When Fred Phelps FINALLY dies, how should we respond?

[kweerwolf]

Given that Fred is getting up there in years (and his absence from recent "protests" have fueled rumors he's in poor health and contemplating turning over his "church" to either his daughter, Shirley, or grandson, Benjamin), what would be an appropriate response when Freddie at last shuffles off his mortal coil?

[AllyCat]

1. As much as the other plans sound so much more fun

I have to say don't sink to his level. Any of the other options will incite his people to continue this nastiness. Actually, their nastiness will probably increase as I'm sure they will decide he is a martyr.

So, is he in poor health? Will he die soon or something?

[BoneDaddy]

12. Agreed

Anything other than ignoring this man would be to give him power and/or become like him.

[complain jane]

2. Most ironic would be

to show up and pray for his soul.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Send a Queer choir to sing, respectfully, at his service.

I'm serious. Let the fundy community know that the queer population doesn't just preach the golden rule, it practices it.

There are many excellent musical ensembles in the G/L/B/T community, as well as a number of clergypeople. Showing Fred Phelps and his family cult some of the Christian love he denied most of his fellow people would send a far stronger message than anything else.

It's not just time to take the Queer world seriously as a group of fellow citizens -- it's time to recognize the moral force it is in making the world a better place for all of us.

--p!

[kweerwolf]

6. Wow! I like that idea!

And you're right about it sending a strong message.

I have to admit, turning the other cheek is difficult for me when it's someone like Phelps (or Falwell ... or Robertson ... or insert the name of your favorite televangelist who seems to worship a god who's always a bit short on cash).

[Dogmudgeon]

9. The best shots are always the most difficult to make

But the Queer community has always come through, even under far worse threats. AIDS could not stop it, and neither will "the Armageddon Crazy".

It may seem like an aggressive use of the "golden rule", but since it has to be done sincerely to be done right, it could be a tremendous opportunity for the kind of healing the conservative fundamentalist / evangelical movement needs.

At some point, Phelps will be seen as a figure that evokes pity, not rage. His crusade is a complete failure, even among the Religious Right, which is probably on its last legs as it is.

--p!

[rbjensen]

7. Yeah, this is my choice. Cool. Early Renaissance, please. n/t

[hwmnbn]

4. other= Dance on his grave..... eom

[craigolemiss]

5. God Hates Freds?

get identical looking multicolor signs and march/disrupt funeral

[davidinalameda]

8. Party like it's 1999

good question

I'm torn between picketing his funeral and showing him the same respect he's shown others

that's right--he hasn't shown anyone any respect

I'll make a donation in his name to a Kansas GLBT group

[ronnykmarshall]

10. Protest his ass!

Show up at his funeral with "FRED IN HELL" signs.

Fuck that "let's not stoop to his level" shit.

I'll be happy to not only protest his rotting carcus, but piss on his grave.

Fuck him and fuck his worthless family.

[Maccagirl]

11. Start a website to count how many days

Fred has spent in hell-just like he does with Matthew Shepherd.

[kweerwolf]

13. Arrrrrrrrgh! I just don't get it!

Phelps and his "klan" of inbred yokels have been picketing "fag" funerals since the late '80s. He started out locally, then started to export his hate all over the country. He got headlines for picketing Matthew Shepard's funeral and was profiled on ABC's "20/20."

Now there's a DU thread about him picketing the funerals of soldiers who have died in Iraq ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4498803

... and people are outraged.

Where the fuck was their outrage when he was "only" targeting gays? He was certainly in the news enough that even heterosexuals with no connection to the LGBT community would have noticed him. But now that he's picketing soldiers' funerals, some straight folks are suddenly "discovering" Fred Phelps. Were they completely oblivious to his anti-gay message before? Did they tacitly agree with it? Or did they just not give a rat's ass because Phelps wasn't bothering "normal people"?

There are a lot of straight allies I absolutely adore ... but sometimes I just don't understand some heterosexuals.
:rant:

[Meldread]

14. Agreed.

I posted a comment about that in another thread devoted to Phelps. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4496978&mesg_id=4497311

He gets around two mentions per-day on DU.

It's pretty obvious why he's moved on to picket the funerals of soldiers who are most likely straight. He lost his shock value, and thus his much needed attention with gays. After years of picketing our funerals it turned into, "Oh, Fred is coming. Gee wiz." Kinda like having a distant relative show up that you know is a drunk and a loud mouth and most likely going to screw everything up. He's hurtful, sure, but when you feed the troll he stays hungry. Much better just to let him starve, and now straights are discovering him.

I'm taking the same stance that they took. "Not my problem."

Besides, with any luck straights will be so offended by Phelps's stance against gays that they might actually become pro-gay.

[MuseRider]

15. Party at my house

then we can go over to the funeral and you can do what you want. If you are looking to donate to a Kansas Gay Rights group, our state group is almost up and running, we are just trying to finish up the bylaws. YAY! We should be done by then, we can start a donate in Fred's name site.

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. I will be there will bells on....

Lots of tinkly fairy bells. And a big sign that reads:

FRED PHELPS BURNS IN HELL!

GOD HATES BIGOTS!

[TaleWgnDg]

17. nah. I'm all for the stake thing. indeed! n/t

[Lisaben2619]

18. I think we should have a fundraising effort

to name a pro-GLBT education network, group, or center after him.