Rep. Sam Johnson's "Nuke Syria" remarks were made at official church event

......which was attended by the senior pastor.

In a post stated by Rainbow4321 on 3/1 - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1633588 - it was reported that Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Tx) on two occasions (at a church breakfast and to *)



The source sited is the Dallas Morning News -http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/030405dnnatjohnson.191a9.html

But there is more. I found some interesting information on the church's website. The 2005 Veterans Breakfast was sponsored by the church's Suncreek United Methodist Men (UMM). Further, it clearly indicates that Rep. Johnson was the invited guest of honor.....

http://www.suncreekumc.org/umm/2005Veterans_Breakfast.htm





...and the Senior Pastor, Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball, gave the closing prayer:



If you would care to express your thoughts, the senior pastor can be reached at:

I have personally contacted Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball to express my thoughts, as well as the parent organization, The United Methodist Church - http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=457

He made much of the fact that Der Chimpenator, who professes to be a Methodist, WILL NOT MEET and has avoided meeting with, since the beginning of his first term, high-ranking representatives of The Methodist Church. Including Bishops. Seems they want to tell him that he is not exactly following the precepts and teachings of the Methodist Church, especially when it comes to "preemptive war".

On the other hand, he meets often with those quasi-religious used car salesmen like Jerry and James.

The Methodists should just declare him an apostate and wash their hands of him.

Although Bush Sr. continues to call himself an Episcopalian, when he was president, he refused to meet with the Episcopal bishop of D.C., who was very liberal.

Instead, he consulted the Roman Catholic bishop, whose politics were more to his liking.

Or, at least, familiarize him with his teachings.

nuclear terrorist.

Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball
Senior Pastor
Suncreek United Methodist Church
1517 W. McDermott Drive Allen, Texas 75013

Dear Rev. Baskin-Ball,

As a Christian veteran, I was appalled to read the account of remarks by Rep. Sam Johnson made at the 2005 Veterans Breakfast, an official church event sponsored by the Suncreek United Methodist Men (UMM).

From your church website - http://www.suncreekumc.org/umm/umm.htm -

“Suncreek United Methodist Men (UMM) is a supportive fellowship of men seeking to know Jesus Christ and in turn grow spiritually. UMM does this through a common bond of Fellowship, Outreach, Witness, and Service. UMM is founded in the sincere belief that God calls us to be spiritual leaders in our communities, and to be stronger husbands, fathers, mentors, employees, and friends.”

Very admirable goals.

To support my position that by Rep. Johnson spoke at an official church function and that you were in attendance, I again quote your church's website - http://www.suncreekumc.org/umm/2005Veterans_Breakfast.htm -

"On February 19, 2005, we honored our past and present military personnel and their families. The featured speaker was U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson. He served with the U.S. Air Force for 29-years. During the Vietnam War, he was a prisoner of war in Hanoi for nearly seven years. He endured about half of that time in solitary confinement."

&

"The following is an excerpt from the closing remarks made by Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball, Senior Pastor:

It is the Apostle Paul who says that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope -- hope in the Lord. And so as I listen to these stories of suffering, in particular, I know that in the midst of it all is the hope that God gives us that one day we're going to know peace. It was Ms. Charlotte (the oldest veteran present at the event) who said to me this morning, "just pray, Kathleen, that some day we'll stop killing each other." I believe that that is God's will, and that some day the killing will stop -- and so as all of us work for peace in military service, and in our church life, and in our faithful lives, may we hold out on the knowledge that one day peace will reign.

It is the prayer of Suncreek UMC that we will learn to live together in peace and that unity will bless our global life in shared love."

I would like to know your congregation's and your personal reaction to remarks by Rep. Johnson that were captured on tape, as reported by The Washington Roll Call and by TODD J. GILLMAN of The Dallas Morning News -http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/030405dnnatjohnson.191a9.html :

"Syria is the problem," the former fighter pilot said at a pancake breakfast at Suncreek United Methodist Church in Allen. "Syria is where those weapons of mass destruction are, in my view. You know, I can fly an F-15, put two nukes on 'em, and I'll make one pass. We won't have to worry about Syria anymore."

Did anyone object to the call for the nuclear annihilation of thousands?

How can such a remark go unchallenged in a house of God?

Have you discussed your guest's remarks with the church board?

Will you be preaching to the mens’ group and the congregation about the true meaning of this callous remark in the light of the teachings of Jesus Christ?

Yours in Faith,

(me)

cc:

Todd Gillman
The United Methodist Church via http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=457

They sure must be getting a lot of email, this is a regurgitation of the prayer offered by Rev. Baskin-Ball in the presence of Rep. Johnson. I'm waiting for her reply. Any bets, if I get one, it will be anything different?

Thank you for your reply, but it seems I've read that prayer before.

Yes, I sent it to you. It was the one offered at the breakfast.

I was hoping for something that would come closer to addressing my specific questions, as well as ...

Social Principles #165 - United Methodist Social Principles Regarding Disarmament:

War and Peace—We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy and insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute that arises between or among them; that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. Consequently, we endorse general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.

by these 'christians'

I haven't read that anywhere else. Can I have your souce?

I guess Jesus is for killing now. *sigh* This is so disgusting and depressing. :(

This attitude is every day life for us DFW'ers. Welcome to Texas, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave and God Bless YOU!

It is really sad to see what has transpired in the course of 30+ years in this burb. It used to be a good place. RW Fundamentalist, Prosperity Believing, Brain-Washed Idgits (pod-people) have taken over. "Lets' all just go shopping, um-kay?"

I'd make an appointment to meet with this church's ministers. Just for the surrealism, if nothing else.

Who will Jesus preach about bombing?

Then we could give equal time to that prophet's teachings and post his/her commandments in public places.