They Love the Sin but Hate the Sinner

Fred Phelps

Fred Phelps died yesterday. He was the pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas; the one that held demonstrations at the funerals of soldiers. He was infamous for hateful signs rejoicing in the death of soldiers and others believing that all violent deaths were signs of God's judgment on America.

Although Phelps has died, hate is still alive. While most people disagree with Phelps views, many agree with his methods. On Twitter this week (#FredPhelps) I have seen many tweets celebrating his death; some tweets contained weird homoerotic fantasies about Phelps. He makes people who don't believe in Hell wish it existed. The most amazing irony is that some are calling for a demonstration at Phelps funeral.

Really? It's like, “Hey Fred, thanks for the idea.”

The hate words are not directed in support of gay rights nor against freedom of speech. They are personal against Phelps. It is hatred of an enemy.

Christian leaders are, on the other hand, calling for prayers for the family and restraint from hatred.

It comes down to who you want to follow. Is it Jesus who said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-48)

On the other hand, you can do it Fred Phelps' way.

Fred Phelps is dead but Satan reminds us that Hate is alive and well.

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Flash mobs for the common good

A flash mob is a sudden gathering of a large group of people in a public place to do an unusual act and quickly disperse. The people are alerted via text message, Twitter or Facebook. The message is spread virally, as people alert their friends who alert their friends, etc.

The result is 500 people showing up at a designated time and place to have a pillow fight. Sadly some flash mobs have gathered in recent days to do violence.

Flash mobs can also be used for good. Before the social media revolution we had phone trees and fax broadcasts. When a Chicago church became the target of activists who sought to disrupt their Wednesday night prayer meeting, area pastors got on the phone and organized their own demonstration; a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Churches were called, phone chains activated and 1000 people crowded into Armitage Baptist Church for prayer that night. Outside 10 different political groups chanted offensive slogans.

Shortly after the service began, seven school buses parked across the street and the very large youth choir of Salem Baptist burst out and began to sing loudly. The protesters were trapped between the choir singing on one side and the church singing on the other.

The power of praise was too strong. In ten minutes the protesters were silenced, in twenty they were gone.

I saw a video on TV this morning of Fred Phelps’ religious group protesting a soldier’s funeral. A group of people with large American flags placed themselves between the protesters, blocking their offensive signs from view of the mourners.

Phelps’ group won a court decision regarding their right to free speech. Imagine the impact if social media was used to alert veteran’s groups and churches whenever Phelps’ group shows up to disrupt a funeral and are disrupted by a much larger counter protest.