Words cannot adequately describe the deranged inhumanity of Fred Phelps and his so-called Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. From the beginning of time, deeply disturbed and downright dangerous people have invoked Jesus, Allah and other gods to wage war, demonstrate their profound fears, ignorance and insecurities, garner publicity or make money -- sometimes all of the above.
In announcing that "God hates America" because "God hates fags," Phelps and his crowd conduct ugly, high-profile demonstrations at funeral services for American servicemen and women killed in Iraq. Their twisted rationale? It seems that God is punishing America because of its increasing respect for gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens. Phelps is certain that the war in Iraq reflects God's wrath being visited upon a sodomous nation. How he knows this, of course, is unclear.
First, Mr. Phelps, God is smart enough to have never entered a needless and unjust war and to conduct it with tragic incompetence. Leave God out of it, please! The good men and women fighting and dying in this mess are brave, patriotic and God-loving Americans who deserve our unending respect. This is not their doing and your actions bring great indignity on them and horrible shame on you.
So, what would Jesus do? Who really knows, right? I'd like to think that a loving Jesus would feel pity for Phelps and his lot. I'd like to think that Jesus would see the big picture, however, and use the pure evil of Westboro Baptist Church to open communication channels and strengthen links between the military and the gay and lesbian communities, both of whom are being victimized here. Creating a moment of understanding in the uneasy relationship between gays and the military would be an ironic outcome that only Mr. Phelps could hate. Indeed, it would be the product of a loving Jesus.
In announcing that "God hates America" because "God hates fags," Phelps and his crowd conduct ugly, high-profile demonstrations at funeral services for American servicemen and women killed in Iraq. Their twisted rationale? It seems that God is punishing America because of its increasing respect for gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens. Phelps is certain that the war in Iraq reflects God's wrath being visited upon a sodomous nation. How he knows this, of course, is unclear.
First, Mr. Phelps, God is smart enough to have never entered a needless and unjust war and to conduct it with tragic incompetence. Leave God out of it, please! The good men and women fighting and dying in this mess are brave, patriotic and God-loving Americans who deserve our unending respect. This is not their doing and your actions bring great indignity on them and horrible shame on you.
So, what would Jesus do? Who really knows, right? I'd like to think that a loving Jesus would feel pity for Phelps and his lot. I'd like to think that Jesus would see the big picture, however, and use the pure evil of Westboro Baptist Church to open communication channels and strengthen links between the military and the gay and lesbian communities, both of whom are being victimized here. Creating a moment of understanding in the uneasy relationship between gays and the military would be an ironic outcome that only Mr. Phelps could hate. Indeed, it would be the product of a loving Jesus.