BG45 Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Fred Phelps, fearmonger and hate-spewer extraordinaire, known for his virulent anti-homosexual rhetoric and picketing of military funerals, is apparently dying in Topeka, Kansas. Fred Phelps is a man whose twisted form of faith is driven by hate and stands as an antithesis of almost all I stand for. That said, we're called to love our enemies, and I, for one, can't summon anything approaching happiness at the news he's on his deathbed. He's ruined so many lives, but as he approaches his final judgment, he deserves pity and prayer. http://www.towleroad.com/2014/03/westboro-baptist-church-pastor-fred-phelps-on-the-edge-of-death-according-to-son.html From Nathan Phelps, his son: I've learned that my father, Fred Phelps, Sr., pastor of the "God Hates Fags" Westboro Baptist Church, was ex-communicated from the "church" back in August of 2013. He is now on the edge of death at Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made. I feel sad for all the hurt he's caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I'm bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 I am curious as to what he was "excommunicated" for? Is there any chance he repented of his hate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted March 16, 2014 Author Share Posted March 16, 2014 Not sure...I'd like to think that was it though, given that's why his son Nathan isn't welcome among the WBC members any longer. Hopefully we'll find out, that is the case...hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 How is it that the one Phatmasser an hour and a half away from Topeka isn't the first to know this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 hmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 How is it that the one Phatmasser an hour and a half away from Topeka isn't the first to know this? Some folks are just slow. Or maybe other folks are just quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not The Philosopher Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Some folks are just slow. Or maybe other folks are just quick. It's all relative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PadrePioOfPietrelcino Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 FP you are not 1 1/2 away from Topeka you are a little over 2 hours if abiding by the speed limit. I knew this late last night. I've met and been picketed by the guy and I've had some interesting conversations both with members of WBC and those kicked out of the church. I can definitely say I have grown through my interactions with them. I find it sad that SOME people who have reviled his hate are rejoicing and celebrating his looming death. I don't know why he was excommunicated, but I too hope it was for conversion of heart. I'll be praying for him and his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spem in alium Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I am also hoping his excommunication has followed a repentance. I'll be keeping him in prayer. May God have mercy upon him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) I am praying for him, for his family, and for all those who have been touched by his life, especially those who have been injured by his hate-filled rhetoric. I pray that he has the graces to beg for forgiveness for any and every sin.... and I pray that for ALL who will die this night/day. We all need prayers as we approach our Maker..... Edited March 17, 2014 by AnneLine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 I thought this was well-said: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/simchafisher/2014/03/16/pray-for-fred-phelps/ Not only has he wounded countless people with his wretchedly evil “God hates fags†campaigns with the Westboro Baptist Church, he’s done enormous damage to the word “Christian.†These are the works he brings with him as He goes to face God. Pray for him, pray for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 This news has affected me in the weirdest of ways. I have been filled with a lot of sadness and compassion ever since yesterday. It's saddened me more to see all of the people celebrating the news of his inevitable death, and I've gotten in several discussions about it on Facebook. Here's the main one that almost everybody on my gay friend's wall completely disagreed with: People are celebrating and happy about this. Living a few hours from this man, I can tell you I disagree with him on pretty much every superficial level possible, but I am not happy to hear of anyone's death. As at least one of the demographics this man virulently hated, this news has not made me feel overjoyed, but rather moved in me pity and sadness. No person automatically believes and teaches what this man believed and taught. He had many bad experiences and people in his life. We should not celebrate this man's suffering and death; we should rather be compassionate and show him the love he never showed us. You can't win hateful people over with hate. You can't fight fire with fire. He needs love and compassion so hopefully he can change his ways before his death. Laughing at his agony and death makes us just as bad as he and his followers are. *Someone tells me he deserves no compassion and love* Even the most vile and hateful human being deserves love. A person becomes vile and wretched because he lacked love in his life. Does he deserve love and compassion after all of the terrible things he did? No. But neither does anyone else. We all do terrible and awful things in our lives, and yet we still received love and compassion anyway. You don't love and forgive someone because they deserve it; you love and forgive someone because it's the right thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChildForever Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Nate Phelps, an estranged son of Fred Phelps, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Sunday night that members of Westboro voted Phelps out of the church last summer, apparently "after some kind of falling out." Nate Phelps, who broke away from the church 37 years ago, said church members became concerned afterward that his father might harm himself and moved him out of the church, where he and his wife had lived for years. Fred Phelps was moved into a house, stopped eating and since has been moved into hospice care, Nate Phelps said. Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/westboro-baptist-church-founder-fred-phelps-in-care-facility-104719.html#ixzz2wGCYTY3p Bizarre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 This news has affected me in the weirdest of ways. I have been filled with a lot of sadness and compassion ever since yesterday. It's saddened me more to see all of the people celebrating the news of his inevitable death, and I've gotten in several discussions about it on Facebook. Here's the main one that almost everybody on my gay friend's wall completely disagreed with: People are celebrating and happy about this. Living a few hours from this man, I can tell you I disagree with him on pretty much every superficial level possible, but I am not happy to hear of anyone's death. As at least one of the demographics this man virulently hated, this news has not made me feel overjoyed, but rather moved in me pity and sadness. No person automatically believes and teaches what this man believed and taught. He had many bad experiences and people in his life. We should not celebrate this man's suffering and death; we should rather be compassionate and show him the love he never showed us. You can't win hateful people over with hate. You can't fight fire with fire. He needs love and compassion so hopefully he can change his ways before his death. Laughing at his agony and death makes us just as bad as he and his followers are. *Someone tells me he deserves no compassion and love* Even the most vile and hateful human being deserves love. A person becomes vile and wretched because he lacked love in his life. Does he deserve love and compassion after all of the terrible things he did? No. But neither does anyone else. We all do terrible and awful things in our lives, and yet we still received love and compassion anyway. You don't love and forgive someone because they deserve it; you love and forgive someone because it's the right thing to do. It's weird. Because I always thought, when this happened, I would feel a whole lot of schadenfreude, but all I feel is sad :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie-Therese Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 May our Father, who abounds in mercy, grant him the mercy he was unable to show to his fellow men during his life, and may we all trust in that same mercy. Kyrie eleison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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