Embittered pastor speaks out - Daimnation

“I have a feeling he might be Islamic; therefore, he don’t recognize Christ”

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The church is Pentecostal.  Pastor Roger Byrd has led the all-white congregation in the town of about 1000 people for nine years. 28 members of the congregation voted to keep the sign up.

“I would put the same sign up if he were a white man.”

Update: The sign has been taken down.  There is no specific reason I can find, the denomination (Church of God) has a statement up.

Statement Regarding Jonesville, South Carolina Church of God

The Church of God (Cleveland, TN) makes no endorsement in political campaigns, whether on the state, local, or federal level. We encourage our local congregations to follow a similar path.

Any endorsement, direct or implied, made by a local church is regrettable and is not supported by Church of God. To our knowledge the sign has been removed. While we do support a government based upon Biblical principles and we encourage our members to participate in the political process based upon their personal convictions, the single goal and purpose of the Church of God is the furtherance of the ministry of the gospel.

Ethics matter.
As followers of Jesus Christ we are told not to bear false witness against out neighbour. Simply put; don’t lie, don’t gossip, don’t smear, do not intentionally misrepresent.
We’re to put others needs before our own, to  show the same regard and respect to others we wish for ourselves. It’s called The Golden Rule.  
We are to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.
We are to be salt and light to the those around us.  We are not to be crass and distasteful. We are told over and over we are not to peddle fear, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.

It’s one thing for one man to behave like a jackass and believe God told him to.
It’s quite another for his congregation of 28 to vote to place their own needs and wants of nationalism, free speech, fears and partisanship above the friends they live next to, and acquiesce without thought or sober reflection to the will of their leader.  That is the sad part of this event, willful stubbornness, strong headedness and group fear displayed to the world. 
The sign is down, there is no indication of repentance -sorrow, qualms, contrition, regret, remorse.

Byrd had said that he and his congregation decided on Sunday night to leave the sign up, and that he didn’t want it to appear that controversy forced him to take the sign down.