Hate on Display
The Westboro Baptist Church comes to the White House.By Jesse Singal
March 30, 2009
Earlier today, the Westboro Baptist Church, a Topeka, Kansas-based notorious anti-gay hate group infamous for protesting the funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and for its inflammatory “God hates fags” trademark slogan and website, protested outside the White House. The group was hoping, in the words of founder Fred Phelps (whose family members constitute the majority of the group), to “[p]ray for God to SHORTLY destroy Antichrist!”—that is, President Barack Obama.
Since the White House is just a few blocks from the Center for American Progress, I headed down there to speak to both members of the WBC and those participating in a nearby counter-protest.
By the time I got there, the counter-protesters far outnumbered members of the WBC:
The WBC protesters explained that the permit they had been granted required them to keep moving back and forth over a specified area directly in front of the White House. Some of them had American and rainbow flags tied to their ankles so that every step trampled them.
Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of Fred Phelps, garnered the most attention:
Her daughters, Megan Phelps-Roper and Grace Phelps-Roper, ages 23 and 16, respectively, were also in attendance. I spoke to them about their group’s belief system:
I also came upon a passerby engaged in a heated discussion with another member of the WBC:
I talked to him a bit about why he was bothering to argue with a member of an extremist group:
At one point, Shirley Phelps-Roper and another member of the church began singing a taunting songs about dead soldiers:
When the WBC members’ allotted protesting time was up and they headed east, the counter-protesters followed them, taunting them as they walked. Eventually the Phelpses turned back. Shirley took an interview (with the counter-protesters imploring the media not to give her attention) as her daughters talked to a few other bystanders:
Eventually, the Phelpses left. The police set up a line of horses to block the protesters, but it was unnecessary, as one of the leaders of the counter-protest made it clear to the assembled group that they shouldn’t follow the WBC past a certain point.
Once the WBC had departed, I talked to three people who helped organize the counter-protest: Rory McShane, chair of the Maryland Teenage Republicans, Colin MacDonald, a George Washington University freshman, and Kellan Baker, a graduate student who helped put together the concurrent “Phelps-A-Thon” that raised money for every moment the Westboro Baptist Church members protested, netting $500 for Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence.
Jesse Singal is an associate editor of Campus Progress.
“What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality“ at Auburn University, Auburn, AL
“Queer Tour: Big Ideas Conversation Series“ at multiple locations
A Jihad for Love with Parvez Sharma at University of Wisconsin at Madison
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Comments
hey great article, its rory from the videos, i saw that you linked the gays and lesbians against violence i was hoping you could do that for the maryland teenage republicans website thanks! the link is www.mdtars.org
— Rory McShane - Mar 31, 12:15 AM - #These People advocate Hate & Killing (which they pray To God for) Their status as a non-taxed Religious Org, Should be Revoked! Hate Mongers, this is truly said in the name of God WOW!
— Elizabeth - Mar 31, 02:31 PM - #You behave like haters, because i see no love of Christ in you, and i were an unbeliever: i would never listen to your message, because you do not share the good news of Christ, you share a message of condemnation. You think you are perfect, you think heaven will greet you at its door on that day because you do this, “you don’t need to condemn the sinner because he is already condemned: you need to preach love to the sinner perhaps your life and message of love can win their hearts.”
— Chichi - Mar 31, 06:04 PM - #“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ Matthew 5:43-48
The words of Jesus. These so-called “christians” apparently never read the words of the one who’s name they defame with their disgusting antics. May God show them the grace and mercy they have shown others.
— becky - Mar 31, 08:21 PM - #“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ Matthew 5:43-48
The words of Jesus. These so-called “christians” apparently never read the words of the one who’s name they defame with their disgusting antics. May God show them the grace and mercy they have shown others.
— becky - Mar 31, 08:21 PM - #“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:27-31
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ Matthew 5:43-48
The words of Jesus. These so-called “christians” apparently never read the words of the one who’s name they defame with their disgusting antics. May God show them the grace and mercy they have shown others.
— becky - Mar 31, 08:21 PM - #This group never ceases to amaze me, how hateful and irrational they continue to be. However, I also believe that they are only a slight exaggeration of the most horrible components of this ‘culture.’ Their delusions and bigotry come from the same religious, political and media mouthpieces that fuel cold-war types of rhetoric, scapegoating and mental illness. Rev. Bookburn – Radio Volta
— rev bookburn - Mar 31, 08:49 PM - #Hi,
I just wanted to thank you for the effort and quantity of videos you posted concerning this group. I’m an athiest, but it still hurts me to see how this fringe group are tainting Christianity as a religion, and giving a negative message as opposed to a good one.
Keep up the good work.
— Grant H - Apr 1, 09:07 AM - #God loves everyone. Its just that He is not happy with some.
— Saral Shrestha - Apr 1, 09:08 AM - #Leave gay people alone. Rather pray for them.
— Saral Shrestha - Apr 1, 09:11 AM - #God hates the sin; loves the sinner.
— charliedoodle - Apr 1, 09:32 AM - #I bet it sticks in their craw that God loves the gay person down the street EXACTLY the same amount as any of these “church” members.
Remember, He loves us ALL equally.
Honestly, these people are just trolling for attention, and you should give it to them on your terms.
I never understood why people haven’t had a gay and lesbian love in at one of these protests.
Like just have a bunch of gay and lesbian couples following around their protests making out with shits saying, “God may hate fags, but we sure do love each other!”
If people did that everywhere they showed up, they would stop doing it.
— JimmyOK - Apr 1, 10:05 AM - #Honestly, these people are just trolling for attention, and you should give it to them on your terms.
I never understood why people haven’t had a gay and lesbian love in at one of these protests.
Like just have a bunch of gay and lesbian couples following around their protests making out with shirts saying, “God may hate fags, but we sure do love each other!”
If people did that everywhere they showed up, they would stop doing it.
— JimmyOK - Apr 1, 10:06 AM - #lmao love these people, good laugh
— bier - Apr 1, 01:03 PM - #reply to chichi,
no one is perfect deal with it, and athiests dont believe in heaven so we dont expect any door to exist.
But to be honest it sounds like you are full of yourself not us…just because you believe in Christ doesn’t make you a good person, and a book doesn’t have to tell me to treat others with respect, I can do that on my own, but if you have trouble managing that then keep your damn religion to yourself. This post wasn’t even for you.
Furthermore, I can’t believe other christian communities let them do such a thing, giving christianity a bad name, im not christian and I still feel bad for those christians working hard for for a better tomorrow =(
— Damoun - Apr 1, 01:05 PM - #these people, as JimmyOK said, are nothing more than attention whores who have been brainwashed by their crazy dad/uncle/granddad/whatever. Holding gay love-ins is not going to stop them. What would stop them is if everyone completely ignored them, including the media.
Unfortunately, that’s never gonna happen (CNN needs to fill their 24 hours!). Therefore, we should stop protesting clearly-idiotic fringe groups and go after the larger, less obviously insane groups that antagonize LGBT people. Or better yet, join a pro-gay advocacy organization!
— Julie H. - Apr 1, 01:11 PM - #Rant & Reason, a great Humanist blog, just posted about this article and responded to Julie H.‘s comment. Check it out here:http://blog.thehumanist.com/?p=978
— Pedro - Apr 1, 05:10 PM - #Well…I don’t believe in God, but do not associate with humanists. I am not for the WBC, but whatever it takes to get the ass Obama out of the Whitehouse I am for.
The fag, literally, the faggot, Barney Frank now wants to control all pay for all parties that work for a bailed out company/bank. The socialist should be shot.
— TI - Apr 1, 06:20 PM - #Thanks for the vids and write ups. I consider myself agnostic but was raised Baptist. I try to understand the WBC point of view as I do everyone else point of view on the subject of religion. And I feel that they have the right to protest and have their say. I respect their belief because it is their own even if I do not understand it. But I do NOT believe they have the right to protest at a funeral under any circumstances some things are sacred regardless of religious belief.
I was hoping that in one of the vids that someone would ask them to explain their signs. Why is “God my Enemy”? Why will I “Eat my Babies”? Those signs just baffle me.
I have to wonder if the goal that the WBC set out so long ago to get across has been lost in the confusing and hate mongering signage that they tote around.
Anyway, My motto is to “kill’em with Kindness”. I do not hate them as they think I do but I wish unto them the mercy of their God.
I am a straight male and am for gay rights… to each their own and my they find happiness in a ever violent world.
— Chris - Apr 2, 12:05 AM - #Hold out hope. I grew up in Topeka, KS, attended and graduated from Topeka West High School and had classes with the Phelps. In recent years there have been a number of defections from the hateful ranks of Westboro Baptist. The younger generation is moving past the rhetoric, but unfortunately have to leave the only family they’ve ever had (however awful). One Phelps who was in my class has been completely disowned, but still finds it in his heart to welcome them into his home. That’s progress.
— Erika - Apr 2, 03:08 PM - #I am a Catholic who is opposed to gay people redefining marriage. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with courtesy, even those with whom I disagree. The Phelps and WBC are truly pathetic paople who deserve to be pitied. As I am not perfect, I have great empathy for homosexuals. Do not imitate the Phelps and judge people of traditional faiths by the WBC.
— mighty aphrodite - Apr 2, 04:44 PM - #Jesse great post. love the abundance of videos.
— s0bbie - Apr 3, 04:26 PM - #For all the talk about the WBC being hatemongers, when I look at your videos, I see the anti-protesters spewing just as much hate as they accuse the Phelps family of spewing. There’s a word for that … HYPROCRISY.
— Gary - Sep 21, 06:01 PM - #