Members of the Westboro Baptist Church have vowed to continue preaching their virulently anti-gay message in the wake of their founder Fred Phelps’ death earlier this week, and as planned, showed up to protest Lorde’s concert in Kansas City, Missouri last night.
Lorde took to Twitter earlier this week to encourage fans to stage a counter-protest outside of the Midland Theatre before her show. Local NBC affiliate KSHB reports that more than 20 counter-protesters obliged, standing across the street from the WBC congregation, holding a sign that read “sorry for your loss.”
The compassionate message was obviously lost on WBC member Steve Drain — he told KSHB “I don’t even know what they’re saying.”
“We realized that it wasn’t so much about antagonizing them,” said Megan Coleman, a counter-protester who helped make the sign, “but sending out the countered safe that we are here for people who need that message and need that positivity.”
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Nathan Phelps, the estranged son of Fred Phelps who became a gay rights activist after leaving the church in 1976, posted the news to his Facebook page last night with the message “I love the world when I see this.”
Dakotahgeo
It seems that Steve Drain and his followers haven’t learned a thing about Christ’s forgiveness and shining the light of love in himself and others. Such a waste!
Bobby Christina Crawford
People who try and take the high road with this dead fucktard were clearly not there when our gay brothers and sisters were dying of AIDS and they were THERE at their hospital (while they were on their deathbed) to LAUGH…..and CONDEMM THEM TO HELL and show up at their funerals to YELL at the deceased parents their children were burning in hell.
Nor do they give a shit about the MONEY AIDS organizations had to give to help keep these FUCKHEADS away from out sick.
So …oooh yeah…they are so cool and PEACE-LOVE-MOOD-RINGS, but disrespectful of …..men and women who actually contributed something to society.
Fuck him. The worms that feast on his flesh will die of poisoning.
Dakotahgeo
@Bobby Christina Crawford: It sounds like Freddy infected you quite successfully. I can almost hear him screeching through you. I didn’t like him either, but he’s gone. Case closed. God will deal with him in the same way God will deal with all the rest of us. Put your time to better use.
Ridpathos
This is a beautiful show of grace. I hope their message reached some in the WBC.
Kieran
Fred Phelps was hardly worth, and certainly doesn’t deserve, anyone’s time or energy. He’s dead. Now he must answer to God for the legacy of hatred, pain and hurt he encouraged and spread during his sorry life.
Bobby Christina Crawford
@Dakotahgeo: I don’t believe in God and I feel that working my ass off in various AIDS units in LA as a volunteer in the 80s was putting my time to the best use ever. I continue to put my time to good use. And by not attempting to rise about the death of a fuckwad should not be an indication of a misuse of time.
But please don’t think that this Kumbuya bullshit is going to change the mind of any of the Phelps family. They have already announced they will continue with even more force.
Billy Budd
I don’t believe in hell, but these guys would surely go straight to it when they died.
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
You are very pompous to tell someone they aren’t entitled to their anger. If that’s his truth, he’s free to live it and feel it. It’s none of your business and your view that he’s been “infected” is very callous. Shame on you.
Dakotahgeo
@Bobby Christina Crawford: Too bad. So sad. Thank you for your service. As for not believing in God? Your loss. I hope, for your sake, you’re right!
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: Thank you for your response. Comment noted… dismissed.
Billy Budd
God is an illusion. Please read the book “The God Dellusion” by the renowned scientist and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, from University of Oxford. It will teach you how to see the world as it really is.
I am also a scientist, a social scientist, and I know humanity is not rational when they think about the origin and purpose of things.
Dakotahgeo
@Billy Budd: Bully for you!
Cam
The only thing Phelps and his church EVER wanted was attention. That is why they always would send out press releases about where they were going to protest.
Give them no attention. Let them die like a plant without water.
Redpalacebulleaglesox
To call Westboro either Baptist or a church of God and Jesus Christ is a vile misrepresentation of both terms. However, there is more than one way to confront hate mongerers such as them and the good folks of Kansas City have proven that.
SteveDenver
Of course the guy from WBC didn’t know what was meant by “Sorry For Your Loss,” because it is a message of kindness and condolence. It’s like speaking English to someone who only knows grunts and screams.
TampaBayTed
@Bobby Christina Crawford: @Bobby Christina Crawford: Right on. I went down the same path as you and share your heartfelt sentiments about this piece of human drek. Bravo.
Bad Ass Biker
@SteveDenver: They would have gotten the message only if it was something like “God hates Fred” or “God hates WBC”. And Bobby Christina Crawford, I am with you on this.
jmmartin
In a way, this is a backhanded condolence. Ironically, at some point prior to his death (and one wonders if his death is in any way attributable to it, at least in part), Phred was excommunicated from the church. I have read that he had softened his homophobic positions, and since homophobia is the mainstay of the sect, it would have shocked his followers. I think the people with the condolence sign were trying to demonstrate true “Christian” values by showing compassion for the survivors. I may be an atheist but I did not throw the baby (Jesus) out with the bathwater. Whether the prophet was a total myth or someone named Rabbi Yeshua or some other messianic figure, the sayings attributed to him are mostly valuable for all, for all time, mainly and especially the Golden Rule. (Even that had historical precedent since we know that Confucius said “Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.” You can be an atheist and live a “Christian” life.
johnny
@Bobby Christina Crawford: Speaking as a widower who lost his husband to cancer, and as one who has spent the majority of his life taking care of many in a hospice capacity, hatred breeds hatred and it looks like, with you, they’ve won. Believe me, I understand your negativity but I refuse to let hatred for these people have any kind of control over my life or to occupy any part of my mind that could otherwise be spent reflecting on beautiful memories. In fact, I know what grief can do to the mind and I often worry that someone is going to take violent retaliation against their protestors. When you lose the person you love, it often seems that you have nothing left to lose. Hating them does no harm other than to the person feeling the hate. Don’t give them that power.
DickieJohnson
LOL, bitches, we could use a lot more “Kumbaya” in this world, and far less bigotry, hate, judgementalism, and negative sh*t toward others. One’s belief in Deity is a personal choice, but the philosophy of staying positive, accepting diversity, and helping one another, beats hell out being an a$$#*£€. Phred is dead, TG, and the rest of WBC will wither & die as well, poisoned from within, just as their “minister”.
Wayfairer
@Dakotahgeo:
Your agenda of cramming your beliefs down everyone’s throats and your position as a shill for WBC is duly noted.
LadyL
@Cam: My sentiments exactly. Now that the head is gone maybe the body will die. I’m sick of these people. Let’s not enable them.
mezzacanadese
At the risk of making a rhyme: Fred Phelps is dead; don’t give him any free rent in your head.
Stache99
@Dakotahgeo: There’s allot of good reasons to hate him and they’re perfectly entitled to say that. Phelps was a real life monster. Now go crawl back under your bridge.
Dan Shill
@Dakotahgeo: Must you always be such a prick to everyone?
Dakotahgeo
@Wayfairer: You can believe whatever drivel you want but your reward will then be justified.
Dakotahgeo
@Stache99: Sorry, no bridges in my life; in fact, I do quite nicely.
@Dan Shill: Yeeeee-up!
Ben Dover
@Dan Shill: Dakotageo is an ordained minister, so of course he has to be a prick to everyone! That’s in the job description.
Dakotahgeo
@Ben Dover: LOLOL… NOW you’re catching on! I was the same way before I retired. I lambasted all the idiots that were your worst enemies and I had fun doing it. I’m serious when I need to be. While you ‘boyz’ are un-twisting your panties at the drop of a comment, I’m still busy repairing hearts that have been wounded, just like yours. When you are serious about REALLY healing those wounds you’re carrying, look me up. Observe my logo and you’ll see where I’m coming from. Kudos and aloha, hasta luego, tchau!
PS: Being a prick is NOT in the job description but some of you boyz make it oh so easy, lolol. Have a good one!
Ruhlmann
I smell plenty of bullshit. This loathsome creature’s life was spent hating and abusing and now I am to negate the repulsion its savagery and superstition infected me with? Not digging up it’s lifeless husk and dragging it through the streets for the crows to peck at is as nice as I want to be.
Wayfairer
@Dakotahgeo:
You’re a twat and should be flagged and blocked.
Dakotahgeo
@Wayfairer: Gee, I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or a complaint. I’m way ahead with compliments so I’ll take it as a complaint. In any case… thank you! Do have a nice weekend!
ppp111
@jmmartin:
I don’t know about his ‘softening’ on gay issues but I also read that the primary reason he was excommunicated was his stance on how church members treated each other when they disagreed. He believed they could all still be members of the church without having to completely agree on every issue and procedure. It was that belief, supposedly, that got him excommunicated. As for his passing, I won’t jump up and down with glee (but certainly understand those who do) but I won’t be mourning him either. He’ll have to answer to God now. I say we move on. There’s more important battles to be fought and won. Phelps will soon be just a footnote in history.
hyhybt
“I don’t even know what they’re saying.”—That’s a bizarre response, even coming from them.
Wayfairer
@Dakotahgeo:
Being a legend in your own mind is only an achievement to North Koreans and other megalomaniacs.
Dakotahgeo
@Wayfairer: LOLOL… no legend here, ‘lil fella. Now really, you’re embarrassing yourself. Quit while you’re way behind. (You DO know you’re not going to win this one, don’t you?) 😉
Dakotahgeo
@Wayfairer: Your statement is correct, of course. I just don’t have time to waste trying to be a megalo… whatever you’re getting at, lolol.
Stefano
The monster is gone. Let’s celebrate and have a lot of sex. 🙂
Wayfairer
@Dakotahgeo:
We’ll aren’t you special.
Dakotahgeo
@Wayfairer: Well, ahhhh… yes! And so are all of us… even you, but you must also realize that in order for it to be true. Kudos.
Dakotahgeo
@Stefano: Thank you for your last two comments… where are they? Have a super week! 😉
BenjiPification
Just to make things clear. The things Fred Phelps did were atrocious, there is no denying that. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter, we love in a country that allows free speech, it’s our right as citizens of this country, he and WBC simply exercised that right, though in my view, what they did is and was immoral. However, what this group of counter protesters did, was the first step of healing, forgiveness, they did what all of us should do, forgive them, for ourselves, if we sling hate all we are doing is sinking to their level. Being the bigger person is always difficult, but is, I’m the long run the right thing to do. They are obviously hurting for their loss, sending them our condolences, is a good thing. “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” this is something I live by. Fighting fire with fire, doesn’t work. And even here, in the comments, people are waging wars, fighting each other. Live and let live. People are different, attacking other people with your views, or attacking their beliefs. Are you tired of the hate cycle? Break it.
johnny
I love you BenjiPifcation … whoever you are.
Dakotahgeo
@BenjiPification: FINALLY! COMMON SENSE PREVAILS! Thank you for a comment that should have been on top of this list. I never met the man, I loathed his message, and visiting his church compound (that IS what it looked like), I felt sorry for the old coot, imprisoned in his own hell on earth. May he find the peace, solace, and mercy that God gives us all, freely!
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
Wayfairer…you’re wasting your gum with this one. Never argue with a fool. From a distance, people can’t tell who’s who.
hotshot70
Phelps’ clan stole my Twitter pic and photoshopped it on there pics, using me as a target of hate. So I feel totally justified when I say “Fred Phelps can burn in hell!” And I hope Sherry Phelps follows him there soon.
BrokebackBob
The WBC group is proof that it is possible through group behavior dynamics and pressure to create a mass of highly functioning but mentally disturbed people, what we call a cult. As humans we want to “belong” so badly that we sacrifice practically everything else, even become a force of evil, become delusional, and suffer other mental illnesses, but our society says that unless you physically hurt someone else or break other high-level laws that don’t involve others, you can go around as a high-functioning psychotic together with other high-functioning psychotic. As anyone who has left the WBC how their whole mental state changed.
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: I think Wayfairer has already given up on trying to win against all odds. He’s a smart feller! I try not to argue with fools either but you two are so tempting, I jus’ cain’ resist, lolol.
Dakotahgeo
@hotshot70: I believe you’re referring to SHIRLEY Phelps-Roper, Fred’s daughter. She was excommunicated along with Fred from their church. I also believe you mean “their,” rather than “there.” One is possessive, the other pertains to location. The second instance is correct. You’re welcome.
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
Let it go. Like your youth and your looks.
BenjiPification
@johnny: Aaaaaw thanks!
crashcrash
@Dakotahgeo:How is any of your behavior here befitting of an ordained minister? Unless I’m just expecting more than I should of that title and any hack can be ordained over the Internet?
Dakotahgeo
@crashcrash: No internet, sorry. Fully ordained by the ABC-USA convention. I calls ’em as i sees them. Most BSers can’t take the truth. Not my fault.
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: Oh myyy…! I have plenty of both yet, lolol. I’m one of the most blessed people on earth. Hopefully by this December I’ll be married to the most wonderful guy in the world. We have already signed Fiancee Visa papers and are well on the way to have him arriving from Brazil. If you can’t stand the wait, you know how to reach my facebook page. Until, I can only wish you have half the blessings I’ve had. But thanks for the compliment. 🙂
johnny
@Dakotahgeo: It might not be “in the job description” but it certainly does explain why it is so difficult for the gay community to pull together and work toward a common goal. The way some of you guys tear each other down and belittle each other, who needs to be concerned about organizations like the Westboro Baptist Church? And, Dakota, some of these comments are quite contradictory to your initial comment “…haven’t learned a thing about Christ’s forgiveness and shining the light of love in himself and others.” Your negative rebuttals aren’t from a person I would seek assistance from when trying to ‘repair my heart’ which, I believe you’ve stated, is part of your vocation. I’m sure, with those you try to help, you are much more positive, constructive and reaffirming. You might want to try that in other areas. Dropping the superiority complex and humbling yourself a bit might lead one to believe you are trying to set a Christ-like example and truly help others. If they don’t want your help, you’ve planted seeds so you should feel no frustration in just walking away.
Okay, FAKE!!! Just kidding, I got your game and you’re not all that much of the “prick” you think you are. Seriously, though, Crashcrash, you need to read everyone’s comments to fully understand Dakota’s and Hirsute, Wayfairer, you’re bitterness and hostility aren’t doing ANYONE (yourselves included) any good. Actually, it seems to interfere with whatever constructive goal you might be wishing to achieve. Personally, in the Spiritual arena, I’m more of a Quantum Physics kinda guy (who also corrects improper grammar) but after reading all of these comments, it looks to me like Dakota was being positive and supportive and y’all instantly turned on him because of his faith which is not all too different from what radical Conservatives tend to do to us. My older gay brother is the same way. He screams that he’s a Democrat but when he screams, he sounds exactly like a radical, fact-denying Republican. Ya’ might want to think about that.
Dakota, I’d love to have coffee some time and pick your brain, however, I do reserve the right to use “y’all.” I lived in Texas for seventeen years.
johnny
@Dakotahgeo: Oh, Dakota, that is FANTASTIC news!!! I lost my husband to cancer two years ago so I can really appreciate, more so than ever, two people celebrating their union. I wish you all the happiness we had and more, if that’s possible! Congratulations!
Dakotahgeo
@johnny: johnny…YOU… are very astute! I’ve read your response repeatedly and I’m responding as I read and discern. Of course, you are correct in that I’ve always marveled at how the GLBT community denigrates each other. I’m surprised we’ve made the progress we have in society when we don’t even support our own. If… you look at my comments, MOST of them are in rebuttal to some pretty sassy commenters, lolol. ONE of my bad points is that I can’t turn away from giving people exactly what they’re asking for, and yes, that makes me look haughty and superiority comes out in force. Nothing could be further from the truth but yes I certainly exude the “holier-than-thou” attitude. I taught K-12 Music for 25 years, and privately for 50 years, Instrumental, Choral, Keyboard. And then graduated with an M.Div from an accredited Baptist Seminary. Hospital Chaplains see and hear it all. We are the last person some patients see alive. Ohhh, I could tell you stories. What humans do to each other sometimes is horrific so you know I can spot BS at 50 miles and smell it at 10. I am now 69+ and i still counsel people from 17-70+ years, even when retired. What you have described in your short sermonette to me tells me that you know me waaay too well, lolol.
I would be humbled and honored to have many coffee or tea sessions with you and if you would like to be in touch, you have half the information in my handle name that you need. Just think of the top two internet e-mail systems (not gmail.)and I’m sure we’ll be in touch soon. Y’all are EXTREMELY PERCEPTIVE. I enjoy intelligent people!
Regarding your on-the-mark comments about Hirsute, Wayfairer, and crashcrash, again you are very perceptive, They don’t have much to offer in the line of positive comments or solutions, and this makes it doubly sad. We need SOLUTIONS and much less complaints or downgrading. But they are right… I just give them what they ask for… my bad! I do apologize. Kudos and blessings.
Dakotahgeo
@johnny: My e-mail address is [email protected]. If I have any problems with anyone else, I have good friends in both the local PD and FBI. They’ll know what to do. Blessings, peace, and joy to you. Your loss is a terrible time to have to endure. Prayers ascend for you!
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
Irony. It’s your most outstanding talent.
HirsuteOne
@johnny:
Enjoy your circle jerk with twats his face. I prefer to keep the distance of the internet between you toxic, self absorbed queens.
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: Irony is a form of humor and I thank you for your compliment, HirsuteOne. You’re catching on!@johnny: HirsuteOne does learn his lessons, albeit, rather slowly. There are medications for that ;-).
johnny
Wow. You do have an ugly heart and a finely honed talent for saying destructive things. What a dark world in which you live. No, the gay community most certainly does not need people like you in it. We have enough conflict of our own. When someone reaches out to give you an alternate prospective you resort to name-calling and insults and then “ironically” you call them toxic? I hope that someday you have something to offer society other than that kind of malignant, festering ooze. Then, perhaps, you’ll be happy.
HirsuteOne
@johnny: @Dakotahgeo:
Yes, the good pastor’s second comment in this thread was a shining example of God’s love and compassion for someone in pain. Typical Christo-fascist BS, just wrapped up in a rainblow flag for extra pizzaz.
What either of you think of me is none of my business. The fact that one of you keeps this going and the other joins in just to sit with the mean girls tells me everything I need to know about both of you. You both should practice what you preach.
Please, continue to regale me with a biting commentary outlining my most severe character flaws. It’s exactly what Jesus would do. Please add a few snaps in a circle to make it even more holy.
Dakotahgeo
@johnny: My dear man… people like HirsuteOne are never happy because they don’t have the inner peace needed to lead a quiet, peaceable life. They are why prayer was invented. B, P, and Joy!
johnny
@HirsuteOne: Did I miss something? Are you in pain? I believe I’ve read all of the comments and saw no indication that you area in pain. Although I AM beginning to wonder if you had to have one of your flying monkeys put down. Do you have the ability to look at things in more than one perspective? Yes, my last comment was nasty and I apologize but if you take a second and look at all these comments as humor and, in many ways, trying to reach out and help, then maybe you’d stop being so angry. But before you do that, you DO have quite an intelligent command for the English language, insults and gutter language aside. Have you thought of taking a whack at being a writer?
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
Still this? Here’s my other cheek. Enjoy.
HirsuteOne
@johnny:
To you the same, here’s my other cheek.
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: Shhhhhhhhhh!!! (We’re all sleeping). Gentle dreams to you.
johnny
Good Lord, man! How many cheeks do you have?!?!
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
To you I offer yet again, my other cheek.
HirsuteOne
@johnny:
Thank you. I have as many cheeks as it takes. Have your go.
johnny
@HirsuteOne: Are you starting to talk dirty?
HirsuteOne
@johnny:
Still this? Let. It. Go.
johnny
@HirsuteOne: But you have to admit, it is fun. Otherwise, you would ‘let it go’ yourself and not be responding. I KNOW you’re smiling, right now, in spite of yourself. And so far you’ve offered three cheeks. One more to go and then you’re back in the ring!
HirsuteOne
@johnny:
I wish you all the success and fortune that I wish for myself. May you be blessed.
1 Peter 3:9
Dakotahgeo
@johnny: ROFLMBO!!! We only have four cheeks and I’m not too sure I want to visit his other two, LOLOL. We WILL let that one go!
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
May you be blessed as well.
Dakotahgeo
@HirsuteOne: And NOW you start thumpin’ the Bible??? Will ceases never wonder…! (Does the asylum staff know you’re on the computer without permission??).
HirsuteOne
@Dakotahgeo:
Thank you. May you receive peace as well.
johnny
@Dakotahgeo: @HirsuteOne: I think we’re all having fun, here, but on a serious note, do either of you know the original languages of the Bible? I don’t but when I wanted to know about the Bible (before power-hungry politicians and corrupt clergymen got their hands on it and its interpretations) I sought out people who do know Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic.
You know what. It is very obvious to me that I am tired as I am writing the first thing that goes through my very distracted mind, right now. One of my dogs has to go to the vet in the morning so I’d better get to sleep.
Good night, guys. It’s been very interesting.
Dakotahgeo
@johnny: Yes, and you’re an hour ahead of me. Yes, Aramaic was the language, written and spoken, of the time of Jesus. The first 500 years of Israelite history was limited to oral history, not written, but handed down through stories. Then Hebrew, then Greek, Latin, German, and all others. Thanks, johnny. Hirsute, rest well… new day comin’!
HirsuteOne
@johnny: @Dakotahgeo:
PEACE be with you both.
hyhybt
@BenjiPification: Well-put.
Andrew Yang
I am so distressed when I read some of these posts and read how we attack each other with venomous words and condescending rhetoric. I think we are all entitled to our beliefs and views and convictions and biases, once we do not use them against another or try and derail each other. It is always great to have conscious debate about views and ideas here, and I do enjoy reading those, but the insults we throw at each other are unnecessary.