Counter Protesting “God Hates America”
AP file photo, 2006
You may or may not know that the St. Louis area is host to the picketing of the Westboro Baptist Church today. Thankfully, it is one day only.
I know of several people who will attend– in order to counter demonstrate– in order to say, No, God doesn’t hate America, or soliders, or gay people.
A September 2009 AP story tells of a $5 million dollar lawsuit thrown out on first amendment grounds, of a the WBC picketing a slain soldier’s funeral.
This is the kind of stuff they do for fun.
They are convinced that most Christians, Jews, all gay people, and probably you and me are all going to roast in hell for eternity due to their particular interpretation of the Christian bible. For example, they claim that John 3:16 doesn’t apply to most people.
In case you’re interested in the counter demonstration, here’s the schedule:
2:10 PM - 2:40 PM Northwest High School, Cedar Hill, MO,
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM Block Yeshiva High School (Boys School)
6:45 PM - 7:30 PM Staenberg Family Jewish Community Center
As I understand it, the counter demonstrations usually have a lot more people than the WBC picketers.
And remember, it’s today (11/12/09) only. After that, the WBC is on to picket a funeral parlor in Norman, OK, and we in St Louis can go back to some semblance of normalcy.
Why the WBC is picking on high school students, a Jewish high school, and a community center is beyond me.
What is important is to remember that those of us who affirm and promote religious tolerance, peace, and justice cannot assume old evils will ever be completely expunged.
Daniel,
The tricky thing about WBC is that they consider any publicity a success. So I wonder sometimes if the counter-protests end up serving their purposes. I have friends who lived for several years in Topeka (WBC’s home base), and the strategy there is basically to ignore their protests, thereby depriving them of the one thing they want - attention. It’s hard for me to ignore something so overtly hateful, though.
Whenever I hear about the latest from WBC, I wonder if they can go any lower. And then, I seriously wonder, is there any way the Church can discipline him? He has made sure he is not answerable to any ecclesiastical authority (a clear violation of scriptural principle), and yet, it is my view that he needs the hand of discipline applied to him.
It would be nice to ignore him….but he makes it very, very difficult.
I am baffled.
While the WBC may be more obnoxious about homosexuality, actions still speak. Every time a gay rights item has come up for a vote, it seems that the majority of churches and religious groups actively oppose it. While they may not use “god hates fags”, there is plenty of bible quotes to go around and lots of “god made adam and eve, not adam and steve”.
One notable change from this appears to be the LDS in a Utah issue. They supported a pro-gay rights issue (around housing, I believe) - but I suspect that is more to dispel the taint they gained from Prop 8 in California. Perhaps I am too jaded.
Take: “Carlson tapped archdiocesan fund to fight gay marriage in Maine” in the Religion section, for example. WBC cannot influence many people, the Catholic Church can. This is not limited to the Catholic Church, this is only one convenient example.
When churches in the US are more likely to support gay rights than oppose them, I will begin to believe the majority of Christianity is significantly different from WBC.
Simian
Simian,
So anyone who doesn’t support every gay rights initiative - including, I guess, ordination or appt. of gay clergy, etc. - hates homosexuals? I don’t think that’s logical or helpful in actually promoting the dignified treatment of other human beings. It’s a bit like the argument I heard a couple of months ago that anyone who didn’t support the Dems. health care bill obviously hates poor people. I agree with you about the tired cliches that come out every time gay rights is discussed, but I suggest you engage people and try to figure out where they’re coming from rather than painting them all with the WBC brush. It’s not character assassination to say that Phelps and co. hate gays since they keep waving their signs to let us know. But thank God, they’re not typical.
My daughter and I went last night to counterprotest at the JCC but no protesters (or counterprotesters) were there. I’m sure we were there at the right place and time.
I with the religious would just mind their own business regarding homosexuals. You aren’t gay, you aren’t trying to marry a same-sex partner, nor is anyone forcing you. Enjoy your “sin-free” gender of choice partner. Who are you to judge or attempt to intervene on the chosen life-style of 2 consenting adults who have nothing to do with you? Unless they are harming other people or involve those with mental illness I see no reason for the religious to presume to push their ideals upon other people.
BTW, I am completely hetero.
When Christians have differing opinions - even strong, or bitter differences - historically, they meet together and debate their differences (Jesus vs. the Pharisees; Paul vs. the Jerusalem Council; Matthew 18:15-17). Most Christians today don’t have the stomach for such a forum. It may also be very confusing when we are unaware of the issues involved. In the case of WBC, I have a hunch there is much more to this than meets the eye. I understand the message to be clearly “hate” and not “salvation from sins.” But, there is more to this. If these matters come out into the open, they may get very complicated, and often there is more heat & anger generated than light & understanding. It is very easy to lose focus from Jesus Christ’s priorities and the central message of His resurrection.
I’m with Sharon, creating an ureasonable expectation for yourself about people is just another form of dismissing them.