Westboro Church Group.

[Rageaholic]

According to the latest article, they've planned on protesting in that area before but never did. I'm not surprised. It's a rural area, where most people have guns, and I wouldn't be surprised (or saddened) if they got shot.

I'm surprised him or his croneys haven't been shot at yet. I've seen a video where they got attacked by a mob and cops had to break up the fight, but with people like Bill O'reilly getting death threats for just being opinionated jerks (as opposed to complete monsters like Phelps), I'm surprised they're not in witness protection. Then again, who would want to be assigned to protect those assholes?

[Andara Bledin]

For those who haven't heard it yet, here's a snippet of something the daughter and spokeswoman was reported to have said recently:

Shirley Phelps-Roper, the church spokeswoman, says the members want God to punish Americans for tolerating homosexuality. They picket funerals to make people angry, she says: They want people to reject God and be condemned to hell.

"Our job is laid out," she says, in comments sprinkled with biblical references. "We are supposed to blind their eyes, stop up their ears and harden their hearts so that they cannot see, hear or understand, and be converted and receive salvation."

Yeah.... lovely people. 9.9

^-.-^

[Hyena Dandy]

Isn't that... Like, the absolute opposite of what the Bible says?

[Kaylyn]

Isn't that... Like, the absolute opposite of what the Bible says?

Oh, it is. But they're only concerned for their own salvation, so they're interpreting things in the way that basically says if they turn everyone away, they'll be the only ones in heaven. Listening to them absolutely boggles my mind, as an ex-Christian, I remember my Bible, and I can't for the life of me figure out why they choose to be such dicks about it. It's a cult, basically; they're picking and choosing what they like and cutting out the rest. I guarantee you'll never hear them preaching, "turn the other cheek," "do unto others," etc. They choose to honor the fire-and-brimstone God, not the loving God most Christians choose to follow.

[Hyena Dandy]

an ex-Christian, I remember my Bible, and I can't for the life of me figure out why they choose to be such dicks about it.

As a current Christian, I also remember the bible.

A lot of Evangelicals are bad, but this is so opposite of Christianity that they've, like, come from a mirror universe.

The Bible is quite big on spreading the word of God, almost as big as it is on charity an' stuff. Even a LITERAL (not even just 'literal') reading would get that.

[Mytical]

More trivia time? Yay! It's probably the 144,000 (I forget if it is per 'tribe' or total) bit that have them all in a tizzy...not wanting others to 'edge them out'. Like any self respecting deity would have them anyhow. *shrugs*


Trivia..when it absolutely has to be random, trust the Mytical brand.

[Rageaholic]

Oh, it is. But they're only concerned for their own salvation, so they're interpreting things in the way that basically says if they turn everyone away, they'll be the only ones in heaven. Listening to them absolutely boggles my mind, as an ex-Christian, I remember my Bible, and I can't for the life of me figure out why they choose to be such dicks about it. It's a cult, basically; they're picking and choosing what they like and cutting out the rest. I guarantee you'll never hear them preaching, "turn the other cheek," "do unto others," etc. They choose to honor the fire-and-brimstone God, not the loving God most Christians choose to follow.

I know, I remember when I was at a phase where I was absolutely terrified at the thought of going to hell. I couldn't imagine wishing damnation on even the worst of humanity. Yet according to Christian beliefs, they are deliberatly trying to damn people to hell. They might as well say "We're doing the devils work muwahahahahahahaha!".

No wonder even the fundies hate these guys so much.

[Sarah Valentine]

I'm surprised they're not in witness protection. Then again, who would want to be assigned to protect those assholes?

I'm sure if that were the case then the people in charge of protecting them would all take a day off and look the other way to make sure that they all die, I know I would.

[Mytical]

This is a bit long, a lot of ranting..just to warn everybody. I also want to apologize up front to any Christians out there, because I know not every one of them are the same. I just need to rant a bit.

I am a very live and let live person. I believe religion is a personal thing, between whoever and their deity of choice. I personally don't care if you worship Jimbobfurlybob the God of Disco Pants. Though I would love to understand WHY you would do so, and the beliefs that you have.

My problem is when people try to force it down my throat. I enjoy debating different philosophies, but there is a point when we have to agree to disagree..and leave it at that.

Yesterday I got into a rather..heated debate with somebody who might as well belong to the Phelps group. I let them know exactly what I thought of them, and of course they shared their views to me. Which is everybody's right, even if I disagree with them. That was not enough however.

As I decided to walk away, knowing that a discussion is impossible, they started following me and spewing their hate. Gays, non-christians (though I hesitate to use that word..as what their idea of christians are is .. not mine), foreigners, soldiers..etc. I sort of broke down, and since I always say exactly what is on my mind..I let them know..but I did it most certainly in the wrong way.

I informed them, that I had no interest in a god that was not only a Hypocrite, but a biggot. How any deity that says "Everybody is equal" then turns around and says "But this person, this group, and such" can go jump in a firey lake for all I care. My Zen was gone, I got nose to nose with them.

I asked how any self respecting deity could say "Love one another" and then turn around and say "But not like that, or not those people" Because if they do either they have psychological problems or they are just a 'b' word or <other> 'b' word, and isn't worth either my respect OR my faith. I let them know exactly where they could .. put their god..and left them with their mouth hanging open..and turning a little pale.

The problem is, I know I went a little too far. I do respect most Christians, and most people of any faith. I had even went into my stage one of anger .. shaking. Which is NOT a good thing, because had they pressed the issue..I honestly don't know what would have happened.

I am a supporter of free speech, but it is very hard to respect somebody who shows no respect for anybody or anything. I will try my hardest to understand anybody's view points, but I guess I fail when it comes to this. I just haven't the patience to do so. Why do people have so much hate, and why can it be so contagious. Because I can honestly say, that I felt loathing toward that person, so much so that I don't think even my loathing for those who harm children could match it. I am a lesser person because of that loathing, a step closer to that which I abhor.

Edit : I admit is has been a long time since I could be called a Christian..but are not we all supposed to be created equal? Or is that just wishful thinking?

[rdp78]

Wow, Mytical, that's tough situation to be in and I don't really know how I would handle it if was dealing with that type of person. Sometimes its easy to walk away but when they start following you then it's a different story. The good thing is it didn't come to violence and nobody was physically hurt but emotional torn I'm assuming.

Anyway on a ligther note, I found a list of 30 anti-WBC signs and some I think are pretty funny. Here is a the link to it and I am sure most of them will make you go lol. Oh, check out the responses to the list and some people posted pics of other anti-WBC signs which are just hilirous (sp?).

[JustaCashier]

Mytical, I don't think you went too far at all.

Your opinion on religion is pretty much the same as mine, and while I'm very tolerant of people believing what they wish, it goes too far when they proselytize, or worse, have hateful and harmful beliefs, like the beliefs of the Phelps Klan, or this person you let loose on.

Frankly, as a self admitted wuss that doesn't like confrontation, I thank you for standing up to this person. I don't know if I would have had the balls to do so.

Finally, I truly hope you are not afraid you offended this person in any way. If you are, then you should be ashamed of yourself!

Mike

[MadMike]

Thankfully, they were a no-show. As the paper pointed out, they wouldn't have had much room to protest anyway. The area around the church is all private property, and most of the owners put up "No Trespassing" signs and marked it off with tape. The protestors would have had to stand in the road. Wouldn't it be funny if they got hit by a log truck? OK, I didn't just say that...

My son gave me a bit of disturbing news, which may not even be in the paper. His girlfriend lives in that area, and she told him the school was put on lockdown because the so-called church group threatened to come to the school if they couldn't get to the funeral. Not sure why they locked the school down, since that group isn't known for violence. But it makes me sick that they were thinking of coming to my old high school.

[Mytical]

Justacashier I honestly don't care if I hurt that douches feelings, but I do respect what (in my eyes) are real christians. The ones like the group that runs the 'soup kitchen' in my neighborhood. Who welcome everybody, and openly speak out against the so called preaching of the WBC. Everybody is a 'brother' or 'sister' regardless of race, sexual orientation, or even religious affiliation..and are treated as such. Muslims will be greeted with a hearty handshake and a slap on the back (or similar) just as the next person would be.

I've had some very heated debates with them, but not once have they treated me with anything but respect (which is why they get shown a little extra respect ). Its those types of people who I would not want them to think less of me because of how I reacted. Because respect is earned, not given.

[JustaCashier]

I'm with ya there, Mytical.

As a lifelong agnostic, leaning towards atheist, one of the people of all time I have the most respect for is Mother Teresa. She lived a life of poverty, and gave of herself that lived in the poorest of conditions.

Now I'm not saying that everyone with some, (or no) religious affiliation should live such a life, but to me what she did was incredibly unselfish.

I just wanted to make sure you didn't feel bad about possibly offending some jerk that richly deserved it!

Mike

[AdminAssistant]

As a lifelong agnostic, leaning towards atheist, one of the people of all time I have the most respect for is Mother Teresa.

I don't want to de-rail the thread too badly, but I'll just say that you really, really shouldn't.