From time to time, I will be re-posting a blog entry from one or two years ago. Today, I go back to a blog post on the Rev. Fred Phelps. He is just as obnoxious today, however, as he was a year ago.
You know, I am almost never shocked by anything that I see anymore when it comes to some aspects of the Church and those who claim to be Christians. Growing up in a Pentecostal church where the second coming of Christ was heralded anew with every change in the number of Common Market nations and every time the full moon rose with an orange (read blood) glow, I am more than prepared for most religious histrionics. Jimmy Swaggert, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson are rank amateurs and have nothing on the preachers I listened to as a child in the many worship services (at least 4 a week) and revival crusades (at least 4 a year) I attended growing up. But the Rev. Fred Phelps . . . he takes my breath away.
I knew that this man was hate-filled and judgmental, but I had no idea the depth of his hate and judgment. Yes, I knew that his church, Westboro Baptist Church, wages protests at the funerals of American soldiers proclaiming that their deaths are the result of America’s acceptance of homosexuality, and yes, I knew that his church had also picketed at Matthew Shepherd’s funeral with signs that read, among other things, “God Hates Fags.” But even knowing these things did little to prepare me for this ten minute tirade by the Reverend himself. Here we are all labeled mockers and scoffers and are told that it is too late for America to repent. We are doomed. There is nothing we can do.
Watch this video at your own risk. As one person has said on the website TV Squad, “WARNING: Listening to Fred Phelps for more than two consecutive minutes may cause one to lose faith in all humanity.” Another person in the comments added, ” I just died a little, watching that.” I concur with both statements.
Technorati tags: hate. Rev. Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church, church
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Art wrote,
I had to fight the desire to hate that man when I viewed the video a while back (I couldn’t watch it again). Yet at the same time, it is sad that anyone would have this distorted a view of things. I don’t know what to think about him. I try not to…
Link | September 20th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Will wrote,
Art,
Thanks for stopping by again, and for your comments. Fred Phelps is one vile human being, and I cannot believe he has any followers at all.
Link | September 20th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Proud military wife! wrote,
Dear Lord i pray for you to hold this man tighter and show him all your love, for he surely needs it, Amen.
And if this is Mr. Phelps way of saying thank you for all the sacrifices my family (and many others) have made for him to continue using his right of free speech, he is welcome. That is why we are here, to serve this GREAT nation, and all the people living within. Including people that are unthankful. And I am very curious as to why he continues to protest and spread GODs word in a country that is beyond saving. Why not move on to a country that still has a fighting chance?
Link | September 26th, 2007 at 1:39 am