Anti-gay preachers Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper banned from Britain

Times Online ^ | 19 Feb 2009 | David Byers

[BGHater]

The Home Secretary has banned two extremist anti-gay preachers from entering Britain, a move that follows a decision to refuse entry to Geert Wilders, the Dutch anti-Muslim MP.

Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper, who belong to the US Westboro Baptist Church, were planning to come to the UK to protest outside a performance of a youth play called The Laramie Project, which recounts the death of gay university student Matthew Shepard who was killed in Laramie, Wyoming, in October 1998.

It was due to be performed at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke, Hampshire, tomorrow.

The pair have been known to picket US soldiers’ funerals, holding up banners with phrases such as "God Hates Fags" because they believe that their deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are punishment for America’s tolerance of gays.

Their exploits, and that of their sect as a whole, were exposed in 2007 by Louis Theroux, the TV documentary-maker.

Confirming their ban, a UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The Home Secretary has excluded both Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper from the UK.

"Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities.

"The Government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms.

"We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.

"That was the driving force behind the tighter rules on exclusion for unacceptable behaviour that the Home Secretary announced on October 28 last year.

"The exclusions policy is targeted at all those who seek to stir up tension and provoke others to violence regardless of their origins and beliefs."

[BGHater]

""Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities.

"The Government has made it clear it opposes extremism in all its forms.

"We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country. "

Islam?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Now, don’t be Hatin’, BG! ;)

[a fool in paradise]

Maybe Al Gore can speak on behalf of his friends, the Phelps.

[RetiredArmy]

already posted

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2189260/posts

[a fool in paradise]

"We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country. "

Yeah, right.

[BGHater]

thanks, same topic, different post.

[WakeUpAndVote]

We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.

________

[Mind Freed]

"God Hates Fags"

It's frustrating that people look at Christians as being hateful towards anyone that doesn't think the same as we do. Saying "God hates fags" doesn't help. God doesn't like homosexuality, but God loves everyone. The bible even tells us to hate the sin but love the sinner. Homosexuality is wrong without a doubt. We should pray for homosexuals though, not persecute them.

[GinaLolaB]

Last year when I went to Washington, DC to see the Pope drive by, I was standing behind the White House and the nasty, filthy Phelps dirt bags were there screaming. When the Pope mobile came driving out of the White House, I started chasing it and so did the entire crowd. It felt surreal the way the entire crowd left the nasty Phelps' in their dust. It was the best part of the day for me.

[a fool in paradise]

Fred Phelps is a Democrat. He’s run for office several times as a Democrat. He was publicly seen as a friend of Al Gore until their relationship became unseemly.

I know he’s a Democrat. I question whether he and his family’s cult are Christian. He is also anti-war but it is the stereotypical “anti-gay” sentiment that he is always known for. That and being a Christian. His efforts smear the Religious Right.

Got the picture?

[Slings and Arrows]

I’m not a Christian, but doesn’t the New Testament say fair amount about false prophets?

Good for GB. Every nation has right to control its borders.

[Non-Sequitur]

He was publicly seen as a friend of Al Gore until their relationship became unseemly.

You don't suppose Phelps's picketing of Gore, Sr.'s funeral had anything to do with it, do you?

I question whether he and his family’s cult are Christian

He and his family are questioning that very same thing about you.

[a fool in paradise]

Al Gore distanced himself from Phelps long before his father’s funeral in 1998.

Are there any members of the Phelps Cult who are not Phelps family members?

[Non-Sequitur]

Are there any members of the Phelps Cult who are not Phelps family members?

Not that I'm aware of. I think they're all family, by birth or marriage.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Can we ban these despicable cretins from America ?

[Thombo2]

“I question whether he and his family’s cult are Christian.”Good question.Lots of speculation as to the sincerity of Fred and his clan.Professional agitators for a fact.Very possibly a front/facade to make real Christians look bad.Naturally the msm give Westboro lots of exposure.