from wikipedia: "While its members identify themselves as Baptists, WBC is an independent church and is not affiliated with any known Baptist conventions or associations. The church describes itself as following Primitive Baptist and Calvinist principles, though mainstream Primitive Baptists reject Westboro Baptist Church and Phelps, regarding them as unaffiliated to the Primitive Baptists. The views that distinguish Westboro Baptist Church are views that most Baptists and Calvinists do not recognize, and do not consider to be in any way characteristically Baptist or Calvinistic." people really should not think of these people as baptists or christians. they are neither.
I don't get all these protester. i hate protestors in general and think if they're blocking the road we should have the right to run them the fuck over.
There is a difference in someone holding a sign that says "God hates (choose something)", fundamentally because they are trying to interpret what someone or something else likes. It would be just as ridiculous as if I held up a sign saying "CRANDC HATES KITTENS!". Multiple times you've posted that you love cats, if anyone chose to look it up. But for those looking for a reason to vilify you, they'll take your kitten hate and run with it. It makes them feel better, somehow. I don't quite get it. I don't agree with him picketing ANYONE's funeral. That's just wrong, in my book. But imo only I think it's because the media believes (and iirc it was on Hannity's show that first showed this) that showing pictures of brave soldiers who sacrificed, flags flying, etc. is better copy than showing one of the millions around the world (straight and homosexual) who've died from AIDS-related diseases. What makes Phelps a pariah is that he invented his own religion, he seeks to gain publicity for himself and does things that are constitutionally protected though seen as abhorrent by a vast majority of people in our country.
Crandc, I just saw "Wicked" Thursday (loved it!). There's a line (can't remember the exact words) that says you will be able to get people to obey if you find them a common enemy to hate. It's so true! These people are sheep following a crazy man who's making a living off their donations... he has to keep them riled up or they'll just start thinking for themselves. I will admit right here I'm one of those who believes in the "mythical higher being" and it's a very important part of my life. Jesus is about love not hate. I do not believe these hate mongers are being applauded in heaven... in fact, I think it's quite the opposite. Every human being was created by and in the image of God. I don't want to get into a sermon but basically none of us are worthy of God's love but he loves us all unconditionally despite what Mr. Phelps claims.
Lol the Ron and Fez radio show like fucking around with Shirley Phelps-Roper by making her the show's "spiritual adviser" [video=youtube;YCIO4LE3zuU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCIO4LE3zuU[/video] [video=youtube;ArCDg3PMRrY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArCDg3PMRrY[/video]
Not really, there are very, very few non-family members of WBC (I think there's two). The family makes their money by getting law degrees and then working as attorneys.
From what I've read they've made their living off law suits (mostly against the city of Topeka) surrounding their right to picket. Mr. Phelps was eventually permanently disbarred years ago and some of the other family members have been temporarily disbarred. The law firm did initially make some good things happen in the civil rights movement but that was many years ago. I'm not an expert on this subject but I don't get the impression they really have clients other than themselves at this time. They claim to picket at least 6 locations a day (somewhere around 50,000 different events over the years)... they even protested at Mr. Rogers' funeral! Other than the unfortunate zip up sweater what did he ever do to draw their ire? They've raised the concept of ambulance chaser to a new level by creating a "church" to funnel the money. They have tax exempt status and the ability to travel the world with their message and write it all off. It reminds me of the racket some of the "fundamentalist LDS" clans use except they take advantage of the government by collecting public assistance for all the "unwed" mothers and their children... they too are rejected by the church they allegedly claim to be a part of.
