When Justice is SO Sweet
"We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."
--Jonathon Swift. 
This week, the wacko-fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, pastored by Fred Phelps, lost in court and was ordered to pay up $11 Million dollars to the father of a fallen soldier, who was killed in Iraq. Members of the Topeka Kansas based congregation have traveled around the country for decades protesting concerts, political gatherings, parades, and even other churches. In the last few years they began to get quite a bit of media attention because they started protesting at military funerals. That's right, while parents and loved ones grieved over and buried their dead children, The Westboro church bombarded them with signs and shouts of:
"Thank God For Dead Soldiers"
"God Hates You"
"God Hates Fags"
"God Hates Fag Enablers"
"Thank God for 9/11"
"Don't Worship The Dead"
"God Hates America"
"God Killed Your Children,"
"Thank God for IEDs"
Members of Westboro Baptist identify themselves as 5-point Calvinists (extreme belief in predestination), who "preach," not so people will repent and convert, but to rub in the unstoppable coming judgments of God upon all those who God hates and has destined for hell...
The reasoning, and I use that word loosely, behind these cruel protests is that America is too tolerant of gay people (because we don't stone them) and therefore, if you serve in America's military, God hates you and will judge you by killing you. According to these fanatics, all the victims of 9/11, Katrina, school shootings, and the war all deserve it, and we should be rejoicing in their deaths. So, much for the good news of the gospel, eh? This is without a doubt the most reprehensible and disgusting perversion of the gospel I have ever seen.
And then justice comes in....
One of the fathers who had to endure Westboro's vile protests while burying his son who was killed in Iraq sued them and was awarded 11 million dollars! Obviously, he'll never see all the money, but it will cripple Westboro Baptist and strip them of their resources to conduct their hate-demonstrations around the country. 42 states have passed laws setting a certain number of feet away protests must be held from funeral services as a result of such insensitive, cruel protests. I'm all for free speech, even ugly free speech, but infringing on other people's rights (such as interrupting funeral services) while exercising free speech is unconstitutional and should be restricted.
But alas, overwhelming outcry against the methods and teachings of Westboro Baptist Church do not phase its congregation whatsoever. They use the old "The world hated Jesus, so they will hate us, too" line. So, in their minds, THEY are the victims and the persecuted ones! Not to be crass, but that whole thing about the world hating Christians because they hated Jesus doesn't count if you are being an inhumane douchebag. :) People don't like douchebags either, and that has nothing to do with Jesus.
Below is a segment from 20/20 about the Westboro Baptist Church. The sickest part is the children that are being indoctrinated with this filth.
The video below is Shirley Phelps, daughter of Fred Phelps and avid protester, on Fox News' Hannity and Colmes. For those of you who know me, you are aware that I have HUGE issues with Sean Hannity, but in this case I wanted to give him (and Colmes) a big kiss for denouncing and exposing this FRINGE movement for what it really is....
Shirley Phelps on Hannity and Colmes
17 comments:
you know most chilling was that precious child singing those words at the end, with no idea of what they mean, and flashing that sweet smile.
That is just heartbreaking.
And when the Bible said, "The love of many will grow cold," who knew it would include some using the name of Jesus?
Never in my life have I ever seen such callousness and rejoicing in the suffering of others. I hope other Christians are speaking out against such malevolent teachings, so Christians are not further tarnished in the hearts of the lost.
Oh those poor families. Do they protest in the South? Probably not, because we own guns down here. I can't imagine they'd last long, if they pulled that a military funeral down here.
I actually felt sick after watching those clips. The extent at which people can be deceived and overcome with hate is baffling.
I came by via a link hamiam left on a blog comment at nikinowell.wordpress.com
It's nice to not feel so alone in the compassionate call of the gospel, as opposed to a "cold, hard truth." You can count yourself a brother richer :)
I'm actually physically ill today, so I didn't watch the clips. I don't want to puke.
I gotta hand it to you, if you're gonna spell douchebag, you should spell it right...and you did. ;)
I have to put in a word of defense for Calvinists. Don't think they're all like this. They are not all of the same mold. I know because I used to be one. People who actually know what it means to be a Calvinist have compassion and love for all sojourners of this life because it's not their job to decide who God chose...it's His.
I'm no longer an "-ist" or "-ian" of any kind, but I know some dear hearts in both camps who would never dream of acting in this way or believing any of this crap.
Hey there Kingjaymz, welcome!
I’m glad you brought up the Calvinist thing, because I would like to clarify that I DO NOT THINK ALL Calvinists are like these people. In fact, I would venture to say that these nut-bags are one of a kind. I have some friends that “converted” to Calvinist teachings of predestination and they are godly, lovely people. I adamantly disagree with them, but they love the Lord and other people. I more have a problem with Calvinists teaching, not because of what it does to those who believe in it, but because of how it portrays God. Calvinism in its extreme form basically teaches that God created some people for heaven and everyone else for hell without any chance or choice in the matter. To be honest, if that were the case, I would not be Christian. I would NEVER serve a god that cruel. And it saddens me because people in the world who are presented with this strand of Christianity, rightly reject it, but think that’s how all of Christianity is....I know there are good, compassionate, sincere people who hold different levels of Calvinist teaching and I do not question or doubt their faith whatsoever. I just have issues with how Calvinist teaching portrays God...it’s a huge discrepancy.
Prophets are ALWAYS rejected in their homelands. God's truth is not always pretty and Westboro is one of the few remnants left warning a nation that has sinned their day of grace away that judgment is upon them.
If we are "Christians" it means that we are imitators of Christ. If He didn't condemn the adultress (John 7,8), how can we condemn others? It is not ours to condemn, but to light the way to God (Matthew 6). We don't do that by judgment but by proclaiming his glory and kind intentions toward men. While we were still His enemies, He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 6). That is truly "God's way."
Jesus was called the friend of sinners by the Pharisees derogatorily, but He truly is. It's our job to go with that message of peace, not one of hatred and judgment. You'll never find any justification for that in Scripture.
Excellent. I couldn't have said it better myself. People forget that it is God's kindness that leads to repentence, not fear and threats of damnation.
This world is beyond hope. Westboro is doing a service by proclaiming God's truth that God does NOT love everyone (as the heretical mainstream "christians" propagate)and that Jesus certainly didn't die for any queer or dyke, but they proclaim proudly that He is ANGRY and DOES HATE people and will soon destroy this festering abismal planet. He will only spare those He has chosen. The Bible clearly states that He does not love everyone, He hated Esua and all his decendents (all unbelieving workers of iniquity).
It makes me so sad to see the signs that these supposed Christians held up at the soldiers funeral. I am so glad that the father was awarded $11 million dollars.
The saddest thing is the way that they are no doubt turning people away from God with their terribly mean lies. It makes me really sad.
I appreciated what kingjaymz said about Calvinists, because I was planning on saying something similar. I am actually Calvinist in my beliefs, and I don't agree with these people whatsoever.
Thanks for writing about this!
I am so horrified!
Are the Phelps the only ones going to "heaven"??
Thanks for bringing this out on your blog Tia!!
Wow, "god's way," that's a great job twisting Scripture. I must've skipped the "God hates fags" chapter. I did read the one about hate being equal to murder, though (Matthew 6).
So much for "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people." (Luke 2:10)
King's Shepard, I'm with you. I still love the teachings of Calvin, even though I don't follow him doctrinally. He was a preacher of God's mercy (though he certainly had his flaws). Truth be told, I'm a friend to any person from any biblical Christian tradition, as long as they work it out for themselves (in fear and trembling, as the Scriptures say).
Joy, Westboro Baptist members believe they are the only church left preaching God’s truth. They joined up with another church a few years back, but cast them out after learning one of the members had been divorced. So, yes, they do believe they are the only chosen ones in this generation and just like to rub in everyone else’s impending doom.
Kingjaymz, that was very well said. Thanks for weighing in.
King’s Shepherd, since you adhere to some form of calvinism, I would love to know where you stand on free will vs. predestination. I am always interested in hearing diverse viewpoints! Thanks for weighing in as well.
If these Westboro people were right, and they are what christianity is all about, I would dedicate my whole life to wiping christianity off the face of the earth. Fortunately, they are the antithesis of what it truly means to be a Christ imitator.
I'm glad to have seen this on here again ... well not glad to have seen them, but you know what I mean. Things like this are why so many think Christians are "preaching hate" whenever the topic of sin (and the consequences thereof) are brought up. It's tragic because it slams shut doors for discussion by giving others a presupposition that Christians just harbor this kind of bitterness and hatred toward ... you know, just about everyone. :(
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