Fred Phelps is near death

[Savryc]

I feel the same thing I felt when Bin Laden was killed, nothing at all. It doesn't undo what he's done, the WBC is still gonna do what they do without him. All that will happen is some other scumbag will enter the public eye and the song and dance will begin again.

I can understand why people would be happy, I don't blame them either. But celebrating someones death just isn't in me.

 

[TakerFoxx]

Isn't his wife more crazier than him? She would just replace him.

Are you referring to Shirley Phelps? Because that's actually his daughter, though it's to mistake them. And from what I understand, the reason he was excommunicated was because Shirley attempted a power struggle, got defeated by the board, only for Fred to stand up for her, leading to the board to ejecting him as well. If true, I don't think she's going to take charge any time soon.

http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-17/elders-excommunicate-phelps-after-power-struggle-call-kindness-within-church

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

Holy crap does this thread make humans look like total scum. I don't know who Fred Phelps is, and what _I_ don't care about is what he's 'done'.

Yall might as well be pointing at a man that's on fire and shrugging your shoulders. I am not saying you should burst into tears, but to pretty much take pleasure in someones death is a very cold, evil thing to do. It really means you are probably worse than the person you think you're better than.

Did you know back after WWII that after japan surrendered, America had held a petition was to what to do with Japan since it was then disabled.

13% said that they should kill all japanese women,children and men, effectively wiping their race off the face of the earth, now 13% of all of america is still a lot of people.

Then there's the people from back then and now that were grateful in the Atomic bombings, the same for anything else in wars that have been and gone and yet you think hating one man who hates gays (practically doesn't want them to even exist)and spits on those that sacrifice their lives is scummy?, man you've got something to sort out in terms of priorities if you think that.

Ignoring this guy isn't going to do anything, he's written in the books and exists all over the place unlike the average human who hasn't cured cancer or gone to the moon or done something evil.

Saying to ignore him and be the better man is like saying that about nearly anything bad that's happened from one person in the entire history of mankind, that shit does not fly if we continue to hurt the "bad people".

The man hates gays to the ends of the earth and he's made them all well known about it, picketed funerals of people that gave their lives to protect them (pro tip funerals are once in everyones life, once they are ruined they leave a horrid mark forever), ignoring his funeral gives him and the family a complete and utter free pass, a pardon for all the horrible shit he and the family have caused countless others for years on end, to say we should give him the benefit and let his funeral be means we'll have to do that for every other horrid man or person out there and if not then be prepared to be called a total hypocrite.

This man does not deserve a peaceful funeral, I don't care about the "better man" speeches, those hold no ground other than a persons "oh you now suck in my eyes" moment, the guys done wrong and something has to be done, same happened with all the other bad people in history, he is no different, the being the better man in this instance does nothing for those that had their funerals ruined and their families shunned and shamed, absolutely nothing, it even shows lack of caring for them in the first place, hell saying "be the better man or you're equal to shit" is giving someone no choice at all, you throw them right into the corner in saying that, that's not how choices work.

 

[UltraPic]

The plot thickens... [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/17/fred-phelps-excommunicated-wbc_n_4981300.html?utm_hp_ref=religion]

The article in that link says that he was excommunicated for wanting a "kinder approach to family", namely Shirley Phelps-Roper who was involved in a power struggle within the church. What that means can be anyone's guess, but it's strange to consider he was cast out for (what sounds like) not being a dick. Considering Freddy-boy and his family have disowned children over them being decent people, it seems like everything is finally coming full circle (at least for him). Read in another article that apparently afterwards he took it extremely hard and most likely have contributed to his overall health condition.

Strange, I actually feel a slight pity for a man that promoted a life of hate from pickets to the brainwashing and abuse of his own children.

And for those planning to picket the funeral of Fred Phelps, they won't be having one because they don't "worship the dead" (I'm not going to bother to pick apart what sounds weird about a religion that claims to not worship dead people).

EDIT: Forgot to mention, but I agree with those who think the church won't change. Shirley is the queen bee and the most vocal member (she usually goes on the news networks). I don't know if this will ever change anything, but one could hope. It may be mostly the direct family in the church, but these Phelps members have "litters", with some being mothers to over 10. Wow.

What it means is that one of them had been outed for having a bastard son from a previous relationship (Shirley not), one of those things they said would get you into hell pretty quickly and the most common wbc attack after gays.

 

[Bad Jim]

I was interested in the news and did some further reading. Turns out he's been excommunicated from the WBC. Does anybody around here know why?

According to his son Nate, the WBC considers death to be judgement from God that he is a bad egg. At least they're consistent about it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2585399/Fred-Phelps-son-Nate-speaks-just-hours-Westboro-leader-dies-reveals-truth-fathers-excommunication-hate-group-Phelps-destined-fail.html

 

[soren7550]

While it's good that he's gone, I don't really know how people should react.

While I feel that we should show we're better by not staging a protest during his funeral, but then again, I love the counter protests people put together.

Guess it doesn't really matter though since the WBC allegedly doesn't hold funerals or memorial services because 'they don't worship the dead'.

 

[JMac85]

13% said that they should kill all japanese women,children and men, effectively wiping their race off the face of the earth, now 13% of all of america is still a lot of people.

13% of those who were surveyed. Just because you get 130 out of a thousand to say something doesn't mean you get to say "13% of all of America."

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

13% said that they should kill all japanese women,children and men, effectively wiping their race off the face of the earth, now 13% of all of america is still a lot of people.

13% of those who were surveyed. Just because you get 130 out of a thousand to say something doesn't mean you get to say "13% of all of America."

Doesn't mean to say America gets to be all peachy and nice either, are we going to argue the numbers now instead ogf the actual feelings that were expressed?.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Well he's dead now. I think the best response to this would be to not give a fuck. Don't piquet his funeral. Don't go around posting "fuck yous" the way he went around holding "fuck you" signs. The man lived and died in hatred, don't join in the dark side. We should be better than this.

 

[JMac85]

Doesn't mean to say America gets to be all peachy and nice either, are we going to argue the numbers now instead ogf the actual feelings that were expressed?.

Why? Because 13% of people who answered a survey over half a century ago had some reactionary and vindictive views? Big whoop. In any given population there are going to be a few bad apples. Doesn't make it specifically an American problem, nor is it indicative of some kind of crippling flaw of humanity.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

So the old bastard's dead. My response? Let's Celebrate!

Yes, I know some people are saying we shouldn't stoop to his level, but you know what? Screw that! This man was scum, and deserves no sympathy. Well, I won't give him any, at least. If that's how you feel, that's fine.

Me? I'll be busy partying it up.

 

[Queen Michael]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/us/westboro-church-founder-dead/index.html

CNN is saying that he is dead.

Yay? Do we celebrate now?

The man was never the problem, it was the idea he represented.

Spoiler: Ding Dong the Witch is dead

There are few people in this world who I could call scum and this man was one of them. He brought nothing into this world other than hate and vitriol. If he did have any kind of positive influence on humanity, it was exposing what true bigotry was with no bullshit excuses, giving people a figure to rally against.

I just watched that clip, smiling and clapping all the way through. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

snip

Did I specifically say it was an american problem, only related to America?.

i was pointing out that people can be scum and shouldn't be ignore, you leaped onto me because I mentioned 13% of that petition (yes decades ago i know) and suddenly you're going to get all politically correct on my ass which really isn't the point of this thread and really doesn't solve anything.

 

[JMac85]

Did I specifically say it was an american problem, only related to America?.

i was pointing out that people can be scum and shouldn't be ignore, you leaped onto me because I mentioned 13% of that petition (yes decades ago i know) and suddenly you're going to get all politically correct on my ass which really isn't the point of this thread and really doesn't solve anything.

I pointed out your misrepresentation of polling data. 13% of America in the 40's was indeed a large number of people, but 13% of people who took a survey does not mean it's an accurate representation of the entire population. I've always been a bit of a stickler for that kind of thing.

However, you responded with "Doesn't mean to say America gets to be all peachy and nice either". Which seemed as though you were ignoring my point because it conflicted with some kind of grander statement you were trying to make about America specifically.

At any rate, I disagree with your suggestion that people shouldn't be ignored. So longs as they're not actively harming anyone, they can go ahead and spew whatever hateful nonsense they want. Freedom of speech isn't about protecting what you like, it's about protecting what you don't. Let their backwards world view fade into obscurity, fighting against them just made them feel vindicated. It's like dealing with internet trolls. You don't try to argue with them, that's what they want. You ignore them, no matter what vile things they say.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

snip

Good to know you disagreed from the very start with me I guess.

but you can if you want I just think ignoring this guy for what he's done is wrong.

 

[JMac85]

but you can if you want I just think ignoring this guy for what he's done is wrong.

Just what has he done other than be an unbelievable asshole? He wasn't like Charles Manson or some other cult leader that molested a bunch of kids or something. Getting angry at every malcontent will just leave you physically and emotionally exhausted.

 

[Reincarnatedwolfgod]

well I hear he is now dead and that is nothing to celebrate. The tiny extreme religious sect that he made should fall apart at some point in the future.
All I have left to say about this matter is Fred Phelps is dead
.

 

[J Tyran]

Well whether his funeral is picketed or not it seems he has reaped everything he sowed, he has a fairly large family and his "church" claim to be all about family and community values yet he died alone, estranged and outcast from everybody. Ironic really the hate group hates so much they even hated one of their founders.

Whatever else he may or may not deserve I think he deserved that at least.

 

[Dragonlayer]

Holy crap does this thread make humans look like total scum. I don't know who Fred Phelps is, and what _I_ don't care about is what he's 'done'.

Yall might as well be pointing at a man that's on fire and shrugging your shoulders. I am not saying you should burst into tears, but to pretty much take pleasure in someones death is a very cold, evil thing to do. It really means you are probably worse than the person you think you're better than.

I don't really get this kind of attitude, it seems a lot like a very disingenuous attempt to foist shame on the non-aggressor in a situation: "Yeah well, this guy might have broken into funerals to insult grieving families as their mourn their recently dead children in an utterly despicable fashion, but you called him a mean word! So whose the real monster here, huh!?"

Since he was a hateful twat who dedicated his life to protesting soldier's funerals (which I consider to be absolutely fucking disgusting) and despising gays, I can happily say: "Woohoo! Rot in Hell you complete scumbag." I can also happily say I am so much better then him at the same time, because for one thing I don't interrupt a goddamn funeral with placards saying just how grand it was that that person died!

 

[AgedGrunt]

I don't really get this kind of attitude, it seems a lot like a very disingenuous attempt to foist shame on the non-aggressor in a situation: "Yeah well, this guy might have broken into funerals to insult grieving families as their mourn their recently dead children in an utterly despicable fashion, but you called him a mean word! So whose the real monster here, huh!?"

Since he was a hateful twat who dedicated his life to protesting soldier's funerals (which I consider to be absolutely fucking disgusting) and despising gays, I can happily say: "Woohoo! Rot in Hell you complete scumbag." I can also happily say I am so much better then him at the same time, because for one thing I don't interrupt a goddamn funeral with placards saying just how grand it was that that person died!

It seems your attitude is basically what he was referring to, and I'll add that the entire Internet sounding off trumpets for his death, in as much as the outraged web has been the Westboro Baptist's biggest trumpet (ironically giving it a voice exponentially greater than it could ever achieve on its own) is completely in the wrong here.

It's wrong to be gleeful and take satisfaction in someone's death; you should wish for people to stop doing evil (i.e. do good), not want them dead.

While it can be a good thing to raise awareness, it's wrong to draw too much attention and effectively stir up hatred. The other irony isn't lost on people, either, to see these e-celebrations for a death in a group that, you know, is happy to see certain people die.

But this is nothing new on the Internet, where people let their true feelings fly. It's why thousands on social media cheered when a woman lured and murdered her rapist with her family. Margaret Thatcher's death also featured people showing their ugly sides, made all the more baffling that she hadn't been in politics for more than twenty years. Old hatreds die hard with some people, I guess.

If you ultimately take pleasure in death you're psychologically damaged. Stop being proud of it and realize you have a problem.