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	LCMS Layman Can't Understand Benke Being Punished for Being Christian
Home For Members For Pastors/Leaders Helpful Secular Sites Contact Us Suggest New Links Our Purpose Advertise on L/C Frequently Asked	I have a very difficult time trying to understand why Dr. David Benke is being punished for simply being a Christian.  Is it not our purpose to spread the Good News to whoever may hear it?  Jesus told us to spread the Word no matter where we are or who we are with.  What if one non-Christian, present at the service at Yankee Stadium, heard Dr. Benke's words and decided to become a Christian based on his heartfelt healing message?  Did Jesus suspend any of the Disciples for "praying with heathens"?  Who are we to put rules and regulations on His Word and His wishes?    I am not a Biblical scholar, nor do I pretend to be an authority on Christianity.   However, I do know two things: 1.  Jesus Christ is our Savior, and through Him we have eternal life, and, 2.  God gave Moses the Ten Commandments for us, in which we have been provided Divine guidance on how to lead our lives.  Have any of the people who have castigated, berated and essentially defrocked Dr. Benke read those Commandments lately?  And do they follow them?  Did they visit with any of the thousands of people directly affected by the horrendous acts of September 11th?  Do they realize the magnitude of these acts?  Do they realize that Dr. Benke's actions and words, all in the name of Christ, provided comfort and reassurance to thousands during the post-September 11th ?  Yes, no human is perfect, myself included; however, it seems that the people most offended by Dr. Benke's actions may be incredibly narrow-minded, petty, power-hungry, self-serving.....not that I can or will judge, but that's how it appears to me, and to many others.  May God bless Dr. Benke and provide him with strength during this most difficult time, and may He also bless Dr. Benke's detractors and show them the true light, the light of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Christ, Tom Ragoni Albany, New York