Is Fred Phelps Done With Attacking the Gays?
Published May 12, 2009 @ 04:06PM PT
Hardly. But it seems that Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church - the extremely fringe church that Phelps founded and made famous by railing against America's tolerance of homosexuality - is now making a conscious decision to take their hate to another level, targeting the Jewish community.
JTA breaks the news. Fred Phelps' daughter, Margie, told reporters last week at a protest outside of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that the Church would start targeting the Jewish community more, after 19 years of protesting everything in the name of extreme anti-gayness. In addition to protesting at the ADL, Phelps and his family protested at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and have plans to protest outside of Jewish community institutions in Omaha, St. Louis, South Florida and Providence in the coming weeks.
Here's a recap of the protests, from JTA :
In Washington, the group first picketed the funeral of former congressman Jack Kemp, and then protested outside the ADL offices, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the city's largest synagogue, Washington Hebrew Congregation. (The group positioned itself across the street from the museum -- on the edge of the National Mall -- meaning that visitors to the museum that afternoon did not even necessarily see them when entering the facility.)
Margie Phelps and three fellow church members stood on the sidewalk and held signs stating that “God Hates Israel,” “Jews Killed Jesus,” “America Is Doomed,” “Israel Is Doomed,” and “ADL Jew Bullies.” One of the four women had an Israeli flag tied around her waist that dragged on the ground; she stepped on the flag as she walked.
It's barely worth covering Fred Phelps and his band of misfits, as they are well beyond the fringes of the anti-LGBT (and now, anti-semitic) movements in this country. But for those communities who wish to organize an alternative event every time Phelps or his minions come rolling into town, you might want to check out what a group of Cambridge, MA organizers did earlier this year when the Westboro Baptist Church strolled into town. They organized a telethon and a fundraiser to raise money for a local HIV/AIDS organization, for each hour these nutjobs protested. The result?
Well, a new Web site: http://www.Phelps-A-Thon.com. And a sustained campaign to allow you to fundraise for LGBT-friendly organizations wherever Phelps and his crew stroll. It's a great way to turn anti-gay (and anti-semitic) leaders into a tool for raising money for equality and basic civil rights.
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Comments (5)
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Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor.
He is the former Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, as well as the former Director of Communications for Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic peace and justice organization. Mike is a graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and he is also a proud sketch comedy writer.
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Ronald Reagan was described as a far-right, unelectable nut during the two elections before he won. Buchanan, Gingrich and numerous others were written off as total losers before their books became hits with bigots and 'free-market' types. Phelps is as extreme and whacked as can be imagined. However, he does not seem to be a tremendous distance apart from National Organization for Marriage, most anti-choice groups, Rush/ Savage/ Hannity, etc., and the kingpins of the Fox "News" Network. Phelps might be dismissed today, but he could be next in line (after Trump) to bond with spokesmodel for bigotry Carrie Prejean. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Posted by Rev Bookburn on 05/12/2009 @ 04:55PM PT
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The Westboro Baptist Church is of stupidity. Unfortunately, the intolerant church hasn't just protested LGBT rights, but they've also protested the Jewish community. However, there's no surprises when it comes to people of intolerant conservative ideology. Fortunately, the event in Massachusetts showed that intolerance of the Westboro Baptist Church is unjustified, thus much money came in to support for HIV/AIDS organizations.
Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 05/12/2009 @ 08:48PM PT
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I want to see these guys argue with some Hasidic rabbis and get pwned. Nobody can out-argue a Hasidic rabbi.
Posted by Jennifer Brill on 05/12/2009 @ 11:29PM PT
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I'll never understand how people can be filled with so much hate - especially people who proclaim to love "God" so much. Then again, if they truly believe that their God is a vengeful God, I guess it shouldn't be that big of a leap.
Also, one thing that I see a lot that really annoys me is how people call anything Anti-Jewish anti-semetic especially since these two terms aren't exactly interchangeable (i.e. not all Jews are Semites - e.g. Russian and other Western [and Eastern] converts - and not all semites - e.g. Arabs, Ethiopians, etc... - are Jews). Check wikipedia (or an encylopedia) for more info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitic.
Posted by Shane Carter on 05/13/2009 @ 02:11PM PT
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They essentially put out a cry-for-attention announcement a while back hinting at their mass suicide. I think they're getting desperate for attention and their usual tactics aren't making the headlines anymore.
Posted by Anthony O' Brien on 05/14/2009 @ 11:17AM PT
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