A spokesperson from Westboro Baptist was on Fox a few nights ago; Westboro Baptist, in case you’ve missed it, is the source of the ridiculous, offensive (to almost anyone, I’d think) protests at recent military funerals, the folks with the “God Hates America” signs, and worse.
Michelle Malkin links to a video clip and includes a bit of the transcript; I thought this was a telling quote:
Phelps-Roper: “I am exactly where my God put me to tell you plainly, that you are going to hell, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
That last phrase, right there, tells us exactly how far off base these folks are from Biblical Christianity (as if the other things they say weren’t clue enough already). The whole idea — I might even argue, the entire point — of the gospel is that there is something one can do about going to hell. Notwithstanding that it is foundational that Christ loved us (not hated us) while we were yet sinners — which would include any sin whatsoever (yes, Fred Phelps — even homosexuality).
The one bright side of all their complaining is that everyone — even the most hardened anti-Christians out there — seems to acknowledge that mainstream Christianity does not agree with the sort of vile stuff coming out of Westboro Baptist. If it weren’t for the fact that they are so clearly in earnest, I would have thought that Westboro was a joke site, like Landover Baptist, but in even worse taste. (Sorry, I’m not going to link to Landover; it is just a parody site, but I’m not a fan of it, either.)
I must agree with your statement about the Westboro Baptists : “how far off base these folks are from Biblical Christianity”
I must point out, however, that almost the entire doctrinal system of the Christian churches is not based on the Old or New Testaments and is “far off base” as well.
For this reason, I have issued a challenge to the Christian Churches and Islam to defend their doctrines now or forever….
The Challenge can be found at the Race is Run.
Regards
Vynette
Personally I think Landover Baptist is hilarious, but it is very close to the bone. I prefer ShipOfFools.com, which is on the other side of the theological divide, as it were.
I had forgotten about ShipofFools… Yeah, I am able to laugh at some of the things on both those sites, I don’t take myself that seriously. ;)