Phuckin Phelps

It is Easter Sunday. I thought it might be fitting to talk about something religious today, but I was having a really hard time thinking of anything having to do with religion that I thought shouldn't be allowed out in public. I typically believe in the First Amendment and peoples' rights to free speech or to exercise their chosen religion. Then, it hit me!

I apologize in advance to people who are truly religious. Please know that I understand that the following is not a reflection of the way the vast majority of Christians think.

There is a "church" based out of Topeka, Kansas called Westboro Baptist Church (WB).

Its leader: Fred Phelps.

Its message: God Hates F-gs (Once again, I apologize. It makes me physically cringe to write that and I wouldn't if it weren't relevant).

This group is best known for picketing military funerals, especially those of openly gay service people. Just last year the Supreme Court of our United States ruled that they have the right to do so because they are using their freedom of expression to make their political beliefs known. I typically do not have problems with others' First Amendment rights, but this group makes my blood boil! What many people probably don't know, is that this group does not just target the funerals of military personnel. This group has stooped to new lows by picketing the funerals of civilians who have nothing to do with their hateful message.

Westboro Baptist clergy members at Bri's memorial
Photo by Candice Towell

Four years ago I walked through the February snow with frozen tears stuck to my cheeks to say a final goodbye to a dear friend of mine, Brianna Denison. A week before, Bri's body was found in a field in southern Reno, NV. A month before that, I had gotten the news that she was missing. Someone had taken her as she slept on a friend's couch.

Now, Brianna was not a member of the U.S. Military, nor was she gay. Even though she had neither of these two things in common with people Phelps' group typically targeted, many of the thousands of people who came to pay their respects to her that evening, were forced to walk by a small group of the WB minions who held signs filled with messages of hate and fear. 

Phelps' reasoning for sending his members to Bri's memorial service was crazy to say the least. WB claimed that reason for Bri's murder was punishment from God for one of their members being injured at a Reno protest months prior. He was hurt by counter protesters, and WB felt that the Reno Police Department did nothing to stop it. This, to them, meant that RPD tolerated homosexuality, therefore the entire city of Reno did, and so everyone in the city was a candidate for God's wrath. What a bunch of crap!

Shielding Angels
Photo by Candice Towell

The crazy may have fooled some people, but what this group really wanted was attention. They used the publicity from a high profile kidnapping/murder case, and a city's grief, to make the news. Congratulations, a-holes, you made the news!

Thankfully, the majority of the coverage they got was actually about the counter protest. A group called Shielding Angels (pictured right) showed up and formed a makeshift barrier between the WB members and memorial attendees. This way mourners would not have to see the disturbing signs at the end of an ordeal that was already so greatly disturbing.

To the Shielding Angels: Thank you.

To Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist "Church": 

YOU SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED OUT IN PUBLIC! 

How dare you come to funerals to promote your stupid agenda! Have some courage; don't prey on the dead and the grieving. Don't try to rationalize a senseless act committed by a sick freak by claiming that it was God's wrath, especially because you knew nothing about Bri! She was one of the most kind hearted people I have ever known, and yes, tolerant of people from all walks of life. 

My only suggestion to you nuts: If you think America is too tolerant of homosexuals and is doomed, why don't you leave?!

Perhaps a one way ticket to the the Sun?
Photo

Seriously. Just go away.