Ten Commandments Debate Draws Anti-Gay Preacher (Matthew Shepard)

[Whoa_Nelly]

Ten Commandments Debate Draws Anti-Gay Preacher

Fred Phelps Building $15,000 'Matthew Shepherd In Hell' Monument

POSTED: 2:25 p.m. MST October 27, 2003

CASPER, Wyo. -- An anti-gay preacher known for his fiery protests over slain University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard has thrown a wrench into another emotional issue in Shepard's hometown.

The city of Casper -- like other communities across the country -- is debating the fate of its Ten Commandments monument, which has sat in the corner of a city park for nearly 40 years.

<snip>
Phelps told city officials he wanted to erect a second monument in the park declaring Shepard was in hell for being gay -- saying the presence of the Ten Commandments means all monuments must be allowed.

<snip>
His monument -- which cost $15,000 and will be completed in three weeks -- will bear a bronze placard with Shepard's portrait and an inscription reading: "Matthew Shepard entered hell October 12, 1998, at age 21 in defiance of God's warning: 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination.' Leviticus 18:22."

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/2585324/detail.html

The bad penny preacher turns up again. :grr:

[ploppy]

1. What

a pig.

[underpants]

2. There's nothing like "hate monuments" to cherish God's children

This seems to be an agressive counter movement to use hate to difflect attention from removing an unconstitutional monument.

There I said it and trust me I live in Richmond I know all about monumentAL controversies.

[schultzee]

7. Even when I was a child I thought the fundies were full of hate

and when I grew up I knew it to be true. The south is full of these brain fried fundies.

[kainah]

3. Phelps himself wasn't in Wyoming for the protests

Instead, he sent his "family" to the Casper and Laramie protests. In Casper, they were photographed dragging the American flag along the ground -- which didn't do their image much good. In Laramie, we had 200 people out demonstrating against them when they brought their hateful message to the homecoming game.

The city of Casper is looking at several options for their Ten Commandments monument. The Eagles have said they will take it back and that is one option. They are also looking at the idea of creating a separate display area for religious monuments, as the city of Grand Junction did. They would put the Ten Commandments in a separate space and then others could also erect religious monuments ... but they believe they could shut out Phelps.

I'm confident there is no way in hell Phelps will be able to put this thing up but the controversy is raging over removing the Ten Commandments. However, I believe the city council baited Phelps into proposing this so that they would have the cover they thought they would need to remove it.

For the best coverage of this, check http://www.casperstartribune.net

[Hieronymus]

4. Ever wonder

why the Christian taliban never quotes Jesus?
They love the blood, gore, fire and brimestone of the old testament.:wow:
Phelps is one sick son of a bitch.

Anti-Gay Preacher Busted Soliciting 14 Year Old Boy

(West Chester, Pennsylvania) A Pennsylvania preacher known for his fire and brimstone sermons denouncing homosexuality has been charged with offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy for oral sex.

The Rev. Stephen White, better known as "Brother Stephen," regularly visited college campuses throughout the north east, often at Penn and Yale, in Connecticut.

White is awaiting trial, with is set for November 24, but police say they are continuing to investigate White and believe he may have victimized more than one juvenile.

"We believe there may be other victims out there, and that this wasn't an isolated incident," West Chester police detective Stan Billie said.

According to court documents, White approached the teen in a green Ford van and asked if he knew of any strip clubs, adult book stores or shops that sold sexually explicit videos. When then the boy said he did not, White unsuccessfully attempted to lure the boy into the vehicle. White then told the boy he could "make some money" by letting White perform oral sex on him.

After the encounter, the boy reported the van's license plate number to his mother, who then contacted the police.

Campus Crusade for Christ leader Erin Hespe agreed that her organization does not collectively support White.

"Brother Stephen is not involved or affiliated with any of the student Christian groups listed on Penn for Jesus," Hespe said. "The general attitude of these Christian groups has been one of distance, given certain aspects of both Brother Steve's theology and methods."

Campus Crusade for Christ is the umbrella organization for Christian groups at Penn.

Cyd Cipolla, a former coordinator of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Cooperative at Yale, said she was in disbelief when she heard about White's alleged sex offense.

"I'm still kind of incredulous," she told the Yale Daily News. "How is it that anyone can engage in something so clearly taboo, especially someone who presents themselves as so entrenched in morality? I feel sorry for this man and for the boy who crossed his path."

http://www.365gay.com/newscontent/102603revBusted.htm
 

[joefree1]

5. This guy does not secretly work for us

If he gives fundamentalism Christainity a bad name it's not because any of us pagans had anything to do with it. So don't blame us.

[arcane1]

6. sigh, spending that much money on this, too

NOW you see why I call them Repubes? They're obsessed with sex! Though not just your normal obsession one usually has with it (involving actually having it yourself) but they are obsessed with the sex OTHER PEOPLE are having!

God forbid Rev Fred spends a penny of that money on hungry poor children...

Funny, though, the big 10 get so much attention lately, but there is NOTHING AT ALL in there about homosexuality :evilgrin:

[Dogmudgeon]

8. Fred "Child Abuse" Phelps?

Two of his sons have come out and made credible accusations that their father used to beat them with mattock handles, screaming obscenities and bible verses as he "administered" as many as one hundred strokes.

He also pressed his children into a giant candy-selling scam that safely hid behind the aegis of religious fund-raising.

When Phelps got the fitness bug, he used to make the kids run for 1-4 hours per day while getting about the same amount of sleep, on top of a 1500-calorie per day diet.

But he did it in the name of God, so he got away with it.

--bkl


"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the mattock handle of correction will drive it far from him."
(from Proverbs 22:15 NSV)

[lostnfound]

9. What

a bast*rd. As if Shepard's parents haven't suffered enough.

[PartyPooper]

12. I was thinking the same thing.

His father still works overseas. But, I have seen his mother interviewed on American TV (most recently with Katie Couric). His mom is a gracious lady. And, she is spreading the word against continuing discrimination and hate against the gay community. My hat is off for her!

Such a sad and tragic loss for them, losing their son. And, I wish them both peace.

O8)

[bluestateguy]

10. Phelps monument will be destroyed

It's not a violation of free speech if private actors are supressing it.

[Tom Kitten]

13. I was about to say...

Are they going to assign guards to prevent this thing from getting blown up?

[Jack Rabbit]

11. Phelps is grotesque

If God is anything like he believes Him to be, I want to go to Hell.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. How about a Fred Phelps monument?

In honor of Fred Phelps...
Bigot, homophobe, and busybody