Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps Sr. “on the edge of death,” son says
So, I saw on my Facebook sidebar Fred Phelps' name, and I hate to say it, but after that first glance, the first thing that came to my mind was, "Is he dead yet? It's about time." Now, I feel horrible for saying that. I have read a memoir from one of the former members who was excommunicated and shunned by the church and her family, and I have read countless other articles and statements from other dissenters, and I have developed some strong opinions regarding this church and the members of it. I have been personally disgusted by the actions of these people, and whenever I read something about them, I've always felt hatred and disgust towards them. But when the first thought in my head was, "Is he dead yet? It's about time", I immediately felt ashamed of myself. This is a human being, who had people who loved him. He fought hard for what he believed in and I respect that, even though many people including myself have disagreed with it. I feel I have failed as a Christian and as a decent human being for glorying in the fact that he is dying and probably won't be around for much longer. I feel like by feeling that way, I have sunk to the level they are on. Now, I am trying to change my thinking and feel nothing but compassion and pity for this man who so many people hate. My heart has been filled with hatred in the past for him and his family members and other members of his church, and now I have finally realized that isn't the way I should be doing things. I should remember that they are doing what they believe is right, and that they happen to be people also. So I hope that my attitude change can be an example to other people who hate this man and are so disgusted by him that they only wish for his death and not his well-being.
Why should we judge him, when we ourselves have made mistakes, being selfish, bigots, self-righteous, judging others, being hypocrites? Fred Phelps and the other members of the Westboro Baptist Church are not for us to judge, they are for God to judge, in his mercy and infinite wisdom.
Matthew 5:43-45
43 ¶Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Luke 6
27 ¶But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other...
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. [aka THE GOLDEN RULE]
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either
how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote
that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is
in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine
own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in
thy brother’s eye.
Which of these words don't we understand??
