Bully Pulpit

Put out to pastor: My name is Debbie Graves, and I am a member of the Lenexa Christian Center. I would like to apologize to the Pitch for what it received from Jon when visiting the church (KC Strip, " Unholy Roller," June 10). It is un-Christlike to do anything except love others, no matter how different they may be.

We have been members for ten years now and are currently seeking another church because I do not want my children to be "under" Jon's teaching. Real Christians know that only love breaks down barriers, not hate. Most of us at that church believe that, too!

This young man is out of control. I am so sorry you had to hear or see any of that, and I am sure my Lord would agree. God bless you.

Debbie Graves
Olathe

Double crossed: Great column on the lack of tolerance that is standard fare for so-called Christians. I only wish it had been longer.

Sounds like Jr. Purkey is looking to build the world's largest organization of Christian skinheads. It is truly sad that this kind of bigotry exists and worse that it is considered Christian. I kind of understand Tony Ortega's take on Tammeus' pontifications and what appears to be a "not of this world" utopian view expressed by Vern Barnet. I would think, though, that given the alternatives, wouldn't he rather listen to someone who really does practice Christian teaching (or for that matter the peaceful teachings of any religion) rather than the ranting of a "my way or the highway" born-again?

Jim Skinner
Overland Park

Holy roller derby:When I read Tony Ortega's article on Pastor Jon, I was extremely disgusted! He portrayed him as some non-Christian fake guy who is deceitful and rude to other people (or religions). Well, it seems to me that he has gotten his story mixed up!

Pastor Jon is one of the most amazing, helpful and caring Christians that I know. He is very knowledgeable about God and life in general. No matter what, I always know he is there to talk to me and help me. His youth group attracts hundreds of kids each week because there is good preaching there. Jon doesn't sugarcoat the word of God like many preachers of today's society have resulted to doing. How can he really have all the characteristics Ortega "claims" he has yet is responsible in helping thousands of kids get saved and come to know Christ? He has also allowed God to work through him to deliver kids from bondage and just is always a helping hand. He tells you straight up what the Bible says and how it says to live. In the Bible -- if you read it -- it says that GOD is the true god -- not Allah, not Mohammed or anything else.

Valerie Kampen
Shawnee

Soul trained: May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

After reading the KC Strip about Jon Purkey, I was initially outraged, but after considerable thought, I realized he is an ignorant lost soul. See, I am a white man born Baptist, but after years of study, I chose to be Muslim. When I took World Religion, I became interested in finding the true religion. After researching many religious books (all of which I still own) and doctrines, I chose Islam four years later.

In many religions, including Islam, there is a thing called blind faith. God gave everyone intelligence and free will to choose, but in order to choose, you have to have choices. Doing the research on all religions is necessary, especially if you are going to assume the role that Jon Purkey has and discuss another faith with no obvious knowledge about that particular faith.

Mr. Purkey does not have to fear or worry about reprisal, because he is just a man who has blind faith and obviously has not bothered to use the two gifts God gave him -- intelligence and free will -- to choose to make a more insightful observation regarding Islam.

Name Withheld Upon Request

Pray anything: Don't expect me to take Tony Ortega's side in his painful rant against Jon Purkey. When I read his hack job, I experienced the rational and nonreligious conviction that the undercooked meat on your staff is a rotten guy.

Ortega's effort is bad faith from start to finish. It says nothing except that he has the patience to hang around a long time when he senses that a dumb kid is going to violate the rules of good taste. No matter that the dumb kid didn't cooperate to the extent required by a thousand-word column -- T-bone contaminated the rest of it unassisted.

Mr. Ortega has demonstrated one thing, if you can take his word for anything: Jon Purkey is immature. Unfortunately, his public mockery of an immature kid in the service of a larger grudge is evidence of his own weakness and immaturity. In fact, I cannot distinguish between the two of them, except that Ortega apparently required several Purkey sermons to dredge up a couple of sour quotes, but he only needed a minute of my reading time to shovel out ten times as much stink.