Fred Phelps and the general public. . . ?

Fred Phelps and the WBC have been spreading their own brand of hate and protesting funerals for years. Since 1998 and Matthew Shepherd's murder.





So my question is to all the people that are talking about him now that he said he would protest Heath Ledger's funeral WHY are you just now talking about and WHY now is it important enough to you to say something?





Is an actor more important to you then Matthew Shepherd, Gwen Arajo, Coretta Scott King, Diane Whipple, Cary French, the Sago Miners, the Amish School Children, the VT Tech victims, or hundreds of soldiers?

Fred Phelps and the general public. . . ?
Because it happened yesterday. In a week, the general public will be talking about something else. This would be an interesting idea for a diary of sorts -- "Seven-Day Wonders -- A Journal of Pop Culture and Fickle Concerns".
Reply:Myself, I've been following this guy's actions for some time now even before Heath Ledger died. This sort of hatemongering tarnishes the good name of Christianity and I for one will not stand idly by while this Jerk-off goes around spreading hate.





I come from the same area that Heath Ledger grew up in and hung out at the same train station after school at the same time as him (He's 3 years younger and students from his school as well as mine used to hang out at this train station after school) and as such will not stand by while this prick does his best to ruin the memory of one of my compatriots.





I don't know what I can do to stop this guy but I will do what I can.
Reply:I feel this is unfair for you to bring into question people's actions in regards to the WBC. Many people may not have heard of Phelps and his unique brand of Old Testament hate-mongering because they're primarily a fringe group whose affect is only felt in a relatively small area of the country. However, with the death of Heath Ledger they're purposefully picketing the funeral of someone high-profile. It's obvious that more people are going to take notice. So don't be too hasty to judge everyone else just because they may have just now had the WBC's actions brought to their attention.
Reply:No.





All the people listed were all living people and all are equally important in that respect.





Do I have more respect for some? Yes. Top on my list would be the military members that lost their lives in service of their country and in service of us.





I have loathed Phelps and his sect of small minded bigots for as long as I have known of them.
Reply:I think it's unfortunate that Fred Phelps' antics of spreading hatred in the guise of Christianity weren't better known before. Yes, he did get press. But, no, not enough press and not enough people were paying attention.





On the other side of the coin, if it takes him picketing an actors funeral to bring attention to his despicable spreading of hatred--I'm all for it.





Now that he's firmly in the public eye, it's time for everyone (and Christians especially) to repudiate the hatred he spreads.
Reply:I've been aware of the Phelps family for years, and amazed that some people still don't know about them. So for me it's not new, but it does seem there are people who were apathetic when it was only ordinary citizens being targeted, and outraged now that they're targeting a celebrity. But what bothers me even more are the people who still don't seem to care.
Reply:I really dont think it should matter why or how people start hating Fred Phelps.





It should just matter that its starting.
Reply:Fred Phelps is out of control.





I live in Kansas, near Topeka, and it's so sad, you see all his followers and their little kids telling you and holding up these multicolored signs that say God hates Man and America will go to hell and stuff, and it's just sad and rediciulous.





He should never be allowed to do that, free speech and everything, but the family should be allowed to kick him out just because it's their function.
Reply:I've been following them for years and telling people about them..it's nothing new to a lot of people..It's in the media a lot . maybe you just are noticing b.c its an actor, all the attention? maybe you missed the articles and talk shows and bios on them? I havn't.





I love how the hells angels go and tune them out with their bikes for the funeral.


They definitely are cool doing that.





The people are using and abusing religion to spread their hate and most of them are sadly brainwashed...





I would also have to agree with Maxx above^


Good points.


Not everyone has to be caught up on them..plus they are so hateful...who should give them attention?








I'm just surprised none have been injured by now from ppl getting mad at them








For those who havnt heard of them.. youtube them or "God hates the world"





very funny outlook they have.