The Phelps Family of Westboro Baptist Church - As sick as they get!
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The Phelps Family - ruining funerals of fallen soldiers, and worse...
You may have seen these people on your TV. Maybe you have, like me, seen them in person and maybe you stood in their way to show the world that these people do not speak for any religion, or any religious group, other than their own twisted, sick selves.
Yes, they are the Phelps family, and they have been protesting at military funerals all over the nation, spewing forth their rancid hatred and saying things like "Thank God for Dead Soldiers". They absolutely believe that they are doing God's will in pointing out the sins of our nation and that God is punishing us for what we do, think and say.
These people are the Taliban of Christianity, and unfortunately, there are others like them. In our nation there are many groups so sure that they, and only they, know God's will, or know exactly what the Bible means, and they are growing in number.
These are the ultra-fanatics, the al Qaeda of our nation, the same people who would rejoice in another 9-11, and perhaps may even be behind future attacks and terrorism inside our borders. And guess what! They have many sympathizers!
People like Timothy McVeigh were influenced by racists, religious fanatics, white supremacists, all of whom believe they have been given God's permission to spread hatred, spew forth lies, and bring about Armageddon, and in short do anything they think necessary in order to force all of us to believe what they think.
Not much has been written about these fanatics as we approach our next election but they are out their, and their sympathizers are out there as well, sending out hate emails, demeaning people they hate, and generally trying to rally a certain portion of the electorate to turn out and vote against or for certain candidates.
These people have also been recruiting. They have been adding new members into their brotherhood and sisterhood of anger and hate. whether they march at funerals or send out hate emails, the underground Neo-Fascist, Pseudo Religious fanatics are at work. And they are coming to a town near to you!
Why Do People (Hate) (Mistrust), (Fail to Understand) Christians?
I had read another interesting hub some weeks ago that asked why do people hate Christians? Over all, it was a very interesting piece, and I added quite a few comments to it, trying to understand the basis for the seeming paranoia.
Well, perhaps there are people who hate Christians, and perhaps their opinions, wrongly, are based on people like these in the videos below. Personally, I know that most Christians, and yes, I count myself amongst the Christians of the world, are not at all like this group of flakes, but if this is all one knows, then this is that upon which one bases an opinion.
We in the U.S. often wrongly think that al Qaeda is an Islamic group that follows Islam nd the Quran, and that, secretly or otherwise, all Muslims think that al Qaeda is OK by them. The truth is, al Qaeda is to Islam what these people are to Christianity.
But I don't want to debate the fanatics. What I do want to say is, fellow Christians, and others who may not be Christians, stand up to these fanatics and deny their works. I have stood up and been a part of a peaceful protest that actually pushed them farther away from a funeral. I did this because I am a veteran, and I am a Chrsitian, and I know these people use my religion to put forth an evil, foul front.
When you ask why some people hate Christians, look to people like this demented family, as well as people in the KKK, White Supremacist movements, home-grown terrorists like Tim McVeigh, and look to people in various parts of the nation who use the Bible to preach hatred of people based upon the color of their skin, the nation of their birth, or simply the fact that they are not from our town/state. Then ask yourself - is that what I want people to think about my faith?
If it is not, then use your intelligence and your voice to drown out the al Qaeda of Christianity, and people may begin to have a more positive opinion about real Christianity.
BBC Report -The Most Hated Family in America
OK, if you can stand to learn more about these people, and I use the term "people" loosely, the following BBC report tells the story of who they are, why they believe as they do, and will immediately show you why the United States has both the freedom of religion as well as the separation of church and state.
I know it may not be popular to think so, but religion has often enough made itself into a worldly power, and the reason for such is found in the actions of people like those who are part of the Westboro Baptist Church. Remember that Hitler once had a dozen followers, but he spread his message, appealed to common sense, spoke of great patriotism, and thus he won over the majority of the German people by spouting hatred and lies such as these.
We walk a fine line between those who would allow for no religious freedom at all, and those who take religion far to the extreme, causing others to fear what religion might do to the country. Again, there will be some who don't make this connection, or see this fine line, but that's the risk I take in writing about this. If you know anything about Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, you know that he uses Marx as well as Christ to keep himself in power. Make no mistake about it - he actually believes God put him there, will keep him there, and anyone who moves against him is sent by Satan.
Are we so smug as to think that such a thing could never happen here? We could just as easily mix capitalism and religion to remake society in a manner that resembles a 15th Century Italian oligarchy more than what we enjoy today. Perhaps that is what people fear about the politicization of modern day Christianity. That, and also the fact that some Christians speak just as hatefully about "fags" and people who don't believe as they do.
I know this is not the agenda of most Christians or Christian churches in America. However, is it possible that this is how many people view modern day Christianity as it gets more and more involved with secularized politics?
OK, take a look at the videos and let me know what you think.
The Most Hated Family In America?
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ugh.
My nephew sent me the documentary last year about this family. It was the sickest thing I've ever seen.
The worst thing about this is the indoctrination of the kids. You hope that someday these youngsters will be saved from their sick parents and their 'church' and will be socialised to play a normal part in society.
When I saw Louise Theroux's documentary on TV I felt most sorry for the Phelps children who are having their lives stolen by their parents' odd beliefs. I think the documentary did an impressive job of showing the contradictions inherent within the children. Possibly the most interesting member of the family was the teenage daughter at college. I think perhaps she will one day be able to struggle free of her parents grasp. There were times where you could see she wanted to lead a normal life.
Are they Americans? Why do they pray for more dead people? They are really hardened by their religion, whatever that is.
If nothing else, this family is proof that insanity can be taught. If they hate the States so much, why don't they move instead of forcing themselves and their sick opinions into other people's business. What do they hope to prove by being so disrespectful at someone's funeral.
THIS IS NOT MICHAEL PHELP'S FAMILY.
Sorry for shouting, but I thought it needed to be made known. I agree that this congregation needs to be stopped. They certainly are haters and go against everything God stands for. Thanks for writing this hub Jeff. It is a beginning of drowning out their rhetoric.
I enjoyed this Chef Jeff, but just have to take issue with one comment, the one about Chavez. It's not God or Marx who keeps him in power, it's the electorate, who vote him in with increasing majorities time after time. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he uses the national oil wealth for the benefit of the Venezuelan people? The comment about Satan was a joke directed at George W. Bush as I remember.
They do it for publicity. America loves drama.
This is an excellent Hub Chef and it's something that needs to be dealt with.
It often seems that paying any attention to these kinds of aberrant groups gives them power. The more they can be ignored the better. Acknowledging them validates their existence and gives them strength.
I know there are times when confrontations are inevitable but the more they can be marginalized the better.
It certainly works for eliminating presidential candidates who might actually do something to bring about serious changes.
These people are a perfect example of how dehumanizing willful ignorance can be. It's beyond comprehension.
By the way, I have to chime in with CJ here. I something of a Chavez fan myself. Hadn't ever heard of him playing the Dubya game claiming he was chosen by god.
I believe that they were sued and lost a few million when all was said and done.
These people are cowards.
It normally starts as a small group of a few individuals and before long it will grow into a big group you can’t manage. The society should stop them now before it become a retrogressive mass movement. Freedom is good but too much freedom will not be good to the American people.
And to the Christians: pray very hard for the youth in America.
Sick family, you are right in saying them as Taliban of the West, I don't know what is the difference between them and KKK, only the dress I guess. They should go read the Good Samaritan Chapter in the Bible.
Good hub, Jeff, and this sort of thing is exactly my biggest problem, and fear, with religion. I know these "people" (can we actually call them that?) are the extremists and not all religious people are like this, but how many of them are there, here and around the world? How many of them have there always been?
Can these monsters be arrested for the horrible things they are doing, or are they protected because they claim to be "religious"? I'm honestly curious about that. Is it not not illegal to do that sort of thing at the funeral of a fallen soldier?
Hi Jef !
Ok , Tell you what lf they think God hates America so much and the men that gave their lives for you and me. then instead of sending our greatest and finest into the next conflict send out the Phelps to the front line __________as the enemy comes screaming in and they can shout all they want and the best part is they will get fire from both sides and when they die, the truth will really hurt, and the world will be abetter place without them...just a thought People that hate somthing so bad as they do are normly struggling with the same problem:0)
Later my good buddy Jeff !!!! Mike :0)
Wow, chef Jeff,
I had never heard of these people before, but they are scary. You have to feel sorry for those kids. Indoctrination is a very little word for the views that have been imposed upon them. The more I learn about religion in all it's forms, the more I've come to understand that our religious viewpoint is no more than an accident of geography. If I had been born in India I might have been Hindu, if in China, a buddhist, and so on. Presumably if you extend this argument to it's logical conclusion, Al Qaeda members might have been radical fundamentalist Christians if they had been born in the USA. Who knows?
By the way, the video clips are no longer working, apart from the final one.
Great hub! It really bothers me and saddens me that people will twist religion in order to spread their own hateful lies. It angers me and saddens me since some people will automatically throw all Christians together with these people. I normally am the type of person that believes people should follow their own beliefs and practises and I should not judge them but when they are harssing and harming people they need to be stopped.
And as Amanda stated in the comment above, the video clips are no longer working...
wonder if those kids even know what the words on their t-shirts mean.......
hahaha check out the cameltoe of the lady in the second picture
Amen.
PS you typed, "our next election but they are out their" could it be "out there?"
Anyone else wonder if Fred Phelps is a closet homosexual with serious issues?
fuck all of you phelps your going to tell me thank god for dead soldiers my fuckrn brother is in the army and he and the rest of the millitary are fuckin fighting for your rights and die for you ignorsant motherfuckers and now ya are holding up signs ya want kids to die what the fuck is wrong with ya you fucking asshole lunatic freaks i cant believe this shit and then you think your fucken race is the only one that is important there is no fucken sense in bein racist. and righ noe i hate the fact thaqt im goin to be fighting for you when i join the army. i am so pissed off right now i wish i could fucken beat the shit outta all of you right now i dare any of youy to go to 803 newbern avenue in hampton virginia because ill be waiting for you the house has a 66 mustang fast back in the front yard with a cover on it come ion july 15 through about august first and ill be there to beat the hell out of you and im not fuckin joking i really want this family to come because my brother ready to kick these motherfuckers asses right now.oh yeah and i will probably be wearing black ka=hacki like pant with some band shirt on and i'll get my bro to wear his army uniform.
I saa many documentary from richard dawkins and louis theroux and others on the bbc regarding these sick people , and they are so brainwash that death is there only exit , i love god and im not a practicant of the church in any way , i worship and respect god in my own way and thank him for everything i leanr so far in my life , these sick idiots dont know crap about god they take thing from from a book and apply it as if it was fact , you can only judge action through your own life and experience not a book written by a man , no matter what people say i will never take the writting from a book down to the leter not even science , only my own existence and what i saa and experiement with my own eye , and being from an army background everything i saa was quite evil , but nothing as worst as the phelps family
fantastic and scary writing Chef! I cry for the children...they cannot know the truth of what they say. I hope they can be enlightened one day. my hubby is ex seal, our son is marine, my friends are all kinds, straight and gay...isnt that what makes all of us a human family? but I have members of my immedite family I will not speak to, due to their lifestyle and so I will choose to remain outside of this phelps family as well/they are sick!
better retrack that...I will stay away from them until they get in my way then I hope I have the courage, with the likes of you Chef Jeff, to stand and peacefully push them away!!
Liked your piece Chef. As a gay person, I've been aware of, and kinda kept an eye on, Fred Phelps and his supposed "church". I know I don't consider them anything near "Christian". A few years ago, their webpage featured a picture of Matthew Shepard burning in hell, which was bad enough. I think it shows their growing irrationality by their actions at the military funerals and trying to equate that with God "hating fags." My older brother is also in the military and has been to the Middle East quite a few times since 9/11, and if something happened to him (God forbid), I would be hard-pressed to stand back if those jokers showed up.
Nice job!
This is the result of dumb asses meet religion. Good hub Chef Jeff!
Matthew 18:6 (NIV)
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
It would seem that this passage is overlooked when it comes to the teachings of Christ; especially by the likes of these individuals. As you point out, their belief and the desire to have others follow them has become more important than following Christ. Our faith must be grounded in the will of God and not simply the bits and pieces that we choose from His Word.
1 Timothy 6:3-4 (NIV)
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing...
It is all too easy to lord over others pointing the finger of blame while at the same time denying the fact that we too are sinners; falling short. Anyone will look better when their time is spent tearing others down. I am grateful that the love of Christ allows forgiveness for all.
Blessings,
Matt.
Thank you Chef for this enlightening hub. It is always disconcerting to see such blatant evil and divine nescience.
What I see through this hub is the evil one mocking God.
Forever His,
Theese people make me sick to my stomach, I have never been so enraged by anything in my life before I saw theese red kneck hicks on tv...they are the type of people who should be lined up and shot!
Some people may see this as a little harsh...but those scum bags picketing at army funerals!!
Makes my f**king blood boil!!
If I woke up and heard on the news that every member of that family had been killed would I care?...would I f**k I think I may even be able to crack a smile!
I must say I am sorry if I have offended anybody on here, some people may think my views are a bit strong. But all I can say is that family should be wiped off the face of this earth, ok I feel sorry for the kids but the older generation.
I could not believe it!!
All I can say is I would love to meet gramps or whatever the f**k he calls himself as i could quite happly slit his withered throat.....bringing such hate into the world!
I would love to see that family picket in the uk! They would be slaughtered and I for one would laugh my ass off!!
Again very sorry if i have offended anybody but for the life of me i can never remember being this f**king annoyed in all my life!
Simon
God Hates protestors and those who judge others
I am disgusted w/ these people. There was one video I saw on You Tube where one of thier children during a rally or protest about 9 years old was struck by a to go soft drink cup that was thrown by a passing car and it hit him hard. I think that the parents/adults are putting their children in harms way deliberetely and this is child abuse. They know that people are not accepting them and are hating them - still they put their children (who do not know any better)on teh street to protest and be a target.
IF this so called church protested at one of my military family member’s funerals, I would kill them!! Literally!!
I like that you have actively stood up to these people in a peaceful way and encourage all of us to do the same. Hatred is a vile thing and it seems that it will ride on any medium (religion, politics, ethnicity) and target anyone or anything that is different.
As followers of Christ, we are to be salt and light to the world, showing people God's love and his holiness. These people show neither.
right on westboro baptist church i wish you were around in the early 70
s im a navy vet that served in vietnam and felt i was suckered punch by my countrymen most vets that make it home end up a whipping kid to the v a and lots nof poverty
wow,i'm from the rep of south africa and i'm offended.the phelps another example of why religion is wrong,and the world would a place without it.
I had to go to youtube to see the video of these folks. It breaks my heart that people can be so blind. But, it is because they do not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof...the Phelps are going to reap what they sow..I am praying for them...Thanks for the hub.
"Thank God for dead soldiers" ? Then thank God for dead Phelps.
they all look like demons .
My best friend was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq in 2008, leaving behind a wife and two young sons. There were rumors that the vile Phelps family was going to show up and spew their hatred. With everything else friends and family had to deal with during those terrible days, I was was absoltely enraged at the thought of these hate mongers showing up at the funeral. Then we discovered an organization called The Patriot Guard Riders. They are a group of motorcycle enthusiasts and veterans who volunteer to show up at any servicemembers funeral in sufficient numbers to firmly, but peacefully prevent the families from seeing or hearing these Westboro nutcases. They are some of the nicest people I've ever met, and although they were there for the funeral, the Phelps clan thankfully did not show up. We will always be in their debt for being there and doing what they do. They allowed us to mourn without anger or worry.
when they burn in hell or what ever dark place these ppl go i hope they get treated at there own funerals like they treat the brave a fallen Soldiers of the u.s and that once that old grey headed goat they call a pastor has been taken of this earth and sent to were he belongs in darkness then i hope and pray even though i am not a god beliving man that someone will tell these kids the truth and get them out of there.
Nice comment Larr & Chris, Simon nothing to apologize I have exactly the same words just can't say it loud. What the Supreme Court does is giving this CULT a power to continue their demon act. Good job I Chef Jeff but I hope you can do more, there must be away how to stop these sick freak! It hurt me so much that they are so free to say what ever they want to say and leave freely in this country, that protected by those their wishing to die. "Phelps" I wish your Westboro Baptist Cult sink in the ground where it stand, and everyone of your twisted member and your children of the corn kids may vanish from the face of the earth. Means you all go to HELL!
Nice comment Larr & Chris, Simon nothing to apologize I have exactly the same words just can't say it loud. What the Supreme Court does is giving this CULT a power to continue their demon act. Good job I Chef Jeff but I hope you can do more, there must be away how to stop these sick freak! It hurt me so much that they are so free to say what ever they want to say and leave freely in this country, that protected by those their wishing to die. "Phelps" I wish your Westboro Baptist Cult sink in the ground where it stand, and everyone of your twisted member and your children of the corn kids may vanish from the face of the earth. Means you all go to HELL!
These people are all muslims never done a days work in
their life.
Waant everybody to die, what a set of fags
I have just watched Louis Theroux's revisit to this so called family. I am shocked to see that the children are still there. Why have authorities not stepped in andsaved these children from the mental abuse they are suffering at the hands of their parents? Personally, I think Fred Phelps is so far back in the closet he is in Narnia. They are now talking of moving to Jerusalem to "help" the people over there. I thought they had enough problems without that lot. They are a disgrace to humankind but thankfully the rest of the world do not see them as a representation of America. We see them for what they really are - ignorant, small-minded thugs who are so feeble in mind that have become brain washed.
I just saw Louis Theroux's documentary on the Phelps family, and I would love to initiate some kind of wave of love and sympathy to be sent to the whole family. We can't fight fire with fire. It does no good to get really angry (although it is difficult not to). The family is living in a constant state of hating and it must be horrific to be part of it.
If we all send them some love and compassion I really believe that energetically it will have a positive effect on the whole situation. The family are not demons, they have all been brought up being barraged with very negative messages, which in turn have been passed on to their children and children's children. I have been brought up in a very loving family, and I am extremely fortunate in that respect. I can now pass this love on to those who weren't as fortunate as I am. We all can!
Arrange just a couple of seconds in your day to send a loving and compassionate feeling to this tormented family, and let's see if a positive outcome takes place. Quench fires of hate with the peaceful flush of love and peace, I promise it will work.
We are evolved enough as a human race to know that those who live in fear and hatred are not to be shown more of what they already feel, if they are shown love - true unconditional love - then they will change and one day I hope their message will change from one of hate to one of love. Their devotion is unquestionable - this could be used to spread a message of peace across the world.
We're all part of the same race. Let's help out those who are in turmoil and try to bring each other a peace that will have a genuinely positive impact on everyone's lives we touch.
The ultimate personafication of ingnorance, the whole set up just seems like an example of what happens when an isolated, incest orientated fanatical community tries to justify it's existence by pointing fingers at the world, and in a very twisted completely evil way make themselves feel invincible to the world around them by twisting the words of an ancient book!
The way to protect society from this kind of ignorance and fanaticism is to implement educational policies based on real understanding and trust of human nature its potential for god-consciousness or 'God'.
Great and sobering hub ! How utterly sad that this group tries to represent Christianity and even moreso that they are inculcating these morally bankrupt ideologies into the minds of their young followers.
man if only i was there to see all of it. i would most deffinly do somethn about, i would probably kick there asses. or if not kill them all..
This is an extreme case of Freedom of Worship and Freedom of Expression. But why should somebody be so hateful of everything and be so happy to tell you that to your face.
My heart goes to the children. Can't something be done to rescue them from these incarceration?
Me think the government can do something to help the world from this horror.
come to indianapolis i dare you the vets will deal with you
If you are without sin "the Phelps" cast the first stone !!!!
I live about a hour south of Topeka, and although I have heard of this family, I would have never thought they were this engrossed with their beliefs. I also didn't know they lived that close. It amazes me the hate that they brought out in me, I had to wait a little bit to even comment. I am a Christian and would never believe God would want me to spread his teachings in such an evil, hateful manner. How SAD!
I have said it before they truly think that if god says so it must be right,right.so then why do they where glasses to correct eyesight if god has decided some of them should have bad eyesight.Just one of the many flaws i have noticed.
IM A PROUD LESBIAN AND THIS MAKES ME SICK...THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS NOT TO JUDGE AND THAT'S WHAT IS BEING DONE IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT TAKE YOU ASS OUT OF AMERICA
































fishskinfreak2008 3 years ago
OK, this doesn't seem like Michael Phelps' family. So is this Michael Phelps' family?