I can't help but feel conflicted over this article. But first:
The same section of the Old Testament also forbids the consumption of shellfish, but God apparently is yet to "hate lobster".Crazy Fucking Nutjob wrote:"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith," said the church.
Now to the cause of the conflict:
Obviously this guy, his church and his family exhibit strong signs of being batshit insane - but can we position ourselves as thought police?
On the one hand, we have to allow the freedom to think and speak - even for things which many people find abhorrent. On the other, if there's a significant chance what they're saying will result in rioting or violence, that could have otherwise been prevented, we have an obligation silence them (which is what happened).
It's not even as cut and dry as that though - what if someone's speech will rile up a population for the good, some revolutionary change that is positive, but has a chance to turn the crowd violent? We have an obligation to allow that expression, but also an obligation to prevent that violence.
While you're mulling that one over, be sure not to lose sight of the most important point here: Fred Phelps is a complete dick.
Case in point:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25067362-2,00.html
So... ah... a country routinely ravaged by bushfires, had some of the worst bushfires ever. And that's because God did it to punish us?
I mean jeez, you can justify almost anything via that logic. "I didn't shoot him, your Honour - I was just holding the gun and pointing it at him. God made me pull the trigger, because that man voted for Obama, who kills and eats babies."
Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd suspect Westboro Baptist Church for being the greatest Troll ever. Check this out:
All he has to do is add "gays can go DIAF" at the end, and it'd fit in on just about any message board as classic flamebait.Yet another steaming moron wrote:God hates the sordid, tacky bucket of slime seasoned with vomit known as Brokeback Mountain – and He hates all persons having anything to whatsoever to do with it.
The crazy - it wears down my (entirely unjustified) faith in humanity.
Also:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/pastors- ... -832f.html
If you absolutely must believe in God, at least believe in a God consistent with your own damn teachings. How do these fucking morons reach the level of respect they have as pastors? Seriously?They're like headlice or something wrote:"The Bible is very clear," he said. "If you walk out of God's protection and turn your back on Him, you are an open target for the devil to destroy."
In the New King James version of the Bible, 2 Chronicles 7:14 states that: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
If God existed, he couldn't be half the dick that these guys are - even taking into account the fact we live in a world with cot death.
