Difference between revisions of "Westboro Baptist Church"
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[[Image:20001025 xnjdo FredGoreFiny.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Rev. [[Fred Phelps]] with [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[Al Gore]] at a Westboro Baptist Church event.]] | [[Image:20001025 xnjdo FredGoreFiny.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Rev. [[Fred Phelps]] with [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner [[Al Gore]] at a Westboro Baptist Church event.]] | ||
| − | The '''Westboro Baptist Church''' (WBC) is a [[radical]], self-proclaimed [[Christian]] church headed by pastor [[Fred Phelps]]. The church is located in [[Topeka]], [[Kansas]], and receives most of its publicity from its infamous "God Hates Fags" protests. | + | The '''Westboro Baptist Church''' (WBC) is a [[radical]], self-proclaimed [[Christian]] church headed by pastor [[Fred Phelps]]. The church is located in [[Topeka]], [[Kansas]], and receives most of its publicity from its infamous "God Hates Fags" protests. It was founded in 1955.<ref name=spc>[http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/westboro-baptist-church Intelligence Files: Westboro Baptist Church]. ''Southern Poverty Law Center''.</ref> |
| − | The WBC is closely monitored by both the Anti-Defamation League and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], and is regarded by the latter as a hate group. While mainstream Christianity rejects [[homosexuality]] as sin, following [[God]]'s example, true Christians [[love]] the sinner. In contrast, WBC demonstrates no love for the sinner, and their attitude is considered to be one of hate. | + | The WBC is closely monitored by both the Anti-Defamation League and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], and is regarded by the latter as a hate group.<ref name=spc /> While mainstream Christianity rejects [[homosexuality]] as sin, following [[God]]'s example, true Christians [[love]] the sinner. In contrast, WBC demonstrates no love for the sinner, and their attitude is considered to be one of hate. |
While the name implies that the church is affiliated with other mainstream [[Baptist]] churches, the WBC is independent of mainstream Christianity. The church's members are almost entirely family members and are infamous for their protests and pickets at the funerals of soldiers who died in the line of duty, where they take the opportunity to denounce what they consider to be [[America]]'s acceptance of homosexuality. The name of their website reflects this. Their antics are denounced across almost all spectra of political and religious thought. | While the name implies that the church is affiliated with other mainstream [[Baptist]] churches, the WBC is independent of mainstream Christianity. The church's members are almost entirely family members and are infamous for their protests and pickets at the funerals of soldiers who died in the line of duty, where they take the opportunity to denounce what they consider to be [[America]]'s acceptance of homosexuality. The name of their website reflects this. Their antics are denounced across almost all spectra of political and religious thought. | ||
Their hatred, and seeking of publicity, goes beyond homosexuality. They also protested the [[Pope]]'s visit, calling him the [[anti-Christ]].<ref>http://www.adl.org/special_reports/wbc/default.asp</ref> | Their hatred, and seeking of publicity, goes beyond homosexuality. They also protested the [[Pope]]'s visit, calling him the [[anti-Christ]].<ref>http://www.adl.org/special_reports/wbc/default.asp</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Composition== | ||
| + | Westboro's membership is made up of Fred Phelps, 9 of his 13 children (the others are estranged), their children and spouses, and a few other families and individuals.<ref name=spc /> Almost all of the church's roughly 100 members are related to Fred Phelps.<ref name=npr>Hagerty, B.B. (2011, March 2). [http://www.npr.org/2011/03/02/134198937/a-peek-inside-the-westboro-baptist-church A Peek Inside the Westboro Baptist Church]. ''NPR''.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Family Law Firm== | ||
| + | Fred Phelps designed his church/family as a giant law firm used to sue those angry enough to retaliate against the "church". Eleven of Phelps' thirteen children have law degrees, and work for the Phelps Chartered Law Firm which Fred Phelps founded in 1964.<ref name=spc /> | ||
==Snyder v. Phelps== | ==Snyder v. Phelps== | ||
Revision as of 07:03, July 22, 2012
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a radical, self-proclaimed Christian church headed by pastor Fred Phelps. The church is located in Topeka, Kansas, and receives most of its publicity from its infamous "God Hates Fags" protests. It was founded in 1955.[1]
The WBC is closely monitored by both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, and is regarded by the latter as a hate group.[1] While mainstream Christianity rejects homosexuality as sin, following God's example, true Christians love the sinner. In contrast, WBC demonstrates no love for the sinner, and their attitude is considered to be one of hate.
While the name implies that the church is affiliated with other mainstream Baptist churches, the WBC is independent of mainstream Christianity. The church's members are almost entirely family members and are infamous for their protests and pickets at the funerals of soldiers who died in the line of duty, where they take the opportunity to denounce what they consider to be America's acceptance of homosexuality. The name of their website reflects this. Their antics are denounced across almost all spectra of political and religious thought.
Their hatred, and seeking of publicity, goes beyond homosexuality. They also protested the Pope's visit, calling him the anti-Christ.[2]
Composition
Westboro's membership is made up of Fred Phelps, 9 of his 13 children (the others are estranged), their children and spouses, and a few other families and individuals.[1] Almost all of the church's roughly 100 members are related to Fred Phelps.[3]
Family Law Firm
Fred Phelps designed his church/family as a giant law firm used to sue those angry enough to retaliate against the "church". Eleven of Phelps' thirteen children have law degrees, and work for the Phelps Chartered Law Firm which Fred Phelps founded in 1964.[1]
Snyder v. Phelps
In 2011 the church's speech - that is, their picketing of funerals - was ruled as protected by the First Amendment in the case Snyder v. Phelps. The Church, represented by daughter of the pastor Shirley Phelps, had picketed a Marine's funeral, and the Marine's father had sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The ACLU and NPR, amongst others, had filed amicus briefs in favor of Phelps, while many Congressmen filed on behalf of Snyder. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, "As a Nation we have chosen a different course—to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate. That choice requires that we shield West- boro from tort liability for its picketing in this case."
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Intelligence Files: Westboro Baptist Church. Southern Poverty Law Center.
- ↑ http://www.adl.org/special_reports/wbc/default.asp
- ↑ Hagerty, B.B. (2011, March 2). A Peek Inside the Westboro Baptist Church. NPR.
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