Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist Church, dies at 84

[ASTalumna06]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/us/wes...-founder-dead/

Fred Phelps -- the founding pastor of a Kansas church known for its virulently anti-gay protests at public events, including military funerals -- has died, the church said Thursday.

The 84-year-old died of natural causes at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to church spokesman Steve Drain.

Phelps founded Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, in 1955 and molded it in his fire-and-brimstone image. Many members of the small congregation are related to Phelps through blood or marriage.
…...
Phelps was often called "the most hated man in America," a label he seemed to relish.

"If I had nobody mad at me," he told the Wichita Eagle in 2006, "what right would I have to claim that I was preaching the Gospel?"

Under Phelps' leadership, Westboro members have preached that every calamity, from natural disasters to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, is God's punishment for the country's acceptance of homosexuality. Phelps had advocated for gays and lesbians to be put to death.

[SWTXBelle]

I'm counting on " . . . the righteous judgment of God;
Who will render to every man according to his deeds." (Romans 2:5-6).

[Xidelt]

Gee, darn.

[NinjaPoodle]

Though the congregation/family is not saying where they are holding his service, wouldn't be interesting if they had it AT THEIR CHURCH? o_O IJS

[NinjaPoodle]

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/...d-phelps-dies/

Rev. Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said in a statement that Fred Phelps and members of the Westboro Baptist Church brought “needless pain and suffering” to thousands of military families and others “at their time of greatest pain and grieving.”

“Fred Phelps will not be missed by the LGBT community, people with HIV/AIDS and the millions of decent people across the world,” said Nipper. “While it is hard to find anything good to say about his views or actions, we do give our condolences to his family members at what must be a painful time for them.”

“So his legacy will be exactly the opposite of what he dreamed, and I think we should all take a moment to remember the lives of the people he has hurt and not waste a second dancing on his grave,” added Renna in the Huffington Post. “I know I will take a moment to remember those angels turning the corner and think about how our community has turned an even bigger corner to create a world where that kind of hate no longer exists.”

[33girl]

I'll say what I said on a friend's fb page. No protests, no dances of joy, just make a donation to the LGBTQ support group of your choice in his memory.

[NinjaPoodle]

great idea ^^

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I'll say what I said on a friend's fb page. No protests, no dances of joy, just make a donation to the LGBTQ support group of your choice in his memory.

I like this idea

I take no pleasure in learning of a person's death, but this man had a dark heart.

[ASUADPi]

What boggles my mind is that his "people" are asking for decency and respect for his funeral!

WTF!!!

These people have the GALL for the public to act decent and respectful for a known homophobe and anti-military supporter, yet they think it's okay to be disrespectful to all the citizens that they have protested!!!

Pot calling the kettle black much!!!!!

Quite honestly I HOPE that people protest his funeral. He and his supporters deserve it.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

What boggles my mind is that his "people" are asking for decency and respect for his funeral!

WTF!!!

These people have the GALL for the public to act decent and respectful for a known homophobe and anti-military supporter, yet they think it's okay to be disrespectful to all the citizens that they have protested!!!

Pot calling the kettle black much!!!!!

Quite honestly I HOPE that people protest his funeral. He and his supporters deserve it.

Where did you read that? Most reputable news sources are writing that he is NOT having a funeral.

The Daily Currant is a satire site not unlike the Onion.

[Lovethesand]

I went to the funeral of a young man who died serving in the military. Unfortunately Phelps and his followers protested his funeral. I personally was extremely disturbed by their presence initially. I and others found comfort in the young man's family who said he adamantly believed in the 1st amendment even those who were ignorant and hate filled. My husband still wanted to "accidentally" run one of them over.

[PiKA2001]

Good riddance to bad rubbish. There is no room on this planet for people who's only mission in life is to spread intolerance and hatred.

[ARKTTKA]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Good riddance to bad rubbish. There is no room on this planet for people who's only mission in life is to spread intolerance and hatred.

Amen Brother!