On “The Dangers of” Shirley Phelps-Roper

Well, why not write another post today.  For some confusing reason, I am the number one google search result for “Phags for Phillips”.  Having no clue what “Phags for Phillips” was I tried to do some investigating.  Well, there seems to be no such thing as phags for phillips, at least on the internet, but there is a “Phags for Phelps” meaning the Phelps family- you’d probably know them as the funeral picketers www.godhatesfags.com

I am assuming that the search, which for some reason unknown to me brought a reader to my page.

My husband and I watched Shirley on Fox News the other night (well, it was a YouTube clip- we don’t actually watch anything on television). I’d provide the link, but I’m not sure which appearance we were watching. It was referenced on another site… Either way, her interviews tend to go much the same way. If you’re interested they are not hard to find. We were pretty amused (I’m pretty sure we watched it last weekend, but that it was much older) by the behavior of the host- he was highly pissed, rude, unprofessional- and of Mrs. Phelps- who would not be rattled. She went on and on with her endless stream of explanations with a half smirk on her face. Really it was hilarious.

I don’t agree at all with the point of view of the family or the Westboro Baptist Church they have founded. Most people don’t (which is well indicated by the fact that almost (if not entirely) all of their membership consists of the Phelps family. The Phelps don’t hurt anybody, physically. They picket and yell and spread hate, but as they claim, they believe the word of God and seem content in allowing Him to rain down His wrath (or take His own vengeance). I have been told by more people than I care to count that this is a manifestation of true Christianity.

Incorrect. The Phelps may know every line of the Bible, as Josh from the Phags for Phelps site states regarding his correspondence with Shirley, but they don’t understand it. If you take a literal, word for word approach to the Bible you will not be left with this hate. To interpret the Bible in the way these people have is to gloss over the vast majority of the teachings of Jesus (upon which Christianity is founded- otherwise, you have Judaism). Jesus taught love and against judgment. We are to follow His example and while He may have been angered by some things there was no hate involved.

You have, on the other hand, Christians like me who also certainly know their Bible and yet gloss over the very clear displays of anger over homosexuality and sexual deviance in general (bestiality, promiscuity, etc..) present in the Old Testament because we are unable to, at the same time have love for one another and hate something, which may be the very core of a person we are trying to love. Frankly, we lack understanding in this area. I don’t know why people are gay, I don’t actually even know what’s wrong with being gay (except for the obvious propagation of the species problem) other than the fact that the Bible says that it is.

If we assume it to be a chosen wrong behavior, much like say… lying, or some other sin that we are all from time to time guilty of then placing such emphasis on it makes little sense. Who petitions politicians to ban lying in the home or work on Saturday/Sunday or (these days) alcohol? Who would require that parents spank their children or that women not wear jewelery (or braids)?

If homosexuality is something different, some state of being or indicative of an evil nature, then outside of complete ostracism and hatred, there is nothing we can do.

We are imperfect. The command is really to have it both ways, to have the complexity to both genuinely and unwaveringly love one another and recognize the wisdom of God’s law and strive in every way to avail it (all without self righteousness and hipocracy), but we seem incapable. There are none without sin.

Many, in contrast with those who see the Phelps as a representation of Christianity, believe that the Phelps are sick and evil- influenced by the Devil. While I can’t see any reason other than insanity to come out with some of the ideas they hold, I have my doubts that they are any less Christian than I am. The Phelps are wrong and I am wrong, but that is to be expected. We are all human. True Christianity is not expressed in us.

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