[Brazelton] Fred Phelps dead?

Dave

Dave

Staff member
The leader of the hate group Westboro Baptist Church Fred Phelps is being reported as having died last night.

Anyone shedding a tear? This is one of those times I mourn being an atheist. I'd be secure knowing he's in hell wallowing in the fiery pits of his own hatred.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I'm more sorry to the victims of his hate and the children in his family that was raised to think it was normal.
 
Hylian

Hylian

I will admit I am not shedding a tear that he is dead but at the same instant I refuse to celebrate his death. I know that he was a evil and hatred filled person but if I was to celebrate his death I would be stooping to his level.
 
Officer_Charon

Officer_Charon

Honestly, I hope folks are classy enough not to picket his funeral.

That aside, good riddance to awful rubbish. I will be standing by to observe the inevitable breakup of the WBC in the wake of losing the charismatic leader.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I am also kind of sad that he died before they found him in a compromising situation with a male prostitute. Because you know old Freddy wanted the D.[DOUBLEPOST=1395333609,1395333448][/DOUBLEPOST]But I do have a different take on whether to picket the funeral and say hateful things. Yes, I understand the need to rise above, but this is a very concrete opportunity to show the family - who remain hate-filled and in the church - how these things affect those grieving a loved one's passing. Yes, we can be better, but does that teach them anything at all? Would they then say, "Well, we were given compassion and privacy so we should stop doing what we're doing!" I don't think so.
 
Shakey

Shakey

Dave said:
But I do have a different take on whether to picket the funeral and say hateful things. Yes, I understand the need to rise above, but this is a very concrete opportunity to show the family - who remain hate-filled and in the church - how these things affect those grieving a loved one's passing. Yes, we can be better, but does that teach them anything at all? Would they then say, "Well, we were given compassion and privacy so we should stop doing what we're doing!" I don't think so.
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I have a feeling that would have the opposite effect. It would most likely give them a reason to continue, and worst of all, more attention.
 
sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

I don't know if I want no one to attend his funeral, forgotten before he was cold. Or, have a Gay Pride Parade following the hearse. Or, just silent protesters with "Hate is not the answer" signs.
 
PatrThom

PatrThom

That would only work if the protestors were all genuine about it. And finding that many people who would genuinely forgive them would be difficult.

It would be the Ultimate solution, though.

--Patrick
 
Piotyr

Piotyr

Facebook words from a good friend of mine who was also a pastor:

8 years ago, a member of the Westboro Baptist Church screamed in my face at a funeral of a soldier I was conducting. She asked me if I read my Bible, specifically the part in Romans that spoke of God's wrath on homosexuals. I responded that Romans 12 also said we are to mourn with those who mourn. She then called me a lying whore. I walked away and buried a hero. The chapter continues to say, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

I hated what you did to people in pain, but today, Phelp's family ... I am sorry for your loss. I hope someday you find the peace that has eluded you so far in life.
 
Emrys

Emrys

I'm probably going to get slammed for this but I actually pity the man. I can't imagine going through life filled with such blinding, crippling hate. Hate that spewed out to contaminate everything it touched, including his own family. Hate that lives on to contaminate others. Such a narrow, suffocating way to live. Such a legacy to leave behind.
 
PatrThom

PatrThom

Emrys said:
I'm probably going to get slammed for this
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Not from me, you won't. It is unfortunate that he chose that path, yes. I have no idea what cemented his position, but it must have been quite unpleasant/embarrassing to have driven him so strongly. He has my pity, as well.
Let us also remember that his hate was not genetic, but rather a lifestyle choice of his own making, and he could have changed his mind and begged forgiveness at any time, even on his deathbed, but he did not.

--Patrick
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I will like that gif no matter where I see it. Tom Cruise is coo-coo pants, but he was great in Tropic Thunder.
 
Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington

Emrys said:
I'm probably going to get slammed for this but I actually pity the man. I can't imagine going through life filled with such blinding, crippling hate. Hate that spewed out to contaminate everything it touched, including his own family. Hate that lives on to contaminate others. Such a narrow, suffocating way to live. Such a legacy to leave behind.
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I don't pity him, but I sympathise with your point of view. Regardless of the hate and evil he put into the world, he also (hopefully) loved and was loved and is missed; those feelings aren't illegitimate just because I condemn many of the beliefs and actions he and his family take. There are people in pain over his death, that is sad, too.
 
Sparhawk

Sparhawk

I refuse to call them a church, I say that WBC stands for Westboro Blithering Cult. They don't follow the words of the Bible, and actually twist them (such as the Romans reference above) and ignore the direct words and actions of Christ. Christ met and ate (and HUGE thing during that time) with those that were considered separated from the faith (Samaritans and such), these cultists would never do that.

I feel pity for the family of this man, and honestly hope that he prayed for forgiveness from God for what he did before he died. But I doubt that happened, and he has now found the folly of his false preaching.
 
Tiger Tsang

Tiger Tsang

While there probably is/was a lot homophobic hate in that group, people seem to forget that they were (and probably will continue to be) a bunch trolling, grifting scumbags, many of whom are lawyers.
They did what they did hoping to be put in a situation for a civil suit payout/settlement and being AW's more than getting some Church's message out.
 
AshburnerX

AshburnerX

I remember hearing a few days ago that the church had already disowned Phelps over his last minute appeals for the church to treat people better. So not only has the power struggle over leadership of church begone... not only has it shown that it will continue as normal... but it showed that Fred was (on his death bed) absolutely terrified of what he had done and sought last minute redemption like a fucking death row inmate. If he's be forgiven by god, than fine... but his lifetime of hate has ruined countless lives and his legacy will ruin more to come.
 
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