http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/01/19/religion/dpt-intheory12.txt

 

 

http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/04/03/religion/dpt-spiritualguidance03292008.txt

 

 

http://www.templeisaiahoc.org/

(...as published in the Daily Pilot)

 

 

IN THEORY:

Religious Message Is Removed

 

[Published: Friday, December 12, 2008 9:48 PM PST]

 

 

Daily Pilot: "A group supporting separation of church and state recently sued Rancho Cucamonga after a billboard on Route 66 that read Imagine No Religion was removed and destroyed. The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued in the lawsuit that a city official contacted the billboard company after receiving many complaints about the sign. Reports vary, but one account said a city official denied asking the billboard company to take down the sign, but confirmed that the city relayed the number of complaints. Do you think it would be appropriate for city officials to be involved in this case, no matter how many complaints it receives?"

 

Pastor Tomlinson:

Yes, I do believe it was appropriate for the city to let the sign company know of the large number of complaints it received. The sign was inappropriate and in bad taste. It appears to have been timed to offend Christians during the season when we remember the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a little mystified as to why an organization would need to be formed under the name, Freedom from Religion Foundation. All men are born free from religion, but some of us have chosen to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in response to His love and mercy. No one should be forced to adopt any particular religion, but I do not think it is appropriate to deliberately offend any peaceful religious group during one of its most holy celebrations. Two thousand years ago, above the hills surrounding Bethlehem, the angels displayed a spectacular lighted billboard. Their message was not Imagine No Atheists, but instead it was, Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men. My message to the Freedom From Religion Foundation would be, Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Pastor Dwight Tomlinson

 

Liberty Baptist Church

 

Newport Beach

 

 

(more articles)