Thread: Fod Hates Gags! The Westboro thread Board: Hell / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
The previous thread on Fred Phelps has disappeared into the sunset (I wish Fred would do the same). But, no, he's still around:
Outrage as Westboro ******* plans praise gathering outside Sandy Hook Elementary school to celebrate God 'executing his judgement' in horrific shooting rampage that killed 20 children and 6 adults



[Westboro again]

[ 13. February 2013, 00:11: Message buggered about with by: comet ]
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
The dark haired young Phelpsian in the foreground of the pic does at least seem to be hanging her head. Maybe this will finally provoke a mass exodus.
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I am getting sick and tired of them trying to turn every fucking event in the world to being about them. They are a disgrace to the name church, which is quite an achievement, given the fucked up state that so many churches are in.

I would suggest that they should all burn in hell, but the truth is, I suspect that they already are. You cannot be so hate-filled without being dead inside. The tragedy is that they are right - those who deny God will be in hell. The problem is that this applies to them, not to others.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
My preference would be that they should not be interviewed or reported on, their posters should not be published and they should not be seen or heard on TV or radio. Treat them in RL as we treat trolls here.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
I hope Westboro choose the same time that President Obama is there to join families in a vigil. I think the President's security will know how to deal with them.
 

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Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Oh good lord. I suppose it was inevitable that they'd show up, too much publicity to be had to not.

They must rejoice every time some atrocity happens. Doesn't the skewed morality of that ever occur to them?

[ 16. December 2012, 17:07: Message edited by: Nicolemr ]
 

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Posted by Robert Armin (# 182) on :
 
Dear Lord, this almost makes me weep. How can they be so out of touch with reality?

again for the people of Newton

for the people of WBC, that their eyes might be opened to the love of God.
 

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Posted by anne (# 73) on :
 
This description"
"Westboro Baptist Church, an unaffiliated religious group that self-identifies as a church" from the linked article struck me as an interesting description of this hate-filled group. It offered a little hope that some people at least could differentiate between the antics of the WBC and the vast majority of Christian Churches.

anne
 

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Posted by mdijon (# 8520) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Nicolemr:
They must rejoice every time some atrocity happens.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nicolemr:
Oh good lord. I suppose it was inevitable that they'd show up, too much publicity to be had to not.

They must rejoice every time some atrocity happens. Doesn't the skewed morality of that ever occur to them?

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quote:

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Originally posted by anne:
This description"
"Westboro Baptist Church, an unaffiliated religious group that self-identifies as a church" from the linked article struck me as an interesting description of this hate-filled group. It offered a little hope that some people at least could differentiate between the antics of the WBC and the vast majority of Christian Churches.

anne

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
My preference would be that they should not be interviewed or reported on, their posters should not be published and they should not be seen or heard on TV or radio. Treat them in RL as we treat trolls here.

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quote:

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Originally posted by anne:
This description"Westboro Baptist Church, an unaffiliated religious group that self-identifies as a church" from the linked article struck me as an interesting description of this hate-filled group. It offered a little hope that some people at least could differentiate between the antics of the WBC and the vast majority of Christian Churches.

anne

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quote:

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Mike Huckabee
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) weighed in on the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. on Friday, saying the crime was no surprise because we have "systematically removed God" from public schools.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
Is Mike Huckabee part of this odious cult? Or are there other such hate groups out there?

quote:

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Mike Huckabee
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) weighed in on the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. on Friday, saying the crime was no surprise because we have "systematically removed God" from public schools.

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This guy was a contender for president of your country?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kyzyl:
Anonymous has hacked their website and posted personal information about the Westboro members.

Inquisitor article

Note - linked article does not contain said personal information, just info on the hacking.

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quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:
Phelps Sr may go soon, but what of it? His spawn and theirs survive to carry on his message. Not to mention other fruitcakes who buy into their "religion" or support them financially.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tortuf:
Interesting. I wonder how successful Anonymous will be.

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Personally I wonder when Anonymous will stop being a bunch of reckless vigilantes. YMMV.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Phelps and his hate-filled utterances have always been repugnant, but this absolutely takes the biscuit. He's well-known to be a malevolent, homophobic twat, who seems to regard homosexuals, particularly murdered ones, as fair game.

But children in an infant school? How can even someone with as warped a mind as his find anything to rejoice about in the cold-blooded killing of six- and seven-year-olds?

How dare he and his cohorts call themselves a "church"?
 

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Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
The Westboro folks are like cafeteria Christians who don't "pick and choose" their spiritual nourishment from the lean meat, sweet fruit, and brightly colored veggies of scripture, but dumpster dive for rotten offal and moldy text packages past their sell dates.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:
Phelps Sr may go soon, but what of it?

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Good excuse for a fireworks display and a rave party outside his funeral?
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by piglet:
But children in an infant school? How can even someone with as warped a mind as his find anything to rejoice about in the cold-blooded killing of six- and seven-year-olds?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
The Westboro folks are like cafeteria Christians who don't "pick and choose" their spiritual nourishment from the lean meat, sweet fruit, and brightly colored veggies of scripture, but dumpster dive for rotten offal and moldy text packages past their sell dates.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mullygrub:
I've just been criticised on Facebum for "hating them back" in choosing to voice my opinions about WBC's behaviour in response to a friend's post about same.

In a moment of pause and self-reflection, I wondered whether my agitator is, in fact, correct; am I perpetuating a culture of hate by expressing a strong opinion against this sect?

And then I remembered that they are dickwaddick fuckheads who need to be castrated, both in word and in deed.

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quote:

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Originally posted by mdijon:

quote:

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Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
The Westboro folks are like cafeteria Christians who don't "pick and choose" their spiritual nourishment from the lean meat, sweet fruit, and brightly colored veggies of scripture, but dumpster dive for rotten offal and moldy text packages past their sell dates.

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I remember hearing one of the Phelpses asked for their view on "For God so loved the world..." and they immediately responded that the verse was being taken out of context and twisted. It was really quite clear that God hated the world.

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quote:

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War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. 1984

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quote:

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It's so tough to choose, but I think #28 may be my favourite.

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quote:

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James Dobson
And a lot of these things are happening around us, and somebody is going to get mad at me for saying what I am about to say right now, but I am going to give you my honest opinion: I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and on God Almighty and I think he has allowed judgment to fall upon us.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Meg the Red:
It's so tough to choose, but I think #28 may be my favourite.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
How about James Dobson. He sounds like someone from this wacko churcho no no.

quote:

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James Dobson
And a lot of these things are happening around us, and somebody is going to get mad at me for saying what I am about to say right now, but I am going to give you my honest opinion: I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and on God Almighty and I think he has allowed judgment to fall upon us.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Golden Key:
Re mental stability of Fred:

Fred's mentally ill, and very abusive to his family. Some of his offspring have escaped. A son who did has written about how sick the family is.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
How about James Dobson. He sounds like someone from this wacko churcho no no.

quote:

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James Dobson
And a lot of these things are happening around us, and somebody is going to get mad at me for saying what I am about to say right now, but I am going to give you my honest opinion: I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and on God Almighty and I think he has allowed judgment to fall upon us.

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quote:

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Originally posted by PeteC:
I'd be interested in knowing just how you arrived at your last sentence, buddy. Possibly from ignorance.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
How about James Dobson. He sounds like someone from this wacko churcho no no.

quote:

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James Dobson
And a lot of these things are happening around us, and somebody is going to get mad at me for saying what I am about to say right now, but I am going to give you my honest opinion: I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and on God Almighty and I think he has allowed judgment to fall upon us.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:

quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:
How about James Dobson. He sounds like someone from this wacko churcho no no.

quote:

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James Dobson
And a lot of these things are happening around us, and somebody is going to get mad at me for saying what I am about to say right now, but I am going to give you my honest opinion: I think we have turned our back on the Scripture and on God Almighty and I think he has allowed judgment to fall upon us.

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You see, out of context, he has a point, I think. As a nation - whether the US or the UK - we have to a large extent rejected God. And I think there is an argument that "judgement" is long overdue.

The problem is that this rejection of God is more about financial greed, social deprivation etc, not sexuality. And it it NOT our place to say that this even is Gods judgement. Especially when the people who have suffered are not the people who are involved in the rejection of God, explicitly.

What is more, I suspect that God is rather more angered by people who take his name and abuse it, by claiming to speak in his name, while spurting hatred and abuse.

To take it wider, when the church is condemning the nation for immorality, when the church as a whole is a hotbed of abuse is hypocritical in the extreme.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Golden Key:
Re mental stability of Fred:

Fred's mentally ill, and very abusive to his family. Some of his offspring have escaped. A son who did has written about how sick the family is.

Strangely, Fred was a civil rights attorney, once upon a time. I wonder what happened.

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quote:

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Originally posted by listener:
Collectors of the really far out might look at
http://www.overcomerministry.org/index.php
headed by "Brother Stair" the last day prophet of God (he says).
Caution, his weekly "sermons" are usually three-hour rambles and rants. He believes there were no dinosaurs, they are said to have lived millions of years ago but God created Time when He created the earth so nothing could exist before 5000 BC.

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quote:

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Originally posted by no prophet:

quote:

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Originally posted by listener:
Collectors of the really far out might look at
http://www.overcomerministry.org/index.php
headed by "Brother Stair" the last day prophet of God (he says).
Caution, his weekly "sermons" are usually three-hour rambles and rants. He believes there were no dinosaurs, they are said to have lived millions of years ago but God created Time when He created the earth so nothing could exist before 5000 BC.

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I used to listen to him on shortwave. Almost as fun as North Korean radio, "the Glorious Leader" etc. Quite the thing. I think there was probly 2 of of listening worldwide to Br Stair, and the other person didn't understand English.

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3 of us, then. As well as the North Koreans on occasion, and my own personal favorite, Radio Habana Cuba. Where else can you still be called an "imperialist running dog" these days?
 

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Posted by Stoker (# 11939) on :
 
There is a strong Biblical principle of Gods' judgement on all people. It ties up with the principle of original sin and is perhaps best summarised by Romans Ch 1, v 18-32. However, before you get out the pitchforks, where the judgement-pointer-outers like Dobbs, Phelps et al go wrong is that they mis-apply the principle.

As verse 29 says, people are full of every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity and this is because the world is cursed (if you hold to the Biblical view of original sin/ fall or whatever you call it). So we're all under judgement (that includes you Phelps and Dobbs)

However, whilst we can therefore explain a certain principle which, if we're honest, we see every single day in our own lives. We should not have the crass and cruel insensitivity to point it out for certain events (usually when lots of people die) as if they were somehow special one-offs because God got really pissed off.
 

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Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I've just got done watching the first half of "kevin smith burn in hell" on YouTube, an audience Q&A. And I have to share this. Evidently, Megan Phelps (twenty-something granddaughter) has been tweeting Kevin since the Phelps declared him an enabler of fags. He surmised that she was flirting with him even when she was telling him he'd burn in Hell. So he tweeted back: "Oh, fucking Megan, my wife says if it will save you from your cult-like family, we can all have a 3 way."
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Sometimes Kevin Smith knocks the ball right out of the park.

He picketed 'Dogma", too. Smith, not Phelps.
 

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Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Kevin Smith rocks on a regular basis.
 

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Posted by Olde Sea Dog (# 13061) on :
 
The thing that most strikes me about the Boronians is how comfortable they are with themselves, how absolutely certain they're the good ones even as they do one evil action after another. Same as with most evil people. I watched some interviews with them ..... Phelp's daughter was backing up everything she said by pulling out proof scriptures (of course neglecting most of the gospels at the same time). Very sincere.

How can people be like that? And it happens on all levels of society, petty tyrants who in their small spheres are doing the equivalent of killing all the Jews, or flying jets into tall buildings, or starving out any opposition by the millions. The world is filled with sociopaths who don't even know they're evil, but think they're doing good by unleashing misery.

How is it that they can be punished for rejecting God, when they honestly believe they are promoting His agenda? And yet I want them to be punished.
 

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Posted by beatmenace (# 16955) on :
 

quote:

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Strangely, Fred was a civil rights attorney, once upon a time. I wonder what happened.

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quote:

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Originally posted by beatmenace:

quote:

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Strangely, Fred was a civil rights attorney, once upon a time. I wonder what happened.

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This is why WBC dont take donations (who offers i dont know...but thats another question).

The schtick is that WBC pickets turn up at an event ; get shown off the premises by security/police/general public etc; then sue for having the 1st Amendment violated (right to free speech etc).

Thats how they make their cash. Most of the Phelps seem to be Lawyers.......Good Scam though.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
... they send only four protesters with two signs each. Period.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Anselmina:

quote:

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Originally posted by Golden Key:
Re mental stability of Fred:

Fred's mentally ill, and very abusive to his family. Some of his offspring have escaped. A son who did has written about how sick the family is.

Strangely, Fred was a civil rights attorney, once upon a time. I wonder what happened.

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As you say, mental deterioration, sadly in a very harmful negative direction.

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I wonder if there's any way to get him on a 72-hr. psych hold? Not in a vindictive way. But if he can be diagnosed and (hopefully!) be forced to get some help, maybe it would defuse the group a bit?

Of course, any family members who really believe all the crap might well think that the gov't was lying about his mental health.


 

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Posted by listener (# 15770) on :
 
link to actual text

[edited to delete potentially copyrighted material and insert link to actual source. -comet]

[ 16. January 2013, 20:24: Message edited by: comet ]
 

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Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
listener:

hey, fuckstick - do not cut and paste wholesale articles from anywhere else. Use your own words or fuck off to the magical land where plagiarism is okay. If you can't be bothered to express an original thought, you don't even meet the admittedly pathetically low standards of Hell.

Plus, you made myself and my fellow hosts waste our valuable surf time* hunting down your actual source because you were so fucking obviously ripping off someone else.

yeah yeah, I know, you're an apprentice, though hardly new to the boards. consider this a gentle reminder to follow some basic rules (like, say, those taught to 6 year olds) around here, or risk getting your ass toasted like the big old slab of bacon it really is.

comet
Hellhost

* you know, like cute cat videos.
 

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Posted by TeaAddict (# 14946) on :
 
I think it was Phelps snr (not sure) but I know one of these idiots got banned from entering the UK recently as it was deemed they were coming here to incite hatred. And as quite rightly pointed out by deano, if they picketed funerals like they appear to do in the U.S., a whole raft of laws could be thrown at them. It amazes me that the freedom of speech interpretation given by the supreme court does not recognise the potential danger they pose (not just to themselves, but to public order in general), and block them from doing some of the stuff they do (the old idea of freedom of speech not extending to shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater springs to mind). If these guys were saying anything pro-taliban, they would be incarcerated within the week.
 

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Posted by Tortuf (# 3784) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by TeaAddict:
If these guys were saying anything pro-taliban, they would be incarcerated within the week.

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quote:

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If these guys were saying anything pro-taliban, they would be incarcerated within the week.

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No. But they'd likely be on the Homeland Security lists for watching to see if they were anything more than talk.

They have to be already on FBI radar just for being crazy fuckwits. You don't have to be a Muslim extremist to be a danger to society.
 

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Posted by teddybear (# 7842) on :
 
Longtime citizen of Topeka, Kansas and longtime Phelps watcher. Not only do the Phelps clan have a law practice (those who haven't been disbarred anyway), several of them also have positions at various state, county and city agencies as well. There are Phelps just about anywhere you turn in this town. They are universally disliked and universally feared. I think every Topekan, unle,abused by the Phelps at one time or another. I personally know a woman who was fired from her job because the Phelps targeted the restaurant she managed. Their reason for picketing? She was an out lesbian. Unfortunately, Kansas is one of those "right to work" states, so there was nothing she could do about the firing. I also remember back when the Phelps only picketed those they believed to have been gay or who they believed had died from AIDS. Of course, in those days no one got all upset or passed laws limiting when and where they could picket, that only happened when they started picketing solider's funerals.
 

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Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
Lyda mentioned Megan Phelps-Roper upthread - she appears to have had a change of heart.
 

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Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Yay!
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Jack the Lass--

Thank you so much for the link to that wonderful article! And hurray for Megan and Grace getting away. I liked that the writer was careful not to reveal where they initially hid out.

Their statement, linked to at the end of the article, is worth reading, too.

I wonder what Fred would do if everyone walked out??

Noticed something interesting in the initial article: some other kids left the family, and their father (?) still loves them, and helped get them set up for housing, etc.
 

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Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
Lyda mentioned Megan Phelps-Roper upthread - she appears to have had a change of heart.

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Hooray
 

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Posted by Robert Armin (# 182) on :
 
for Megan and Grace.

And a big for all still at WBC.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Nice style from the two ladies, quoting Catwoman in their statement
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
Lyda mentioned Megan Phelps-Roper upthread - she appears to have had a change of heart.

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quote:

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And as they move forward, Megan says, “The environment we grew up in was very ‘us vs. them.’ It’s been nice to see that the ‘them’ have been overwhelmingly kind — as we’d kind of hoped and suspected.” Welcome to the other side of the picket line, Megan. Welcome home.

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Yes. Yes. Yes.
 

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Posted by Horatio Harumph (# 10855) on :
 
'welcome to the other side of the picket line - welcome home'

Hadnt noticed that in what I have read today, and it just made me all tear up and go mushy. As I tweeted earlier, prayers for them both as they look to build new lives for themselves.

(apols for the very very unhellish comment, shall I add a few fuck's?)
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horatio Harumph:
(apols for the very very unhellish comment, shall I add a few fuck's?)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jack the Lass:
Lyda mentioned Megan Phelps-Roper upthread - she appears to have had a change of heart.

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quote:

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Sometimes it’s described as a shunning process, but that’s not entirely apt. It is, in the eyes of the remaining members, a sort of death, but it’s a gentle one, because the carcass isn’t just dumped or ignored. One church member, who has lost two of his kids to the outside world, told me that he still loved them and that he set them up as best they could with what they’d need to start their new lives—some money, some household goods, even a car.

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Surely I can't be the only one here with whom Megan's experience resonates? Nobody bought me a car though
 

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Posted by rlmueller (# 17444) on :
 
Two girls (sisters) just defected from Westboro. Lord be with them.
 

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Posted by A.Pilgrim (# 15044) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by leo:
On the basis that many homophobes are secretly gay, I'm still waiting for Fred to be caught doing 'an immoral act' in a cottage (UK slang. US equivalent = 'tea room'.)

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Yes, that's very likely, and applies to many components of the human emotional make-up, not just sexuality. One of the most powerful psychoanalytic principles is summed up as: 'We hate the expression by others of that which is repressed within ourselves' - the reason being that the behaviour of the other person reminds ourselves of the desires that we are refusing to acknowledge as existing within our own psyches, and the resulting defence against self-recognition is an intense hatred of the other.

Another example in the area of sexuality is the preacher who most vociferously condemns (heterosexual) immorality is the one most likely to lose control of their repressed desires and elope in an adulterous relationship with a member of the congregation. You can tell a lot about someone from what they hate, and the principle can be applied to oneself for the achievement of greater self-awareness, too.
 

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Posted by maleveque (# 132) on :
 
Supremely proud of my alma mater today. Vassar's response to the Westboro Baptist Law Firm, LLC.
I wasted most of my afternoon watching the live feed.
- Anne L.
 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Westboro Baptist Church Epically Trolled By Rainbow Colored House Right Across The Street

 

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Posted by Tortuf (# 3784) on :
 
That is wonderful.

I was going to say maybe Fred will have an aneurism.

But, that would be wrong. TIACWS so I will confine myself to saying perhaps the Grace that passes all understanding will descend upon the unfortunate members of the Westboro Baptist Church and fill them with a love for all the other children of God who surround them.

Nah, fuck it. Maybe Fred will have an aneurism.
 

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Posted by moron (# 206) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Tortuf:
Nah, fuck it. Maybe Fred will have an aneurism.

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He might but he's a tough old bird:

http://www.columbiatrackclub.com/hoa/results/1970.htm

I ran this course many years later (it was my first and fastest marathon) and finished a couple minutes slower than him so can appreciate his feat. It is an extremely hilly run... I do kind of feel sorry for the children getting drug along though.
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
Wow. I sure hope one day that my physical fitness 43 years ago becomes relevant to a discussion.
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 


Anonymous just hacked their YouTube and Facbook accounts.



I strongly disapprove. Hacking is childish, immoral, and no answer to anything.



[ 30. March 2013, 06:23: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]
 

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Posted by moron (# 206) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by orfeo:
Wow. I sure hope one day that my physical fitness 43 years ago becomes relevant to a discussion.

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You were supposed to notice that he forced many of his young children to train for and participate in a grueling marathon run so he obviously was evil even then.

Sorry I wasn't more obvious.
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by moron:

quote:

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Originally posted by orfeo:
Wow. I sure hope one day that my physical fitness 43 years ago becomes relevant to a discussion.

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You were supposed to notice that he forced many of his young children to train for and participate in a grueling marathon run so he obviously was evil even then.

Sorry I wasn't more obvious.

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Oh yeah. I definitely saw where against some entries it had a little asterisk and a note saying 'unwilling participant'.
 

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Posted by infinite_monkey (# 11333) on :
 
David Phelps sat upon by huge naked man

On the one hand, I'm disappointed: our side can do better than physical violence. On the other hand...man calls himself "Billy The Fridge."
 

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Posted by Crazy Cat Lady (# 17616) on :
 
I am a bit stunned so many of you think that because this guy is severly offensive and even evil - he must therefore be mentally ill

Um thats a dodgy connection to make and suggests you think mental illness makes people evil. Some of you even tout a diagnosis as the worst criticism you could make of him.

For the record mental illness does not make you evil, twisted, derranged etc But it does make you someone society widely rejects via these outdated assumptions
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I think you've maybe got hold of the wrong end of the stick here. The Ship is the one place I know where people are extremely open about their own mental illnesses; I suffer from severe depression myself. The thing about Phred is he doesn't seem to have just one problem (being evil); he also seems to be out of touch with reality. One can be BOTH evil and mentally ill, just as one can be only evil or only mentally ill.

[ 30. March 2013, 18:17: Message edited by: Lamb Chopped ]
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I think you've maybe got hold of the wrong end of tge stick here. The Ship is the one place I know where people are exr,tremely open about their own mental illnesses; I suffer from severe depression myself. The thing about Phred is he doesn't seem to have just one problem (being evil); he also seems to be out of touch with reality. One can be BOTH evil and mentally ill, just as one can be only evil or only mentally ill.
 

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Posted by Tortuf (# 3784) on :
 
You see what you did with your post Crazy Cat Lady? You made Lamb Chopped repeat herself.

Phred was apparently quite normal for a while. Then he got a bad case of asshole disease.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Oh dear!

You know, with the recent trend toward medicalizing anything that stands still long enough, I'm sure it's just a matter of time before assholism makes it into the DSM-V.
 

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Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
I'm sure it's just a matter of time before assholism makes it into the DSM-V.

---

You called?
 

---

Posted by Crazy Cat Lady (# 17616) on :
 
Yeh you can be both ill and evil, but as that is the exception than the rule, perhaps it is worth saying so to avoid seeming to collude with negative representations.

I am not too bothered if people accept me as I am, or judge - I am pretty open about the fact I have Bipolar and Schizophrenia a.k.a Schizoaffective disorder. So I have a pretty good handle on being 'out of touch with reality' and this guy isn't ticking the boxes. But if we said he was obsessively paranoid about certain groups of people, I might agree, there has to be a psychological reason for such extreme behaviour and such extreme hate - just not a psychiatric one.

I a very social model myself - I have a psychologist who shares these views. So we have developed a means of recovery that avoids zombifying drugs. I am a bit of a campaigner tbh - I lecture at the local Uni, give presentations for Time to Change and used to have a role at the BBC. So I may appear to be banging my drum a bit!

And for the record, WBC really, really piss me off too!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Crazy Cat Lady,

We don't often give welcomes to people to The Ship on the Hell board (it isn't that kind of board), and there's a Welcome thread on our All Saints board. That's also the place for fellowship and understanding, which are pretty rare in Hell.

ps: please have a look at out 10 Commandments and the guidelines for the boards.

Sioni Sais
Helpful Hellhost
 

---

Posted by Crazy Cat Lady (# 17616) on :
 
well thats Ok but I wasn't really after welcome or fellowship - I just wanted to challenge some thinking, and provide the context for my opinions
 

---

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tortuf:
You see what you did with your post Crazy Cat Lady? You made Lamb Chopped repeat herself.

---

And better yet, the second version had a spelling mistake not present in the first version.

 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
you're in good company, Crazy Cat Lady. there's a number of us on the Ship who have special challenges of various sorts (I'm allergic to the word "disabled" - fuck that, I can do all sorts of nifty shit). At the same time, when it comes to people like Phred, I like to think there's crazy and then there's Crazy. Like, dear Phred is a fucking nutjob. That doesn't mean I'm equating him with the many lovely people I personally know with mental health challenges. He doesn't deserve to polish their shoes.

and further - I wouldn't even call people with mental health problems 'crazy' or a 'nutjob' or (my favorite) 'flamingly batshit'. most of them are lovely people who are just a little quirky when compared to the so-called healthy ones. My neighbor is just that kind of quirky. I adore him; but I know very well his view of the world is very different than mine.

No, I reserve those crazy labels for people like Phred.

and his batshit daughter.
 

---

Posted by Inanna (# 538) on :
 
Libby Phelps, who has been out of the church for about four years, returned this past weekend to Topeka and stopped by the Rainbow Equality House that has been established opposite the Westboro Compound. I hope it was healing for her - it must have taken a lot of courage.
 

---

Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
So they said they're going to picket the memorial service for Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Link.

Leaving aside the fact that they aren't fit as to such much as kiss his old plectrums, some Slayer fans (and I say this as one and one who knows that there is a great diversity among us as to our relationship with violence) may take great exception to this.
 

---

Posted by Mark Betts (# 17074) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rosa Winkel:
So they said they're going to picket the memorial service for Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Link.

Leaving aside the fact that they aren't fit as to such much as kiss his old plectrums, some Slayer fans (and I say this as one and one who knows that there is a great diversity among us as to our relationship with violence) may take great exception to this.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
This PROVES their real litigious motivations. They want someone to lose their shit and violate their rights so they can sue. They think metal-heads have no control. Otherwise, what's the point?

What they fail to understand is that listening to metal eases our rage and gives us more control.

---

quote:

---

I feel it necessary to ask a somewhat non-Hellish question here - Why? Just why?

It seems to me that Phelps and co. are so addicted to protesting and drawing attention to themselves that it doesn't seem to matter about having a reason to demonstrate anymore.

---

All roads lead to fags.
 

---

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :
 
@Bettsy

The guy died young. This is therefore the judgement of God on America. And it can only be because America isn't persecuting the gays enough. Because that's how God judges nations - if they're nice to the queers they're Bad. If they're nasty, they're Good.

[ 17. May 2013, 14:42: Message edited by: Karl: Liberal Backslider ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Mark Betts:

quote:

---

I feel it necessary to ask a somewhat non-Hellish question here - Why? Just why?

It seems to me that Phelps and co. are so addicted to protesting and drawing attention to themselves that it doesn't seem to matter about having a reason to demonstrate anymore.

---

All roads lead to fags.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Emily Windsor-Cragg:

What do you think about that idea?

---

I don't know. My eyes glazed over after the first sentence.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
So, some happy news!
I belong to a facebook group for bartenders (yes, it exists. And is awesome. We network, people. We're watching you...) and word went around that WBC was planning to picket the funerals of the Moore, OK kids who died in the tornado this week. The bartenders spread the word hard amongst the server world.

The result, according to our little network, is that WBC showed up but can't get a room, a meal, or gas anywhere in the greater OKC area. I'm so proud of my people!

A bunch turned up and bodily blocked the protest, as well.
 

---

Posted by seasick (# 48) on :
 
That's brilliant!
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
We keep strange hours, are often invisible to the public, but we are LEGION.

Word is the doubleyewbeeceers are getting four hots and a cot tonight courtesy of the state. OK requires a permit to stage a protest and they didnt get one. I can hear the lawsuits being filed from here.
 

---

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 
And in Seattle for this summer, there's a new musical called "Stu for Silverton" about the time they showed up to picket a small town in Oregon where the locals had elected the transgendered long time resident mayor.

The counter protest was that most of the town people showed up in drag, men, women and children.

It'll be good to see a musical making fun of the Phelps crowd.
 

---

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
Comet, I love your network!
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Comet--

In one of his stories, Spider Robinson said something to the effect of "never piss off a librarian--they know stuff". Guess that applies to bartenders, too!

BTW, have you read Spider's "Callahan's" books? They take place in a very special bar.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
"Callahan's Crosstime Salloon" is on the "read again forever and ever" shelf. Next to the Hobbit and Anguished English.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 


I'll have to check out "Anguished English".
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Well, the Westborians saw fit to put up a site against Oklahoma. And a hacktivist put it to good use.

(The site is down, now. The first link is to an article about it. The second is a Google cache of the hacked version. I can't find a cache of theoriginal.)


 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
So, some happy news!
I belong to a facebook group for bartenders (yes, it exists. And is awesome. We network, people. We're watching you...) and word went around that WBC was planning to picket the funerals of the Moore, OK kids who died in the tornado this week. The bartenders spread the word hard amongst the server world.

The result, according to our little network, is that WBC showed up but can't get a room, a meal, or gas anywhere in the greater OKC area. I'm so proud of my people!

A bunch turned up and bodily blocked the protest, as well.

---

I just love it when the internet works as it should.

 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Girl, 5, Collects Hundreds Of Dollars For Peace Selling Lemonade Outside Westboro Baptist Church.

 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
"On Monday, Westboro members took things to a new low when they posted an anti-gay message on their marquee, reading: 'FAGS & ENABLERS ALL BURN IN HELL LEMONADE WON'T COOL ANY TONGUES.'"

 

---

Posted by Plique-à-jour (# 17717) on :
 
Sorry, but the obnoxiousness of that is hilarious. It's exactly the response the sentimental photo op it responded to was intended to provoke, but that doesn't make it any the less funny. I hope tomorrow they put up 'WE GOT YOUR PEACE AND LOVE RIGHT HERE'.
 

---

Posted by Indifferently (# 17517) on :
 
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.

---

This from the poster who only a few hours ago was raving about "effemirate (sic) homosexuals", and who started an entire thread bemoaning the removal of references to "God's Holy wrath against sinners"?
Good God, the hypocrisy is staggering. You, Indifferently, are probably closer to the views of the Phelps clan than anyone else currently posting on this site!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs? Do they believe in infant baptism? Do they even use a canonically authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs? Do they believe in infant baptism? Do they even use a canonically authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs? Do they believe in infant baptism? Do they even use a canonically authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer?

How can God hate homosexuals when it is quite clear from the liturgical materials that we say, Almighty and everlasting God, WHO HATEST NOTHING THAT THOU HAST MADE,... does not get any clearer than that.

If God hated any part of his creation he would not have made it. God is incapable of evil. This is very basic Christian theology.

As for you Karl, I do not "worship" the Thirty Nine Articles, I merely subscribe to them.

---

That was Marv. I'm not often mistaken for him. To help you out in future, I'm the one you'll disagree with on matters both theological and political; Marv you may find some political points of agreement because he's a Tory twit, which is odd, because he shows signs of clarity of thought on matters theological.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Indifferently, I am a Quaker, I am enjoined by my faith to seek that of God in everyone - where have you hidden yours, you sad fuck?
 

---

Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
As for you Karl, I do not "worship" the Thirty Nine Articles, I merely subscribe to them.

---

That was Marv.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Indifferently, I am a Quaker, I am enjoined by my faith to seek that of God in everyone - where have you hidden yours, you sad fuck?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
As for you Karl, I do not "worship" the Thirty Nine Articles, I merely subscribe to them.

---

That was Marv.

---

Actually, the 39 Articles bit was Vade Mecum.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs? Do they believe in infant baptism? Do they even use a canonically authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Indifferently, I am a Quaker, I am enjoined by my faith to seek that of God in everyone - where have you hidden yours, you sad fuck?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
I am not in the habit of unchurching people because I don't like their views, but these people don't strike me as being Christian at all. God doesn't hate anyone. God is Love.

---

This from the poster who only a few hours ago was raving about "effemirate (sic) homosexuals", and who started an entire thread bemoaning the removal of references to "God's Holy wrath against sinners"?

Good God, the hypocrisy is staggering. You, Indifferently, are probably closer to the views of the Phelps clan than anyone else currently posting on this site!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Indifferently:
What? How are my beliefs remotely similar to theirs? Do they believe in infant baptism? Do they even use a canonically authorized version of the Book of Common Prayer?

---

They believe that They are Right, and this implies that not-They are Wrong.

You seem to follow a similar principle.

Also, they are so far up their own assholes that they can no longer see how ridiculous they are. Something the CofE is trying their hardest to follow.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
tessaB - the CofE as a body, I meant. Not necessarily all of its members. Given that I was one until 18 months ago, I know there are some good ones.

The structure and system, OTOH, is up its own ass. There are parts of the CofE that are almost as blind and rigid as WBC.

---

Running enough I agree. We are on the verge of apostasy.
 

---

Posted by tessaB (# 8533) on :
 
I think what you view as apostasy is not necessarily what I would view as apostasy
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
S-Cat - I double-dog dare you to call Anglicanism/the CofE to Hell. First, to get this dumbass tangent off my tidy little WBC thread, but secondly (and most importantly) said Hell call has the potential of being the Hellhost equivalent of the Playoffs.

Do it do it do it Do It DO IT DOITDOIT! Whataya Scared? Let's see that OP, make 'em weep! DO IT!

meanwhile, let's get back to hatin' on Phreddy and the clan, shall we?
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
S-Cat - I double-dog dare you to call Anglicanism/the CofE to Hell. First, to get this dumbass tangent off my tidy little WBC thread, but secondly (and most importantly) said Hell call has the potential of being the Hellhost equivalent of the Playoffs.

Do it do it do it Do It DO IT DOITDOIT! Whataya Scared? Let's see that OP, make 'em weep! DO IT!

meanwhile, let's get back to hatin' on Phreddy and the clan, shall we?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by FooloftheShip:
And the liberal tat queens? Do we get to have arguments with ourselves? March ourselves into the bowels of the underworld? That could be hellish confusing......

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
What Sioni said to back up comet. Goes triple for me too.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
What Sioni said to back up comet. Goes triple for me too.

---

I hope you fuckers are proud of what you've unleashed.

---

OMG yes! it's like Christmas!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
What Sioni said to back up comet. Goes triple for me too.

---

I hope you fuckers are proud of what you've unleashed.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by goperryrevs:
I was quite interested to see this clip of a couple of Westboro chaps on Russell Brand's chat show, and noticed no-one's linked to it yet. I really like the way that Brand approaches & deals with them in his questions and comments.

---

It almost seemed as though there were traces of a human sense of humour in them...
Were they really truly from there, or some actors pretending?
 

---

Posted by Rafin (# 17713) on :
 
The best counter protest of the WBC was when people showed up for a zombie apocalypse. Here is a link to an article if you want a good chuckle.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/29/westboro-baptist-church_n_1717142.html
 

---

Posted by PD (# 12436) on :
 
Rumour has it the tossbags from WBC are going to be turning up here for the funerals of the firefighters killed yesterday on the Yarnell Hill Fire. We have a law against political protests at funerals in Arizoa, so I hope the sheriff has the jailhouse cleared out.

The b*****ds get what they deserve.

PD
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Perhaps someone could spray them with a garden hose, to "help protect them" from wild fires?

(ONLY intended as a joke. NOT suggesting it actually be done.)
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Garden hose? How about a high pressure fire hose? They wouldn't need airline tickets to go back to their lair.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Skipped the high pressure hose because of its use against peaceful protesters in the African-American civil rights movement. Have seen pics.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Well, so have I. In real time on TV, as it happened.


Who ever said I had to be nice to Phred and his cronies?
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
I find it more satisfactory to imagine what would happen if the local birds somehow discovered that certain colors of signs are quite tasty...
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Pete--

Never said you had to be nice! Just explaining why I didn't use that idea.


Carex--

Or the birds decide the signs make lovely targets?
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
That certainly might be a side effect of a flock of birds descending on their signs.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:

quote:

---

Originally posted by goperryrevs:
I was quite interested to see this clip of a couple of Westboro chaps on Russell Brand's chat show, and noticed no-one's linked to it yet. I really like the way that Brand approaches & deals with them in his questions and comments.

---

It almost seemed as though there were traces of a human sense of humour in them...
Were they really truly from there, or some actors pretending?

---

It is the sad thing, yeah? Phred is seriously fucked in the head, but I think some of his followers are merely misguided.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Did anybody else see this? The White House has responded to various petitions on their website referencing the Phelps clan. They make the usual anodyne politico-speak about what they can, can't, and won't do. But they also make a really cool map of where Westboro is most hated. Check it out.
 

---

Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
Must be because all Dorothy's friends live in Kansas ...
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Best anti-Phelps protest so far.
What the Hell? I think I might actually like Satanists, now.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Best anti-Phelps protest so far.
What the Hell? I think I might actually like Satanists, now.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
Best anti-Phelps protest so far.
What the Hell? I think I might actually like Satanists, now.

---

Oh. Holy. Shit.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
Wouldn't that be

Oh. Unholy. Shit.

?
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
No, no, no, they can Satanist all they want, Jesus loves their hellacious little asses, I guarantee it.
 

---

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :
 
Westboro Baptist church misspells "illiterate" on flyer

Just something funny.
 

---

Posted by Matt Black (# 2210) on :
 

 

---

Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 

quote:

---

Nicolemr: Westboro Baptist church misspells "illiterate" on flyer

Just something funny.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Balaam--

Did you mean that WBCers are being offensive, or the Pink Mass folks??

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
IMHO, the best chance of the church breaking up (or at least slowing down) will be when Fred dies.

That *could* revitalize the group, of course. But, given that family members keep escaping, maybe the remaining folks will be tired when Fred dies, and take a break.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
IMHO, the best chance of the church breaking up (or at least slowing down) will be when Fred dies.

That *could* revitalize the group, of course. But, given that family members keep escaping, maybe the remaining folks will be tired when Fred dies, and take a break.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by leo:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
IMHO, the best chance of the church breaking up (or at least slowing down) will be when Fred dies.

That *could* revitalize the group, of course. But, given that family members keep escaping, maybe the remaining folks will be tired when Fred dies, and take a break.

---

Perhaps he'll rise again 3 days later

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
IMHO, the best chance of the church breaking up (or at least slowing down) will be when Fred dies.

<snip>

---

I wonder how many groups/people would decide to picket his funeral?
 

---

Posted by Porridge (# 15405) on :
 
What an excellent idea. Organize a Ship-meet around it?
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
I've wondered about that. ISTM that the best way would be to either *not* protest; or be there in a compassionate way. E.g., help the grieving family in practical ways, bring baked goods, hold up signs proclaiming God's forgiveness and mercy. Maybe the angel protestors could be there.

That would make a better point than any angry protest.
 

---

Posted by Porridge (# 15405) on :
 
I was thinking along the lines of picketing. Maybe carrying signs like, "God bless everybody. No exceptions."
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Bumped to ensure retention.
 

---

Posted by malik3000 (# 11437) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by duchess:
I really hate seeing the kidlets holding up the sign. Just heartbreaking.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TonyK:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
IMHO, the best chance of the church breaking up (or at least slowing down) will be when Fred dies.

<snip>

---

I wonder how many groups/people would decide to picket his funeral?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lord Jestocost:
They're having a busy week.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
Have they threatened to demonstrate at Nelson Mandelas funeral yet? I am sure they will, because they hate people, especially good people.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nicolemr:
The self described "sleaziest punk band in the world", Get Shot, has just shot a 2 minute porn film on the lawn of Freddie's place.

---

Odd to read that. When I was there last month you'd had have to scale a formidable fence to get on the lawn. And you just might get shot before you could get out.

Anyway: I conclude Fred, in his own way, is good for business.

Shrug.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
your link gives me a broken image, moron.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Works for me, without incantations, evil one.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
I see. it's a plot to keep me out.

I might have to picket.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by comet:
I see. it's a plot to keep me out.

I might have to picket.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by deano:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
Have they threatened to demonstrate at Nelson Mandelas funeral yet? I am sure they will, because they hate people, especially good people.

---

I doubt they will. In South Africa they won't be afforded the same level of protection as they receive in the US. They may well be harmed.

---

I'm watching the memorial now. Huge attendance. Much of the crowd is behaving more like it's a football game than a memorial. (E.g. interrupting speakers, trying to get on camera, etc.) And I don't mean the joyful way that people are celebrating Mandela's life.

That having been said, the crowd's somewhat volatile. Adding the Fred Church to the mix could be dangerous, indeed.

 

---

Posted by moron (# 206) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Just in case others can't vieww moron's link, it's to pictures of the WBC compound and "Equality House", opposite.

---

Fixed that for you - don't mention it.

Those guys HAVE to have a sense of humour.
 

---

Posted by Rosa Winkel (# 11424) on :
 
Granddaughter Phelps builds gay advocacy centre across the road from WBC.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Reportedly Fred Phelps is near death and has been kicked out of his own church!

Presumably there will be more news soon.
 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I don't know if others have seen this story. It seems that Fred Phelps is dying, but also that he has been excommunicated from his own church.

All I can say is that WBC is continuing to cause pain and damage to the Phelps family, as well as others. I do wonder what will happen as and when he dies, although by throwing him out of the church, they may have been pre-empting this.

It seems, once again, that they are putting their perverse beliefs of hatred above all reasonable normal interests.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
I don't know if others have seen this story. It seems that Fred Phelps is dying, but also that he has been excommunicated from his own church.

All I can say is that WBC is continuing to cause pain and damage to the Phelps family, as well as others. I do wonder what will happen as and when he dies, although by throwing him out of the church, they may have been pre-empting this.

It seems, once again, that they are putting their perverse beliefs of hatred above all reasonable normal interests.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariston:
and indications that the Church has had a preaching and leadership rota lately makes me wonder the issue isn't doctrinal, but rather a power grab.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariston:
and indications that the Church has had a preaching and leadership rota lately makes me wonder the issue isn't doctrinal, but rather a power grab.

---

Or perhaps, rather than a power grab, it is an attempt to invest the group identity in the group rather than one person.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheAlethiophile:
I read one suggestion that if he does die soon, that as many christians as possible picket his funeral with placards saying "God loves you" and preaching a gospel of forgiveness.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheAlethiophile:
I read one suggestion that if he does die soon, that as many christians as possible picket his funeral with placards saying "God loves you" and preaching a gospel of forgiveness.

---

That crossed my mind, too-- this would be a great opportunity to show grace.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tortuf:
To my mind, he was the embodiment of everything wrong with religion.

Frankly, he probably was and probably still is.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gwai:
Considering that the church apparently considers that t they will not die but go straight up to heaven, I wouldn't infer anything if they are suspicious of a dying man.

---

quote:

---

So in the end, I feel deeply and passionately sorry for them. They are trapped in their own belief system, which tells them that there is no salvation outside, so they cannot explore outside. Leaving is a big jump.

---

quote:

---

If there is a God, he clearly had a purpose for Fred Phelps, which was to show just how repulsive his ideas about man and God really are, and to warn us off them. But mostly, Phelps has damaged the credibility of any sort of God.

---

quote:

---

This is a man who not only preached hatred, but successfully spread it, more among his enemies than among those he thought his friends.

---

Hm.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:
Hell for Fred will be arriving in heaven and finding himself surrounded by loving and forgiving LGBTQ folks.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by orfeo:
Well, if he's created a church where kindness is seen as a bad thing, I'd say that's very much a case of reaping what he himself sowed.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Chris Boeskool has a great "Love Letter To Fred Phelps" on HuffPost. It's honest, blunt, and compassionate.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kelly Alves:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Golden Key:
Chris Boeskool has a great "Love Letter To Fred Phelps" on HuffPost. It's honest, blunt, and compassionate.

---

Very well done.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mere Nick:
As I understand it, Phelps and much of his family are all lawyers and they try their dead level best to piss folks off then sue them if they overreact.

---

Mere Nick speaks wisely.
 

---

Posted by passer (# 13329) on :
 
They're probably watching this thread assiduously so that they can back-trace every comment and then issue an international court order to force the site owner to hand over the admin logs so that they can reverse engineer the registration process to uncover the ip address from which the offending poster originally registered and then seek to establish the actual real-life identity of that individual so that they can sue the ass off them. Because that would be potentially far more profitable to them than going after any of the multitude of mainstream news and blog sites whose readership runs into millions - yeah, bollocks to going after the rich folks, let's get someone from an obscure group of god-squadders. ffs.

▲
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
He's gone.

 

---

Posted by deano (# 12063) on :
 
So now he knows...
 

---

Posted by JeffTL (# 16722) on :
 
The humane thing to do, obviously, is to offer Mass and other prayers for his repose. I am not in a position to judge souls obviously, but my personal speculation - which is admittedly rather optimistic - is that Pastor Phelps just found out that Purgatory is not only the name of a message board.
 

---

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
It amazes me how narrow some people think the "narrow gate" is. In all God's creation they are the only ones who have it right? One church. Really?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by listener:
The Tulsa World reports his passing at age 84. There will be no funeral.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Palimpsest:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
It amazes me how narrow some people think the "narrow gate" is. In all God's creation they are the only ones who have it right? One church. Really?

---

Is it that uncommon for members of a church to think that only they are the elect? It gets a bit silly when the number of church members becomes vanishingly small, but you can see this in many denominations. My favorite was a church in the US Bible Belt a few years ago that tried to whip up support among members for a conversion campaign. They calculated the number of potential souls to be saved by taking the regional population count for each denomination and multiplied it by the chance that a member of that denomination would go to Hell and summed the results.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by listener:
The Tulsa World reports his passing at age 84. There will be no funeral.

---

There's going to have to be something. Pretty sure local ordinances won't let him be taken out with the trash...
 

---

Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
I think they could now ship some of the 'God hates fags' signs to the UK. Littering with cigarette butts really is a huge problem, and it's time Christians took a stand.

[ 20. March 2014, 18:58: Message edited by: Wesley J ]
 

---

Posted by Anglican't (# 15292) on :
 
How long, do you think, before we learn of Phelps' Grindr account / Gaydar account / gay porn stash / rent boy / 'close male companion'?
 

---

Posted by ToujoursDan (# 10578) on :
 
May he experience the love he tried so hard to deny to others.


 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Anglican't:
How long, do you think, before we learn of Phelps' Grindr account / Gaydar account / gay porn stash / rent boy / 'close male companion'?

---

While I have no love for Phelps, and I know that many anti-gay campaigners have been found to be closet gays, but I don't actually think this is the case with him (I am well aware that I am so often proved wrong).

I don't think he was secretly gay, I think he was openly bigoted and hateful.
 

---

Posted by Dee. (# 5681) on :
 
Good riddance I say.

Happy to leave him to God to deal with. She will no doubt handle Fred more adeptly than I ever could.

Bye bye Fred, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[ 20. March 2014, 19:57: Message edited by: Dee. ]
 

---

Posted by listener (# 15770) on :
 
Having been 'dis-membered' by his church, will he rest in pieces?
 

---

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by St. Gwladys:
Even though he preached hate, wwe can still feel sadness at the pasing of another human and pity for his family. Lord, have mercy on him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Porridge:
Fred Phelps has died.

Link

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by deano:
As ever I think the Daily Mash has it spot on...

Vague feeling of emptiness over death of utter lunatic

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
I don't think Fred Phelps was in any way psychotic, insane or even deluded. He was, like racists, mysogynists and other bigots, deeply, deeply wrong. He interpreted scripture to serve his own ends and he wasn't alone in that.

---

 

---

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
New leader?

Shirley, it's surely?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by leo:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
New leader?

Shirley, it's surely?

---

She's female. If they're so Calvinist and fundamentalist, would they override scripture and allow a woman to preach/teach?

And one of their statements talks about 'man' though says there is no leadership other than Christ's.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariston:
If they're willing to overlook "love thy neighbor as yourself,"

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Rhythm Methodist:
I think Phelps' position was only a supercharged version of an attitude which is fairly common in many churches. I know a gay guy (who is also an alcoholic) who attends a London church: they told him they would sooner he sorted out his sexuality than his alcoholism, as it needed to be "brought into line with the church's position". I baptized him three months ago, not (as has been unkindly suggested) to "piss-off my denomination", but because he professed faith while on a visit here, and requested baptism. Frankly, I have suggested he finds somewhere else to worship, as I have serious doubts that his faith will flourish in such an environment...but he feels he has a right to be part of the local church, irrespective of their attitude towards him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SvitlanaV2
This is a tangent, but I can't understand why someone living in London would feel obliged to attend a church whose teachings they disagree with - the place is stuffed with churches of all kinds! The idea that one local church should be suitable for everyone in the vicinity is very outdated in a highly pluralistic urban environment, although it might work in a small homogeneous village.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Rhythm Methodist:
This is probably my fault. I told him what I believed Christianity should look like, with the ascendancy of love over judgmentalism.

---

quote:

---

Perhaps he is waiting for this church to start seeing him as someone who Christ willingly gave his life for, rather than as someone who they identify by a sin which (in their view) seems to be only technically forgivable. Perhaps the truth of the situation is, though, that they actually need him to be there!

---

Maybe they do! Changing churches from within is one strategy. OTOH, my sense is that the more affirming and tolerant churches currently have a greater need of members and commitment than the conservative ones do, even though the latter are often more inviting by virtue of their dynamism and sense of togetherness.

As for Mr Phelps, his church is apparently quite small. Perhaps the overriding message of his life's work is that a church doesn't need to be large or even 'loving' to draw attention to itself. What it needs is a flair for PR. This isn't precisely the message he wanted to get across (!) but it's the most interesting one, IMO. Even the friendliest congregation would do well to reflect on that.


 

---

Posted by The Phantom Flan Flinger (# 8891) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by passer:
[ Maybe the background muzak might consist of a loop of the Pet Shop Boys,

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
And if they are just a small church; if they are not exactly orthodox; if they have beliefs and practices that would put them out of the mainstream, why on earth have we been so outraged by him?

---

quote:

---

It's not like he was 'one of us'? So why have we allowed him to become a grotesque 'cause celebre' within the church? It beats me why we even pretended that he was 'ours' and therefore had a duty to attack him in order to defend the rest of the church!

---

quote:

---

We should have merely ignored him, made no comment, except maybe to say 'yup, he's just a weird American crank who is not recognised as a Christian church - so don't come complaining to us!'

---

quote:

---

Why have we assumed responsibility for him and made him a target as if he was damaging us?

---

quote:

---

We should have dismissed him and his vile family as a small cult and entirely turned our backs on him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
I think he was dreadful but I have to say i only knew about him because of the criticism that was levelled against him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
I think he was dreadful but I have to say i only knew about him because of the criticism that was levelled against him.

---

You're not in the US, though, are you? I think that makes a big difference.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
I think he was dreadful but I have to say i only knew about him because of the criticism that was levelled against him.

---

You're not in the US, though, are you? I think that makes a big difference.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lilBuddha:
I am not certain it does. He represented an extreme of a very common view. That God does not approve of homosexuals. Saying God loves you but doesn't approve of your lifestyle might be softer, but is it better?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
I have some questions/comments.
... It's not like he was 'one of us'? So why have we allowed him to become a grotesque 'cause celebre' within the church? It beats me why we even pretended that he was 'ours' and therefore had a duty to attack him in order to defend the rest of the church! ... Why have we assumed responsibility for him and made him a target as if he was damaging us? ...

---

quote:

---

Also posted by Mudfrog in the same post:
... - Apart from the deplorable 'GHF' thing and the boycotting of funerals, how different is this man's view of homosexual sexual behaviour any different to the traditional Christian view (whether one agrees with it or not)? ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mudfrog:
I think he was dreadful but I have to say i only knew about him because of the criticism that was levelled against him.

---

You're not in the US, though, are you? I think that makes a big difference.

---

That's true. About 90% of all I have seen about the WBC has been on or via The Ship. AFAIK the the WBC never picketed any military funerals in the UK.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Soror Magna:

quote:

---

Also posted by Mudfrog in the same post:
... - Apart from the deplorable 'GHF' thing and the boycotting of funerals, how different is this man's view of homosexual sexual behaviour any different to the traditional Christian view (whether one agrees with it or not)? ...

---

Mudfrog, you answered your own question. The "traditional Christian" view is that Fod hates gags and so Phelps is one of you All that's left is for "traditional Christians" to say that they would never do such things, since they obviously can't say they don't believe such things. And news flash: Phelps isn't the only homophobe damaging the church, he's just the most recently dead one.

---

quote:

---

The main difference between Fred Phelps & co and the most vehement anti-gay Christian preachers elsewhere is that he never advocated "loving the sinner". He was all for hating the sin and hating the sinner too. That put him and the WBC out of the mainstream and off the fringe for that matter too.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:


Bear in mind this is the public who couldn't differentiate between a pedophile and a pediatrician. Don't expect them to differentiation between "We don't consider that homosexual relationships are the ideal" and "God Hates Fags".

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by passer:

I hope that when this thread eventually withers, it is retained in Limbo as a tribute to the level of ire he succeeded in generating - universally, not just here.
▲

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
Christianity is stuffed then, because Jesus disliked a great many things although he supposedly didn't hate everyone who did them.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Indeed. The church had already disowned Fred before he died and continues to be as vile as ever.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Indeed. The church had already disowned Fred before he died and continues to be as vile as ever.

---

Why did they disown him?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Indeed. The church had already disowned Fred before he died and continues to be as vile as ever.

---

Why did they disown him?

---

Word on the street was that he called for the church to be more forgiving of its own members. (per his estranged son; not sure how he got his information)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
TBH, I don't know what's really all that important to understand when it comes to Christianity. I don't read much theology because it seems not to matter, but OTOH our churches do spend lots of time and money on churning out highly trained specialists in theology. It's a bit of a contradiction, really.

I suppose the problem with making it all about love is that so few of us are particularly good at loving everyone, so it's just easier to focus on doctrines, etc.

---

The idea that theology doesn't matter boggles the mind, quite frankly. Theology is just seeking to understand God. Why wouldn't you want to read things that could help that?

Theology informs the Christian faith so much, it is extremely important. I don't necessarily mean very cerebral theology - it is much wider than that.
 

---

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Net Spinster:
One of his estranged sons there are at least two.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gildas:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

The main difference between Fred Phelps & co and the most vehement anti-gay Christian preachers elsewhere is that he never advocated "loving the sinner". He was all for hating the sin and hating the sinner too. That put him and the WBC out of the mainstream and off the fringe for that matter too.

---

In practical terms the main difference betwixt Phelps and the homophobic mainstream is that he didn't engage in the usual polite hypocrisy and that he was daft enough to think that picketing military funerals after 9/11 would turn US opinion against homosexuality. It was a classic example of Conquest's Law. Assume that any organisation has been taken over by a cabal of it's enemies. If Elton John, Peter Tatchell and Gene Robinson had got together over a few brewskies and discussed how they could discredit the forces of homophobia, they might well have come up with the WBC.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
I don't read much theology because it seems not to matter, but OTOH our churches do spend lots of time and money on churning out highly trained specialists in theology. It's a bit of a contradiction, really.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Net Spinster:

quote:

---

Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:

quote:

---

Originally posted by balaam:
Indeed. The church had already disowned Fred before he died and continues to be as vile as ever.

---

Why did they disown him?

---

Word on the street was that he called for the church to be more forgiving of its own members. (per his estranged son; not sure how he got his information)

---

One of his estranged sons there are at least two. He probably got it from other members of the church who have also left but who have some back channel connections to people still in the church (or perhaps have left the church very recently). It is notable that Fred Phelps daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, had been replaced as spokesperson of the church by Steve Drain, someone who actually joined the church rather than be born into it, about the time of the supposed excommunication which may be outward evidence of a power struggle.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
So someone joins, and immediately is in a position to oust the founder? Now that is extraordinary.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jade Constable:
The idea that theology doesn't matter boggles the mind, quite frankly. Theology is just seeking to understand God. Why wouldn't you want to read things that could help that?

Theology informs the Christian faith so much, it is extremely important. I don't necessarily mean very cerebral theology - it is much wider than that.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schroedinger's Cat:
Theology does matter, because understanding theology is the way of countering the WBC hate.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
So someone joins, and immediately is in a position to oust the founder? Now that is extraordinary.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
So someone joins, and immediately is in a position to oust the founder? Now that is extraordinary.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Net Spinster:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Penny S:
So someone joins, and immediately is in a position to oust the founder? Now that is extraordinary.

---

Well not immediately. The person in question joined with his family in about 2000.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RevMotherRaphael:
Charming. Though I am not a typical cloistered nun, that is as nasty as I will get, thank you.

---

Believe me, that really is about as charming as Hell posts get. A short, sharp and accurate Hell 101 for you.
 

---

Posted by RevMotherRaphael (# 18102) on :
 
Shall avoid Hell in this life and the next.
 

---

Posted by Autenrieth Road (# 10509) on :
 
There's no requirement to be nasty when you post in Hell. However, if you're going to post in Hell (regardless of the nasty or non-nasty tone your posts may take), it helps to understand how the Hell board operates.
 

---

Posted by RooK (# 1852) on :
 
I hate all of you for denying me nun tears. Delicious delicious nun tears.
 

---

Posted by comet (# 10353) on :
 
greedy. you'd think all the weeping orphans would have satisfied you.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
We could console him with nun buns (see second image down).
 

---

Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Fred may be dead and gone (good riddnce), but Westbro carries on. Nice to see the counter demonstration.
 

---

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
The Westboro Baptist Church supports Gay rights! Well, inadvertently.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Why am I not surprised that these creeps are planning to picket Robin Williams' funeral? (Apparently for starring in what I think is the funniest movie ever made.)


But... Love Overshadows Westboro Baptist Church's Plan to Protest Robin Williams Funeral.

 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I have decided to follow @WBSSays on twitter, for the purpose of seeing what they are planning next.

It is funny. I mean, they don't do twitter well, of course. And I will unfollow soon, when I am bored.

Ferguson is caused by something or other that they hate. Three times last night they mentioned this.

Oh, and they are delighted to have huge numbers of followers. Clearly they haven't seen twitter destroy someone yet.
 

---

Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
Are you kidding me? People will rip them apart and they'll take it as validation of their mission, as an affirmation of what they do. You can't do what they do for that long without being at least somewhat delusional.
 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Ariston - I don't expect them to appreciate is, but it is interesting to quote them, and see how people respond. I won't last long, I am sure.

So far, the mouth-foaming is funny. They are just as crazy in real twitter life as anything else.

They are really enjoying the violence and death in Fergusson. It is enlightening.
 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I have now unfollowed them. The amount of vile hatred in my timeline is diminished.

It is interesting to read their twitter. They are hideously vile and unprincipled. I responded to a number of their tweets - not expecting to get a response (they don't do engagement) or change their minds (ha!) but just to say that some people following them think they are vile bigots.

they have posted pictures from Fergusson with comments like "isn't this wonderful!" That tells me just how sick they are.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
so sad when sick is dressed up as faith. I mean I guess we're all sick in the sense of "I came not to heal the well" or whatever it is, but to take sickness and make it gospel. Sigh. maybe that's what that bizarre passage in 1 Samuel about the golden tumours is all about!

Grrrr. How dare they take love and turn it to hate.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Y'all might like to know Adam Hills, an Australian comedian has challenged WBC to protest the beheading of Christians in Syria?Iraq, he's even offered to pay their airfares (I suggest he'd be able to crowdource the funding with ease)

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/169055-comedian-hilariously-rips-apart-westboro-baptist-churchs-plans-raid-robin-williams-fun eral/
 

---

Posted by passer (# 13329) on :
 
....but the offer has sadly had to be rescinded. Another missed opportunity.
 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
WBC responded by saying they were more than willing to go, and challenged Adam Hills to cough up the money.

I did hear his original offer, and it was brilliant. Although he always is.
 

---

Posted by Acurisur (# 18151) on :
 
I find it absolutely hilarious that all their Bible quotes are from the King James Bible! Why would a group of 21st Americans want to rely purely on an old English translation from 1611? Boggles the mind. I switch between I believe 6 or 7 different translations myself. The 2nd most hilarious thing is their signs - just about every one of them starts with GOD HATES.....what!!?? Did they just put God and hate in the same sentence? The word hate isn't even in God's vocabulary, WestBoro heathens!
 

---

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
But the KJV is the one truly inspired version. Other versions are works of the devil.

If anyone saw The Last leg on Friday, Adam referred to them again, concluding that he didn't want to give them any more publicity. Having looked into getting them plane tickets, he decided that he didn't want to send screwballs like them into a war zone.

He showed some of the signs they had sent him - "Immans abuse children" and "Mohammad was a paedo" (I think - at least as offensive as this). They also wanted to go, because "they needed preaching at". It shows the ignorance of WBC that they didn't realise they would be dead in 10 minutes of behaving like that. While they hate the US, they do seem to like the protection that it provides.

Adam also said - superbly - "no other Christians agree with you", which is pretty much true, and nice to have said occasionally.
 

---

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 
Adam Hills' response to Westboro's response to his offer I suppose one might say that the last thing the situation in Iraq needs is Westboro Baptist Church members; and the last thing they need is 'martyrs'?

The Last Leg is definitely one of my favourite programmes.
 

---

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
ISTM the local Christians might wind up collateral damage.
 

---

Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 
I'm sure no one is surprised that Westboro got into a flap over the recent referendum in Ireland.

I'm not sure all that foaming at the mouth justifies getting the Irish flag wrong in their protestations. Although, apparently, this particular cock-up is a sign that God hates the Ivory Coast as well.

Huffington Post Article
 

---

Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
More interesting than that is the link to God Hates the World dot com. It's like the CIA World Factbook, but instead of telling you stats about land area, GDP, and major exports, you can find out why God hates any specific country you can think of.

Seriously, Djibouti? God hates Djibouti? And that lot thinks that Robert Mugabe could really stand to be a bit more oppressive?

[ 27. May 2015, 01:35: Message edited by: Ariston ]
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alan Cresswell:
I'm sure no one is surprised that Westboro got into a flap over the recent referendum in Ireland.

I'm not sure all that foaming at the mouth justifies getting the Irish flag wrong in their protestations. Although, apparently, this particular cock-up is a sign that God hates the Ivory Coast as well.

Huffington Post Article

---

I love the guy trying to figure out how to turn the flag the correct way (which of course can't work).
 

---

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ariston:
Seriously, Djibouti? God hates Djibouti?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by orfeo:
Turns out that not only does God hate the World, he hates all Worlds. Including fictional ones.

---

Only a muggle would believe those are fictional worlds.
 

---

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
*Registers godhatesnarnia.com as domain and vows to resist Westboro claims for it after next portal is discovered.*
 

---

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
What a fantastic counteroffensive that would be. i mean, if we all bought a " god hates" domain.

I'd like to teach the world to hate...

[ 28. May 2015, 14:26: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]
 

---

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
Indeed.

* registers godhatesvolleyball.com *
 

---

Posted by jbohn (# 8753) on :
 
godhateswbc.com
godhateswestoborobaptistchurch.com
godhatesphelps.com
godhatesshirleyphelps.com

are all available, as of a few minutes ago.

godhatesfredphelps.com

is taken, however.
 

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Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
What a fantastic counteroffensive that would be. i mean, if we all bought a " god hates" domain.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Kelly Alves:
It's kind of like getting the Nobel Prize, isn't it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Alex Cockell:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/22/this-should-go-well-westboro-baptist-church-says-its-going-to-iraq-to-protest-isis/?f b_action_ids=10205921320528105&fb_action_types=og.comments

This'll be fun...

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quote:

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Originally posted by passer:
Oh dear.
Rick-rolled!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
- making them a joke, not discussing.

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quote:

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Originally posted by balaam:

quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
- making them a joke, not discussing.

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MAKING them a joke? Sorry, I do not understand.

I'm looking forward to see how The Last Leg deals with this on Friday.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Golden Key:
Makes more sense than most Westboro edicts.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:

quote:

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Originally posted by Golden Key:
Makes more sense than most Westboro edicts.

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That is not a particularly high starting point.

The problem is that WBC hate everyone, even those who might agree with some aspects of their twisted belief. Making sense has never been a strong aspect of their approach.

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quote:

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Palimpsest: In Seattle a couple of years ago, they made a musical Stu for Silverton about the transgender mayor of a small town in Oregon. When the Westboro Baptist Church decided to picket him at a town parade, they inspired most of the rest of the town to show up at the parade in drag to support their mayor.
It was a pretty funny musical.

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quote:

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Originally posted by listener:
Latest assault on reason is to protest outside Kim Davis' office Oct.19th. As an adultress she should be issuing marriage certificates to gays as punishment to herself. (use links in previous posts if you want more).

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quote:

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"...nothing happens in this earth without the direct command of God ..."

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Including the existence of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people?

The words "shoot", "self" and "foot" spring to mind ...
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
So basically, all forms of science that risk telling you something about the world are evil. One should engage in constant supplication and, when there's a thunderstorm or tornado, shrike "God is angry!" and cower under the table.

And yet these morons seem to cope with the modern technology spreading their self-advertising.
 

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Posted by Alan Cresswell (# 31) on :
 
I wonder if they'll take commercial airlines to get to Kentucky for their picket of Ms Davis office? If so, would they complain if the pilot decided to route around any severe weather on the way?
 

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Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
From the weather article:

quote:

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"...nothing happens in this earth without the direct command of God ..."

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Including the existence of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people?

The words "shoot", "self" and "foot" spring to mind ...

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Shrug. They're hyper-Calvinists. God created some people to be damned. The thing that I don't understand is why they spend all this time and energy protesting. It isn't going to change anything if God decreed it. Everything is signed and sealed in the Book of Everything. All I can think is that it is just a big raspberry at the world, "Nyah! Nyah! We've been saved and you haven't and you never will be! HAHAHA!!!"
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I think you are also attributing more logic and sense to their position that it justifies.

I know in some areas, some of them are reasonably intelligent. But when it comes to defining their theological position, all of that goes out of the window. Not unlike in other churches, of course, but there the results is rather more incomprehensible.

And I still can't get over the fact they miss Jesus saying in Mt 16, where he explains that they know how to do (rudimentary) weather forecasting, without condemnation, but they still can't see the signs of the kingdom.

Although I suspect they interpret "signs of the kingdom" as being the hideous placards they hold up. In the end, they have a religion of hatred, so they just have to hate everyone, and then find justification for their hatred.

And it does always intrigue me that, while they are very extreme, many other churches and church groups use similar tactics. This is not just evangelical groups either.
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
The situation of the Phelpses themselves isn't necessarily hopeless. Some members got out of the family cult and have separate lives. One, Fred's son, has been public about it.

I wonder how things are between Shirley and the rest of the clan. She was kind of lawyer-in-chief. AIUI, other members tried to push her out, before Fred died--and he actually stood up for her. If they now pushed hard enough to make her leave, however angrily and reluctantly, a) it might be good for her; and b) would the remaining group gradually crumble?

I was just thinking it would be cool for Pope Francis to walk up to one of their protests. (Not that I'd wish it on him!!) Maybe have some gentle but strong comments for them. But they might well try to hit him with their protest signs. Hmmm...Westboro vs. Papal and US Secret Service...

ETA: And, afterwards, wouldn't that make a great skit on "Saturday Night Live"?



[ 21. October 2015, 17:37: Message edited by: Golden Key ]
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Several years ago, we had a discussion when Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper, two twenty-something sisters, left Westboro.

The New Yorkers Nov. 23, 2015 issue has an article on their journey, focusing mostly on Megan. It's a long article, but IMHO worth reading. And it's interspersed with classic New Yorker cartoons. (Unrelated to the article.)

Don't miss the last paragraph!
 

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Posted by RooK (# 1852) on :
 

quote:

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Fred Phelps died in March, 2014, at the age of eighty-four. Former members of the church told me that Fred had had a softening of heart at the end of his life and had been excommunicated.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
It does definitely sound like, at the end of his life, he realised how completely wrong he had been.

That must have been horrible. I can honestly say that I hope he was able to make his peace with God, because my God is like that, a God of mercy.

Of course, maybe he just realised that everything he had stood for and worked for in his life was mistaken and broken, and died an utterly desperate soul, which would have been justice.

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Wiki says that Fred was reportedly excommunicated for speaking positively about Equality House .

If true, just WOW. That is the Holy Spirit in action.

Even if he died thinking he had been very wrong and that God had turned his back on him, I believe that there was a pleasant surprise in store for him.
 

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Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
The Grauniad of 10 April 2016 has an article about 'Losing extreme faith', with, amongst others, Megan Phelps-Roper.
 

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Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
That was interesting. And I can't help reading it with the current Archers discussion about domestic abuse in mind, particularly with regard to the Hasidic Jewish young woman.

It looks as if there is a capability for people to submit to situations which are not beneficial to their development as individuals, though they may be beneficial to physical survival.
 

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Posted by passer (# 13329) on :
 
I'm not familiar with the app, but, having kids, I am aware of Pokémon (sue me). It appears that WBC have enlisted Jigglypuff. I'm not sure whether Fred would have approved...

Behold!
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Are WBC going to picket the funeral of democracy, which must be due in the UK sometime soon?
 

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Posted by luvanddaisies (# 5761) on :
 
I saw this article about the neighbourly relations between WBC and the LGBTetc rainbow house opposite them, and now the trans-house by it. It's interesting; seems like there is actually some positivity there. Who'd have thought it?
 

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Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
There was a piece in the Guardian about the mayor of Miami after the shooting finding a nice area in the cemetery which would take all the victims, if their families wanted it, and organising construction fencing around it, in case the WBC decided to turn up.
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by luvanddaisies:
I saw this article about the neighbourly relations between WBC and the LGBTetc rainbow house opposite them, and now the trans-house by it. It's interesting; seems like there is actually some positivity there. Who'd have thought it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by luvanddaisies:
I saw this article about the neighbourly relations between WBC and the LGBTetc rainbow house opposite them, and now the trans-house by it. It's interesting; seems like there is actually some positivity there. Who'd have thought it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Not WBC, but some other nut of the same ilk.

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quote:

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[I]t was sent as “as an incredible, encouraging spiritual exercise to take you to the next level in your walk with an almighty and gracious God who does all things well.”

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So when other people are flooded out, it is a sign of God's displeasure, but when he is flooded out it is a sign of God's gracious nature in affording him an encouraging spiritual exercise.
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
Pray that the Lord in His bounty sends many such spiritual exercises.
 

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Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Yeah, it's a compliment, really.
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
As the Book says, "Whom the LORD loveth, He chasteneth".


The HuffPost version of the story ended by saying that *no one* deserves what this guy went through--and that the writer hopes he comes to realize that.


Perhaps Fred Phelps will visit him in the night, maybe in his dreams, and Explain A Few Things.
 

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Posted by sabine (# 3861) on :
 
Student rally for love when Westboro turns up at an Indianapolis university

Proud of the students at this university in my city.

sabine

[ 07. October 2016, 15:27: Message edited by: sabine ]
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Not Westboro as such but a "supporter" insists on telling kids waiting to visit Santa that he isn't real.

What an uncircumcised glans* he is.

*Complete dickhead.
 

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Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
Former Westboro member Megan Phelps Roper gives a TED talk. I wonder if we could get her on some Dead Horse threads?
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
We discussed her, a few years ago. IIRC, we wanted her to join the Ship, but thought it might be too much exposure for her. We might have been going by something she said publicly, or maybe someone wrote to her.

I think the gist was that it might be too hard on her.
 

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
I think it was one of those strange times, when the ship as a whole wanted to send out a message of love and support for her, someone who was not and was unlikely to be a shipmate.

It was something very special.

I am just waiting until she can make it over here and talk at Greenbelt. That would be completely awesome (but might be too much for her). She would find so much love and care there.
 

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Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
IIRC, one of the other escapees--a man--wrote a book about his experiences. I think Megan wrote some articles, but I'm not sure if she's written any books.
 

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Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :
 
Well, all credit to both of them, showing that the evil propagated by Westboro (I won't dignify them by calling them a 'church') is not invincible.

IJ
 

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Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
That TED talk is brilliant....thanks for the link
 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Well, look who's in Phoenix this weekend.

Odd choice of places to picket, especially since there was a huge Gay Pride celebration going on this weekend.

(Apparently at the high school about ten Westboro picketers showed up, outnumbered by parents protesting them.)
 

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