God Hatez Fagz, LOL!!!

I had some confusing feelings as I read this article about a recent visit to Iowa by Fred Phelps' crew, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. When I first heard about Fred Phelps and his church, my first reaction was to feel angry and frustrated at the huge amount of hate that they bring everywhere they go. I went to a counter-protest in high school, and was all "wtf?" like everyone else. It's been a few years since then, and my feelings about this group actually become less and less ambivalent the more I hear about them. I think that as I thought more about their message and philosophy it became clear just how extreme they are. They really don't represent the views of any substantial political base, and no one actually believes what they preach except themselves. Seen in this light, they become completely harmless. Kinda cute, actually. They stand on street corners and howl like a bunch of monkeys or lunatics, and that's exactly how people perceive them. They simply don't feel dangerous to me; inconsequential.*

Abigail Phelps, the daughter of Fred Phelps, told the Ames Tribune, "You want to know how I feel about those people over there? My heart is overflowing with glee. I’m so thankful that the lord brought them out to see these words. It’s their only hope." Left me tickled. She just wants to give us hope! What a sweetheart.

So for the past few years I've been following the actions of Westboro Baptist as a form of entertainment. Like a traveling wingnut circus--a kaleidoscope of colorful signs and spectacular performance that will leave you and your whole family breathless! Most people take for granted that they're completely serious, but I'm not entirely convinced that a group like The Yes Men isn't behind these shenanigans.

*I realize that for the families of those who have had funerals ruined by WBC picketers, their actions may not seem inconsequential, but in terms of influencing American values and policy, they really hold no sway. Also, it is clear that they are doing severe psychological damage to the children who are born into this community. It seems that after having been taught such extreme faith and values, there is little or no chance that these children will be able to lead normal lives.