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About Eric Hogue

Eric Hogue is a 25-plus year radio professional. A 2004 recipient of the Andy Anderson Award for excellence in broadcasting. Hogue has a background in sports play-by-play for both radio and television. He was raised a fundamental legalist, became a contemporary cultural pastor and now resides in "graceland" as a saved Ragamuffin. Hogue is also a veteran husband, a learning father of two teenagers daughters. During his years as a general market 'News/Talk Radio Host', he was credited with starting the 2003 re-call of California Governor Gray Davis. Now, "The Eric Hogue Show" can be heard all over Northern California on 710am KFIA in Sacramento, and 1100am KFAX in San Francisco and San Jose.

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Eric Hogue

Radio Talk Host and Syndicated Columnist

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Zealots in Training

Because we have a Constitutional right, doesn't mean it's the 'right thing' to do.

I'm tired of the "Day of Silence" T-shirt protests. Someone tell our civil 'leaders' to please stop it with this embarrassing behavior.

You've probably heard of these incriminating street and school 'fights'. The "Day of Silence" is organized by sympathetic students who participate around a day of no talking in order to 'create' communication on discrimination, hostilities and even hate toward those who are homosexual.

Granted, nobody likes overt, blatant political agendas - whether liberal or conservative - inside of our secondary educational walls and curriculum. Yet, this is a student lead organization, and they have a right to have a club that is concerned about a social injustices.

Christians also have a right to have clubs on campus, but shouldn't our clubs behave differently?

If students have a Bible club, they should not only read them - but live 'the message' that Jesus desires us to have in our relationships in today's culture no matter where it may be. Students don't give up their rights at the school house doors; nor their right to be compassionate and intelligent young people.

The "Day of Silence" event, not talking for a day during school is clever, but it is anti-educational for "minor students" at school.

This anti-educational issue is where mature adult should focus their parental attentions, not 'spewing venom' through manufactured events that attack in a manner that solidifies the beliefs of others, as well as the fears of others.

When you read the article (provided), the enclosed quotes, and see the pictures with the signs, you might be convinced as I am - Christians are professionals when it comes to self-righteousness. Christians can be very mean-spirited, judgmental, fear-filling...and at times, a very "homophobic" gang of people.

I have an idea, let's take this organized day and relate in love. Maybe we parents can teach our kids to join with friends who are concerned about violence, social injustices and discrimination all over the world.

Maybe we parents can spend time with our kids instructing them on how to make friends with those who are homosexual - treating them as human beings, loved and desired by God. What would Jesus do with His disciples?

No more T-shirts with (some language I can't type here) "Homosexuality is a Sin", "Sodomy is a Sin", and "Homosexuality is an Abomination", "Be Happy, Be Straight". This year, some of the protesters covered their messages by offering, "Hate is a Sin". When I read that T-shirt, the first thing I thought of was the word 'hypocrisy'.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, did He care that she was an adulterer? What are we teaching our kids about Jesus' love, grace and mercy? What kind of message are we sending to the community we live within - or do we care?

When the Pharisee invited Jesus back to his house for question (in secret, his image was too religious for public errors), and the prostitute arrived to cry, wash and offer aroma-therapy to Jesus feet; did Jesus opt for the "T-shirted Robe" that stated that she was a "Prostitution is a Sin"?

What city did Jesus make terse signs (although He performed many signs of 'love'), stand on the corner shouting, protesting and yelling arguments across the busy community? Where were we ever instructed to represent Jesus' love like this?

Isn't it obvious that people 'like Jesus, but they have a rough time with church and Christians'.

"The one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the way to be sure we're in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived." (1 John 1: 4-6)

Jesus would not wear these T-shirts.

Jesus would not wave signs of protest, with derogatory judgments.

Jesus would not dissociate with the homosexual, He'd entertain their company in a relationship.

Jesus would not run His protest through the legal system, as these groups ask for more financial contributions to 'fund future causes'.

Jesus would not call this demonstration "truth in Christian love"; He'd turn over the placards, tear them and toss them into the garbage bin. His house, His community and His Graceland is a life of love toward eternal change - not an education in judgmental hatred.

Just because we have a right, doesn't mean it is the right thing to do. As my Grandmother used to say, "For the love of God (and others)", stop teaching (encouraging) children to act like a bunch of zealots in the streets.

Comments: talkback@erichogue.com

Web: www.erichogue.com

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