These people are truly twisted. They have gained some notoriety for their God Hates Fags (dot com) site, and the hate they project is incredible. It’s disturbing that the children in this family, as Louis Theroux points out in one segment, are victim’s of the Phelp’s hateful ministry as one of them was hit with a soda cup thrown from a passing car during one of their pickets. Fred Phelps daughter is more or less the defensive spoksewoman for the family. Theroux speaks with her the most, and most of her answers are defensive when he interrogates her about her beliefs. The man who produces the picket signs, apparently a man who joined the Westborough Baptist Church, is equally defensive as he shoots dogma at Theroux during their conversations. The journalist’s attempts to interview Fred Phelps, the grand sire of the notorious ministry, fall flat as Phelps refuses to engage his questions at all.
For a long time, the Phelp’s were the most hated family in gay America, gaining infamy through picketing gay pride events and funerals. One of their most distasteful efforts was their loud, public condemnation Matthew Shephard ( who died by a brutal hate crime) and their attempt to picket his funeral. Now, they have found a bigger target – the war dead, American soldiers who died in Iraq. In profoundly bad taste, they research funerals held for these soldiers and picket them, even traveling to other cities to do this. And they’ve found a way to connect it with their hatred of “fags.”
You can access the videos here , or click on the list:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Tags: gay rights, YouTube
Call me crazy, but wasn’t pride — which these people are dripping from every pore in their bodies because they think they’ve got it all right — one of the big sins?
(Like, way bigger than their chosen cause celebre)?
I just can’t identify with people who think they’re so perfect that they can stand around all day long and criticize everyone else. And I certainly don’t understand the mindset that goes into the “God loves you, and I’m going to beat you up until you love him back” philosophy espoused by the Phelpses and bin Ladens of this world.
I shudder to think what could be accomplished if this kind of time and energy were put into something useful and productive.
Religion. Kills folks dead.
Disturbingly, the Phelps aren’t interested in love at all. They seem more interested in stirring up persecuation against themselves, which to them is a sign that they are doing the right thing. By going after more than just gays, they are accomplishing that.
Your comment on how religion kills gays is on target. As an Episcopalian, I find it disturbing that these African Anglican churches bear some responsibilty for the harshly anti-gay climates in their nations. Peter Akinola, the arch-bishop of Nigeria, sees gays as sub-human. I find it hard to believe that he and some of these others are trying to put pressure on the American Episcopal churches to rescind their positions on gays and lesbians. I don’t think they’re quite happy that a woman is wearing the mitre for the US, either.
Yeah, the Phelps aren’t so much into the love thing — I was channeling a little bit of the nut jobs who stand out on our campus day after day and tell people that they’re sinners and going to Hell (and Jesus loves you). I mean, if the point is to win people over, what’s the use in being so unpleasant that no one wants to be near you?
And let’s face it – the religious right in this country (and many others — and I’m not just talking about Christians) isn’t just anti-gay. They’re anti-feminist (see: the furor over the Texas governor’s proposal to mandate HPV vaccinations for girls) and anti-immigrant (as long as the immigrants don’t fit into their narrow definition of “Christian” — god forbid they should be Muslim! Or Hindu! Or … dare I say it … Catholic!!).
Now, to be fair, the late chief cleric of Saudi Arabia did once say that women driving cars was the path to hell (this was in 1992), so at least we’re not starting back at that point.
On the other hand, have we ‘progressed’ all that much?
When I was in college, there was a couple who preached on campus, and they were both unpleasant. However, students watched them more for entertainment value rather than to “get saved.” Fornication was a major fixation of theirs. The woman was shrill and hateful during her sermons, while her husband seemed to relish the details in speaking of the evils of unmarried sex.
In San Diego, Pride just wouldn’t be Pride without these nutjob group of protesters who show up every year scream at everyone during the parade. At least one young man in the group was suspect (closet cas). Fortunately, they are barricaded by the fire station behind some police officers mounted on horses.
It is a popular condition that some in our country seek fame and/or notoriety for its own sake. The ultimate goal (in my estimation) of any church or “church” is to raise money and garner power. The Phelpsists are doing what they can to attract more nutcases to their church and the collection plates.
“Say what you will, but spell my name right.” Yeah, that’s your bogey, Maverick. Sadly, hate sells in America. If you don’t believe me, review last year’s election campaigns.
One last quote from Mr. Deity Himself, “Abomination? You called it an ABOMINATION?”