Please don't throw flames..

[olbear]

Thank you Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts and just everything. I love the idea of circling the church. Wouldn't it be cool if our church could get other area churches to come and put a ring of love around our church to keep them at bay!! I think I'm gonna call my church tomorow and see what our pastor thinks. Fantastic idea.

And yes, we've been warned about confrontations by these nut cases. So we will be careful, and I just pray all our members will be like wise and not allow themselves to be engaged by their hate.

Blessings and friendship to you all,
Winnie

 

[jpeka65844]

These "nutjobs" as a PP so appropriately put it are from my town. When I lived there, I was a very active member of the local arts community and their presence was a given at many of the town's events.

They picketed the fall music concert at the high school where one of the girls was a student. They had a sign that specifically targeted the choral director there. When it came time for the concert, they put their signs away, came inside and watched the girl perform IN THE CHOIR. When this same girl
enrolled as a music major at the local college (where I was a senior at the time) she resisted being in choir on the grounds that she couldn't sing religious music. This would revoke her scholarship. Then, all of a sudden, it was ok for her to sing religious music.

They were also active picketers at the church that I attended. We began a picket pledge drive. We collected pledges in the church for every minute that they spent outside and turned it into a fundraiser! Bring 'em on!!!! We'll turn their ugly presence into something useful!

When I moved to a different town, at my interview for a church job, they kindly explained that the church's positions about many controversial topics drew some negative attention. I knew right away who they were talking about. They way I put it was "If these people picket your event, then you know you've done something RIGHT!"

Those of us who basically grew up with them our midst have learned to ignore and discount what they do. They're hardly a blip on the local radar anymore. I'm sure that's why they feel the need to spread their hate to other parts of the country.

They're vile, ignorant, and, in my opinion, very "lost" people. How sad it must be to be them with so much hate and ugliness in their heart!



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Olbear, you'll keep us posted on your activities? I'll be thinking of you and your DH as well as your congregation on Sunday. I hope all is well and please, please be careful.

I don't pretend to know the mind of Jesus Christ, but I have to say that from what I've learned in my life, He would be saddened, or enraged (as he was in the Temple) to know that His name and his teachings have come so far from their purpose.

I can hear Sister telling me that satan is clever and has no conscience. he will work in any way that will accomplish what he wants and that is the spread of hatred and evil. Those people who come to picket your church, they are examples of satan's work. Mama would say, pray for them.

I am NOwhere near as charitable as my Mother.

 

[olbear]

Hello everyone,
Some more info came my way this morning concerning these nut cases.

Turns out "pastor" (I use the term loosely) Phelps and his daughter and both attourneys and very savy and manipulative as well when it comes to the law.
They will take a slightest, littlest thing, and make it a reason for a lawsuit. This is how they make their money as was said earlier by Maggie I believe.

So this has nothing to do with God's word, right or wrong, etc etc... it's all about the money they hope to make because of baiting someone and making them do something the least bit stupid.

So I had originally planned to call some local area sister churches about a "ring of love", but decided against it. Because of this info. The best thing our members can do, is simply walk by them like they're invisible. I'm praying this is exactly what they'll do.

Again thanks for everything gang!!
Blessings,
Winnie

 

[olbear]

Olbear, you'll keep us posted on your activities? Those people who come to picket your church, they are examples of satan's work. Mama would say, pray for them.

You bet I'll let you know what happens sunday. And you are very right in the next sentance. And I agree with your mama. Sounds like a pretty smart woman.

And I'll bet you are a sweet heart
Winnie

 

[TinkerValkyrie]

The best thing our members can do, is simply walk by them like they're invisible.

That really is the best thing you can do. Groups like this one stage protests to try and get a response. They want and thrive on conflict. Don't give them what they are wanting, and they might just go away.

A group like Phelp's group showed up at a local fairy festival this year. They were protesting there because a large amount of people who attend the event are non Christian and many are Pagan. If you're not familiar with fairy festivals, they are lovely family oriented events celebrating nature and fairies with lots of music and people in costumes.

They were along the fence on the way in spouting all sorts of horrible things at people on their way in. For instance, I was walking with my husband and two young sons(age 4 and 1) and they're there yelling that we're all something that begins with a w and ends with an s and were preaching about not suffering a witch to live. My 4 year old asked me why they were so angry. I wasn't sure how to respond to that, but then I just explained that different people believe different things, and that they didn't believe in fairies. Well, as a little boy who's been raised with Peter Pan, he wouldn't imagine not believing in fairies, and that was enough for him.

The group was seeking conflict, and since most people just walked on by, they gave up by the early afternoon.

 

[olbear]

They were along the fence on the way in spouting all sorts of horrible things at people on their way in. For instance, I was walking with my husband and two young sons(age 4 and 1) and they're there yelling that we're all something that begins with a w and ends with an s and were preaching about not suffering a witch to live.

Unbelievable!! Do these people ever just go to church to worship and praise God??? Seems like the only thing they're interested in is being hateful and twisting God's word and teachings.

{{HUGS}}
Winnie

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

One thing you can do is what a radio station in Ann Arbor, MI did. Get people and companies to donate for every hour that the protesters are out there. The kicker is the charity that the donations go for is to a group that the protesters would NEVER donate to.

And if you hype it up that X group is gaining money, the protestor leave pretty quickly. And if they don't at least you are converting their negativity to a positive by helping a charity that needs the money.

 

[Chuck S]

Oh how funny, it would make a great pledge drive for a local AIDS charity...why not suggest that to your minister, olbear? The minister could contact the radio or TV stations. In fact the targeted congregations could work together on this and make Phelps whole Florida trip a pledge drive for charities to which the Phelps clan would never think of donating.

 

[olbear]

Oh my goodness!! That is just too cool!! What a beyond great idea. I will be seeing my pastor tomorow and pass this idea on.

We do have something special going on sunday, I totally forgot. We are voting on our new pastor sunday morning. He is our interim senior pastor right now. And just wonderful. Our prior pastor left before being voted out. He was a "stinker"... nuff said.

So seems satan loves to attack when something important is going on. Typical garbage from the stinker of all stinkers!! LOL!

Love to y'all (southern thing ya know)
Winnie

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Wish I was going to be in the area. This nice Jewish girl would love to go to church that day just so there would be 1 more person walking past these nasty fools and into the church!

I hope there's no trouble for you

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Honestly, if I were in charge of a church like yours, I would arrange for members to meet somewhere before the service so all could walk in "as one" (so no one would feel scared walking in alonw) and walk in together singing some song of praise and love "God Is Love" or something like that - for the dual purpose of tuning them out AND showing them you're tuning them out. They can't block your entrance, and if you're all singing you won't hear their hateful words. It would probabaly surprise them.
Lots of luck!

 

[olbear]

Hi there Lulu,

I am a spunky spirit just like you sound you are. And many others who have posted here as well. I would love to do something as you have described. Two things though, It would be hard at this time to organize something like that. If we were going to, last night would have been the best time to get people organized as we have service onwednesday night. But believe me, I was thinking the exact thing. And the song I was thinking, "They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love". That one would be perfect.

Second thing, I have alot of respect for our interim pastor. And he has asked that we simply walk by them as if they were invisible. Because of their ignorance, that shouldn't be too hard. He is asking those who may think they could be tempted or baited to engage, to use the back entrance to our church. We are fairly certain they will be out front. One good thing I found out today, although they have a permit to do their unGodly actions, they have to be on the opposite side of the street from our church. That is better than being on the side walk right in front.

And another thing that was brought to my attention, although they show a certain schedule for the three churches, they have been known to shuffle it around. So you never can be sure of when they will be there or if at all.

I'll keep you all posted,
Winnie

 

[Aaronbox]

I went to school in Kansas. I've seen disbarred attorney Fred Phelps and his family (which is 90% of his church) leave their compound to protest various events, churches and funerals. They have made a significant impact on the religious community in Topeka and the surrounding area: Christians who were on the fence about tolerating gays have found themselves coming down so hard against his group, they turn out more tolerant of gays than if that clan had never caused a fuss. Everything they do to promote their hateful beliefs, backfires. Whether folks actually raise money from their protests or not, it benefits society. When people come into contact with them they don't stay on the fence. They find themselves siding with gays.

 

[Notatourist]

Hi there Lulu,

I am a spunky spirit just like you sound you are. And many others who have posted here as well. I would love to do something as you have described. Two things though, It would be hard at this time to organize something like that. If we were going to, last night would have been the best time to get people organized as we have service onwednesday night. But believe me, I was thinking the exact thing. And the song I was thinking, "They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love". That one would be perfect.

Second thing, I have alot of respect for our interim pastor. And he has asked that we simply walk by them as if they were invisible. Because of their ignorance, that shouldn't be too hard. He is asking those who may think they could be tempted or baited to engage, to use the back entrance to our church. We are fairly certain they will be out front. One good thing I found out today, although they have a permit to do their unGodly actions, they have to be on the opposite side of the street from our church. That is better than being on the side walk right in front.

And another thing that was brought to my attention, although they show a certain schedule for the three churches, they have been known to shuffle it around. So you never can be sure of when they will be there or if at all.

I'll keep you all posted,
Winnie

"All you need is love" by the Beatles comes to mind. That would really freak them out.

 

[GurGie]

I ran into these idiots back in college at UGA at the free speech platform. Fred Phelps & Brother Jed and Sister Cindy.....

Wow, I haven't thought of them in years - they used to frequent the Union at my college also. *shudder*

Winnie, I'll be thinking of you on Sunday. All of ya'll keep your heads held high and your eyes front!

 

[padalyn]

To the original poster...use your iPod or other MP3 player to drown out the noises from across the street! You can listen to what ever you prefer and this way won't be tempted to yell back at stupidity.

I am not religious - nor do I know of this group, but the nastiness that I saw relayed by the others on this thread show me that this is a group that I personally would try to avoid.

You have much support and thoughts with you this weekend, please be careful and enjoy your Sunday sermon. My thoughts are with you...and hoping for the best for you and your family!

(I liked the fundraising idea, and the metals - you have every right to be proud of him!)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have a lot of family in the Topeka area and Idiot Fred was often out and about when I would go visit during the summers. I was always SOOO tempted to roll down the window and shout at him!

My cousin said I better not, because they will photograph your license plate, track you down, and sue you!

These vermin infuriate me! Every year at the Pride parade we have protesters, and the police are always very clear that we should NOT attempt to engage them in any sort of exchange. Just ignore them.

Winnie, my thoughts will be with you and your congregation on Sunday!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, and together we'll spread the news that G-d is in our land. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Gosh. I'd forgotten all about that one. Sister was very progressive and taught us that song years, and years ago. It's beautiful and surely fits the circumstances.

The Beatles song would be a very good choice too.

At any rate, silence is one of the oldest forms of public censure. Hence, "cutting someone dead" is still very powerful. When we refuse to acknowledge someone's presence, we have effectively rendered them less important than any other being or thing on the face of the earth.

Silence is truly a perfect solution to these people.

 

[dkostel]

My brother in law worked in small town Tennessee (forgot the town) for a semester. When I asked him about the climate of tolerance he told me a great story. The kkk was set to have a demonstration in the town they were formed (again, forgot the name and don't feel like googling the kkk). They residents did something genius, they closed businesses and just left for the day.

How disappointing it must have been for those brave men hiding behind their linens to have no one to spew their hate speech at