Westboro Baptist Church: The Most Hated Family In America

[Oneironaut]

I just stumbled across this BBC documentary on Fred Phelps' congregation (the "God Hates Fags" people), and it is quite fascinating to watch these people. It's interesting how what they're doing makes perfect sense from their point of view of Biblical literalism and fundamentalist Christianity, but because they can't see through the bullshit they are rendered incapable of seeing how hateful and harmful their false ideology is. I mean, if you really honestly believe the Bible when it tells you that homosexuality is an abomination unto the Lord and that it is a sin worthy of eternal torture, it only makes sense to share God's prejudices, to hate whom he hates, and to celebrate when tragic deaths happen since it is all just part of God's ultimate righteous plan. I mean, if you honestly believe in Christianity, what sense does it make to mourn a tragedy? Isn't it all supposed to be for the ultimate good of God's perfect divine plan, so shouldn't you be celebrating instead like these folks when horrible tragedies happen? God must be letting these tragedies for some reason, and he must be justified in doing so. These people's way of trying to make sense of horrible tragedies like 9/11 and the deaths of American soldiers in Iraq, by blaming it on our acceptance of the "abomination" of homosexuality, makes a lot more sense, biblically speaking, than other explanations I've heard from Christians.

Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family in America - Google Video

Oneironaut Reviewed by Oneironaut on 06-01-2007. Westboro Baptist Church: The Most Hated Family In America I just stumbled across this BBC documentary on Fred Phelps' congregation (the "God Hates Fags" people), and it is quite fascinating to watch these people. It's interesting how what they're doing makes perfect sense from their point of view of Biblical literalism and fundamentalist Christianity, but because they can't see through the bullshit they are rendered incapable of seeing how hateful and harmful their false ideology is. I mean, if you really honestly believe the Bible when it tells you Rating: 5

[scottbrochill]

These people are nut jobs, there is a good video clip of a fow news reporter getting into it with one of a the leaders, the reporter gets called a slut, and then she calls the lady the devil, it's amazing, i'll post the link if i find it

[scottbrochill]

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YouTube - someone @ fox news has a conscience

[jsn9333]

Before you go and say what crazy motherfuckers like the Westboro Baptist people do "makes sense from a Biblical perspective" how about you read the Bible yourself. I'm not trying to be a dick here, but have you ever read the entire New Testament of the Bible (that is the part Christians primarily follow)? Have you?

Because if not, I suggest you do before you go saying what makes sense "Biblically". Anyone can rip out of context one passage about what behavior may or may not be a sin and use it to justify yelling insults at people. But read the Bible as a whole before you say that is "biblical" behavior.

Most Christians in America hate the Westboro assholes. And most Christians don't hate homosexuals. Most Christians in America are not even fundamentalists. Its the idiots like Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson that give Christians a bad name. And to be quite honest (since I am a "fundamentalist Baptist"), most fundamentalists don't even like half of what Falwell or Robertson say!

Sure, God hates sin, and "fundies" like me see the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin. But that doesn't mean God hates homosexuals any more then he hates a kid who tells a white lie. And that especially doesn't mean we're called, as Christians, to hate anyone.

While the Westboro crazies spout their bullshit, and Falwell spouts his anti-alcohol/anti-fun bullshit... we can read in the Bible that Christ made wine from water at parties and hung out with prostitutes, homosexuals, and other "sinners". Did he condone what they did as far as their sin (be it prostitution, homosexuality, stealing, whatever)? No. But he gently, through simply friendship and discussion, tried to point them in the right direction.

We can read for ourselves in the Bible how we're to go about witnessing about Christ (and hint, it isn't by banging doors down and yelling at and insulting people). The Bible says in 1 Peter chapter 3:15,16 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

There you have it... plain and simple. Respect others. Be gentle. Answer their questions when they ask them. There is no place for Christians to insult other people. Most Christians are like me. Its the crazy, loud, and insulting ones that everyone (including the media) notices though.

[RamblerGambler]

Perhaps he's refering to the fire and brimestone god of the Old Testament.

[jsn9333]

Perhaps he's refering to the fire and brimestone god of the Old Testament.

If so, he should misrepresent Jews instead of Christians. Christians follow the New Testament, and interpret the Old Testament by the New Testament's standards.

I'm just saying, read the whole book before saying what is "biblical" and what isn't... especially when claiming crazy whack motherf*#kers are simply practicing "literal Biblical Christianity".

[RamblerGambler]

I have. I was forced to get a Catholic education.

jsn9333: Christians follow the New Testament, and interpret the Old Testament by the New Testament's standards.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Christians accept the entire Bible. Where is there a seperation? In school they would put equal emphasis on both New and Old testament. That being said, it's the old testament that seems to provide the fodder for fundamental christians, and small wonder. If only it could be as you say, with Christians "interpreting" the Old Testament with a jaundiced eye. But I hear too much talk of the evils of Wigi boards and the influence of "evil forces" on our lives to believe there's a balanced understanding.

None the less, these wackjobs are nucking futs.

[Pass That Shit]

Christians believe in both the old and new testaments. They complete the word of God. They fit like a puzzle. The new testament is a fulfillement of the old. So it's not that we don't believe in the old testament, it's that we feel it doesn't apply to modern day. If you go by the old testament law, we would all be guilty of death. In the law it states that even if you keep the entire law and offend it in one point, you would be guilty of the whole law. One sin equals death. Even if you were a very holy person but had an evil thought, you're a gonner. The law convicted everyone of sin. We no longer live under this very strict law. Jesus nailed the law to the cross. We now live by Grace. The gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE.

[slipknotpsycho]

Before you go and say what crazy motherfuckers like the Westboro Baptist people do "makes sense from a Biblical perspective" how about you read the Bible yourself. I'm not trying to be a dick here, but have you ever read the entire New Testament of the Bible (that is the part Christians primarily follow)? Have you?

not to try and 'ride his dick' here so to speak... yes he has infact... as any agnostic/atheist has, multiple times infact...

anyways i don't believe it was his intention to say they're right or anything of the sort... just making a point from an observation, and strangely enough, having read the damn thing quite a few times myself, i agree with him... they're translating it literally instead of metaphoricly which i think alot of the bible is meant to be (i don't believe if there is a god and/or jesus he expects you turn your cheek to be spat on, upon someone spitting on one side... nor do i think either feels "it is better to spill your seed in a whore (who're you're not married to btw) then to masturbate" i have 100's of other examples if you wish o.0)

[jsn9333]

... yes he has infact... [read the bible]...

having read the damn thing quite a few times myself, i agree with him... they're translating it literally instead of metaphoricly which i think alot of the bible is meant to be (i don't believe if there is a god and/or jesus he expects you turn your cheek to be spat on, upon someone spitting on one side... nor do i think either feels "it is better to spill your seed in a whore (who're you're not married to btw) then to masturbate" i have 100's of other examples if you wish o.0)

If you think the Westboro crazies are following the Christian Scriptures, please show me the verses. It should be easy since you're saying they are just following the Christian Scriptures "literally". Again, "Christian" by definition means follower of Christ. The Old Testament *alone* is not the Christian Scrptures. When taken alone the Old Testament is the Jewish Scriptures. So to be Christian, you've got to go by the New Testament also... since that is the record of Christ and his teachings. And if the Old and New seem to contradict, then the New takes precedence. That's the whole definition of "Christian"... following Christ, the latest prophet in Judaism if you will. Christians don't perform the sacrifices required by the Old Testament, etc. The New Testament says we don't have to... and the New Testament is the primary Scriptures for us now.

So... below I'll include two verses from the New Testament saying that we Christians are to be respectful, gentle, and kind towards non-Christians in particular even if they're rude and insulting to us, so they'll see the grace of Christ in us. Now feel free to show me a Christian verse that "if taken literally" (as you say) shows we're called to yell insults at non-Christians and mock their dead. While you're at it feel free to show me that verse that says we're supposed to ejaculate in a prostitute instead of masturbate. I don't know where you're getting this stuff, but it isn't in the Christian scriptures.

2 Tim. 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth...

2 Pter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.