Was it a mix up or an attack? Rather than the wedding brochures theyexpected, a same-sex couple received 80 brochures reported to be from Battle Ready that spoke of sin, lust and temptation. The Australian couple filed a lawsuit in
United States District Court in Massachusetts against the printer, Vistaprint.
“Fight the good fight of the faith,” the pamphlet said. “The
supreme tempter is Satan, who uses our weaknesses to lead us into sin.” There is
no explicit reference to homosexuality.
supreme tempter is Satan, who uses our weaknesses to lead us into sin.” There is
no explicit reference to homosexuality.
The lawsuit charges that the couple were discriminated
against because of their sexual orientation. They are seeking monetary damages
for mental anguish and emotional distress they have suffered as a result.
against because of their sexual orientation. They are seeking monetary damages
for mental anguish and emotional distress they have suffered as a result.
Vistaprint, a Dutch-owned company located North Lexington,
Mass., claimed that “the materials that were intended to be printed for one
customer were incorrectly sent to this couple by a 3rd party fulfiller. They stated: “Vistaprint in no
way condones — and does not tolerate — discrimination against any of
our customers based on their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”
Mass., claimed that “the materials that were intended to be printed for one
customer were incorrectly sent to this couple by a 3rd party fulfiller. They stated: “Vistaprint in no
way condones — and does not tolerate — discrimination against any of
our customers based on their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.”
Battle Ready
In the meantime, who is Battle Ready, the creator of the
brochure? Their mission, according to their website, is to encourage and strengthen the fighting spirit in
all Christians. “The most serious decisions you and I will ever make are ones that
effect the salvation or damnation of our souls.” The Catholic Catechism and Christ’s
own words from Scripture are quoted.
brochure? Their mission, according to their website, is to encourage and strengthen the fighting spirit in
all Christians. “The most serious decisions you and I will ever make are ones that
effect the salvation or damnation of our souls.” The Catholic Catechism and Christ’s
own words from Scripture are quoted.
|
“For our battle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens,” (Eph 6:12). “Be sober and vigilant: your enemy the devil is roaming around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and bear witness to Jesus,” ( Revelation 12:17). “The whole of man’s history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day.” – CCC 409.
People are told to engage in the spiritual fight on a personal
basis and for the spiritual protection of those who have been given to our care. Each one is under obligation to show forth his faith, either to instruct and encourage others of the faithful, or to repel the attacks of unbelievers,” – St. Thomas / Summa Theologica. |
Doug Barry, the founder of Battle Ready, points out that we often
hear: Don’t worry, we know who wins in
the end.” He says, however,
that we need to be concerned with collateral damage of souls along the way and
therefore must pray, prepare, and engage in battle. He hosts the Battle Ready program on EWTN
TV which explores the high stakes and eternal consequences of the spiritual
battle.
hear: Don’t worry, we know who wins in
the end.” He says, however,
that we need to be concerned with collateral damage of souls along the way and
therefore must pray, prepare, and engage in battle. He hosts the Battle Ready program on EWTN
TV which explores the high stakes and eternal consequences of the spiritual
battle.
Barry warns that too many of us think that as long as we are
decent people when we die and stand before God, maybe we can just trickle into
heaven. “But there is a battle on with an enemy that seeks to destroy our souls
for all eternity,” he said. “He watches us 24/7 and sees how easy it is for us to get
distracted and lose sight of the reality of the battle.”
decent people when we die and stand before God, maybe we can just trickle into
heaven. “But there is a battle on with an enemy that seeks to destroy our souls
for all eternity,” he said. “He watches us 24/7 and sees how easy it is for us to get
distracted and lose sight of the reality of the battle.”
Getting back to the lawsuit, was someone engaging in spiritual battle by
sending Battle Ready brochures to the same-sex couple, or was it just human
error? That answer will be determined by a judge.
sending Battle Ready brochures to the same-sex couple, or was it just human
error? That answer will be determined by a judge.
If it was merely a mistake, can people sue over a wrong order? What if had been graduation announcements instead of spiritual
warfare brochures? We shall see. Everything happens
under God’s watch so let’s pray that spiritual good results whatever the court
decision.
warfare brochures? We shall see. Everything happens
under God’s watch so let’s pray that spiritual good results whatever the court
decision.
Editor’s
note: Doug
Barry, founder of Battle Ready responded to me after this article was published. He appreciates the publicity, but the Washington Post wrongly
attributed the brochure to them. He said they had nothing to do with it.
Hmm, another God- incidence? Why would one of the leading newspapers in
the country report incorrectly that the brochure was from Battle Ready? The Post even included a link in to their site. Whatever the human reason,
I’m going to chalk it up to the divine.
note: Doug
Barry, founder of Battle Ready responded to me after this article was published. He appreciates the publicity, but the Washington Post wrongly
attributed the brochure to them. He said they had nothing to do with it.
Hmm, another God- incidence? Why would one of the leading newspapers in
the country report incorrectly that the brochure was from Battle Ready? The Post even included a link in to their site. Whatever the human reason,
I’m going to chalk it up to the divine.
~~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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