von Baur 54 Posted March 20, 2014 Fred Phelps, the leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, died today. What's that? You haven't heard of him or the WBC? They're the holier-than-everyone-else group that has picketed, among other things, militaty funerals, citing that they all died as God's punishment for America's acceptance of gay rights. They also announced plans to picket a memorial for Hailley Owens (a Springfield, MO 10-year-old abducted and shot in the back of the head while duct taped to a chair), citing her murder as God's punishment for Missouri football player, Michael Sam, announcing he is gay prior to the NFL draft (these plans were cancelled when they realized how many people they'd be facing...apparently they don't have that much conviction in their faith...or faith in their god, for that matter). Now, I'm not a churchgoer. Haven't been for a long time. But I was as a child and into my young adulthood. And none of that meshes with what I remember. I remember stories about a forgiving God: stories about a God who was willing to spare multitudes of sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah if Lot could find ten righteous people, not a God willing to kill the innocent to just to make a point. You know who I was taught did things like that? Satan. I was also taught that Satan convinces the righteous that they know the mind of God (Adam and Eve and the serpent ring a bell? Anyone?). I also remember stories of His followers standing by their beliefs even though it meant their deaths: by stoning, crucifixion, given to wild animals, you name it. I think these people should reread their bibles themselves and stop letting someone else tell them what's in God's mind. Oh, and Phelps's son has asked people to respect his family and not protest at the funeral. My first response was that I would like to, but on second thought I wouldn't and would recommend no one do so. Not out of forgiveness, that's God's prerogative now. It's because I don't think he was worth the effort. And I accept God's judgement of me for having that attitude. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macelena 1,070 Posted March 20, 2014 If i had a brother KIA and those nutters appeared at his funeral, i would be doing life in prison or waiting to ride the lightning Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
von Baur 54 Posted March 20, 2014 If i had a brother KIA and those nutters appeared at his funeral, i would be doing life in prison or waiting to ride the lightning My son is about to head out on his second tour in Afghanistan. If "it" happens and they picketed his funeral I'd be torn between unholstering my M&P .40 right there or getting pictures, tracking them down and seeing how much of my SF training I remember. Tough call. On the one hand you have the instant gratification and the ability to try a temporary insanity plea. But on the other hand you have the satisfaction of knowing the increasing fear the ones left will experience as the survivor list shortens. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+pcpilot 181 Posted March 21, 2014 My response remains the same for his kind...bye. We'll see now if he was the glue that held his creepy little family and church together. I suspect he was and hopefully they will all go away now. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayethWhaaaa 245 Posted March 21, 2014 Burn in hell. I'm liking the memes about him being sent to an eternal madi gras. Cheers to Eric for this: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CowboyTodd41 134 Posted March 21, 2014 All of Kansas is partying tonight. Thanks for making us look like assholes, asshole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heck 496 Posted March 21, 2014 One less moron in America. Good riddance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+CrazyhorseB34 937 Posted March 23, 2014 In 2003, I was posted at Ft. Riley, KS. I had the honor to escort a WWII MOH recipient to the opening ceremonies of the Bob Dole Institute of Politics at The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Phelps and his people protested and shouted "Fag Military" at us as we got out of the car to attend the ceremony. We had to walk a gauntlet of neon painted signs and shouting idiots. Fred Phelps was a complete piece of shit. But he has the right to be one in America. Mr. Hyashi, the MOH vet I escorted, just grinned and commented that in a free country they CAN do that. The Greatest Generation has a way of seeing things in a more pragmatic manner than we do at times. But........ Fred, as far as I am concerned, I hope the ghosts of the men you dishonored stomp the shit out of you on your way to hell. R.I.C. Rest in Conflict, dirt bag. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capitaine Vengeur 263 Posted March 23, 2014 Every village needs its idiot. This one should be easily replaced, alas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted March 25, 2014 Saw this nasty piece of work on the Louis Thereaux show. Some people make the world a better place, if only by their passing. He will be missed by few! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
