Through the Looking Glass: The radical rantings of Preacher Fred Phelps
Zealous preacher has found a new group to prejudice against: the victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy
Posted on April 26, 2007
According to Fred Phelps, the leading preacher of the Westboro Church, all of my years of Sunday school and the times I received Holy Communion were all done in vain. In the eyes of Fred Phelps, I am one thing: a Roman Catholic, and therefore I deserve to die and go to hell. Somehow, when a man like Phelps who preaches that “God hates fags,” “God hates America” and celebrates all the deaths of those who died as a result from the 9/11 attack as well as the Iraq War, I have a hard time believing that I’m the one with a soul in danger.
Phelps does not discriminate with his damnations; on the contrary, damnation is something that many groups will experience. Gays, Jews, Muslims, Roman Catholics, Swedes and Canadians alike are all damned. Why exactly the Swedes are in that category I’m not too sure, as they have been consistently one of the most neutral groups of people in the history of the world. Perhaps they looked at Phelps the wrong way when he was deciding who his God was damning that day.
This man, who claims that those who never repent, practice homosexual activities and do not affiliate themselves with the Westboro Church (an independent branch from Baptists) are going to the fiery depths of hell.
But Phelps has recently added another group to that list: the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. Phelps thinks that God willed the killer to shoot all of those 32 students — thus proving God hates Americans and that the deaths were “just.” The congregation, which has 71 confirmed members (60 of which are related to Phelps), took it upon themselves to protest the funerals of those Virginia Tech students who were brutally murdered, and they hid behind their First amendment rights to do so.
However, a stop has been put to these absurd protests by Mike Gallagher, who promised the group a three-hour slot on his nationally aired radio this past Tuesday. Phelps agreed to stop protesting at the funerals in exchange for the spot on the air, even though he and his followers still stand behind their position. On Gallagher’s Web site, he explained his decision to have the church members on his show: “If my radio show can prevent a circus atmosphere of protests, counter-protests, police protection and media coverage from taking place in front of churches where grieving families are trying to say good-bye to their loved ones, then I think that’s a good thing.” Gallagher also added that he understood if listeners didn’t tune in or agree with his decision.
Terrible things happen in life: newborn babies die, people get cancer and young students are killed in a senseless act of hate. I, as well as the American people, do not know why these horrific events in life happen, nor does any priest, doctor or parent. We make up answers and say there is a reason for them, and we attempt to justify the actions of those we will never understand and try to pick up the pieces of our emotionally scattered selves after such a tragedy.
When I first heard about Phelps, I felt nothing but anger and frustration — as his mind appears to be tightly closed with no intent to expand — but now, I just feel sorry for him. I want no part of a God who hates not just a laundry list of people, but anyone for that matter. Stating that God hates America, the UK or BCC (I think Phelps has other stuff on his plate besides watching the British news) is complete nonsense.
The 77-year-old preacher is right that the First amendment of our Constitution allows for two things: the freedom of speech, and the freedom to sound like an idiotic hateful man who has too much time on his hands. Perhaps Phelps should stop protesting at so many funerals, crack open that no doubt dusty Bible and read a few pages — maybe he’ll learn something.
Sarah Delia is a sophomore English and art history major.