Comments on: Who drew more people than The Response?

By: Richard Willmer

Richard Willmer — Wed, 30 May 2018 22:46:59 +0000

Well, Frank, in defence of at least some attendees at ‘The Response’: I would say that I doubt that they opted to attend with the intention of compromising the civil rights of others. I do share your implied concern about ‘religion’ that becomes confused with power politics; such ‘religion’, however good people’s intentions might be, can and does produce truly horrible results that are absolutely contrary to the core values of the Christian faith.
It is, perhaps for many of us, tempting to think that one might be able to ‘impose’ a monolithic political/religious ideology on a society for its betterment. History shows us that such attempts always ‘end in tears’, which is why I consider it my Christian duty to argue for pluralistic democracy under the rule of law as the best means of protecting the things that most people (whatever they might ‘believe’) hold dear: human life and life-chances, human dignity and the common good.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 30 May 2018 22:46:59 +0000

120,000 people attended Comic Con 2011. Unlike attendees at the Response, the games of make believe played by the Comic Con attendees did not involve taking away anyone’s civil rights or psychologically torturing anyone to the point of suicide.

By: Richard Willmer

Richard Willmer — Wed, 30 May 2018 22:46:59 +0000

I rather hope Emily is correct, although I’m not sure that she is; ‘politico-religion’ seems worrying popular to me, with those who prefer to see religious discipline as principally about seeking truth and asking questions often dismissed as ‘wooly’. (Maybe I’m being pessimistic here, and perhaps also a little unfair on some of those involved with, or attending, this event.)

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 30 May 2018 21:05:42 +0000

I don’t think the crowd size has anything to do with whether or not the event was “successful” or not, Warren. I think what matters most is the intent and the take-away. Who cares how many people showed up, or if they broke “box-office” records.
Did each person come expecting God to move?
Will each person carry out and be a response to the prayers they lifted up to God?
To me, God isn’t after the size of the gathering, but the heart of the people at the gathering.
I’m not endorsing AFA or their beliefs on certain issues (Indiana, gays, etc). However, I do believe that “The Response” (those that attended and led it) was intent on seeking God’s heart and presence. It was something, I feel, that needs to happen more often within the Church.

By: Richard Willmer

Richard Willmer — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:29:36 +0000