Pastor Jay Dennis, who presides over the
First Baptist Church on the Mall, a large and growing "mega-church" in Lakeland, Florida, urges his congregation to see police officers as angelic beings bearing a divine commission to impose summary punishment. They are to be obeyed, prayed for, and never spoken of other than in tones of chastened gratitude and unalloyed reverence.
"It grieves me on the one hand, and makes me angry on the other hand, when I hear the criticism, and disrespect towards, and violence directed at those in law enforcement,"
the pastor declared during his "Law Enforcement Encouragement Sunday" sermon on October 4."We want law enforcement to know that First Baptist Church on the Mall supports you one hundred percent, and is committed to pray continually for you."
Cop-worship Sunday is becoming a
common observance at American Christian churches -- particularly Republican-leaning Evangelical congregations, whose communicants are especially receptive to the oft-repeated and patently false idea that we are witnessing a "War on Cops." Pastor Dennis dutifully retailed that claim, urging his congregation to "Pray for a hedge of protection around their vehicles, that angels will guard and shield them from danger."
Comment: No one should have to come to this kind of clinic. Unfortunately, there are sick people in this world who rape.