Westboro Baptist Church plans to protest founder Fred Phelps funeral?

[Rdeyahlxp]

Well, Fred Phelps is dead.

[downzy]

If there is a heaven and hell, how great would it be to watch Phelp's reaction when he's told he won't be entering the pearly gates. Unless, of course, God truly is a gay-hating SOB.

[Guest Len B'stard]

RIP Fred, I hope when they put you away it's with a respect and a dignity that you and your little minions didn't afford all them soldiers.

[sweetness]

Grrr I hated Fred Phelps so much I hope he burns in hell grrrr so angry, Westboro is bad. :anger:

-every social media page today

[ohlovelyrita]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/us/westboro-church-founder-dead/

CNN) -- Fred Phelps -- the founding pastor of a Kansas church known for its virulently anti-gay protests at public events, including military funerals -- has died, the church said Thursday.

The 84-year-old died of natural causes at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to church spokesman Steve Drain.

Phelps founded Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, in 1955 and molded it in his fire-and-brimstone image. Many members of the small congregation are related to Phelps through blood or marriage.

In a statement Thursday, the church chided the "world-wide media" for "gleefully anticipating the death."

"God forbid, if every little soul at the Westboro Baptist Church were to die at this instant, or to turn from serving the true and living God, it would not change one thing about the judgments of God that await this deeply corrupted nation and world."

According to Westboro, the church has picketed more than 53,000 events, ranging from Lady Gaga concerts to funerals for slain U.S. soldiers. Typically, a dozen or so church members -- including small children -- will brandish signs that say "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."

Phelps was often called "the most hated man in America," a label he seemed to relish.

"If I had nobody mad at me," he told the Wichita Eagle in 2006, "what right would I have to claim that I was preaching the Gospel?"

Under Phelps' leadership, Westboro members have preached that every calamity, from natural disasters to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, is God's punishment for the country's acceptance of homosexuality. Phelps had advocated for gays and lesbians to be put to death.

"Fred Phelps will not be missed by the LGBT community, people with HIV/AIDS and the millions of decent people across the world who found what he and his followers do deeply hurtful and offensive," the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said in a statement.

"While it is hard to find anything good to say about his views or actions, we do give our condolences to his family members at what must be a painful time for them."

Phelps began his anti-gay protests in Wichita in 1991 after complaining that the city refused to stop gay activities in a public park. He rose to national notoriety in 1998, when Westboro members protested at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming man who was tortured and murdered because he was gay. Phelps and his church carried signs that said Shepard was rotting in hell.

In 2011, the Supreme Court upheld Westboro's right to picket military funerals on free speech grounds. Congress and several states, though, have passed laws aimed at keeping church members at a distance from funerals.

In 2013, more than 367,000 petitioners called on the White House to legally recognize Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group. The White House called Westboro's protests "reprehensible" but said that "as a matter of practice, the federal government doesn't maintain a list of hate groups."

Anti-gay preacher once fought for civil rights

Born in Meridian, Mississippi, on November 29, 1929, Phelps had his sights set on West Point before he attended a Methodist revival. He said the sermon inspired him to enter the ministry.

"I felt the call, as they say, and it was powerful," Phelps told the Topeka Capital-Journal in 1994. "The God of glory appeared." Later, Phelps was ordained by a Southern Baptist church in Utah.

He bounced around several Christian colleges as his preaching and his theology took a hard right turn.

A Time magazine article from 1951 describes Phelps as a "craggy-faced engineering student" who harangued fellow students about the dangers of promiscuity and profanity.

Tim Miller, a professor of religious history at the University of Kansas who has studied Westboro Baptist Church, said Phelps liked to consider himself a "primitive Baptist preacher who held to the old ways."

Phelps married his wife, Marge, who survives him, in 1952. The couple moved to Topeka on May 4, 1954, the day the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision Brown v. Board of Education, which desegregated public schools.

Phelps interpreted that as a sign and soon began a law career that centered on civil rights, winning awards for his work and praise from local leaders.

"Most blacks -- that's who they went to," the Rev. Ben Scott, president of the NAACP's Topeka branch, told CNN in 2010. "I don't know if he was cheaper or if he had that stick-to-it-ness, but Fred didn't lose many back then."

Phelps was disbarred from practicing law in state courts, however, after being accused of badgering a witness and making false claims in court affidavits. The Kansas Supreme Court said that Phelps "has little regard for the ethics of his profession."

Phelps surrendered his license to practice law in federal courts in 1989, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal, after nine U.S. District Court judges filed disciplinary complaints against him.

Most of the members of Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church are members of his large family. Phelps has 13 children; 11 are attorneys. One son, Nathan, is estranged from his father and from organized religion. He is an atheist.

Nathan Phelps posted a Facebook message March 15 saying that his father had been excommunicated from the church. Later, though, Nathan Phelps said it was "unclear" whether his father had been expelled from Westboro.

Westboro declined to say whether Phelps has been excommunicated. A church statement said March 16 that "membership issues are private" and that eight unnamed elders lead the congregation.

On Thursday, the church added, "Listen carefully; there are no power struggles in the Westboro Baptist Church, and there is no human intercessor -- we serve no man, and no hierarchy, only the Lord Jesus Christ."

For years, Phelps joked about the possibility that his own funeral would draw protests. During a sermon in 2006, he said a CNN reporter once asked how he would feel if that occurred.

"I'd love it. I'd invite them," Phelps told the reporter, according to the Wichita Eagle. "I said: 'I'll put in my will to pay your way. But not first class.' "

[downzy]

[bran]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

[Guest NGOG]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

[sweetness]

Maybe if we stop paying attention, they'll go away.

Just a thought.

[downzy]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

Really? Considering all the press and attention these wackos get every time they protest a funeral, I'd beg to differ.

[TeeJay410]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

To be unfair, while their practices were extreme, the views weren't really that far off of mainstream Christianity, particularly in the south and Midwest. The near militancy of the beliefs is what made them seem so ridiculous, but there are plenty of churches around America that have a similar essential message.

Making fun of Fred Phelps is like making fun of George bush or Miley Cyrus, it's a joke anyone can make and feel superior. But your point is true, he only did influence maybe 30 people directly. The true significance of the WBC is showing the dangerous and stupid interpretations the bible is open up to and the fact that their beliefs really weren't *that* extreme. Living in the south I could read a Fred phelps speech to someone on the street and get a "hell yeah."

[ohlovelyrita]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

To be unfair, while their practices were extreme, the views weren't really that far off of mainstream Christianity, particularly in the south and Midwest. The near militancy of the beliefs is what made them seem so ridiculous, but there are plenty of churches around America that have a similar essential message.

Making fun of Fred Phelps is like making fun of George bush or Miley Cyrus, it's a joke anyone can make and feel superior. But your point is true, he only did influence maybe 30 people directly. The true significance of the WBC is showing the dangerous and stupid interpretations the bible is open up to and the fact that their beliefs really weren't *that* extreme. Living in the south I could read a Fred phelps speech to someone on the street and get a "hell yeah."

I think you might be really unaware of all the grief WBC has caused people who were already grieving.

Funerals they protested:

1) Matthew Shepard (the saddest story and cruelest one to picket)

2) Steve Jobs

3) Elizabeth Edwards

4) Matthew Snyder (died serving his country in the U.S. military)

5) Norway shootings

6) llinois Holocaust Museum (on the eve or Rosh Hashanan)

7) Tuscon Shooting (agreed not to picket the 9 y.o. victiim's funeral in exchange for radio airtime)

8) Michael Jackson

9) President Obama Joplin, Missouri after the Tornado

10) Ronnie James Dio

"NOTE: The Ku Klux Klan, LLC. has not or EVER will have ANY connection with The "Westboro Baptist Church". We absolutely repudiate their activities.

The Ku Klux Klan, LLC."

WBC spends $250k on these protests?

Why??

They are a family if lawyers ready to sue to recoup that money and then some.

Religious conviction is the smokescreen.

Edited March 21, 2014 by ohlovelyrita

[TeeJay410]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

To be unfair, while their practices were extreme, the views weren't really that far off of mainstream Christianity, particularly in the south and Midwest. The near militancy of the beliefs is what made them seem so ridiculous, but there are plenty of churches around America that have a similar essential message.

Making fun of Fred Phelps is like making fun of George bush or Miley Cyrus, it's a joke anyone can make and feel superior. But your point is true, he only did influence maybe 30 people directly. The true significance of the WBC is showing the dangerous and stupid interpretations the bible is open up to and the fact that their beliefs really weren't *that* extreme. Living in the south I could read a Fred phelps speech to someone on the street and get a "hell yeah."

I think you might be really unaware of all the grief WBC has caused people who were already grieving.

Funerals they protested:

1) Matthew Shepard (the saddest story and cruelest one to picket)

2) Steve Jobs

3) Elizabeth Edwards

4) Matthew Snyder (died serving his country in the U.S. military)

5) Norway shootings

6) llinois Holocaust Museum (on the eve or Rosh Hashanan)

7) Tuscon Shooting (agreed not to picket the 9 y.o. in exchange for radio airtime)

8) Michael Jackson

9) President Obama Joplin, Missouri after the Tornado

10) Ronnie James Dio

"NOTE: The Ku Klux Klan, LLC. has not or EVER will have ANY connection with The "Westboro Baptist Church". We absolutely repudiate their activities.

The Ku Klux Klan, LLC."

WBC spends $250k on these protests?

Why??

They are a family if lawyers ready to sue to recoup that money and then some.

Religious conviction is the smokescreen.

But during anyone of those instances did anyone respectable go "you know what maybe these guys are on to something?" No. What you mostly saw was thousands rallying to support the grieving with counter protests and the like. If anything with those protests they brought everyone else together across political and religious lines. They were a measuring stick by which everyone can say "well we may disagree with one another but dear god we can both agree that is awful."

[ohlovelyrita]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

To be unfair, while their practices were extreme, the views weren't really that far off of mainstream Christianity, particularly in the south and Midwest. The near militancy of the beliefs is what made them seem so ridiculous, but there are plenty of churches around America that have a similar essential message.

Making fun of Fred Phelps is like making fun of George bush or Miley Cyrus, it's a joke anyone can make and feel superior. But your point is true, he only did influence maybe 30 people directly. The true significance of the WBC is showing the dangerous and stupid interpretations the bible is open up to and the fact that their beliefs really weren't *that* extreme. Living in the south I could read a Fred phelps speech to someone on the street and get a "hell yeah."

I think you might be really unaware of all the grief WBC has caused people who were already grieving.

Funerals they protested:

1) Matthew Shepard (the saddest story and cruelest one to picket)

2) Steve Jobs

3) Elizabeth Edwards

4) Matthew Snyder (died serving his country in the U.S. military)

5) Norway shootings

6) llinois Holocaust Museum (on the eve or Rosh Hashanan)

7) Tuscon Shooting (agreed not to picket the 9 y.o. in exchange for radio airtime)

8) Michael Jackson

9) President Obama Joplin, Missouri after the Tornado

10) Ronnie James Dio

"NOTE: The Ku Klux Klan, LLC. has not or EVER will have ANY connection with The "Westboro Baptist Church". We absolutely repudiate their activities.

The Ku Klux Klan, LLC."

WBC spends $250k on these protests?

Why??

They are a family if lawyers ready to sue to recoup that money and then some.

Religious conviction is the smokescreen.

But during anyone of those instances did anyone respectable go "you know what maybe these guys are on to something?" No. What you mostly saw was thousands rallying to support the grieving with counter protests and the like. If anything with those protests they brought everyone else together across political and religious lines. They were a measuring stick by which everyone can say "well we may disagree with one another but dear god we can both agree that is awful."

You may be thinking the end result is they unite people

but that is of little comfort to those they cause grievous harm to

by attempting to make a circus of their loved ones last ceremony.

And then they sue the pants off innocent people that fall into their traps.

[downzy]

Just read up on Phelps as I didn't know much about him.

Does anybody else find it fascinating that he was a civil rights hero to the black community, taking on discrimination cases that no attorney (white or black) would take on? Sure he made a lot of money off the cases, but his motivation was from growing up in Mississippi and seeing how badly black people were treated back then.

How can somebody evolve from defending the rights of those discriminated because of race, to condemning homosexuals? Very odd.

Interesting, didn't know that about him.

Yeah, that's very strange. How do you stand on principle for the rights of ethnic minorities but so openly hate, vilify, and discriminate members of the LGBT community? If I had to guess, he'd probably argue that being black isn't a choice, whereas he feels being gay is, and hence a sin. Guess the whole "don't judge" aspect of Christianity was lost on him and his followers.

[Dazey]

Just read up on Phelps as I didn't know much about him.

Does anybody else find it fascinating that he was a civil rights hero to the black community, taking on discrimination cases that no attorney (white or black) would take on? Sure he made a lot of money off the cases, but his motivation was from growing up in Mississippi and seeing how badly black people were treated back then.

How can somebody evolve from defending the rights of those discriminated because of race, to condemning homosexuals? Very odd.

Interesting, didn't know that about him.

Yeah, that's very strange. How do you stand on principle for the rights of ethnic minorities but so openly hate, vilify, and discriminate members of the LGBT community? If I had to guess, he'd probably argue that being black isn't a choice, whereas he feels being gay is, and hence a sin. Guess the whole "don't judge" aspect of Christianity was lost on him and his followers.

Probably got bummed in the seminary.

[downzy]

Just read up on Phelps as I didn't know much about him.

Does anybody else find it fascinating that he was a civil rights hero to the black community, taking on discrimination cases that no attorney (white or black) would take on? Sure he made a lot of money off the cases, but his motivation was from growing up in Mississippi and seeing how badly black people were treated back then.

How can somebody evolve from defending the rights of those discriminated because of race, to condemning homosexuals? Very odd.

Interesting, didn't know that about him.

Yeah, that's very strange. How do you stand on principle for the rights of ethnic minorities but so openly hate, vilify, and discriminate members of the LGBT community? If I had to guess, he'd probably argue that being black isn't a choice, whereas he feels being gay is, and hence a sin. Guess the whole "don't judge" aspect of Christianity was lost on him and his followers.

Probably got bummed in the seminary.

Well, if he didn't then, and assuming there's an afterlife, he's probably getting it now.

[bran]

i too do not get how a guy fights for civil rights because of the mistreatment he saw black people receiving yet be so fucking hateful towards gay people. it really does boggle the mind to think about

[Guest Len B'stard]

Just read up on Phelps as I didn't know much about him.

Does anybody else find it fascinating that he was a civil rights hero to the black community, taking on discrimination cases that no attorney (white or black) would take on? Sure he made a lot of money off the cases, but his motivation was from growing up in Mississippi and seeing how badly black people were treated back then.

How can somebody evolve from defending the rights of those discriminated because of race, to condemning homosexuals? Very odd.

Interesting, didn't know that about him.

Yeah, that's very strange. How do you stand on principle for the rights of ethnic minorities but so openly hate, vilify, and discriminate members of the LGBT community? If I had to guess, he'd probably argue that being black isn't a choice, whereas he feels being gay is, and hence a sin. Guess the whole "don't judge" aspect of Christianity was lost on him and his followers.

Probably got bummed in the seminary.

I heard he was an iron thats why he was excommunicated, like he has a secret gay past or something.

[Johnny Drama]

No way is he a wooly woofter. Get off it.

[streak]

Rumour has it he was.

I also read he was kicked out of the church.

ohlovelyrita made a good point about them being lawyers and suing, they have apparently done this a few times.

Im kinda torn about picketing Phelps funeral though, on one hand, it would be motherfuckin LOL to see his familys reaction, but then, why give the old attention seeking knacker that much time?

The whole family seem to revel in it though, which I found disturbing.

[magisme]

[Guest NGOG]

the world is a better place now that he is gone.

To be fair, it's not like his retarded views ever filtered into rational society.

Really? Considering all the press and attention these wackos get every time they protest a funeral, I'd beg to differ.

You're not seriously suggesting that press attention constitutes legitimization, are you?

The BNP get a tone of coverage over here in the UK; but that doesn't mean their views are taken seriously by rational people. The purpose of them being on TV is for most of society to sit back and laugh.