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News & ArtsSaturday, January 24, 2009
Life Notes from the Prayer Warrior
Posted by Eli Sanders on Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I've been receiving and posting e-mails from The Prayer Warrior, Ken Hutcherson, for a long time. Feels like more than two or three years at this point. His physical health has been a recurring theme throughout—a horse stepping on his foot and breaking it, an unfortunate altercation with a propane tank that cracked his ribs, mentions of his "blood counts" being down—and I've often wondered whether Hutcherson is a singularly unlucky pastor or one of those egomaniacs who, when he's worn people out on all his other tricks to gain attention and adulation, resorts to ploys for sympathy.
Maybe it's neither. Maybe it's both. All I know is that the "blood counts" theme of e-mailed lament and call for prayer has always been very, very vague. Until now.
Now it sounds like Hutcherson may have cancer. I'm currently out of the country, otherwise I'd call him to find out what the prognosis is. I've sent him an email asking how he's doing. I'm not generally the praying type, but I'm thinking of him and wishing him well during his treatment.
Friday, 23 January 2009Next Monday I will be having a follow up medical appointment and blood test. Once the results are in, I will find out when I will be starting chemotherapy. Please pray that the Lord provides a miracle and I won't need chemo! Thank you!
Pastor Hutch
1
All that hatin' no doubt ate him up on the inside.
Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
4
Why bother to pray/hope for a recovery? If it's his time, Dog will call him home no matter what we do.
6
Why is it that when that shit happens to the religious folk, God is testing them, and it's ultimately sort of good, in a "Guess I needed to suffer and it's all part of God's beautiful plan" kinda way.
And when shit happens to the folk that the religious folk don't like, it's proof that God wants them to change their ways before it's too late?
And when shit happens to the folk that the religious folk don't like, it's proof that God wants them to change their ways before it's too late?
9
there's an episode of It's Always Sunny in PA where Charlie tells everyone he has cancer but it turns out to be indigestion-- so it's a miracle!
10
Why would not needing chemotherapy be a miracle? I think that chemo's very existence is a miracle if your worldview is one in which miracles exist.
I'm a cancer survivor, so far, and a chemo survivor. I never thought about praying so I wouldn't need the chemo. If you don't want the treatment, tell your doctor. Send out a few emails so as to save a few souls, etc., then die!
I'm a cancer survivor, so far, and a chemo survivor. I never thought about praying so I wouldn't need the chemo. If you don't want the treatment, tell your doctor. Send out a few emails so as to save a few souls, etc., then die!
12
What 7 said. I disagree with pretty much everything Pastor Hutch believes in, at least what I have read here, but I don't wish cancer on anyone. I had a roommae who suffered from bone cancer and there wasn't a millisecond of his day where his pain was so great that he either cried or begged God to kill him.
That said, he is pretty far down on my praye list.
That said, he is pretty far down on my praye list.
13
@ Eli Sanders,
Given that he wouldn't think twice about putting us both in the kind of camp that has cyanide showers--and that he's stoked insane hatred against people like us all over the world by appealing to the very worst parts of human nature--it's awfully nice of you to wish him well.
Maybe someday I'll be able to do the same. Right now, I just hope whatever he has is excruciating and terminal.
Given that he wouldn't think twice about putting us both in the kind of camp that has cyanide showers--and that he's stoked insane hatred against people like us all over the world by appealing to the very worst parts of human nature--it's awfully nice of you to wish him well.
Maybe someday I'll be able to do the same. Right now, I just hope whatever he has is excruciating and terminal.
14
I'm torn. On the one hand, if it is leukemia, I wouldn't wish that on anyone... I had to watch my mom fight that for years, and no one deserves that... but on the other hand, this man truly believes that not only am I going to burn in hell for eternity, but also that ripping off my arm and beating me with the wet end is an appropriate reaction to good manners.
I'll pray for him... wisdom to see the truth and healing for his body and his soul... but part of me will be wishing he gets damn close to punching his ticket and has to reconcile his life and words with the Judge he expects to meet.
I'll pray for him... wisdom to see the truth and healing for his body and his soul... but part of me will be wishing he gets damn close to punching his ticket and has to reconcile his life and words with the Judge he expects to meet.
17
People don't seem to understand the difference between "I disagree with you entirely and hope you never get a chance to enact your crazy theories" with "I hope you get cancer and die." The reasons to avoid saying the latter have relatively little to do with the subject of your ire- whether Hutch or Palin or someone worse- and everything to do with the personal satisfaction of living a compassionate life.
18
The man has dedicated his life to making sure that gays are deprived of rights that he takes for granted, and to spreading a pretty virulent strain of homophobia here in the U.S. and abroad. I'm about as upset at this as I was at the death of Jesse Helms, which is to say, not at all. It seems a fitting end to a life given over to spreading hatred and bigotry. Hopefully it's quick.
20
I wonder how he feels about medical treatments that depend on genetic and evolutionary theory. I hope he isn't forced to choose between Biblical literalism and his most promising treatment options.
21
I hope he dies a slow and painful death; at least 4 years of expensive and painful suffering. And I want him to go broke in the process. Yeah, broke and destitute.
I have no pity for monsters like him. Not one bit.
I have no pity for monsters like him. Not one bit.
22
Sounds like a ploy for money. It's bad Karma to wish harm on others. Instead, hope the universe deals with him in the best way possible. In the way of his Karma.
24
I'm no fan of the hutch, as has been well documented before. But I prefer the people I deride to be healthy (it's no fun making fun of the sick, and people look down on you when you do) so I hope he is not seriously ill.
Seriously, cancer is dreadful, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'd much rather have a massive heart attack or an anyeurism than deal with that.
Seriously, cancer is dreadful, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'd much rather have a massive heart attack or an anyeurism than deal with that.
25
Having spent 5 years caring for and watching my partner of 20 years slowly and painfully die--at a treatment cost of between $12k and $30k/month--I really have to say NOBODY deserves to die like that. Not your worst enemy. Not a dog. Not him.
You can disagree with his positions all you want, but if this experience has taught me anything at all, it's to respect the basic humanity we all have. Period.
You can disagree with his positions all you want, but if this experience has taught me anything at all, it's to respect the basic humanity we all have. Period.
26
Too many members of my family have died of cancer for me to wish it on him. He may be a complete asshole, but I hope he gets proper treatment and goes into remission.
Like 17 said, "I disagree with you entirely and hope you never get a chance to enact your crazy theories-" but not cancer.
That said, I also want his doctor to be gay, Jewish, and atheist.
Like 17 said, "I disagree with you entirely and hope you never get a chance to enact your crazy theories-" but not cancer.
That said, I also want his doctor to be gay, Jewish, and atheist.
27
The most overwhelming thing about surviving cancer for me was how incredibly humbling the entire treatment process was. If the chemo is strong enough (mine certainly was), you have so little energy that you can't even listen to a conversation or music on the radio. Really, all you can do is cry or pray. What I realized after my treatment was the enormous effort and investment that others had made in me, and that I had better figure out why, and how to pay it forward. Unfortunately for someone like Pastor Hutch, this kind of experience might make him even more egotistical and self-righteous. But we can hope (and pray) for revelation and humility.
28
I hope he lives long enough to see gay marriage enacted in Washington (or at least re-instated in California). Hang in there, Hutch.
30
I feel guilt in NOT feeling any guilt about this incident. Seriously, I would never want him to be a "victim" and see someone hurt him but getting ill and dying. I should feel bad but i don't. This somehow makes me believe there really is a god if such a thing could happen. Maybe this is a hoax to get more donations.
31
Wow, the amount of ludicrous in here is astounding. I don't like the views he has as much as the next person, but I would NEVER wish DEATH upon anyone, in any form. Those who are hoping he dies: Are you self-centered, narcissistic assholes? Because he "hurt you" now you're going to "hurt him"? That's pretty shitty. Yes, I agree the guy has some fucked up views. Yes, I agree he's been an asshole about it. Do I think he should DIE OF FUCKING CANCER?! NO! Holy shit, I thought human decency still existed. I guess not.
32
As many have already said, thanks, Eli, for taking the high road. If we wish unbelievable pain and suffering on those who hate us we have stooped to their level.
33
Hutch is a good example of someone who's net effect in the world is negative. If I was a praying man I'd pray for a swift and pain free death, so the world could be a better place without him. If there was a God in heaven, he'd do it.
34
Let's respect the man's ideas enough to think about his ideas and his situation. So, just thinking this through....
if he's right, and if praying matters, then
.....he's taking up all the prayers of everyone this week ....
all for himself.
And he doesn't eeven have a cancer dianosis yet.
Very piggy. Surely there are members of his flock that you know, already have cancer, and need those prayers more.
I think I shall wish THEM well. As for him, shit, let's wait until he's actually got the big C, ok?
if he's right, and if praying matters, then
.....he's taking up all the prayers of everyone this week ....
all for himself.
And he doesn't eeven have a cancer dianosis yet.
Very piggy. Surely there are members of his flock that you know, already have cancer, and need those prayers more.
I think I shall wish THEM well. As for him, shit, let's wait until he's actually got the big C, ok?
36
You people are awful. Absolutely disgusting the way you talk about Hutch.
By the way, he doesn't hate gays, he hates the sin, just as he hates adultery, fornication, whatever else there may be. You guys think it's all about you. Get over yourselves.
By the way, he doesn't hate gays, he hates the sin, just as he hates adultery, fornication, whatever else there may be. You guys think it's all about you. Get over yourselves.
37
NJ, if there is any such thing as 'sin' as it is foisted upon us via the Christian Voodoo, then you are an egregious sinner for not getting in the spirit of this post.
I hereby sentence you to life in Heaven with Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, Hutch, Mark Driscoll & all the other bizarro Christian men of the cloth.
I hereby sentence you to life in Heaven with Billy Graham, Robert Schuller, Hutch, Mark Driscoll & all the other bizarro Christian men of the cloth.
39
Fuck NJ are you really that stupid? Please tell me you are joking? Hutch has committed his life to fucking with the lives of gay people in every way he can find. His thinking really is not that far off from Rev Phelps. I think people like you NJ say shit without really knowing the history of the issue and what he has done behind the scenes. Like everything is a simple religious issue. "He's just following the word of god." To Hutch it's personal and he uses his fucked up power to intrude in the lives of other people whenever he can. I am confident Hutch will burn in hell like all the other religious hacks/fakes before him that used religion for their own agenda instead of for god's.
40
NJ:
"By the way, he doesn't hate gays, he hates the sin, just as he hates adultery, fornication, whatever else there may be."
"Love the sinner, hate the sin" isn't possible. That's like saying "I love your house, I hate your home." You don't get to have it both ways.
And if reality holds, the more someone protests an act/action the more likely they are to secretly be doing it.
But still--wishing death on someone, as has been said, only lowers you to their level. We're better than that.
"By the way, he doesn't hate gays, he hates the sin, just as he hates adultery, fornication, whatever else there may be."
"Love the sinner, hate the sin" isn't possible. That's like saying "I love your house, I hate your home." You don't get to have it both ways.
And if reality holds, the more someone protests an act/action the more likely they are to secretly be doing it.
But still--wishing death on someone, as has been said, only lowers you to their level. We're better than that.
41
$$$$$$$$$$$$
coffers running out in the recession
if you believe he is sick, you are stupid
he is a con artist with a salary to pay, his own
Eli, you slobber like a puppy ...
coffers running out in the recession
if you believe he is sick, you are stupid
he is a con artist with a salary to pay, his own
Eli, you slobber like a puppy ...
42
I wish Hutcherson well and hope his casket is beautiful. Our personal feelings about people with health problems is a personal opinion that has no relevance to the question of the harm that this man does and will continue to do. That's a political question and should be answered with political ideas and debate.
How far the LGBT rights movement has fallen when, instead of standing up to bigots, we now make excuses for them and defend their rights to be bigots. That's the logical consequence of uncritical attachment to the Democratic Party, among whose members include everyone from Russ Feingold and Dennis Kucinich to Fred Phelps (yeah, he ran for Congress as a Democrat). We've tempered the struggle for our civil rights so as not to embarrass or compromise politicians and their political careers and after 30 years, the balance sheet isn't exactly in our favor. Remember Harvey Milk's words:
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/H…
"Burst down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up and start to FIGHT."
How far the LGBT rights movement has fallen when, instead of standing up to bigots, we now make excuses for them and defend their rights to be bigots. That's the logical consequence of uncritical attachment to the Democratic Party, among whose members include everyone from Russ Feingold and Dennis Kucinich to Fred Phelps (yeah, he ran for Congress as a Democrat). We've tempered the struggle for our civil rights so as not to embarrass or compromise politicians and their political careers and after 30 years, the balance sheet isn't exactly in our favor. Remember Harvey Milk's words:
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/H…
"Burst down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up and start to FIGHT."
45
I wonder if Hutch would say that if he isn't cured of cancer it's because his faith isn't strong enough?
46
Whatever happened to "God is all knowing, all seeing, and all powerful..." and "Nothing is impossible for God"?
It always puzzles me how quickly religious zealots basically give up their faith, and turn it over to men and science, when push comes to shove.
Karma's a bitch.
It always puzzles me how quickly religious zealots basically give up their faith, and turn it over to men and science, when push comes to shove.
Karma's a bitch.
47
I know what it is. From the email he posted at your link above:
"Please pray for me as I go for another blood test today. First of all, that my numbers remain down, and second, that a vein will be easily found. It is usually quite an ordeal to find a vein, with multiple tries!!"
It's an ordeal to find a vein only in a fat...or shall we say "overweight"...or "big boned" person.
He suffers from one of the SEVEN DEADLY SINS: GLUTTONY!
"Please pray for me as I go for another blood test today. First of all, that my numbers remain down, and second, that a vein will be easily found. It is usually quite an ordeal to find a vein, with multiple tries!!"
It's an ordeal to find a vein only in a fat...or shall we say "overweight"...or "big boned" person.
He suffers from one of the SEVEN DEADLY SINS: GLUTTONY!
50
I wish him good luck with his treatment. Not because he deserves it, but because I'm a better person than he is. I feel sorry for him. It must be awfully cramped in his narrow-minded little world.
51
Go ahead and wish death on him. Why not? As any rational person who doesn't believe in magic sky fairies knows, our wishes don't count for jack in the real world. They're meaningless and have no real consequences. Wish him well! Wish him ill! It's all the same. If you wish he'd fuck off to Hell, more power to you, and it doesn't make you any worse of a person.
52
To those of you who talk down Hutch, and wishing that he burns in Hell, you do not have a heart, you are completely heartless and you have no emotions for anything, when someone is suffering from cancer, you wish the worse for him, I pray that for all of you who are condemning him, will face the full judgment of God's wrath.
Hutch, I pray that you will find a way to treat this cancer and you will get back to your feet and continue preaching the word of God.
Hutch, I pray that you will find a way to treat this cancer and you will get back to your feet and continue preaching the word of God.
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