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June 10, 2006
The church from Hell
Last week, the Associated Press published a story about Fred Phelps and his church from Hell a.k.a. Westboro Baptist Church. [To read the story, click here.]
If you think that I have gone too far by labeling Phelps’ church as being from Hell, then obviously you haven’t read the AP story. One wonders if Matt Sedensky, the story’s author, didn’t get the same impression after he interviewed Phelps and his flock of goats.
Here are some excerpts from the story, along with my comments.
The story begins like this:
OGDEN, Iowa (AP) -- The soldier's flag-draped casket is set on the gymnasium floor, below the unlit scoreboard, before bleachers crowded with mourners.
They are there for Sgt. Daniel Sesker, the young man known for an infectious laugh and a wide smile, his life taken abruptly by an improvised explosive device outside Tikrit. Inside his high school, those who loved him are just beginning to grieve.
Outside, near a cornfield awaiting planting, picketers thank God for Daniel Sesker's death, talk approvingly of his entrance into hell, and mock the mourners. Amid gusting winds, they struggle to hold up signs that read "Thank God for IEDs" and "God Hates Your Tears."They approve of people entering Hell? Isn’t that the sort of thing that Satan does?
It's simply their duty, they believe, to let it be known that God hates you.
Well, so much for John 3:16. If God indeed hates you, then Jesus died in vain.
There have been thousands of protests since, at the funerals of homosexuals - but also at memorials for Mister Rogers . . .
They protested at the funeral for Mr. Rogers? Why? Not only was Fred Rogers the nicest guy to ever appear on television, but he was also a Presbyterian minister who believed John 3:16 . . . I think that I just answered my own question.
Westboro Baptist has only about 75 members, nearly all of them Phelps' relatives.
Not only is this particular family tree full of nuts, but it also has root rot.
Where Westboro parts ways, of course, is its emphasis on God's hatred and the way it spreads this message. Members believe they must alert the world's depraved sinners of their fate even though such people have no chance of going to heaven. They're not doing this to save you - they're doing it to save themselves.
They’re trying to save themselves? Well, so much for Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV)
The Westboro flock is out there all alone, both in their beliefs and in their methods. No other religious group has stepped forward to join them.
This group is so bad that not even Anton LaVey’s followers will join it.
An excerpt from one of Fred Phelps’ sermons: "We pray for more tornadoes, we pray for more hurricanes, that Katrina's just a tiny little preamble. That's what we pray for."
If a tornado were to strike Phelps’ church, then would Phelps complain about getting what he prayed for?
Neither Phelps nor his congregants - who believe both he and they are prophets - claim to be without sin, but the pastor is infuriated when asked about their wrongdoings.
Phelps and his ilk are prophets? That explains everything. Obviously it is permissible to contradict the Bible when one is a prophet.
Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”*
The Apostle Peter wrote, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.”**
Regarding Fred Phelps, the story’s author writes, “He will die soon. His lifetime of preaching God's hate, he believes, has earned his place in heaven.”
The Apostle Paul preached God’s love: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”***
The Apostle Paul also taught that you can’t earn a place in Heaven.
Now, Fred Phelps and his flock might not be literally from Hell (they just act like they are), but I am certain that Westboro Baptist Church is one of Satan’s favorite places on Earth.
Quote Sources:
*Matthew 7:15
**2 Peter 2:1
***Romans 5:8
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Posted by Dodo David at June 10, 2006 08:32 PM
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Comments
hey haven't seen you online in a bit! thought i would check out your blog. did you read this article in the times about the patriot guard riders?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/29/nyregion/29patriot.html?ex=1150171200&en=36d5c6bd7eec321a&ei=5070
Posted by: rebecca at June 11, 2006 11:22 AM
I despise this band of inbreeds more than I do Leftists. At least most Leftists do not attempt to wrap themselves in any sort of "holy cloth" (I am too annoyed to come up with a better word).
It would be easier for me to sit down and break bread with Michael Moore, for if I tried it with Fred Phelps, I might not be able to resist the urge to pick up something and throw it at him.
This sorry excuse for a human has some deep-seated problems.
Posted by: joe-6-pack at June 11, 2006 05:03 PM
Westboro Church is run by the devil they should be all killed
Posted by: U.S.A Man at June 22, 2006 05:14 PM