The passion of Matthew Sheppard.

[Robin Hood]

I awoke this morning and turned on the morning news while lying in bed as I normally do. The buzz was all about Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ. Interviews with teary eyed and emotional people were on every channel. Each proclaiming how the movie has further cemented their faith.

I then thought about Matthew Sheppard and how he was tortured and killed for his beliefs, his passions. At the time, there were no buzz of interviews with emotionally wrecked people condemning the incident and proclaiming that they will take up the homosexual cause to stop this sort of persecution. In fact the treatment of Matthew Sheppard's death is almost as cruel as the act that killed him.

Here we are six years later and we have learned nothing from the persecution and murder of Matthew Sheppard. The majority of this nation are condoning Matthews modern day crucifixion by choosing to uphold discrimination and persecution through legislation.

America!! We just killed a shepherd's son and you didn't even wince. But a movie made in Hollywood by an action film star brings you to religious tears and fervor.

Mister Gibson, You missed the point about Christ. He did not come to teach us about passion, he came to teach us about compassion. It should of been called the compassion of Christ.

We miss you Matthew.

[soleft]

1. Thank you

[Robin Hood]

2. No,

Thank you.

[Cleita]

3. I thought the same thing too.

Matthew suffered a horrible, horrible death.

[SCDem]

4. Wow!

What a great point... if only the masses could hear.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Beautiful

Thank you.

[SuffragetteSal]

6. Excellent post

But a movie made in Hollywood by an action film star brings you to religious tears and fervor.. This statement made me think of the fact that many of these same people walk past the homeless and hungry on the street, not wanting to feel the real emotion of compassion.

I wish the movie had been called 'Compassion of Christ' also. That would have been much better...

[Robin Hood]

10. The disconnect is troubling.

I don't understand how people can proclaim to be Christian yet belong to a political party that has no compassion.

[arcane1]

15. because they obsess over hell and sinners

and think that's what the message was all about

sad...

[RFK MLK PW]

7. While clever, I

wish you hadn't intertwined these subjects. I am in a froth over Gibson, but that will never diminish my feelings about Sheppard.

We KNOW he died chained to a fence, possibly asking God why he had forsaken him.

Recently, I watched "The Laramie Project" again. You are right in that the majority of this nation, the world really, chooses to uphold discrimination and persecution through legislation. In some cultures, they do it through death as well.

[Robin Hood]

32. I am curious why you wish that I had not made this connection?

I think that Matthew Sheppard should be the gay communitys Jesus.

[Muddleoftheroad]

40. I actually think Jesus

Should be the gay community's Jesus.

[foreigncorrespondent]

42. Don't presume to know about other countries beliefs.

You are right in that the majority of this nation, the world really, chooses to uphold discrimination and persecution through legislation.

Did you know that here in Australia we have discrimination laws that protect LGBT folks? Did you know that if you bash or muder a queer here in Australia, it will be considered a hate crime and tried as such?

Not every country is America. Some countries actually believe in humanity.

[tkulesa]

8. Yes.

It would be so nice if people could take their devotion and share it with the people around them, not by prosletizing, but by nurturing people and being devoted to the world we all share.

[Robin Hood]

9. That would be nice.

And in my world it seems like common sense.

[heidiho]

11. This made me cry - thank you

There are people who suffer each and every day. Matthew suffered because of our sin of hatred, just as Christ did.

I have a dear friend who has two mentally handicapped sons. Her life is a living hell. She suffers each and every day and there is no end to it. Society pays lip service to these people but we have
little compassion for them.

The Life of Jesus is one of inclusion, compassion and love. Those are the lessons we should not forget.

[Robin Hood]

12. Thank you for having a good heart.

And it is so true. How many millions of people are out there day in and day out sacrificing for others without ever getting any acknowledgment. They do it because it has to be done and their heart wouldn't let them do it differently. That is the path of Christ.

[BR_Parkway]

13. So sad, so true, such a shame.

[LeahMira]

41. Powerful!

Matthew suffered because of our sin of hatred

Something about the way you said that will have me thinking off in new directions all evening.

You are right. We are killing one another with causeless hatreds.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. It's funny but I came out of...

12 years of Catholic school with the strange notion that Christ was a really cool guy who was all about the compassion and the underdog and the good deed and the social injustice. (Which was in stark contrast to the wrathful "God" and the uptight RCC stuff they also talked about.)

What makes two people hear the very same things and come out on such opposite ends of the spectrum?

I can't help but think that if Christ were wacky enough to return here, he would end up just like Matthew Sheppard.

And it would probably be the RW "Christians" who are cryin' at "The Passion" who would do it.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

25. Good point

"I can't help but think that if Christ were wacky enough to return here, he would end up just like Matthew Sheppard. "

If Jesus were to return to modern day American, I have no doubt that the Republicans would execute him and Bush would mock his cries.

This movie Passion could be a very "teachable moment" if we do it right. Good thread, I think we are "getting it".

[Robin Hood]

31. You're right about that.

They would execute a modern day Jesus and Bush would mock his cries. Why? Because Jesus was the first documented Liberal.

[indigo32]

16. Indeed I can't speak for all the teary eyed people

coming out of Mels movie...
but I can certainly say Mel Gibson missed the point by a mile, and would agree our society, sadly, has learned nothing from Matthews death.

[Skittles]

17. WELL SAID

OUTSTANDING

[Thistle42]

18. Excellent Liberal Guerilla!

Couldn't have been more apropos.

[Rich Hunt]

19. exactly, thank you

Gibson appears to be distorting Christianity.

[ComerPerro]

20. Very well put

Great post.

I agree completely

[leftchick]

21. perfect LG!....

Thank you for this...Christ taught compassion for EVERYONE. Love and redemption also seem to be lacking in Mel's version. As with all repukes Mel is a hypocrite and liar.


We miss you Matthew. :cry:

[TNOE]

22. God

thank you - you definitely made a huge point here. Wonderful.

[salin]

23. Moreover... I see the hateful images of Phelps's ugly band of

protesters... and their disgusting behavior across the street from the Church funeral/memorial for Mathew Sheppard. The aftermath of the violence... an almost rejoicing among the warped.

Even in death - he could not be left alone... nor his family/friends be left in peace.

Instead of focusing on the compassion (and lessons of love taught by Christ)... fueled and stoked are the warped fanatacism that led to the Phelpsian display.

Tragic.

Sorry for taking an ugly turn - as a follow up to your very beautiful post.

[Robin Hood]

28. Phelps infuriated me..

I just couldn't believe the cruelty that this monster was inflicting on this poor boys family. I bet that he cried fake crocodile tears, the sort that I have been seeing broadcast all day.

Where were all these supposedly sensitive people when Matthew's memory was being defiled? The little Sheppard boy was being accosted even at his own funeral. Sickening.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. Best.Post. Ever.

[spanone]

26. Well said LG

a great big old kick.

[seabeyond]

27. oh so powerful

you gave me chills. look at how the universe puts things together for us to see, and you shared them so beautifully. gosh if this doesnt go perfectly to what i was talking with a baptist teacher today.

yes
and thank you for sharing matthew today

[Piperay]

29. Very thought provoking...

THANKS :hug:

[ulysses]

30. excellent.

:thumbsup:

[Solly Mack]

33. Beautifully said

evocative prose

[LWolf]

34. This is a powerful post.

Send it to the NYTimes, etc.

I would like this to enter America's consciousness:

America!! We just killed a shepherd's son and you didn't even wince. But a movie made in Hollywood by an action film star brings you to religious tears and fervor.

[Robin Hood]

35. Thank you for the suggestion.

I just sent it.

I really appreciate all the kind words that everyone has put in this thread.

[LWolf]

36. You are more than welcome.

Please let it know if it gets printed!

[FizzFuzz]

38. YES PLEASE MAKE SURE.....

More people read this, LG. Please send it to various news outlets or whatever they're called. I'll sign in support, thats for sure. Include some of the responses here too, if people don't mind.

So beautifully stated, a perfect crystalization of the hypocrisy overflowing in this time.

Your words might be able to open the eyes of some of those brainwashed blind sentimentalists.

:grouphug:

Fizz

[KG]

37. bravo.

[peacebuzzard]

39. Ironic, I thought of him today as I was driving in countryside

of TN. with my friend, who is African-American, I look very latin myself. Both of us ladies had commented how we would not like to actually live out there, that it was just plain leery. (Unless you are very Aryan caucasian.) My roommate from Jersey is a latin gay and I know he would have felt very misplaced. Some places in our country are just so 3rd world. Poor Matthew. A warning for us all.:(

[Djinn]

44. great post

Truly Gibson has missed the point and lost the plot - since when did Jesus want everyone to focus on his torture.

If everyone has to take the blame for the murder of Jesus we can also share some culpability for producing a society that throws up the sort of irrational and overwhelming hatred that killed Matthew.

How ANYONE can protest at a funeral for ANY reason is beyond me.

[foreigncorrespondent]

43. Very well said, my friend.

For the first time I saw The Laramie Project last year. I had known about Matthew's death for years, but never actually saw the movie.

Then for the first time last night I sat and watched Boy's Don't Cry. And this movie much like the story of Matthew has truly had a profound affect on me.

It just goes to show the value people will put on other peoples lives, doesn't it?

Thank you for this thread.

[UTUSN]

45. Actually, This Is the Best Headline Ever

How's your Christianity, Mel??

[Tinoire]

46. I can't bear to look at that picture. Him or Teena. Thanks n/t

[Fescue4u]

47. Incredibly offensive

What happened to M. Shepard was horrible and wrong.

But Mr Shepard is not Jesus. I cannot believe that you are comparing him to Jesus. Ridiculous.

If you are a believer, then you also believe that Jesus died for all people even gays, even Matthew Shepard.

Frankly, I've just about had it with the anti Christian bigotry expressed here.

Im very tolerant of non Christians, but Im tired of reading posts beletting Christianity.

Is that what the Democratic party represents now? Persecution of Christians?

Flame away, I don't care anymore.

[UTUSN]

48. There's No "Anti Christian biogtry" Here

There IS repulsion (mine) against "religious" fundamentalist bigotry. And I'm not talking about you, just the "religious" fundalmentalist hypocrites.

[Robbien]

49. Comparing a good man with Jesus does not lessen Christians

It should be taken as a compliment, not a slur.

[UTUSN]

51. What If We Called It "The Passion of THE Matthew Sheppard"? n/t

[foreigncorrespondent]

52. But this post is merely pointing out the...

...hypocrisy of the fundamentalist Christian, not all Christians. There is a big difference, my friend.

[Djinn]

53. i think you miss the point

that being that people are persecuted and hated and murdered for their beliefs NOW - we don't need to harken back to something that may (or may not - it's faith not history) have happened 2000 years ago

[NightTrain]

50. Have you seen the made-for-HBO film, THE LARAMIE PROJECT?

If not, you really should check it out some time.