Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

kramer362 · 5th Mar 2008, 03:54 PM

I'm sure most of you have seen media coverage of that idiotic Phelps family of the Westboro Baptist church who protest soldiers funerals and funerals of openly gay people, and all that jazz. I was just wondering if anyone thinks they're harmful to society, (besides being bigots and obviously hurting the families and friends of those whose funerals they protest), and how their actions might be affecting other people's attitudes towards being gay.

My personal opinion is that I'm furious not at what they're doing, but that they're doing it at people's funerals, it's incredibly insensitive. But I also think (within reason, which they lack reason) they have a right to protest anything they want, and the funny thing is that I can't really imagine them harming society as a whole. Sure their signs and everything are incredibly mean, but as a gay man I'm not offended (I don't take offense easily), instead I pity them and their entire organization and their hatred and tainted beliefs. As far as I can tell they indoctrinate their children with these ideas and force them to hold signs at protests, so of course some of those kids will grow up believing it, and carrying on the church's ideas. But I don't see how they can further society as a whole's intolerance of homosexuals, and if anything I think their actions are counterproductive to their beliefs. Even christian conservatives don't like them because they picket soldiers' funerals.

The way I think about it, anyone, even a person who doesn't like homosexuals based on that fact, must look at these people and think "wow, what an asshole," lol. When I was watching "the most hated family in america" documentary on the Phelps family, a man stopped at their picket and basically seemed to voice that even though he doesn't agree with a gay lifestyle, he hinted at thinking their pickets are ridiculous (but was cut off when they started shouting "YOU LOVE FAGS" at him). I would (maybe being hopeful) imagine that ANYONE who sees this would wanna stay as far away from their bigoted message as possible.

I also think they have got to piss off every other christian who isn't a member of their church. I am not a Bible reader, and maybe I'm optimistic, but even if the bible does condemn homosexuality, it seems to condemn a lack of hospitality just as much and tries to push a message of loving everyone. I'd assume that other christians must get really pissed off at Westboro's rape of the wording of the teachings of the Bible. I have a friend who has recently become very strong in her christian beliefs, but I had to show her this and she was appalled. And this was a friend who didn't find anything odd about the movie 'Jesus Camp,' which personally really bothered me.

Sorry this is so long but I'm basically looking to see how other people think the Phelps family is shaping people's attitude towards homosexuality. Hopefully a few people have some input, and sorry I'm so liberal with parenthesis

divadarya · 5th Mar 2008, 04:23 PM

Phelps and his wacky family are so out there that i think they are almost universally hated except for nut jobs like Ann Coulter, maybe. C'mon they picket the funerals of dead Iraq war soldiers because in their twisted thinking, since America is not literally KILLING homosexuals we are all in league with Satan... A bunch of Bikers(as in tatoos and Harleys has begun to escort families through the lines of these dickheads...
I still love the episode of "Six Feet Under" where Michael punched a Phelps-like demonstrator in the face and broke his nose..deeply soul-satisfying.
I do think even the crazies think they're crazy.

5th Mar 2008, 04:28 PM

Yes kinda old news to me i just see it as ignorance and stupidity.

5th Mar 2008, 04:44 PM

The blog on their website is hilarious.

But seriously, picketing people's funerals is just really low.

5th Mar 2008, 05:59 PM

I seriously hate these guys. I've even written two songs about killing them. Yeah one of these days Fred's gonna croak. But as for the rest of them one of these days somebody's gonna hurt or kill them.

beckyg · 5th Mar 2008, 06:09 PM

These people probably actually do more to move people to our side than anybody else. Nobody wants to be associated with such hatred.

kramer362 · 5th Mar 2008, 06:10 PM

yeah i know this is old news i just got to thinking about it today again for some reason though

^as sad as that is it's funny that i'm pretty sure heath ledger's funeral was in australia

n1ck · 5th Mar 2008, 06:11 PM

I think they are fantastic and they don't annoy me at all.

By being so off-the-wall and acting in a way that is so contrary to how most people think, it makes many of us more aware of own prejudices which will ultimately better us...

Zec24 · 5th Mar 2008, 06:13 PM

You know, the irony of the situation is that the Phelps cult pickets soldier's funerals to protest them fighting for freedom so that people can be gay. Umm, news flash dumbasses...ever heard of a little thing called "don't ask, don't tell?" The military isn't too keen on gay people either, so you are preaching to the choir. Well the military's stance isn't as extreme as the Phelps cult, but it certainly isn't a bastion of gay rights or pride.

I agree with Becky though. Most people don't want to be associated with such hateful people who use religion to justify their dispicable deeds. I wouldn't say it pushes people to take up the pride flag, but it certainly deters such outrageous hate.

kramer362 · 5th Mar 2008, 06:35 PM

i meant to post this about ledger's funeral

http://logan-1.mirror.waffleimages.c...f1bb41031f.jpg

InaRut · 5th Mar 2008, 06:52 PM

However they may be a bunch of fag hating mean-bo-beenies...but they got a really nice website do they not?

n1ck · 5th Mar 2008, 07:10 PM

Hahaha... you have to watch this

http://www.thesignsofthetimes.net/wb...videonews.html

InaRut · 5th Mar 2008, 07:18 PM

Internal lake of fire
...
Also known as hell
...
HELL
HELL
HELL
HELL
HELL

LOL

Is it just me or is this just the same thing over and over...

...and what about Canada? We're safe!

sdc91 · 5th Mar 2008, 07:27 PM

As much as I detest what they do, I kind of appreciate the fact that they're giving a bad name to homophobia.

They're probably doing as much for the gay movement as any of our lobbying groups in Washington, in terms of social acceptance. lol

Atom · 5th Mar 2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1ck

Hahaha... you have to watch this

http://www.thesignsofthetimes.net/wb...videonews.html

Ahahah, I think that's very humorous. I wonder who writes his stuff...

Brett · 5th Mar 2008, 07:59 PM

As many ppl have mentioned, the Phelps family does move many people to be more accepting of homosexuality (Reminds me of the episode of South Park with the KKK) and I do apreciate that service. I do not, however, apreciate that these people are constantly imbreeding and raising their children as zombies that hate fags, but don't even know what a fag is.
I will admit that the Bible says that it's wrong to be gay, but then again, it also says that it makes a woman "ceremonialy unclean" to have her period (along with anything and anyone that she touches)

n1ck · 5th Mar 2008, 08:04 PM

What the Bible says is irrelevant, why people take anything from it is way beyond me.

Gah, the power of indoctrination, i guess...

Zec24 · 5th Mar 2008, 08:05 PM

I watched that video, and apart from it pissing me off, I realized how absurd it is that out of all the world's problems these people think homosexuality is of the greatest concern.

Really? Come on. There are children dying of aids in Africa, people dying of starvation all over the world. People being senselessly murdered by other people. People being physically, sexually, and psychologically abused. Yet, these people in their infinite wisdom have chosen to focus their efforts on Fags. But then their congregation is about 88 people and really, what can you do with so few people.

By the odds it should work out that there is at least one gay person in that Phelps cult which consists mostly of family. I'm sure they just don't realize it because they've been brainwashed to hate homosexuality.

Can I just say that this has to be the best picture of all time???

Rizpaz · 5th Mar 2008, 09:08 PM

These guys are the number 1 most hated family in America. Let them inbreed their little indoctrinated offspring. More for us "fags" to laugh at in the years to come.

divadarya · 5th Mar 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InaRut

...and what about Canada? We're safe!

Yer lucky, eh?

5th Mar 2008, 03:54 PM	#1
kramer362 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few people Location: western new york Age: 26 Posts: 400 Join Date: Nov 2007	Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" I'm sure most of you have seen media coverage of that idiotic Phelps family of the Westboro Baptist church who protest soldiers funerals and funerals of openly gay people, and all that jazz. I was just wondering if anyone thinks they're harmful to society, (besides being bigots and obviously hurting the families and friends of those whose funerals they protest), and how their actions might be affecting other people's attitudes towards being gay. My personal opinion is that I'm furious not at what they're doing, but that they're doing it at people's funerals, it's incredibly insensitive. But I also think (within reason, which they lack reason) they have a right to protest anything they want, and the funny thing is that I can't really imagine them harming society as a whole. Sure their signs and everything are incredibly mean, but as a gay man I'm not offended (I don't take offense easily), instead I pity them and their entire organization and their hatred and tainted beliefs. As far as I can tell they indoctrinate their children with these ideas and force them to hold signs at protests, so of course some of those kids will grow up believing it, and carrying on the church's ideas. But I don't see how they can further society as a whole's intolerance of homosexuals, and if anything I think their actions are counterproductive to their beliefs. Even christian conservatives don't like them because they picket soldiers' funerals. The way I think about it, anyone, even a person who doesn't like homosexuals based on that fact, must look at these people and think "wow, what an asshole," lol. When I was watching "the most hated family in america" documentary on the Phelps family, a man stopped at their picket and basically seemed to voice that even though he doesn't agree with a gay lifestyle, he hinted at thinking their pickets are ridiculous (but was cut off when they started shouting "YOU LOVE FAGS" at him). I would (maybe being hopeful) imagine that ANYONE who sees this would wanna stay as far away from their bigoted message as possible. I also think they have got to piss off every other christian who isn't a member of their church. I am not a Bible reader, and maybe I'm optimistic, but even if the bible does condemn homosexuality, it seems to condemn a lack of hospitality just as much and tries to push a message of loving everyone. I'd assume that other christians must get really pissed off at Westboro's rape of the wording of the teachings of the Bible. I have a friend who has recently become very strong in her christian beliefs, but I had to show her this and she was appalled. And this was a friend who didn't find anything odd about the movie 'Jesus Camp,' which personally really bothered me. Sorry this is so long but I'm basically looking to see how other people think the Phelps family is shaping people's attitude towards homosexuality. Hopefully a few people have some input, and sorry I'm so liberal with parenthesis

5th Mar 2008, 04:23 PM	#2
divadarya Warrior Princess Full Member Gender: MTF Transsexual Orientation: Trans/heteroish(I like men) Out Status: Some people Location: Native Los Angeleno, California Age: 60 Posts: 321 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" Phelps and his wacky family are so out there that i think they are almost universally hated except for nut jobs like Ann Coulter, maybe. C'mon they picket the funerals of dead Iraq war soldiers because in their twisted thinking, since America is not literally KILLING homosexuals we are all in league with Satan... A bunch of Bikers(as in tatoos and Harleys has begun to escort families through the lines of these dickheads... I still love the episode of "Six Feet Under" where Michael punched a Phelps-like demonstrator in the face and broke his nose..deeply soul-satisfying. I do think even the crazies think they're crazy. __________________ "I was as pure as the driven snow, but I drifted...." Mae West I am more than my Gender, or the clothes that I wear....

5th Mar 2008, 04:28 PM	#3
Urman Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" Yes kinda old news to me i just see it as ignorance and stupidity.

5th Mar 2008, 04:44 PM	#4
Adrian Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" The blog on their website is hilarious. But seriously, picketing people's funerals is just really low.

5th Mar 2008, 05:59 PM	#5
STK Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" I seriously hate these guys. I've even written two songs about killing them. Yeah one of these days Fred's gonna croak. But as for the rest of them one of these days somebody's gonna hurt or kill them.

5th Mar 2008, 06:09 PM	#6
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" These people probably actually do more to move people to our side than anybody else. Nobody wants to be associated with such hatred. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

5th Mar 2008, 06:10 PM	#7
kramer362 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few people Location: western new york Age: 26 Posts: 400 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" yeah i know this is old news i just got to thinking about it today again for some reason though ^as sad as that is it's funny that i'm pretty sure heath ledger's funeral was in australia

5th Mar 2008, 06:11 PM	#8
n1ck Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Most people Location: Nottingham, UK Age: 26 Posts: 110 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" I think they are fantastic and they don't annoy me at all. By being so off-the-wall and acting in a way that is so contrary to how most people think, it makes many of us more aware of own prejudices which will ultimately better us...

5th Mar 2008, 06:13 PM	#9
Zec24 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 434 Join Date: Apr 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" You know, the irony of the situation is that the Phelps cult pickets soldier's funerals to protest them fighting for freedom so that people can be gay. Umm, news flash dumbasses...ever heard of a little thing called "don't ask, don't tell?" The military isn't too keen on gay people either, so you are preaching to the choir. Well the military's stance isn't as extreme as the Phelps cult, but it certainly isn't a bastion of gay rights or pride. I agree with Becky though. Most people don't want to be associated with such hateful people who use religion to justify their dispicable deeds. I wouldn't say it pushes people to take up the pride flag, but it certainly deters such outrageous hate. __________________ ~Not all who wander are lost~

5th Mar 2008, 06:35 PM	#10
kramer362 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few people Location: western new york Age: 26 Posts: 400 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" i meant to post this about ledger's funeral http://logan-1.mirror.waffleimages.c...f1bb41031f.jpg

5th Mar 2008, 06:52 PM	#11
InaRut EC's Nu-Disco Walrus Full Member Gender: IRL Yaoi Character Orientation: (｡◕‿◕。) Out Status: ㅎ_ㅎ Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Age: 22 Posts: 7,111 Join Date: Oct 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" However they may be a bunch of fag hating mean-bo-beenies...but they got a really nice website do they not? __________________ "The first duty of every Starfleet Officer is to the truth. Whether it's scientific truth, historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle to which Starfleet is based. If you can't find it within yourself, to tell the truth about what happened, then you don't deserve to where that uniform."

5th Mar 2008, 07:10 PM	#12
n1ck Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Most people Location: Nottingham, UK Age: 26 Posts: 110 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" Hahaha... you have to watch this http://www.thesignsofthetimes.net/wb...videonews.html

5th Mar 2008, 07:18 PM	#13
InaRut EC's Nu-Disco Walrus Full Member Gender: IRL Yaoi Character Orientation: (｡◕‿◕。) Out Status: ㅎ_ㅎ Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Age: 22 Posts: 7,111 Join Date: Oct 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" Internal lake of fire ... Also known as hell ... HELL HELL HELL HELL HELL LOL Is it just me or is this just the same thing over and over... ...and what about Canada? We're safe! __________________ "The first duty of every Starfleet Officer is to the truth. Whether it's scientific truth, historical truth, or personal truth. It is the guiding principle to which Starfleet is based. If you can't find it within yourself, to tell the truth about what happened, then you don't deserve to where that uniform." Last edited by InaRut; 5th Mar 2008 at 07:21 PM..

5th Mar 2008, 07:27 PM	#14
sdc91 Coop d'état Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Berlin, Germany Age: 21 Posts: 1,607 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" As much as I detest what they do, I kind of appreciate the fact that they're giving a bad name to homophobia. They're probably doing as much for the gay movement as any of our lobbying groups in Washington, in terms of social acceptance. lol __________________

5th Mar 2008, 07:59 PM	#16
Brett Extreme Heat Warning! Full Member Gender: I am a MAN! ROWR!! =^_^= Orientation: Homo-capable Out Status: Out enough Location: Weatherford, TX Age: 19 Posts: 2,200 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" As many ppl have mentioned, the Phelps family does move many people to be more accepting of homosexuality (Reminds me of the episode of South Park with the KKK) and I do apreciate that service. I do not, however, apreciate that these people are constantly imbreeding and raising their children as zombies that hate fags, but don't even know what a fag is. I will admit that the Bible says that it's wrong to be gay, but then again, it also says that it makes a woman "ceremonialy unclean" to have her period (along with anything and anyone that she touches) __________________ Marching band: It's a religion Trip....trip....ip on red wine! Lady Gaga FTW! XD

5th Mar 2008, 08:04 PM	#17
n1ck Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Most people Location: Nottingham, UK Age: 26 Posts: 110 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" What the Bible says is irrelevant, why people take anything from it is way beyond me. Gah, the power of indoctrination, i guess...

5th Mar 2008, 08:05 PM	#18
Zec24 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 434 Join Date: Apr 2007	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" I watched that video, and apart from it pissing me off, I realized how absurd it is that out of all the world's problems these people think homosexuality is of the greatest concern. Really? Come on. There are children dying of aids in Africa, people dying of starvation all over the world. People being senselessly murdered by other people. People being physically, sexually, and psychologically abused. Yet, these people in their infinite wisdom have chosen to focus their efforts on Fags. But then their congregation is about 88 people and really, what can you do with so few people. By the odds it should work out that there is at least one gay person in that Phelps cult which consists mostly of family. I'm sure they just don't realize it because they've been brainwashed to hate homosexuality. Can I just say that this has to be the best picture of all time??? __________________ ~Not all who wander are lost~

5th Mar 2008, 09:08 PM	#19
Rizpaz Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Not out at all Location: Maryland Age: 17 Posts: 238 Join Date: Jan 2008	Re: Westboro Baptist Church and "God Hates Fags" These guys are the number 1 most hated family in America. Let them inbreed their little indoctrinated offspring. More for us "fags" to laugh at in the years to come. __________________ One should enjoy the precious few moments one has to oneself. They will become more rare with every passing year. I mean, how often does one get to masturbate for like an hour with no interruption? That's some rare shit right there.