The Westboro Baptist Church - Hate Group or?

Medusa · 04-26-2010, 12:36 PM

The signs say "God Hates Fags" or "Adam and Eve - Not Adam and Steve!" and now they have turned their attention on Constance McMillen, the Etiwamba High School Senior who wanted to attend Prom with her girlfriend and was subsequently blackballed by parents and other students, being sent to a fake prom.

The Westboro Baptist Church is now planning to picket at Constance's High School Graduation.

I am sitting here wondering if other people see the Westboro Church as a Hate Group, akin to the KKK?

Linus · 04-26-2010, 12:48 PM

Yes, hate group. Southern Proverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed them under the "general hate" category (http://www.splcenter.org/node/105/activegroups -- see Kansas at the bottom)

Rufusboi · 04-26-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

The signs say "God Hates Fags" or "Adam and Eve - Not Adam and Steve!" and now they have turned their attention on Constance McMillen, the Etiwamba High School Senior who wanted to attend Prom with her girlfriend and was subsequently blackballed by parents and other students, being sent to a fake prom.

The Westboro Baptist Church is now planning to picket at Constance's High School Graduation.

I am sitting here wondering if other people see the Westboro Church as a Hate Group, akin to the KKK?

They have their own twisted logic. They are a joke. Even your moderate homophobes won't touch Westboro with a 10ft pole. Arguing with them does no good. THey love publicity. They know what envelope to push and they know what can get them into legal trouble and what can't. Best thing is to ignore them. THey want attention, they want argument, and they want the media at their pickets. Collectively ignoring them takes away any power they think they might wield. Are they akin to the KKK. Yes, they are in a way. They focus their collective hatred on one group. But I don't see them as physically dangerous. Nor do they have any power or any influence. Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like there is a collective eye roll when Phelps and his family show up. Most towns don't want them around. But you know....freedom of speech and freedom to peaceably assemble and all......I'm more worried about the Arizona "show me your papers" law than Phelps.

Rufus

Apocalipstic · 04-26-2010, 01:11 PM

I have no idea what to think about people so filled with hate. I have heard it is all one family?

Seriously, they seem to go way farther than other Hate groups to see publicity, which makes me think that you all are right and it is all about the publicity and nothing else.

UGH.

Medusa · 04-26-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

I I have heard it is all one family?

UGH.

This is the part where I censor myself from making some comment about them being "inbred".

Apocalipstic · 04-26-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Medusa

This is the part where I censor myself from making some comment about them being "inbred".

Yeah, sorry, I did hear that though?

betenoire · 04-26-2010, 01:19 PM

I don't know that I see them as being as dangerous as some other hate groups, though. Hurtful and grody, yes....but dangerous? I don't know. They don't go around under a cloak of secrecy like some groups do, and to my knowledge they've not (yet) been physically violent or broken the law outright.

Medusa · 04-26-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Yeah, sorry, I did hear that though?

Oh I did too! And something about how the church isnt as big as it looks and that they put a lot of energy into their website and publicity-drawing ventures.

It's just...EWW.

Andrew, Jr. · 04-26-2010, 01:23 PM

I saw them in action at the funeral of a soldier. It was absolutely horrible what they said and did. The media, police officiers, even the members of the Church where the funeral service was being held came outside to protect the privacy of the family of the deceased soldier. He was just 18 yo. And his siblings were youngsters, as were his parents and grandparents (young not youngsters). All I can say is Thank God he chose to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. That drive lost most of the WBC group.

The WBC is nothing but pure hate. I am just surprised that nobody has assinated Rev. Fred Phelps yet. And he hatred is going to take generations to fix.

Apocalipstic · 04-26-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

I saw them in action at the funeral of a soldier. It was absolutely horrible what they said and did. The media, police officiers, even the members of the Church where the funeral service was being held came outside to protect the privacy of the family of the deceased soldier. He was just 18 yo. And his siblings were youngsters, as were his parents. All I can say is Thank God he chose to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. That drive lost most of the WBC group.

The WBC is nothing but pure hate. I am just surprised that nobody has assinated Rev. Fred Phelps yet. And he hatred is going to take generations to fix.

I think if he were to get killed like that he would become a martyr and it would be worse.

Jess · 04-26-2010, 01:26 PM

Ya know.. what gets me is where the hell these folks get all the money to travel and show their asses from??? I am surprised some secret squirrel queer IRS agent hasn't gone after them. We are everywhere ya know.. heh

More food for the removal of non-profit status from organized churches. Let their asses pay taxes on what they raise from their little charity plates before they fill up their tanks to go harass good people.

Apocalipstic · 04-26-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess

Ya know.. what gets me is where the hell these folks get all the money to travel and show their asses from??? I am surprised some secret squirrel queer IRS agent hasn't gone after them. We are everywhere ya know.. heh

More food for the removal of non-profit status from organized churches. Let their asses pay taxes on what they raise from their little charity plates before they fill up their tanks to go harass good people.

Yeah, they totally need to pay taxes.

Andrew, Jr. · 04-26-2010, 01:30 PM

I think his (Fred Phelp's) son is an attorney. I know that when they were in Fed. Court in Balto. City, it was a nightmare. Our tax dollars went to pay for protecting both them and the father who sued Phelp's and his church. I am glad to see he is taking the suit further on.

UofMfan · 04-26-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linus

Yes, hate group. Southern Proverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed them under the "general hate" category (http://www.splcenter.org/node/105/activegroups -- see Kansas at the bottom)

I agree, hate group.

I hope the Federal Government, the IRS in particular, take action and remove their Tax Except status pronto!

Andrew, Jr. · 04-26-2010, 01:46 PM

The one issue I will never understand or even wrap my head around is when WBC claimed that we were to be blamed for 9/11. To me that is like saying Medusa is to be blamed for my hair to be brown.

Nat · 04-26-2010, 02:08 PM

yes I think they are a hate group.

Rufusboi · 04-26-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

The one issue I will never understand or even wrap my head around is when WBC claimed that we were to be blamed for 9/11. To me that is like saying Medusa is to be blamed for my hair to be brown.

Its that twisted logic at work. According to Phelps and gang, God hates American's tolerance of gays, therefore God is punishing America, therefore 9/11 is God punishing America for tolerating Gays ....I guess America is supposed to lock us up, or declare us illegal or something.

Apocalipstic · 04-27-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

Its that twisted logic at work. According to Phelps and gang, God hates American's tolerance of gays, therefore God is punishing America, therefore 9/11 is God punishing America for tolerating Gays ....I guess America is supposed to lock us up, or declare us illegal or something.

It freaks me out that so many people actually do think we don't even deserve to be alive.

Lynn · 04-27-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

It freaks me out that so many people actually do think we don't even deserve to be alive.

I agree. It freaks me out to consider all the anti-gay laws around the world which result in murder and torture for people who just want to be who they are. This group feels dangerous because they are so overt in their hatred, although I think it's true that the most dangerous people are the ones planning in secret. But, then again, how many more people think it's OK to express this hate openly when this group has made it so acceptable and proven that their freedom of speech will be upheld over the wellbeing and safety of others?

Apocalipstic · 04-27-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn

I agree. It freaks me out to consider all the anti-gay laws around the world which result in murder and torture for people who just want to be who they are. This group feels dangerous because they are so overt in their hatred, although I think it's true that the most dangerous people are the ones planning in secret. But, then again, how many more people think it's OK to express this hate openly when this group has made it so acceptable and proven that their freedom of speech will be upheld over the wellbeing and safety of others?

I guess until facebook, I kept myself pretty insulated from this sort of thing, now, it is all over the place and I am giving it more thought. It really is scary.

I hope people in general see how hate filled this is, and it backfires.

04-26-2010, 12:36 PM	#1
Medusa Mentally Delicious How Do You Identify?: Queer High Femme, thank you very much Preferred Pronoun?: Mme. Relationship Status: Married to JD. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,446 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,995 Thanked 42,871 Times in 7,835 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	The Westboro Baptist Church - Hate Group or? The signs say "God Hates Fags" or "Adam and Eve - Not Adam and Steve!" and now they have turned their attention on Constance McMillen, the Etiwamba High School Senior who wanted to attend Prom with her girlfriend and was subsequently blackballed by parents and other students, being sent to a fake prom. The Westboro Baptist Church is now planning to picket at Constance's High School Graduation. I am sitting here wondering if other people see the Westboro Church as a Hate Group, akin to the KKK? __________________ . . . Buy ButchFemmePlanet Merch Here: https://teespring.com/stores/butchfemmeplanetcom-merch

04-26-2010, 12:48 PM	#2
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,743 Times in 3,176 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Yes, hate group. Southern Proverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed them under the "general hate" category (http://www.splcenter.org/node/105/activegroups -- see Kansas at the bottom) __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

04-26-2010, 01:11 PM	#4
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,383 Times in 2,840 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I have no idea what to think about people so filled with hate. I have heard it is all one family? Seriously, they seem to go way farther than other Hate groups to see publicity, which makes me think that you all are right and it is all about the publicity and nothing else. UGH. __________________

04-26-2010, 01:19 PM	#7
betenoire Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Satan in a Sunday Hat Preferred Pronoun?: Maow Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Chemical Valley Posts: 4,086 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,312 Thanked 8,742 Times in 2,566 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	I don't know that I see them as being as dangerous as some other hate groups, though. Hurtful and grody, yes....but dangerous? I don't know. They don't go around under a cloak of secrecy like some groups do, and to my knowledge they've not (yet) been physically violent or broken the law outright. __________________ bête noire \bet-NWAHR\, noun: One that is particularly disliked or that is to be avoided.

04-26-2010, 02:08 PM	#16
Nat Senior Member How Do You Identify?: bigender Preferred Pronoun?: whatevs Relationship Status: in a relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tx Posts: 3,535 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,042 Thanked 13,992 Times in 2,595 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	yes I think they are a hate group. __________________ I'm a fountain of blood. In the shape of a girl. - Bjork What is to give light must endure burning. -Viktor Frankl

04-26-2010, 01:23 PM	#9
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I saw them in action at the funeral of a soldier. It was absolutely horrible what they said and did. The media, police officiers, even the members of the Church where the funeral service was being held came outside to protect the privacy of the family of the deceased soldier. He was just 18 yo. And his siblings were youngsters, as were his parents and grandparents (young not youngsters). All I can say is Thank God he chose to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. That drive lost most of the WBC group. The WBC is nothing but pure hate. I am just surprised that nobody has assinated Rev. Fred Phelps yet. And he hatred is going to take generations to fix.

04-26-2010, 01:26 PM	#11
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,703 Times in 1,684 Posts Rep Power: 0	Ya know.. what gets me is where the hell these folks get all the money to travel and show their asses from??? I am surprised some secret squirrel queer IRS agent hasn't gone after them. We are everywhere ya know.. heh More food for the removal of non-profit status from organized churches. Let their asses pay taxes on what they raise from their little charity plates before they fill up their tanks to go harass good people.

04-26-2010, 01:30 PM	#13
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I think his (Fred Phelp's) son is an attorney. I know that when they were in Fed. Court in Balto. City, it was a nightmare. Our tax dollars went to pay for protecting both them and the father who sued Phelp's and his church. I am glad to see he is taking the suit further on.

04-26-2010, 01:46 PM	#15
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	The one issue I will never understand or even wrap my head around is when WBC claimed that we were to be blamed for 9/11. To me that is like saying Medusa is to be blamed for my hair to be brown.