|
i think there are two parallel points to made here.
first, there is a pretty strong stance against Fred by Christian communities. Silence. Take a look at who he protests....go on to his site if you can bear it, and look at the protest plans. They'll be 99% churches or other religious institutions. And the collective experience that has been had among the churches targeted is that ignoring him is the best response. He's an attention whore, and lives for conflict. Give it to him, and he'll grow off that energy. As a queer advocate, I know where my real fights are, and this is not one of them. I think Robertson and Falwell are worth engaging. Phelps is not. Whether it's pathological or simply intractable, his stance in this matter does not bear any mark of reason.
second. it's interesting that this is a point where mainstream press and culture happens to find Phelps problematic. he's been at this for years...and it was churches, funerals, schools, libraries, denominational assemblies, a whole range of cultural and religious functions. i think it's somewhat ironic that some people who didn't really mind him before when he was protesting other people now find him so objectionable.
__________________
For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.
-John 3:16
|