in this man’s case. AY might have the right idea with the slingshot!
Guys like Carl Behr are the inspiration for my handle.
Gotta love that good, old-fashioned self-righteous simple-mindedness that so many christians exhibit so often.
Jesus: “Love thy neighbor”
Behr: “No, no, no, Jesus. That’ll never work. Let’s put up a giant illuminated version of the instrument of torture and death to show these assholes who’s boss.”
“If I can turn one soul towards the Lord with my sign, it was well worth all my efforts.”
When looking for religions, I always look for the one with the biggest sign.
Then again…..Jesus speaks in many ways…..sometimes to test ones faith….
Maybe the title should be changed to “Your Cross to Bare” or would it be more appropriate to bear….
I have BB Gun and a sling shot……problem taken care o soon…