Fred Phelps, founder of the hateful (and hated) Westboro Baptist Church, has died. Given that Phelps was 84 year-olds and badly ill for days beforehand, few are surprised by the news.
The Westboro Baptist Church is one of the most depressingly extreme religious cults that has risen to international prominence. One of my favourite projects of theirs is GodHatesTheWorld.com, (clickers beware: it is ridden with offensive language) in which the cult blames most of the world’s problems on homosexuals, the permissive society… the usual suspects, but with the twist that they thank “God” for inflicting punishments on people. The cult is notorious for picketing funerals; arguing that 9/11 was a good thing (probably God’s punishment for something bad like allowing divorce); and for an obsessive homophobia which is as ridiculous as it is extreme. Westboro Baptists lead very isolated lives, which makes it harder for followers to leave: they are abandoning their friends and families by doing so, making it difficult for those born into the cult.
It reflects very badly on Fred Phelps that the cult, under his leadership, caused so much offence and hurt to so many people. Yelling abuse at the grieving friends and relatives of soldiers killed serving their country is utterly disgusting. Yet, I think the response of Phelps’ opponents is the issue today. I sincerely hope that they don’t sink to his level, as a Facebook group planning to protest at his funeral. We’re better that that, aren’t we?
The way to deal with hatred is to absorb it, not reflect it. Our response to Phelps’ death should be to redouble our efforts to undo his work and chip away at his cult. The Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act didn’t stop them disrupting funerals, and the international notoriety they have achieved serves to strengthen their commitment to the church. Compare this to the case of the owners who painted their house, situated within sight of the Westboro Baptist Church, rainbow. That single act proved that the owners wouldn’t allow the cult to bother them: the strongest and most effective message they could send. If we want to marginalise Phelps’ ideas, lets show that we can rise above them.