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A Texas Minister Set Himself on Fire and Died to Inspire Justice

Jack Hays

Jack Hays

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This is one I don't think anyone saw coming. The man was obviously committed to his principles. Do you think this accomplishes anything?

A Texas minister set himself on fire and died to ‘inspire’ justice - The Washington Post

One Monday in June, 79-year-old Charles Moore, a retired United Methodist minister, drove to Grand Saline, Tex., his childhood home town some 70 miles east of Dallas. He pulled into a strip mall parking lot, knelt down on a small piece of foam and doused himself with gasoline.
Then, witnesses said, he set himself on fire.
Bystanders rushed to help, splashing him with bottled water and beating the blaze with shirts. Finally, someone found a fire extinguisher. Unconscious, he was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where JFK died. Moore died that night, June 23.
Moore’s death seemed a mystery. He put a note on his car and left behind letters explaining his act, said a former colleague and relative by marriage, the Rev. Bill Renfro, but his writings were not released for nearly a week. His thoughts are now becoming public.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph obtained a copy of the suicide note from Grand Saline police. In it, Moore lamented past racism in Grand Saline and beyond. He called on the community to repent and said he was “giving my body to be burned, with love in my heart” for those who were lynched in his home town as well as for those who did the lynching, hoping to address lingering racism. . . .
 
Unfortunately for him his death will not change anything. It will be talked about in the local community for awhile but soon most will move on.

The one thing that disturbs me is that setting himself on fire in front of bystanders he also put a heavy burden on them. Seeing a man on fire and trying your best to save him will be burned in their memory for the rest of their life.
He might have had some good intentions but doubt this will change anyone.
 
Let's see if he inspires the one who was making similar threats lst week over the SSM judgement. Will he be too damp after a long swim? What will his excuse be?
 
Manc Skipper said:
Let's see if he inspires the one who was making similar threats lst week over the SSM judgement. Will he be too damp after a long swim? What will his excuse be?
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The chap last week never said anything about literally setting himself on fire. That was a strawman conjured up by the OP.
 
Jack Hays said:
This is one I don't think anyone saw coming. The man was obviously committed to his principles. Do you think this accomplishes anything?

A Texas minister set himself on fire and died to ‘inspire’ justice - The Washington Post

One Monday in June, 79-year-old Charles Moore, a retired United Methodist minister, drove to Grand Saline, Tex., his childhood home town some 70 miles east of Dallas. He pulled into a strip mall parking lot, knelt down on a small piece of foam and doused himself with gasoline.
Then, witnesses said, he set himself on fire.
Bystanders rushed to help, splashing him with bottled water and beating the blaze with shirts. Finally, someone found a fire extinguisher. Unconscious, he was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where JFK died. Moore died that night, June 23.
Moore’s death seemed a mystery. He put a note on his car and left behind letters explaining his act, said a former colleague and relative by marriage, the Rev. Bill Renfro, but his writings were not released for nearly a week. His thoughts are now becoming public.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph obtained a copy of the suicide note from Grand Saline police. In it, Moore lamented past racism in Grand Saline and beyond. He called on the community to repent and said he was “giving my body to be burned, with love in my heart” for those who were lynched in his home town as well as for those who did the lynching, hoping to address lingering racism. . . .
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Not really the way to go about it, IMO.... though if you live to be 79 I guess you can choose how you go out.


Seems a bit drastic to me.
 
I am confused. I thought all Christians were strongly against suicide. I wonder if he wanted to die and be a martyr. I also wonder if he had a guilty conscience related to the lynchings there. Why would the racist past of that area have such a heavy burden on him personally?

I hope he at peace now.
 
my family has felt the intense sting of unforeseen suicide
a minister should know how his death would adversely impact those close to him who were left behind
what i thought of when reading this article was G_d at the pearly gates telling Rev Moore "I did not call you"

good intentions morbidly perpetrated
 
SheWolf said:
I am confused. I thought all Christians were strongly against suicide. I wonder if he wanted to die and be a martyr. I also wonder if he had a guilty conscience related to the lynchings there. Why would the racist past of that area have such a heavy burden on him personally?

I hope he at peace now.
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Actually the broad ban on suicide is primarily a Catholic doctrine which most Protestant denominations do not recognize. This is not to say Protestant denominations are "pro suicide" just that they don't believe suicides are condemned by their action.


I find his action very extreme and ill-considered, and wonder if he was not suffering from depression or senility or some other malady that influenced his choice.
 
The Darwin Award goes to...
 
Good intentions? How could this guy possibly have "good intentions?" He died over someone's right to equality.

He destroyed the lives of many, because he was so upset over what was going on in other peoples' bedrooms.

SMH.
 
Superfly said:
Good intentions? How could this guy possibly have "good intentions?" He died over someone's right to equality.

He destroyed the lives of many, because he was so upset over what was going on in other peoples' bedrooms.

SMH.
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You may have misunderstood. He wanted people to be free in their bedrooms, among other things.
 
Superfly said:
Good intentions? How could this guy possibly have "good intentions?" He died over someone's right to equality.

He destroyed the lives of many, because he was so upset over what was going on in other peoples' bedrooms.

SMH.
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Ah, Supe, need to read it over again. Wasn't about the gay marriage thing, it was about the town's history of past racism and lynchings.
 
oh ****. My bad. I thought this was the minister who said he'd set himself on fire if gay people could get married.

Reading is fundamental. :lol:
 
Jack Hays said:
This is one I don't think anyone saw coming. The man was obviously committed to his principles.
Do you think this accomplishes anything?
Click to expand...

A Texas minister set himself on fire and died to ‘inspire’ justice - The Washington Post

One Monday in June, 79-year-old Charles Moore, a retired United Methodist minister, drove to Grand Saline, Tex., his childhood home town some 70 miles east of Dallas. He pulled into a strip mall parking lot, knelt down on a small piece of foam and doused himself with gasoline.
Then, witnesses said, he set himself on fire.
Bystanders rushed to help, splashing him with bottled water and beating the blaze with shirts. Finally, someone found a fire extinguisher. Unconscious, he was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where JFK died. Moore died that night, June 23.
Moore’s death seemed a mystery. He put a note on his car and left behind letters explaining his act, said a former colleague and relative by marriage, the Rev. Bill Renfro, but his writings were not released for nearly a week. His thoughts are now becoming public.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph obtained a copy of the suicide note from Grand Saline police. In it, Moore lamented past racism in Grand Saline and beyond. He called on the community to repent and said he was “giving my body to be burned, with love in my heart” for those who were lynched in his home town as well as for those who did the lynching, hoping to address lingering racism. . . .
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Mighty sad. RIP.
 
People make real sacrifices for justice and progress, and whine a lot when they just want to oppress others. This is a great contrast between people who fight to promote equality, and those who fight to take it away.
 
Paschendale said:
People make real sacrifices for justice and progress, and whine a lot when they just want to oppress others. This is a great contrast between people who fight to promote equality, and those who fight to take it away.
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Methinks someone is making assumptions again.... instead of reading...
 
Jack Hays said:
This is one I don't think anyone saw coming. The man was obviously committed to his principles. Do you think this accomplishes anything?

A Texas minister set himself on fire and died to ‘inspire’ justice - The Washington Post

One Monday in June, 79-year-old Charles Moore, a retired United Methodist minister, drove to Grand Saline, Tex., his childhood home town some 70 miles east of Dallas. He pulled into a strip mall parking lot, knelt down on a small piece of foam and doused himself with gasoline.
Then, witnesses said, he set himself on fire.
Bystanders rushed to help, splashing him with bottled water and beating the blaze with shirts. Finally, someone found a fire extinguisher. Unconscious, he was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, where JFK died. Moore died that night, June 23.
Moore’s death seemed a mystery. He put a note on his car and left behind letters explaining his act, said a former colleague and relative by marriage, the Rev. Bill Renfro, but his writings were not released for nearly a week. His thoughts are now becoming public.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph obtained a copy of the suicide note from Grand Saline police. In it, Moore lamented past racism in Grand Saline and beyond. He called on the community to repent and said he was “giving my body to be burned, with love in my heart” for those who were lynched in his home town as well as for those who did the lynching, hoping to address lingering racism. . . .
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What an effing selfish thing to do. He inflicted his burning death on the witnesses and now they can't forget it.

What an ass.
 
Goshin said:
Methinks someone is making assumptions again.... instead of reading...
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This guy was protesting the death penalty, racism, and homophobia. And he stood up and really did something about it. The anti-rights side only ever stands up when there's no danger. They turn the hose on people. They never face it themselves.
 
I would guess there will be destructive and positive consequences. People are so varied right? Some will reflect on what he did and see his actions as deeply empathetic others will just think he's a selfish ass. Those who reflect may be moved to evolve more empathy themselves. Time will tell.

I would be curious to learn how closely he was involved in those lynchings he is referring too. Sounds like he he may have been very burdened by guilt.
 
Superfly said:
oh ****. My bad. I thought this was the minister who said he'd set himself on fire if gay people could get married.

Reading is fundamental. :lol:
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We are in the same boat then.
 
justabubba said:
what i thought of when reading this article was G_d at the pearly gates telling Rev Moore "I did not call you"

good intentions morbidly perpetrated
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Very well said.
 
Superfly said:
He destroyed the lives of many, because he was so upset over what was going on in other peoples' bedrooms.

SMH.
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I wondered what you were talking about so I actually read the article, which I might not have if it had not been for your post. It was a silver lining thing.
 
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SheWolf said:
I am confused. I thought all Christians were strongly against suicide. I wonder if he wanted to die and be a martyr. I also wonder if he had a guilty conscience related to the lynchings there. Why would the racist past of that area have such a heavy burden on him personally?

I hope he at peace now.
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Because racism never really went away in his hometown and they never really repented slavery.


... A section of Grande Saline was (maybe still is) called ‘pole town,’ where the heads were displayed.
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That's kind of discrimination he grew up with......severed heads of black people on polls. Oi.


Poor guy, I hope he's at peace now, too.
 
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