September 5, 2010:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Uncivil Religion”

(Fred Phelps is a hate-filled man. Phelps has made it his mission over the past decade to lead the sixty or so members of his fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas in protest at the funerals of American military killed in combat. Phelps and his followers — nearly all members of his extended family — hold up signs such as “America Is Doomed” — “God Hates Fags” — “Thank God For Dead Soldiers — “God Hates You.” They scream their vile protests as family members and friends gather at churches and cemeteries to mourn their dead children.

Phelps focuses on the issues of homosexuals in the military (and homosexuality generally), the sex-abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church, and (as Phelps sees it) the moral and political decline of the country. Other signs his followers wave include “Pope In Hell” — “Priests Rape Boys” and “Don’t Pray For The USA.” The family of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, whose funeral in York, Pennsylvania was picketed by Phelps and his followers, sued the church and won a settlement of $5 million. The judgment was overturned on appeal and the Supreme Court will hear the case on October 6, a crucial test of how far the First Amendment extends.

How could anyone defend such conduct? Phelps and his church have brought incredible hurt to the families of those who died in their country’s service. Shouldn’t these un-Christian people be silenced? How dare they do such things? Their behavior is inexcusable.

The problem as I see it is that their freedom to do it is guaranteed under the Constitution and Bill of Rights. As unfair as it is (and I can only imagine how I would feel if it were my son or daughter’s funeral being picketed) the right of this false pastor and his wicked followers must be protected in order to preserve what America stands for. If we don’t do this, then Phelps and his church will have won a victory they don’t deserve and, as their sign says, “America Is Doomed.”

Love,
Pastor Dave