Protest? Or Protest Protesting?

Interesting discussion at Helen Mildenhall's blog Conversation at the Edge about the proposed protest of Mars Hill, scheduled to take place December 3rd (date change from Nov. 19). EndFundamentlism.org, the organizers of the protest, have a blog up now addressing people's questions and concerns about the protest. Discussion on this subject is also taking place at Bob Hyatt's blog. Emerging Grace has a post that began as a discussion of Pastor Driscoll's statements, but the comments have delved into the pros/cons of the protest.

I initially thought this protest was a good thing. After reading a variety of opinions, I have seriously *rethunk* that position, and have came to the same conclusion. I think it could be a good thing.

Maybe I'm swimming against the tide or being immature in my opinion, but I'm just being honest:

• I understand those who say protest is not Christlike, or even that it's downright dangerous. I can agree with those perspectives to a point. Often protests of every variety become ugly. Let's pray that doesn't happen.
  
• Some people say that having gentle conversation with Pastor Driscoll is the best way to handle this. However, some people who wish to have gentle converstion on the matter seem to run into inexplicable roadblocks.
• I'm not saying Pastor Driscoll is all bad. I don't argue that his blog post in question is full of good, sound, godly advice of ways for Pastor's to avoid sin. There are many excellent points there. But that post certainly is only the tip of the iceberg of the controversial things he has said about women.
• It seems that not only does he prefer to be particularly assertive about his beliefs concerning the role/responsibilities of women, he also chooses abusive and derogatory language to describe those beliefs. If he really wanted people to take him seriously, he could speak on those subjects using words of humility and grace ("It seems good to me...") rather than the "fightin' words" ("frigid, lazy Pastor's wives") he seems to prefer.
• Is it entirely wrong for us to stand in a defensive posture towards those who would purposefully promote the subjugation and objectification of women? I'm not suggesting throwing punches but simply standing up for what we believe.
• Matthew 18:15-19: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."I don't know what these verses mean for this situation, but I think we need to consider how they might apply.

Anyhow, let's see how this protest is carried out. I know this could be bad and ugly, but it also could be good. This will be an excellent opportunity, for all the world to see, of how or how not to handle our disagreements as Christians.

Will it be done with peace and love or anger and hate? Time will tell.