What really strikes me in this story isn’t just the contrast between hateful speech and loving speech. What strikes me most is the difference between those protesters who showed such respect for the students. Phelps’ crew respects no one but themselves, so I suppose it is little wonder they show no respect for these high school kids. No matter what you think or believe about lifestyles, the example of respect should be followed. We are not God, and in our disagreement or confrontation, we should never justify the disrespect that Phelps and his ilk are so wont to glorify in. Instead, we should follow the example of Reggi and his group, no matter who or what we are protesting.

Rabbi Jesus Christ and his well-trained Apostles set the example in community encounters showing the people love, encouraging repentance from sins, and challenging oppressive religious leaders. Your article, Adam, contrasts two different approaches to public ministry and how the love of Jesus Christ is demonstrated publicly. Thanks for the example.

Westboro Church makes me want to puke. Their close-minded ideologies fit right up there with Neo-Nazi’s and other hate groups IMO.

I often wonder if “Rev.” Phelps ever stops to think about damage he does to the body of Christ whenever he and his followers show up to demonstrate their incivility. His bunch likes to wave a banner that reads “God hates fags.” I’m reasonably sure the word “fag” is not in God’s vocabulary.
As far as Hazelwood Central High’s politically correct student club, it’s up the voters of the Hazelwood School District come next school board election if they want to make a valid statment.

can i then protest that he is a bigot, old like his ways, and thinks like he looks “crazy”. I hope he has a slow demise with plunty of pain like the pain he inflicts on others with his words

Whenever I see a story about Rev Phelps, I try to ask myself, “what is the Loving response to him?” How can I show the LOVE of God to him? And I come up empty. I cannot find it in my heart to show him that unconditional Agape Love.

And then I ask myself, what is wrong with us, as American Christians, that we tend to generate people like him, who go about unrestrained and do untold damage to the cause of Christ? Why is it so difficult to find a means of discipline to use in his case?

On the face of it, the response shown in this story is awesome. I bet it’s also pretty unusual for him. I have a feeling he’s more used to the one that I know a little about. Out here in rural Illinois, about a year and half ago or longer, there was a funeral for a local young man killed in Afghanistan. Fred brought his group to the small rural church where services were being held. The sheriff was very clear: he had the right to be there, and the sheriff’s department would make sure that it stayed peaceful. However, because the church was located along a state highway, and the church made it clear that they didn’t want him on their property, the Westboro group was told to stay off the highway on the far side of the road from the church.

The pictures spoke a thousand words. There were the Westboro group, standing in a highway drainage ditch with water in it (and tall grass..the ticks must have been eating them alive) facing a line of the Patriot Riders across a highway. Behind the riders, and their bikes, was the church. And, it stayed peaceful.

I just don’t know.

I struggle with this as well in many ways. Mostly in my thoughts, and what does a response to hate look like?

It is a perfect teaching moment for the insight that when judgment is present, love is not.

I uncomfortable with calling out platitudes of love. This is little different than judgment cloaked in good intentions, such as, praying “for” sinners. The automatic response to Phelp’s taunts is to respond in kind. Using love in this matter is a temptation.

I would ask those paticipating to be present to thoughts or feelings that what Phelp’s is doing is “wrong,” and what they am doing is “right.” To be ever vigilant of thoughts and feelings of self righteousness, and to be clear that what Phelps is offering is a temptation in this. The greater risk in this is not hate, it is only the tool, it is self righteousness.

I appreciate the demonstration as one of caring and nuturing the students. It pains me that Phelps creates the context and temptation of judgment and self righteousness cloaked in hate in the space of that.

Singing the song “Jesus Loves Me” come to mind, as a way to clear my thoughts, and be the miracle of disappearing judgment, and being present to love.

Another, How then does God judge and love us at the same time?

Great question with so many possibilites.

I don’t have to know the answer to accept it as what works for me and Jesus. (faith and experience)

It is an aspect of human judgment not God’s judgement. Jesus makes this distinction.

When and if God chooses to make God’s judgment, love may not be present for those God judges. (This one is difficult to accept.)

For God to judge and condemn another to be banished from the presence of God, as God has already demonstrated, may be considered to be in a place that is absent of the presence of love (God.)

It is another view of the outcome of judgment. It is my personal belief that those who turn away from God and God’s love will do so in choice, on their own accord, as the one I will not name.

God will judge as God is. In God’s presence is love, in God’s absence is judgment and no love.

Another

You wrote: “It is an aspect of human judgment not God’s judgement. Jesus makes this distinction.” What is “it” and where does Jesus make this distinction? You wrote: “When and if God chooses to make God’s judgment, love may not be present for those God judges.” If God is love, I don’t see how this would be possible. If He didn’t love us, he would not correct us. You stated that: “It is another view of the outcome of judgment.” What is “it” in this statement? You state that: “In God’s presence is love, in God’s absence is judgment and no love.” Does this mean that God can’t judge and love someone at the same time?