the phelps-westboro experience

[Magmar]

I know it's quiet here these days so my absence was probably not noticed, but I just had the privilege of spending my spring break at the College Media Advisers conference in New York City. On top of getting individual critique on articles, we got to attend a variety of hour-long conferences on improving writing, drafting ideas, copy editing, and maintaining a staff.

Our keynote speaker was none other than the Westboro Baptist Church. Namely Margie Phelps. We got to attend an hour and a half Q&A session with this crazy woman, where some big-shot journalist guy asked her questions about first amendment rights, then we got to individually ask her questions. They picked ten of us from the audience and I got to go!

So I represented my school in a way in that it was on live TV and there were over 1,000 college students and newspaper advisers there. The question I asked her was where she would like to see America in ten years as a result of the efforts of the Church.

As a result of my question, TPM now is home to someone who has been personally condemned by Westboro Baptist Church. But not just me, as this batshit crazy lady looked me in the eyes and told me my nation is doomed, that I won't see America in ten years because we are all going to hell for our sins, etc. I felt like I got roasted in front of the crowd, but fortunately I'm a much better sport than some of the other inquisitors who walked away aghast (like one girl who was condemned for being so full of lust and that her entire family will be dragged to hell). Nevertheless, it was an experience coming face-to-face with one of the whackos who spearheads the God Hates Fags protests at military funerals.

And that's where I've been all week.

Here's some celebratory catchy end of the world jams to celebrate our all going to hell in ten years.

[Gavin Luper]

Dude, first of all, it's awesome that you got that opportunity, so well done.

Secondly, how the hell did you not explode at her? I don't think I would be able to keep my cool in front of one of those psychopaths, especially knowing the kind of horrible stuff they do and say at gay people's funerals. That's the lowest thing of all.

I don't think I would be able to hold my tongue ... seriously ... I mean usually my philosophy would be ignore people if I really find them/their beliefs hateful or offensive, but her team of wackos actually TRY to get everyone's attention and spread their hate, so ... URGH. Please tell me someone threw a shoe at them or something? Anything.

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

She didn't actually answer your question, and if someone in that situation was humiliated, it was her. Extreme religious groups are so narrow-minded. I myself resigned from my church at the same year I filled 18 years. (Lutheranism isn't right extreme religion so this is not a comparison though) Gay marriages were a major theme in the elections of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland last year and I wished I could have voted, so I considered joining back!

[classy_cat18]

As a result of my question, TPM now is home to someone who has been personally condemned by Westboro Baptist Church. But not just me, as this batshit crazy lady looked me in the eyes and told me my nation is doomed, that I won't see America in ten years because we are all going to hell for our sins, etc.

She said that ON LIVE TV? I actually find that funny.

There's something in the Bible that goes like "Judge not lest ye be judged." Apparently she needs to read more.

[Lady Vulpix]

That's actually quite funny. I wonder how many people will be able to take her or her church seriously after hearing that.

[ChobiChibi]

The sad thing is, people still do take her and her church seriously after hearing such things. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have heard of them.

[Blademaster]

If it was live TV, I demand a Youtube link or some sort of recording. That is just priceless.

[DarkestLight]

I second Blade. In fact, hold on...

Found IT!

Aww Magmar, they didn't post your question :/ But she's batshit crazed XD

[RedStarWarrior]

No one outside of the cult really takes them seriously. We just get annoyed because they technically qualify as a church and know how to exploit the legal system.

Of course, they are small enough for a group of like-minded folks to simply wipe them out. I would highly encourage such actions...

[Drusilla]

(like one girl who was condemned for being so full of lust and that her entire family will be dragged to hell)

Oh hey, my family must be screwed too... Oops. Anyway.... hats off to you, my friend. I would have lazer-beam-eyed her on the spot.

[ChobiChibi]

That woman's intense. I don't blame people for walking out after the way she spoke in that clip.

I hate how people like her twist the bible and use it to attack people.

[Telume]

That's BEYOND twisted, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY beyond twisted.

[Telume]

Sorry for the double-posting but, the things she's saying in that video are BEYOND hilarious.

I almost had a spit take, I took a world religion class, I'm not an expert but daaaaamn does she know NOTHING.

[Drusilla]

Couldn't watch all the video.... people like that just plain scare me. Of course she knows nothing, just the mashed, digested, and regurgitated idiocy of manipulators who want to use religion for their own ends.

I mean, I have personally spent time in the loony bin.... and she scares me more than anyone I met there.

[Samchu]

I'd be really intrigued to her go up against a theologian who specialises in Bible studies. I think the back and forth could be entertaining.

Also, I love the guy who asks the question about the website being taken down by hackers and then managed to pwn her "check your facts" argument. Actually had to pause the video to stop laughing.

[Gavin Luper]

Holy crap, she is freakin INSANE. INSAAAAANE!

[Blademaster]

"Comments are closed."

lol

[Deadwood_Zen]

I would've told her:

"God loves all her children, even her straight ones."

Figured that would've pissed her off at least a little ;]