Thursday, April 29, 2010
Don Redman Asks Muslim to "Pray to Your God" For City Council
Don Redman, long-time FBC Jax member and City of Jacksonville councilman, during the hearing this week to consider the nomination of a Muslim professor to the city's Human Right's Commission, demanded the professor to pray "to his God" in front of the council. See the video clip below. Click here to read a related news article.
After the audible gasp of the crowd at such ignorance and stupidity, and the city attorney trying to step in to save Redman from making a complete fool of himself, Redman bumbles and stumbles to try to explain why he asked such a question - a question that could be considered a violation of the Constitution to put forth a religious test for a person to serve in a public office.
I'm sure FBC Jax is proud of their councilman. But of course, this coming from a FBC Jax member should not be a surprise...their number 2 preacher, Jim Smyrl, warned the FBC Jax faithful last year that if they stay silent as Muslims built a mosque in Jacksonville, "And a big dome goes up in our city and we sit back passively and say 'Well, if that's what they want to believe, alright." Well, get ready brother, 'cause your grandchildren are going to come under Muslim law if you keep silent" .
If there are legitimate concerns over this man's past, bring those up for discussion. But to ask him to recite a prayer to his god, is just plain ignorant and offensive, and a poor testimony.
Don, you hurt the cause of Christ when you act that way.
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50 comments:
Dr.Dog I agree that Mr.Redmon should not have ask that question in a secular environment.
But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redmon by so many people?
What is driving the Vitriol is the lack of using common sense and Godly wisdom in these type settings. I am also against Islam getting a foothold in our government-but we must protect the church and state clause- doing otherwise will only open the door wider for a possible Theocratic rule of law-No one wants to pave the way for Islamic or sharia law in our country. If we dont keep a cool head..these type reactions only give fodder to the enemy. We dont have to sit idoly by and watch-We must pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in these situations.
"But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redmon by so many people?"
Politics.
Here's a comment from the article:
"My first reaction was what church does this guy belong to?"
I can answer that question, Pastor/Bro. Rod H. He made Jacksonville and Southern Baptists look like ignorant, bigoted, close-minded people.
Any credible concerns that Redman may have had were completely lost by such a display of stupidity!!
Dog, I believe we would both agree, he would not be praying to THE God. Its important to recognize what he said is true. However our words should be measured by are the said in love, if we have an issue of disagreement with the other person,are the intended to bring restoration. His words did not meet that standard, he has acknowledged that and stated he owes an apology. Did your post meet that standard. He acknowledged the need for an apology in the news before you published this post. I want judge your heart, but it doesn't look good.
Muslims believe that they worship the God of Abraham, who is therefore also the God of Israel, thence of the Jews, thence of Christians. The word for God in Arabic is Allah, and the Bible, when translated into Arabic, uses the word Allah, beginning in Genesis 1.
Allah the god of Abraham? Don't think so.
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/moongod.htm
The pagan Arabs worshipped the Moon-god Allah by praying toward Mecca several times a day; making a pilgrimage to Mecca; running around the temple of the Moon-god called the Kabah; kissing the black stone; killing an animal in sacrifice to the Moon-god; throwing stones at the devil; fasting for the month which begins and ends with the crescent moon; giving alms to the poor, etc.
The Muslim's claim that Allah is the God of the Bible and that Islam arose from the religion of the prophets and apostles is refuted by solid, overwhelming archeological evidence. Islam is nothing more than a revival of the ancient Moon-god cult. It has taken the symbols, the rites, the ceremonies, and even the name of its god from the ancient pagan religion of the Moon-god. As such, it is sheer idolatry and must be rejected by all those who follow the Torah and Gospel. moongod.htm
"But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redmon by so many people?"
In a word, politics. In politics, you never miss a chance to kick a man when he's down.
Off Topic:
Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog [James White] > A Must Read Article on the Caner Situation.
"But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redmon by so many people?"
Seriously? He was acting like a jerk. Anyone with the barest kernel of human compassion and understanding can see that. Worse, he made almost no sense. He was rambling and lecturing the guy. He was talking to him like he was a child. I'd of told him to eff off.
given the remarks were out of place but the tone is strangely similar to some of the comments I read on this blog. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you guessed it, then it's probably a duck. I'm just saying .....
"But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redmon by so many people?"
Because some of us are getting sick and tired of opening the Florida Times Union and seeing front page headlines of idiotic statements made by representatives of First Baptist Church.
This was not the first time Mr. Redmon has made uncomplimentary news which his own son said about him being unworthy to represent the city as a councilman. That article too talked about his membership and even showed a picture of the church.
If the Florida Times Union and 3 TV stations thought this was news worthy then it certainly had a right to be posted on this blog.
Mr. Redmon not only represents his district but he too is a reflection on the family members of the church. I seriously doubt if he ever will have a chance to be a witness to this man of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I also doubt if the Council will ever invite another FBC member to be a Chaplain of the Council.
Mr. Redman was pitiful.
Someone should have intervened and stopped him from making such a fool of himself in front of all those people and the cameras.
This is my councilman and I am truly amazed that he did this. Just stunning stupidity on his part. He helped me recently when I could not get someone from the city to do their job, but wow, I will have to evaluate this a lot come re-election time.
Is there some kind of background on the Muslim guy where he is promoting Islamic ideas? Sharia law?
I am very uncomfortable with Muslims in government for the simple reason that I am quite familiar with what the Hadith and Quran teach. If a Muslim is devout, the constitution and Islam cannot co exist for long. Islam is based on a Theocracy.
Therefore, as a follower of Christ, and one who must live IN the world but not be OF the world, I would prefer we leave the diversion of prayers OUT of the government proceedings because this is what it is coming to. What next, Wiccans praying to Satan?
Last year (or year before?) Ravi Zacharias agreed to NOT pray in Jesus's name during the big National Day of Prayer event sponsored by Shirley Dobson. I was aghast. What is the point?
See where all this leads?
"Last year (or year before?) Ravi Zacharias agreed to NOT pray in Jesus's name during the big National Day of Prayer event sponsored by Shirley Dobson. I was aghast. What is the point?"
Riiiight. That'd be the same National Day of Prayer that a district judge found unconstitutional a few weeks back. She even listed four pages of incidents from the 2008 day (pages 57-60 in the opinion) that showed how the NDoP had bee coopted by the Religious Right--and how minority religions had been basically told to go to h*ll over and over again by the various organizers.
Let me be very blunt here. You may be a member of the dominant religion, but we who are members of minority religions have rights too, like it or not. The Constitution says in Art. VI, Sec. 3 that there shall be no religious test for office--our founders knew what they were doing. I won't quote the 1st Amendment at you; hopefully you know it.
Let me be very blunt here. You may be a member of the dominant religion, but we who are members of minority religions have rights too, like it or not. The Constitution says in Art. VI, Sec. 3 that there shall be no religious test for office--our founders knew what they were doing. I won't quote the 1st Amendment at you; hopefully you know it.
April 29, 2010 10:43 PM
WE can all quote it but do we know what it means? Jefferson spelled it out in his response to the Danbury Baptists who had reason to fear.
My point is that we must leave it out of government proceedings. A believer cannot agree to pray publicly without mentioning Jesus. In effect, what is the point of a National Day of Prayer that is government sponsored?
An example of what this can lead to are Muslims demanding that they can carry out Sharia law in their communities. NO way. That would be in direct opposition to our Bill of Rights.
"But I will ask this,what is really driving the vitriolic response to Redman by so many people?"
April 29, 2010 9:56 AM
The answer???
May be it's not so much against Redman as it is against[Mark 9:38;John 3:19-20;John 15:18-25]???
Correction Dr.Dog that should be Mark 8:38!!!
I wonder if Redman had been in a Muslim country, would he have been elected to a commission. Better yet, would he be allowed to pray to his God openly!!! One can easily see that openess in America is not the same in other countries. Sheeesh.
april 29th 6:58 my sentiments exactly. It makes the church look completely backward. Sorry. Redmon and Yarborough aren't pastors, I feel no qualms about calling them out. This was embarrassing.
Sorry. Redmon and Yarborough aren't pastors, I feel no qualms about calling them out. This was embarrassing.
April 30, 2010 10:30 AM
You have qualms about calling out pastors?
April 29, 11:31. I first brought this to the attention of Watchdog and said I would work against Redmon's reelection. Hey, I don't know his politics...I just know I do not want a man of his character representing me to city government. That he is self-identified as a Christian and a Baptist is embarrassing. I would normally express my feelings with a bit more grace, but the actions of Don Redmon don't deserve grace. He is the poster boy for religious bigotry and ignorance. It should not be overlooked or explained away. I am a Christian, a Baptist...have been since I was a child. I am offended when the councilman or anyone else prays in a public/governmental gathering in a manner that would "shut-out" other people from the power and opportunity of prayer. The councilman can tack "in Jesus' name" to the end of all the prayers he cares to, but he seems to know nothing about praying in Jesus' name.
The question is...ARE WE GOING TO STAND FOR JESUS AND CHRISTANITY OR NOT???? Some that are destroying a Christian country (my opinion) in order to accommodate religions that did not exist here until a few years ago (in any great number) are costing us dearly. This "separation of church and state" is being used as a hammer today, on Christians. Political correctness is killing Christanity in America. Check other countries....Do you see them accommodating Christanity in middle easten countries? In some Muslim countries they don't accommodate AMERICANS at all. They believe us to be infidels. This is why Christian Americans by and large don't generally migrate to Muslim countries in order to live in freedom!!!
Although Mr. Redman showed an extraordinary lack of common sense, and bad taste, this attitude of handing America over to other religions is getting ridiculous. It is not an all inclusive America when Christians are not allowed to pray in public venues, as is happening, or when laws are made to silence us. Has anyone thought that maybe, this is why God SEPARATED the nations to start with. He certainly separated the Jews from pagan Gods (OT), and has tried to keep Jesus first and foremost in America. This is why America has been blessed...we "were" a Christian nation and we BLESSED THE JEWS.
Gen:12:3: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed". I do not hate Muslims, I do not hate anyone, I pray for my country and all who live here. But, I do not want to be discriminated against in my own country, because I am a Christian. I do not want my religious freedoms taken from me in order to be politically correct. Christianity in America was here first. This is why we came to America in the first place....Freedom of Worship. Worship as you will or not at all, this is a freedom and a priviledge in America, but please stop trying to demonize Christanity and Christians. We are definitely under attack in this country.
And while I am at it, unless the wishy-washy, country club, lavish living preachers get serious and start preaching like God wants them to, then they are going to regret what they will hear at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Jesus said: John 15:18:"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you".
Matt:10:32-33: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. vs.33: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven". The point is some are trying to stifle Christians while giving every one else their religious freedom. Freedom of religion is for all of us.
Anon. April 30, 7:44 a.m., Get a grip. Does the name Tariq Aziz ring a bell? I'll give you a hint: he was the 8th of Clubs, a Christian and the Deputy Prime Minister in Saddam Husayn's Iraq. Christians can be found among representatives in Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, etc. It seems that only the most radical, fundamentalist states exempt other religions from service.
Anon 1:15. There are a lot of people who call themselves Christians but that does not make them ONE!!!
Anon. April 30, 7:44 a.m., Get a grip. Does the name Tariq Aziz ring a bell? I'll give you a hint: he was the 8th of Clubs, a Christian and the Deputy Prime Minister in Saddam Husayn's Iraq. Christians can be found among representatives in Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, etc. It seems that only the most radical, fundamentalist states exempt other religions from service.
April 30, 2010 1:15 PM
Would those be cultural Christians or Born Again believers?
Thank God, it is God who will judge whether or not one is Christian. You see, Anon. April 30, 4:11, you don't get a vote. The best you or I can do is bear witness and depend upon the Holy Spirit to do the work or salvation, however or whatever that might be. Something tells me you will be surprised by some of the folks you might see in heaven....
shank God, it is God who will judge whether or not one is Christian. You see, Anon. April 30, 4:11, you don't get a vote. The best you or I can do is bear witness and depend upon the Holy Spirit to do the work or salvation, however or whatever that might be. Something tells me you will be surprised by some of the folks you might see in heaven....
April 30, 2010 7:01 PM
So the passages about a good tree cannot bear bad fruit are just poetry, I suppose.
The facts are we cannot judge who will be saved in the end. But there are way too many passages warning about wolves, bad fruit, even a list of things that will mean we do not inherit the Kingdom etc, etc., for me to believe YOU. I believe the Word. Try reading it sometime instead of making up your own cheap grace religion. The Blood was not cheap.
Start with Matthew 7 then mosey on over to Hebrews 10. Pay close attention to verses 26-31.
You are a direct result of what happens when no one teaches about sanctification or the function of the Holy Spirit in a believers life. Without Holiness one will not see God.
Anon 4:11pm. Well said. By the way, did any of you catch Glenn Beck at 5:00pm today? His program on the founding father Samual Adams gives us a picture of the "original" America, and what America needs to go back to. The separation of Church and State is a MYTH, however reading current history books you would never realize what the founders desired. Especially that public school teachers went forth and taught students about Jesus Christ. This fact found in a study of Samuel Adams. What if that became mandatory again??? Posting ten commandments could again be "deemed" not at all heinous, with the result of...possibly less crime statistics, better informed students and perhaps a better tomorrow for us all!!!
Anon. 7:42, I hope you feel all better now. It still does not change the fact that God and God alone will decide who is and who is not a follower. Why does that threaten your understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit? Hey, I liked the "cheap grace" comment; looks like you've read Bonhoeffer. Go back and reread "The Cost of Discipleship," I think you missed something.
Anon. 7:42, I hope you feel all better now. It still does not change the fact that God and God alone will decide who is and who is not a follower. Why does that threaten your understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit? Hey, I liked the "cheap grace" comment; looks like you've read Bonhoeffer. Go back and reread "The Cost of Discipleship," I think you missed something.
April 30, 2010 10:34 PM
Jim, a smart mouth does not prove your exegiesis. You still have not explained the bad fruit metaphor, warnings of wolves and all the othe lists of those who will not enter the kingdom. For what where they written? Warnings?
If more people actually studied the Word, we would not have celebrity "Christians" and so many wolves. They would have no followers.
Don Redman has an advanced degree in barbershop from the U of Oklahoma barbershop college. Redman has been married 3 or 4 times. I agree with Don's sentiment but he expressed himself like the educated family man he is.
Straight talking Don Redman for Mayor!
Who does Don hair or does he do it himself? How would that work anyway? Inquiring minds want to know does Don moose or use Vitalis?
One point that might interest those who are trying to determine who is and who is not saved. You cannot serve man and God at the same time.
It is interesting that some barbers who "oversee" and duly "report" others conversations in a barbershop, do not supervise wisely their own public remarks.
This can be a "hair-raising " experience, whether one has hair or "not".
I find a lot of the conversations in barbershops (in general) are outrageous, stupid, sensual, and just plain disgusting. If you want to hear silence in one just mention Jesus Christ. It shuts most of them up quickly and permanently. Additionaly, what goes on in some of them does not stay there, it can be spoken about the next Sunday in some of our pulpits.
And Mac dismissed the blog as mere "beauty shop gossip"? Humpf.
Anon. May 1, 12:48 AM: Sorry, I don't know what "exegiesis" is. Never heard of that word. Now, I have spent many hundreds of hours doing exegesis of Greek and Hebrew scriptures over the past 40+ years. Maybe you intended to write "exegesis." If you did, let me assure you I have not attempted exegesis of any text on this blog. We have neither time nor space here. Additionally, I don't believe I used the "bad fruit, metaphor warning of wolves...." Read back and you will find that is attributable to one of the "anonymouses." Just trying to keep it real.
His god? My god? Your god? What is this nonsense? Get real. There is no god. It is myth. The concept of god is for old and ignorant civilizations. It is time to let it go. The individuals in power at the various churches seek to perpetuate the myths. The psychologically needy continue to be duped into supporting the church power structure, which is long overdue for retirement from our culture. We have here a momentum of ignorance and psychological need which is overdue for replacement with a scenario having none of this god and heaven and hell stuff.
This is typical Redman.
Sounds like he stayed a little too long at Happy Hour.
What an embarassment.
What a buttocks! I can't believe this FBC Jax kool-aid drinking deacon is ordering around this poor guy. Just goes to show you how stupid people can really be. I mean this for a HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION. Redman is violating this guy's rights. Unbelievable. Its almost comical when you watch the video back. Its like, "Is this guy for real?" Wake up and get in the real world FBC Jax members!
Did Redman ever deal with his old child-support debt or the other thousands of dollars in court judgments that nearly torpedoed his last election as District 4 Councilman. How about the campaign violations from his 2003 run for City Council. Just wondering?
Let me set the record stright. Don is an usher, not a deacon or in any decision making role at Fust Baptisssss. Dicorcees cannot serve as deacons or truuuusteees.
An usher is simply one that stands in the back and helps people find a seat. Any OKY barber could perform this task.
Red-man for de maya!
Anon 9:24- Are you serious? You believe there is no God? Well get off this forum then. There is a God and the evidence is all around us. Go to church and ask somebody about it. Get saved. You have nothing to lose. There is a heaven and a hell and you will go to hell for eternity if you don't make a decision now.
He's right....I wish he were my Councilman....FBC Jax Watchdog: You are a hindrance to the work of the Lord. Matthew 12:30 - You're With Me Or Against Me
Yes, I am very serious when I state that this "god" idea is man made, and that there is definitely no god. But I would like to stay in this forum because I wish to enlighten those who are deluded and continue to play around with these outdated "god" fairy tales. Evidence that god exists? Be serious please. There is no evidence. Go to church and ask someone? Why? Most of those in church are drowning in a sea of ignorance and wishful thinking. They feel comfortable because they feel that "surely all these people cannot be wrong". But they are indeed wrong and I certainly would feel ashamed of myself if I entered into a church to indulge in this fairyland of ignorance.
WD: I would respectfully ask you to not publish anymore comments by the atheist. I would not give him/her a platform to spue this stuff. And no I am not interested in praying from him. I think we can knock this "dust" off our feet. Slandering my God is not acceptable to me.
Sory I meant "for" not from. Thanks.
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