If you haven't heard of Mr. Fred Phelps... I'm surprised. If you're interested head on over to godhatesfags.org. Lovely, yeah?
He's basically like any self righteous religious nut (of any religion for that matter). On his current agenda? Going around America protesting funerals of soilders who died in Iraq with signs saying, "Thank God For Dead Soldiers". Now I know what you must be thinking. A self righteous religious nut who doesn't support war? What are the odds!? Apparently the Phelps family takes issue with America. Why? Because America loves gay people. That's right! Soldiers are dying in Iraq because America tolerates homosexuality. Uh-huh. [/sarcasm]
To a point, I can completely... maybe not understand, but accept his anti-gay stance. I mean, it is his religion and his faith and no matter how much I fervently disagree, I respect that entirely. However, I take issue with intruding upon people who've just lost their loved ones to celebrate their loss because you disagree with national policy. That's just downright rude. I mean, hello? What would Jesus do? Would Jesus stroll up on someone's funeral, which has nothing to do with homosexuality or any sexuality for that matter and is more for respect and mourning of the dead, and yell at them? I don't care what you creed, color, orientation, etc. is, that's just a blatant lack of respect to me.
I wouldn't go as far as to say they don't have the right to protest what they believe. By all means, they do have a right. And I definately think they should be allowed, within reason, to support whatever ideas they will support, but my personal take on this is... it's just an asshole thing to do in my opinion. I mean, these people have just lost someone they loved. I've never had to go through that, but from my understanding it's hardly something easy. They're going through something right now and the last they need is someone in their face saying, "I'm glad your loved one died". That's so.... rude. Just plain rude.
I wouldn't even like it if a bunch of people did that to Phelps' family if someone in their family died. It's just... disrespectful.
I don't personally believe in morality. I think it's a point of view. I don't believe in a universal behavioral code. I'm agnostic and the only religion I've really felt I agree with is Satanism (PLEASE do some friggin research. Satanists DON'T worship the devil, ffs). But even then, I don't like restricting myself to one frame of mind. Not because I believe that all religions are correct or not correct. I just admit that I don't know what's going on naturally, supernaturally, cosmically, etc. But what I do support is what I like to call individual soverignty. And that's basically respect everyone unless they've done something that you feel makes them undeserving of your respect. That doesn't mean that you should go out and harm people you don't respect. It's more of just... respectful apathy. I don't respect Fred Phelps and his family, but I do respect them enough to not go and protest at their funeral with signs saying, "Thank God For Dead Bigots". I guess the only thing I believe in is tolerance.
And that means tolerance. It really PISSES me off when people who are liberal say they're tolerant and believe in equality but send hateful PMs to people online who believe in white supremacy or nazism. It makes NO sense. If you believe everyone should be tolerant that means everyone, even people who are intolerant themselves.
I believe that we should have the ability to believe what we want, even if it is something hateful or rude. But I believe we should also tolerate one another and respect one another, even if we disagree so much it's unbelievable.
I belong to a group called the Patriot Guard Riders and we escort fallen troops to their resting place and stand in front and block the view of his hate groups. How can he call himself a christian with that kind of hate he practices. He should be thrown in jail every time he pulls this stunt. In fact laws were signed into law today that will put this man in jail. Until then I'll keep riding and escorting both our fallen troops and the troops that come home alive. God would be ashamed of Mr. Phelps. He is a bigot and full of hate. It will eventually be his downfalling.
Just my thoughts,
A Proud Pagan
Laura M. Crowe
USAF AirForce Vet
US Army Wife
I've heard about you guys. :) I think it's really awesome that you're stepping up to counteract Phelps, but I don't know if I really agree that he should be thrown in jail. I mean, he is exersizing free speech rights that these soldiers are supposedly dying for.
My name is Kyle and I am a 22 year old currently living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I just wanted to say that I do not support the war in Iraq, but I certainly agree with your comments towards the Phelp family. Any man/woman that falls serving their country deserves an honerable funeral service. In my opinion what the Phelp family is doing is not only un-Christian like but completly ignorant and pathetic. I wish i could say what I wish would really happen to those who choose to protest, but at the least I hope the entire country will introduce a law that can atleat fine and arrest them. I can not see why any two people, no matter their sex, cannot be togather happily. I think the churches that this badely condone gays, deserve to have an intellegent and knowledable atheist attend thier church service to rudely interupt and contradict every part of their religion.
The topic of military funerals always hits a soft spot on me, because my mom is in the military, and recently was deployed to Kuwait. I thank those that protect the families of the fallen soldiers, and appreciate what you do when people like the Phelps come near.
"If you believe everyone should be tolerant that means everyone, even people who are intolerant themselves."
Everyone should hear this. People now and days just apply it to the people they want. That is not tolerant. Protesting at a funeral is just plain wrong. I am not sure how people end up to be so disrespectful
The Infamous Frightening Phelps Family I am a thirty five year old woman, from London, Ontario,Canada, and a major supporter of all troops overseas, especially those in Iraq and Afghanistan. On too many occasions now, I have seen this sicko family, show up at funerals of these child soldiers, killed in the war in Iraq with their "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for IED's" signs. Now is it me or is this beyond sick, beyond the realm of a lunatic religious sect?? Not one to be misinformed or pass immediate judgement,(thank God I cant climb thru my TV when they are on !lol), I dragged my shaking hand towards my mouse and reluctantly opened up their "CHURCH" wesite called "God Hates Fags.com" to the immediate left is the "Picket List" with the name, address, location and time of the next dozen or so military funerals, and what made me even sicker, was the names of the two boys, who were captured and tortured in Iraq, well their names are on there now. You can get thrown in jail for speeding, swearing and being drunk in public. But we can tolerate, some bunch of idiots (yes thats what they are!) being intrusive, completely disrespectful at the death and funeral of our fallen service people, or anyone for that matter.??We get one life, and one death. We are born once, and die once. There is no room for the Freedom of Speech where this matter is concerned. The mere fact this is tolerated by 200ft guidelines or that they are kept out of military cemetaries is not enough. We need to chuck their asses in jail for this stuff. If their religion gives them the right to an opinion, so be it, but who died and made the Phelps family the Lord, to judge, to make statements about others? And the fact is, if this was done within an organization its called defamation of character. I cannot stomach another image of a grieving family while this sicko bunch screams "God hates you and your fag child". Honest to Heaven, we need to stand up as North Americans, and really fight this kind of thing. A fine, isnt enough, to me this is so huge, there should be prison involved. Thank God for the Patriot Riders, Thank God for soldiers and the familys who lent them to us to defend our freedom. Now its our turn to fight for their dignity in death as they gave life for us. Thank you.
Today is the Funeral for Kristian Menchaca, the young soldier who was captured and tortured by the Insurgents and brutally killed in Iraq. I just want to drop a quick note, and say to the family, I am so sorry for your loss. May peace be with you all. We are grateful for the service your son provided in defending world freedom.
I am 16 year old male and live in missouri. I totally agree what you are saying about him and what he is doing. I say him on tv stepping on the flag, burning it. That is so disrespectful to the United States of America. If he wants to burn the flag so much why doesn't he wrap himself in it first. To the Patriot Guard Riders, do you do this everywhere? help out the families cause i think that what you do is so amazing. Thanks
What ever happen to respect for the dead? I hate what this guy is doing. He has a right to his free speech BUT NOT at a funeral. Not near a funeral. anywhere near it. whether you agree or not one of ours died in Iraq, be respectful at the funeral if not at any other time!!
The best way to a man's heart is really through his stomach, that way you don't have to deal with that pesky rib cage!
~Anomous
Ive just watched the documentary on the phelps family on the bbc. I can't beleive that this sort of thing go on in a civalised country such as America. Im from the UK and if we had these people protesting at the funerals of our war dead they would be shamed by our nation. I think the ways these people behave is disgusting. They are the real evil, far worse than the things they complain about. Ok free speech should be allowed, but not in such a terrible manner. America should shame these evil people!!