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5:09 pm EDT 77°F (25°C) in Albrightsville, PA
Calendar of Updates | I would imagine that most of you know all about Fred Phelps, the Kansas-based “preacher” who has picketed a number of high-profile gay funerals (among them Matthew Shepard’s) and who bases his entire “ministry” around God’s supposed “hatred” of gay people. In a parallel to Jerry Falwell, Phelps has preached that it is “because America is a ‘fag-loving’ nation, it deserved 9/11. Thank God for 9/11!” (Falwell openly blamed 9/11 on gays and lesbians, as well as “abortionists” and feminists, on the September 13, 2001 episode of The 700 Club.) Since 9/11, Phelps hasn’t been picketing the funerals of gay people as much; he and his “congregation” (most of whom are family members) have taken to picketing the funerals of fallen American soldiers from the quagmire in Iraq. The Phelps clan now holds signs like “Thank God for 9/11,” thanking the Lord for bringing an attack on a “fag-loving nation,” instead of the usual “Fag Matt in Hell” crap. Last weekend, Phelps and his band of merry (gay?) men had planned to picket the funeral of Gunnery Sgt. Terry Ball in East Peoria, IL, before pulling out at the last minute. Even though they didn’t show, the executive director of the Illinois “Family” Institute, Peter LaBarbera, still issued a statement with very harsh words for Phelps on Monday. The statement read in part: “Fred Phelps’ curious message is hardly Christian, and only fuels societal bigotry toward those who espouse genuine Biblical views on social issues like homosexuality and abortion. Of all the potential targets for their protests, they have chosen funeral services where the bereaved are mourning the loss of loved ones. It is hard to conceive of a more inflammatory presentation of a false Gospel than his.” Daaaaaamn, them be some fightin’ words. Clearly LaBarbera is full of shit when he claims that Phelps’ views are not biblical, as any visitor to Phelps’ infamous “God Hates Fags” web site will attest; but then again, these radical so-called “Christians” don’t give a whit about the Eighth Commandment, “thou shalt not lie.” You have to love the fact that the Wacko Satanic Anti-American Righties are turning upon themselves at this point. This goes to prove the point I made in my most recent long essay, “Christianity and Homosexuality: More Compatible than You Think,” that for conservative “Christians,” their “Christianity” is more of a competition to appear to be “the most Godly” than a positive philosophy that improves and enriches life. LaBarbera’s words illustrate quite clearly that he believes Christianity is a pissing contest, not a religion. Often times, when those on one side of a political debate begin to turn upon themselves, it means that they are becoming desperate. It means that they know they are losing the debate. The Wacko Satanic Anti-American Righties see the constantly growing support for full equality for gays and lesbians, even in spite of their best efforts to take America back into the 11th century, and they are starting to get desperate. LaBarbera even went so far in the statement as to question whether Phelps and his clan are “gay plants” — that is to say, people that have been secretly propped up by pro-gay organizations, and paid to appear to be so insane that other “Christian” groups are seen as being guilty of the same wackiness by association! Uhm … nope, Pete, you’re crazy enough on your own. Just because you’re slightly less of a wacko than Phelps does not in any way, shape, or form mean that you are not a wacko. Well, it’s time for me to get heading for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area for my delivery in the morning. After that, who knows. |
