Posted on 03/25/2014 6:27:32 AM PDT by Kaslin
My parents taught me never to speak ill of the dead, but in the case of Fred Phelps, who died last week at the age of 84, I think they would have made an exception.
The man, who will be referred to in this column without the modifier "reverend," because there was nothing reverent about him, defined the word "odious." He and some of his family members constituted the entire membership of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. It was BINO, Baptist in name only. Phelps and some members of his family (though not all) picketed military funerals with signs that read, "God hates fags," "God hates Jews," and "thank God for dead soldiers." Phelps was an equal opportunity bigot.
The father of one dead service member went to court seeking to outlaw picketing outside churches where military funerals were held. He lost because the behavior, though deplorable, was regarded as an exercise in free speech protected by the First Amendment.
The media played a major role in promoting Phelps and his cult-like family. The outrageous, the bizarre, the twisted, especially if these things can be tied to religion, are favorite subjects of broadcast networks and newspapers. Too bad those practicing true religion do not get the kind of coverage Phelps did.
Some years ago I was the object of Phelps' wrath. I was the speaker at the Kansas Prayer Breakfast. It was the first time I had encountered Phelps and his bigotry. I mentioned my surprise at pickets outside a prayer breakfast to then-Governor Kathleen Sibelius, who was seated next to me. She told me not to take it seriously because "they picket everybody."
Phelps claimed to be serving God with his diatribes against people he claimed were God's enemies. But instead of directing hatred toward people, no less a figure than Jesus of Nazareth said, "love your enemies." Real Baptist preachers will tell you it is Satan who hates and God who loves. They will tell you that Satan is a masquerader, a fraud and a liar. Does that sound like Phelps?
If Fred Phelps were a dollar bill, the Secret Service would have arrested him for being counterfeit. His is a counterfeit religion, which bears no resemblance to true faith.
Phelps' language is useful in one sense. He should cause everyone to examine their own words and behavior toward people whose beliefs, lifestyle choices and faith might differ from theirs. Hate never converted anyone to another way of thinking, believing or acting. Hate does, however, give permission to some to behave in evil ways. If even one person is beaten, killed, or otherwise harmed because Phelps' family has encouraged them along such lines, even Baptists would say it is an affront to the real God that Phelps did not represent.
Acts 13:10 contains a verse that is applicable in Phelps' case. Paul, the Apostle, is speaking about a man named Elymas, who he judges to be a fraud: "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?"
Substitute the name Fred Phelps for Elymas and the description fits.
Though Fred Phelps is gone, the kind of hate he preached remains. It is why hate must be opposed no matter which group, faith, ceremony, or individual is the target.
He is one of those people you can tell just by looking at them that he is a very mean and ugly people.
Rot in Hell Fred.....
Mr. Phelps HURT the general Christian community nationwide in the USA.
Phelps is dead and every Kansan breathes a sigh of relief. meanwhile, Cal has to get his 2 cents in a week later, and manages to mention his pal Kathleen Sebelius. Not really a name you want to drop, Cal.
Phelps was no different than any other variety of loony liberal. His methods were no different than Code Pink, PETA or the many enviroNazi’s. At some point, you have to wonder if they really are concerned with their favored issue or if it isn’t just about some sort of notoriety for themselves.
He was a bad evil an who beat his family senseless in order to control them, burn in hell Fred
Phelps and his family are NOT Christians!!
Good grief! Try telling that to the “low-information” out there!
My general sense on the subject might be, if we truly understood the condition we call Hell, we would never be willing to consign anyone to it no matter how mean and dastardly they might appear, for there but for the Grace of our Savior go each of us. May God have mercy on his soul.
Acts 13:10 contains a verse that is applicable in Phelps' Obama's case. Paul, the Apostle, is speaking about a man named Elymas, who he judges to be a fraud: "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?"
Be careful here. There is a man at my church who looks a bit like Phelps or more like John Brown without the beard. A withered, lined face with what seems like a very stern visage. The first time I saw him I though "that sure looks like a mean old man." When I finally Wayne he turned out to be one of the nicest, jollyest people I've ever met. He is a complete jokester, constantly churning out bad puns and old jokes and is a delight to be around. That was was a very strong lesson to me about judging a book by its cover.
Opps, forgot, now calmed down, try telling that to the “low-information Americans” who do not bother to take the time to fine out.
Kathleen Sebelius??? At a Prayer Breakfast? Something isn't jiving here..
you do know it’s “oops”, right?
series.
Thank-you! :)
That wasn’t a church at all.It was/is a clan of parasitic lawyers.
I do not have the heart or mind of God. My view of Phelps and his family is that they suffered from a lack of actual understanding of what the Bible teaches. That said I have read similar feelings and ideas on this very site by those who will tell you they are only quoting what God says in the Bible.
I trust that God will give Phelps the peace he is due.
It is de rigger for politicians to go to prayer breakfasts....why even the muzzie in chief goes yearly
It’s like Ted Kennedy or Nancy Pelosi going for communion... and supporting murdering the unborn. Just doesn’t ring true.
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