Fred Phelps Doesn't Speak For Christians

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Fred Phelps, the "pastor" of the Westboro Baptist Church ("WBC") who hosts the God Hates Fags website, has once again decided to engage in activity that I, as a believing Christian, find deplorable. As most already know, a couple of days ago a sick man killed several schoolgirls in a Amish community. Apparently, he intended to molest them, but didn't do so. Still, the Amish community has decided to forgive the man, and in honor of that forgiveness I will not rail against the shooter.

Now, Fred Phelps, has decided to participate in the funerals of these poor schoolgirls who were cut down by this sick man. According to Phelps' newsrelease flier posted (in .pdf format) on his website:

WBC to picket funerals of Pennsylvania school girls killed by a mad man in punishment for Gov. Ed Rendell's blasphemous sins against WBC - in religious protest and warning: "He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Psa. 105:14-15.

* * *

Gov. Ed Rendell - speaking and acting in his official capacity to bind the State of Pennsylvania - slandered and mocked and ridiculed and condemned Westboro Baptist Church on national Fox TV. Rendell also revealed a conspiracy to employ the State's police powers to destroy WBC in order to silence WBC's Gospel message. Co-conspirators identified by Rendell included state officials, citizens, lawyers, legislators and media.

Gov, Rendell killed them,

When God would punish Egypt for Pharaoh's sins against His people, He killed all the firstborn: "And there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead." Ex. 12:30. When God would punish Pennsylvania for Rendell's sins in boorishly attacking Westboro Baptist Church on the Julie Banderas Show - "The Big Story," -He kills the Amish girls: "And there was a great cry in Pennsylvania." Meanwhile, WBC is continuing to pray for even worse punishment upon Pennsylvania: "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth." Rev. 6:10.

So, God called for the death of these schoolgirls because Governor Rendell denounced WBC? I'm sorry, but Fred Phelps preaches no Gospel that I recognize. His statements are absurd, his tactics are deplorable, and neither he nor the WBC speak for any form of Christianity that I recognize. Did you notice the underlined phrase -- "Meanwhile, WBC is continuing to pray for even worse punishment upon Pennsylvania"? I can't imagine anything less atuned with Christianity.

Phelps' and the WBC's logic is warped, their tactics are deplorable, and in no way does Phelps or the WBC reflect what I have any reasonable belief Jesus would have done in similar circumstances.
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Addendum: Apparently, Phelps and the WBC have decided to withdraw their protest because Mike Gallagher agreed to give them radio time. The new Press Release from Phelps says: "In consideration for having WBC's representative on the Mike Gallagher Show from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, October 5, WBC has cancelled the above picket." I am thankful to Mike Gallagher for being willing to help the families of the victims not be victimized a second time by the antics of of the WBC. At the same time, I hate to think that these people are getting any type of benefit from their threats.

Comments

Michael said…
Gadzooks. Just when I think he couldn't be any worse of an example of the love of Christ...
10/05/2006 02:02:00 PM
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