Please don't throw flames..

[fey_spirit]

I have a couple of quick questions about the lawsuits this group files.

1.) Is there any way I can substantiate this information? (I know some people who would be interested in this information.)

2.) How is it that they can file lawsuits against folks who behave in the exact same manner as they themselves are acting? I would think that counter suits would be fairly easy to file...

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

How can a group of so called "Christians" judge anyone's morality? I've always hated that. Maybe they should worry more about the hate they're preaching and how that will affect their own lives. Everyone deserves to live how they want without being judged by hypocrites. Good luck on Sunday!

 

[mom2rb]

I have a couple of quick questions about the lawsuits this group files.

1.) Is there any way I can substantiate this information? (I know some people who would be interested in this information.)

2.) How is it that they can file lawsuits against folks who behave in the exact same manner as they themselves are acting? I would think that counter suits would be fairly easy to file...

I was wondering this also. It seems like they would lose in court. If you were on a jury or a judge, who would you vote for?

 

[pamandt]

I live in Leavenworth Kansas and grew up in Florida. I was planning a vacation back home when I saw your post.
I am a member of the Kansas Patriot Guard that was formed to protect the fallen and their familes. I have unfortunately encountered the Phelp's group numerous times. As many of you have said, they are a attorneys masked as a Church. Be prepared to see very young children in their groups. It is so sad to have seen a four year old holding a sign that says "God hates your son because he is a ***" while the mother of a 19 year old soldier sits at a red light waiting to turn into the funeral home parking lot. This group preys on our emotions and our lack to control them when angered. Our as member of the Kansas Patriot Guard, we practice planned ignoring. Backs turned and eyes to the sky; talk to the Lord, he will get your through it.
My thoughts and prays are with you. Stay strong!

 

[terri01p]

I don't normally get on threads such as these, there are certain topics that I just don't like to comment on, just to upsetting and not worth it. But I have to tell you these folks are not the only ones that they hate, their hate is wide spread, just over the top, none like I've ever seen since. Back in 2005 I encountered these people, we were in the wrong place at the wrong time, you see my sig. of my dd in the wheelchair these people followed me to my handicapped van and was screaming how I should have been fixed, my dd was of satan...etc, I can not post what all they said to me I would get points, it was the most wrenching experience of my life to this day, my poor dd didn't know what was going on, we just came out of a building and there they were surrounding us, just incredible, frightening to say the least. I was so shaken by the time I was driving away, I about hit one of them, the only thing that saved me though the whole thing was a group of three guys pulled up in their little car got out and belted them all with eggs and blow my dd a kiss that made us laugh off these freaks ! Later these same guys passed us on the road and was honking and waving and my dd, she at least went home happy like she was popular.

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

This group makes me sick. If anyone wants to learn more about them without visiting their website (I can't stand that they might assume they have one more supporter if I log on) you can search youtube for the Louis Theroux documentary "God Hates Fags". I haven't watched it yet, but I saw an excellent documentary he did on nazis -- called "Louis and the Nazis" -- so I'm sure it's good.

Also, I love the idea of using the protests as a fund raiser. If people did this at every protest, maybe they would give up for good.

 

[Quinn222]

This may be of interest to those who'd like to get a little bit back against this group:

From an email sent out by http://www.lagaycenter.org/:

An Urgent Message from Peter Paige

I'm writing you because I just learned that the "reverend" from hell, Fred
Phelps, is coming to town on Saturday to "conduct an outdoor religious
service in ***-ridden Los Angeles."

This is the same guy with the "God Hates Fags" website who protested the
funeral of Matthew Shepard and shows up with "Thank God for AIDS" signs at the
funerals of others. And now he's coming to West Hollywood to spew his venom.

Let's (literally) send Phelps a message, not by confronting him and giving
him more publicity, but by turning his hate speech into something positive for
our community.

He's planning to be at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente for
3 hours, starting at 1:30 on Saturday. I'd love for everyone who is as
disgusted by him as I am to pledge at least $10 to the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center -
more if you can - for every hour he is going to be here spouting hate.

The Center will earmark the money for its homeless youth services and after
he leaves, I'm going to personally send Fred a message thanking him for
helping us raise money to support LGBT youth. I'd love to tell him he helped us
raise thousands!

Thanks for clicking here [ http://*******.com/3a9tsn ] to make a donation and
help me send him that message.

Best,

Peter

The asterisks should read tiny url (with no space between the two words)

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

Okay, I started watching the documentary after posting that last one, and I'm about half way through it now. It really is good. These people are completely laughable. It's nice to be able to move past my anger for them a bit and realize that they are just ignorant and pathetic.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have not read this whole thread, but wanted to add some

I live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and Phelps and his kind of protesters were planning to attend/picket the funerals of some of the victims of the 35W bridge collapse. As far as I have heard, none of the victims were gay/lesbian/transgender, but that didn't stop the protestors. They were planning to protest 'in general' that the bridge collapse was God's judgement again G/L/T people.
Story #1
Story #2
There was a little discussion on Twin Cities talk radio, but what I heard was brough up by people calling in, not by the hosts. All the hosts I heard (I only listened to 107.1fm) said the thought this was reprehensible and they did not want to give any attention to it, so would not allow it to be discussed on their show. I did not see anything about it in either the print or TV media here. I think that means the media avoided covering it, since I do think the protestors probably were here.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, I love the idea of using the protests as a fund raiser. If people did this at every protest, maybe they would give up for good.

Cool! The longer they protest, the more money. I love it

 

[Saxton]

Winnie - I'm so sorry you and your church have to deal with this group. They have absolutely nothing to do with God & religion and everything to do with hatred and pure evil. I agree with so many others that ignoring them is probably best and doing a fundraiser for a cause that they would hate is a great idea. I'll be saying some prayers for you when I'm at church tomorrow!

 

[Saxton]

I always knew these nutjobs hated gays & lesbians but after reading previous posts about them protesting the bridge collapse and children in wheelchairs I decided to do a little research. The Southern Poverty Law Center has some good information. Here are sections from one article:

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=185

"It was an unusual family by any account. From a young age, Fred Phelps' children earned a major part of the family's income, perhaps even all of it, when they were required to sell candy door-to-door for hours after school each day. "

"Mark and Nathan Phelps and sister Dortha "Dotti" Bird offer plenty of brutal details — details that their father has long dismissed as "a sea of *** lies." Nathan told the Intelligence Report that he was beaten with a leather strap regularly. Then, he says, Fred Phelps switched to a mattock handle — like an axe handle — and beat Nathan until he "couldn't lie down or sit down for a week." The three charge that Phelps also beat their mother, forced the children to fast and more. "

And this link is a timeline that lists some of their lawsuits:

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?sid=184

"Before the end of his legal career in 1989, Phelps will file some 400 suits, mostly in federal court. Estranged son Nathan Phelps will claim later that part of his father's strategy is to file frivolous lawsuits in the hope that his targets will settle to avoid the costs of defense. "

This one is classic:

"Phelps files a $50-million class action suit against Sears after a local outlet is several days late delivering a television set. Litigation continues for six years and is eventually settled with Sears paying Phelps $126 — about $60 less than Phelps' son originally paid for the TV, which he never receives. "

Hard to believe but in 1978 Fred filed some civil rights law suits on behalf of blacks who were descriminated against ... of course in one case he received $10,000 and the poor woman who suffered only received $9,000. Somehow I don't think good old Fred was it in for the right reasons but rather for the almighty dollar.

 

[markp3]

I just had to post this info.

I go to First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Florida. OK put down the torches...LOL!

Well, our pastor told us last week, that this next sunday we were going to be picketed. It's the stupid crazy group that pickets military funerals. Know the one I'm talking about?

Well, I was wondering why they would want to picket us?? Well, you know how some gays dislike what we say about hating the sin but loving the sinner? Well, that is why they are picketing us. Because we chose to preach love instead of the negative and hateful responses that I know so many of you get day to day.

When I was told about this happening, I immediatly thought of this board and the nice people on it that I have come to respect and yes, love! So Vicki and all you prayer warriors out there, please keep us in your prayers this sunday morning. The Ciity Police and State Troopers are supposed to be in place to keep our members from being harrassed and baited. My husband was told that their main aim was to bait people and get them so mad, that they lash out and say or do something stupid so they have a reason for a lawsuit. This is something I hope and pray our membership is above and will stay away from.

Anyway, Thanks for taking the time to read, and I hope you'll be thinking of us. In a good way of course. I know you can get aggravated by some Christians acting so stupid and ill-mannered. But I feel that is truely a loud minority.

Blessings to all,
Winnie

Winnie--

Sorry to hear you'll have to put up with this nonsense. Your church has the same teaching as mine, but we've been spared the picketing by hate groups. Perhaps yours was chosen for a reason--God does work in mysterious ways. Remember that as you pray for these people.

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.

DVC--

Since in the past we've disagreed over such matters, I wanted to take this opportunity to say I agree with you, at least I 99% agree. To me, however, the goal of silence here is not to cut someone dead or render them less important. The goal of silent, respectful witness is to change hearts and minds. While it's true that people who believe that Godhatesfags are not disposed to hear the truth, or have their hearts changed, one never knows the impact we have on others. Perhaps one of their children who may be picketing will be moved, and will be better able to escape the hate when they grow up. One never knows.

BTW, I haven't heard that folk hymn since the St.Joseph nuns taught it to us in first grade. But what's with G-d, and not God?

 

[EpcotLove]

That group makes me sick. And all those poor children they are raising to be idiots like themselves.

I saw that lady, Shirley (the leader?) on the Tyra Banks show, and Tyra totally ripped her a new one (if you know what I mean)- and told her like it was. Of course, shirley didnt listen. I feel so sorry for her daughters. I can tell that they cannot think for themselves.

They will be condemned one day for all this hatred.

 

[pookienoodle]

I am not a particulaly religious person,more spiritual if you know what i mean.
I really belive that this group are actually working on behalf of the devil.
they spout such lies and are so vile to people it is hard not to hate them.
it is so hard to turn the other cheek but that is exactly what they want.
if you hate them that is what they want,another black mark on a good soul.
As hard as it is we should feel sorry for their ignorance especially the poor children.

 

[Quinn222]

BTW, I haven't heard that folk hymn since the St.Joseph nuns taught it to us in first grade. But what's with G-d, and not God?

Many people believe that it is blasphemous to say or write the name of God. I don't know if you ever saw the wonderful and heart wrenching documentary "Trembling Before G-d" but that was spelled that way for the same reason.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yes, Quinn. That is why I don't spell it out. The Sisters of my childhood made it very clear that once the entire name had been written out, it could never be thrown away (a similar belief exists in some Jewish sects).