As most of you in the Virginia area already know, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is coming to town. If you are not familiar with them, they’re the group who hates pretty much everyone. Are you gay? They hate you. Are you Jewish? Hate. Are you in the military? Hate. Are you a human being who isn’t in the WBC? Hate.
They’re controversy goes beyond their hate. Many people believe that they are a scam looking to sue the counter-protesters that they antagonize to make money. Others believe that they are just in it for the publicity.
I’m not sure why they do it. I imagine that any of the reasons — hate, money, fame –must make it difficult to look at themselves in the mirror. Even in my little day-to-day resentments, I get so sick and unhappy inside. I can’t fathom how uncomfortable they must be in their own skin to spend their days hurting others in the name of God.
I will be attending the silent protest at the Virginia Holocaust Museum today. And I will be praying for the victims of the WBC’s hate. Praying for those who are hated for their beliefs. Those who are hated for whom they love. And those who are hated for what they do.
But I will also be praying for the WBC. And not for God to strike them down. I will be praying that God holds them close. The God of my understanding loves us all. No matter what. So I will be praying that they can feel that love. Because all the hate and money and fame can’t take away the darkness. But I believe that God’s love can.
If a silent protest is not your cup of tea, there is a more raucous protest at VCU at 1:30. And you can also donate to Pennies in Protest which will donate the money to the places targeted by the WBC’s hate protests. Thank you for your presence, donations and prayers.
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Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. — Martin Luther King, Jr.
I will pray that the people of the WBC can feel God's love.
Thanks Anita!
Check out this awesome funny counter protest against them at the Twitter offices in San Fran.
http://laughingsquid.com/san-franciscos-answer-…
Even though my husband and daughter are Jewish, we don't feel threatened by them, but it does make me sad that they truly believe this is the right thing to do. Sad for them, that is. It must be a difficult way to live, and a difficult God to believe in.
My mind can wrap around a lot of crazy things in this world, because as I've gotten older I've realized one truth. People are CRAZY! But it is SO hard for me to get making a stand like this (WBC) against simply not liking a group of people. And you're right. They do pretty much seem to dislike EVERYONE. Thanks for your prayers for them as that is what we are asked to do as believers, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matt. 5:44 Well done Alex!
OMG that was so funny. I really liked the “God hates Retweets”
I also liked the last line of your reply — that is exactly right. It must be AWFUL to have such a hateful God.
I love this. “Because all the hate and money and fame can’t take away the darkness. But I believe that God’s love can.”
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“There’s nothing wrong with a little smiting so long as the right people get smitten.
a. The Flood
b. Sodom and Gomorrah
c. John Lennon (OK maybe not John, I was aiming at Yoko).”
-GOD
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It really is amazing how they think it is okay to be so, so, so cruel and hateful. No one has to agree or condone with another person does or a group of people do, but…to be hateful, hateful, hateful is just so sad. It hurts my heart!
Amen! I have been convicted to pray for this church, that they will be overwhelmed with God’s goodness and mercy and compassion. They don’t know the true God, but only one of hate. Jesus still performs miracles, and He will perform a miracle in this misguided church. As the Bible says, “Do not overcome evil with evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Good for you- when I think about the WBC, I get sick- because how much more can you twist the word of God and The Bible than to do what they’re doing.
They are probably so lost, lonely, and filled with heartache- whether they admit that or not. So you wrote this last year- did you ever write a followup post?
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I didn’t write a follow up. Our silent protest was amazing and a group of rabbis, priests and reverends went over to the protesters and invited them to tour the Holocaust Museum, which was quite moving. Although they declined.
Actually I wrote a REALLY short post about going to the protest with Nathan Lane: http://www.lateenough.com/2010/03/nobody-messes-with-nathan-lane/ but it had nothing to do with anything
I agree completely … I’ve been following their actions since Matthew Sheppard …. I got to see them in person at the Columbine memorial service … I don’t understand how anyone can follow them … but to each their own … the God I believe in doesn’t hate … but that’s just me!
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