Harvested

[Locutus]

It gives me no greater pleasure than to say:

Fred Phelps HARVESTED at 84.  Such a spreader of hatred.

Anyone up to picket his funeral?   

[Bo D]

It gives me no greater pleasure than to say:

Fred Phelps HARVESTED at 84.  Such a spreader of hatred.

Anyone up to picket his funeral?   

Someone, somewhere, at some point in his life, surely must have loved him.

[Henry Hawk]

It gives me no greater pleasure than to say:

Fred Phelps HARVESTED at 84.  Such a spreader of hatred.

Anyone up to picket his funeral?   

Now this is just MY OPINION, but I think he is in for a RUDE awakening IF he made to the Pearly Gates....Not that I am judging...just making an observation.

[Locutus]

Someone, somewhere, at some point in his life, surely must have loved him.

I'm sure that's true, but I just don't understand how someone can become so twisted and brainwashed.  The unbelievable thing is that he once fought for the civil rights of blacks with the same fervor he then used to condemn gay people.  I don't understand it. 

[Palehorse]

Someone, somewhere, at some point in his life, surely must have loved him.

The members of his congregation, perhaps. His mother and father, perhaps. Outside of that very small circle, perhaps not.

I printed out the news story and took it to a couple of my co-workers, who are also members of the Patriot Guard Riders as I am.

Along side his picture I printed in red marker - BIH. (Burn In Hell). 

The members of his congregation are all related to him; either biologically or through marriage.

The truly tragic part of all of this is that at least one of them will pick up where he left off by dying. 

[Bo D]

The members of his congregation, perhaps. His mother and father, perhaps. Outside of that very small circle, perhaps not.

I printed out the news story and took it to a couple of my co-workers, who are also members of the Patriot Guard Riders as I am.

Along side his picture I printed in red marker - BIH. (Burn In Hell). 

The members of his congregation are all related to him; either biologically or through marriage.

The truly tragic part of all of this is that at least one of them will pick up where he left off by dying. 

I can understand your frustration and animosity with people of his kind. Please understand that my comment stems from a commitment on my part to try my best not to hate anyone. That extends to not rejoicing upon their death.

And please don't think that I condemn anyone else for how they feel about his death. I am simply stating my position so that there will be no question of my beliefs.

[me]

I can understand your frustration and animosity with people of his kind. Please understand that my comment stems from a commitment on my part to try my best not to hate anyone. That extends to not rejoicing upon their death.

And please don't think that I condemn anyone else for how they feel about his death. I am simply stating my position so that there will be no question of my beliefs.

I don't exactly rejoice in his death but picketing his funeral would be a just thing for his family who are left to show them how it feels when they do it to others.  I'm sure they will be mourning his death if they are any where near normal and I really have my doubts.

[Bo D]

I don't exactly rejoice in his death but picketing his funeral would be a just thing for his family who are left to show them how it feels when they do it to others.  I'm sure they will be mourning his death if they are any where near normal and I really have my doubts.

I wonder if they even really care about how it feels to others? IMHO, picketing his funeral may be "just" but would do nothing but lower us to his level.

[Palehorse]

I don't exactly rejoice in his death but picketing his funeral would be a just thing for his family who are left to show them how it feels when they do it to others.  I'm sure they will be mourning his death if they are any where near normal and I really have my doubts.

Well, shame on me. Bo is right. We need to take the high road and not perpetuate the hate and malice that man was infamous for spreading. The fact is when we hate we are doing the same thing and it is wrong; regardless of how deserving he may or may not have been of it. His fate rests in the arms of the universe now, and nothing we say or do will change it.

Thanks for reminding us all of that Bo, and for setting the correct example for everyone. 

[Sandy Eggo]

I agree with Bo D because there is hope that a big part of the hate and ignorance died with him.

[Locutus]

Unfortunately, he wasn't picketing alone. 

[Locutus]

I wonder if they even really care about how it feels to others? IMHO, picketing his funeral may be "just" but would do nothing but lower us to his level.

I think their actions over the past years clearly show they do NOT care how it feels to others. 

You point about lowering to their level is well taken though my friend. 

[Henry Hawk]

   Yep, cannot dispute ONE thing that Bo said.  It is always better to take the high road, when you can.  Something we ALL should try to do more often.

[Purplelady1040]

I cant stand that group of idiots but I hope that a lot of the hate and ignorance died with them also!!

[Bo D]

Interesting article in today's WAPO. Steven Petrow, former president of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association wrote very eloquently what I only stabbed at.

"Enough.

Yes, I understand what drives many to such extreme emotions (and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to a vein of it myself); after all, it's only human to want to fight back against hate.

Instead, what if those on the receiving end of Phelps's ideology did the opposite, which is to say, let him go quietly — and without protest — into that good night? Imagine the karma lesson that would be to all those who have supported Westboro Baptist.

Revenge against Phelps — or, frankly, any hateful or toxic person — doesn't really allow for healing. Joseph Burgo, a psychoanalyst and an author, told me this week: "For those of us who have felt hated and shamed by people like Phelps, the temptation is to turn tables and triumph over their demise. You might think of it as 'giving back' the hatred and shame that was inflicted upon us, but this reaction binds us to the other person as long as we continue to feel that way." He then added that we need to "break the hold of these destructive emotions and move on."

So, with Phelps's passing, I suggest we bombard Westboro Baptist with sympathy cards and prayers. Or, as a friend of mine tells me, "Drive your enemies really crazy: Love them." Okay, maybe not love, but at least not hate. Never hate."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/fred-phelps-preached-hate-but-his-death-is-no-reason-to-celebrate/2014/03/20/0fd06408-b050-11e3-95e8-39bef8e9a48b_story.html