Religious Fanatacism.
What images do those words bring to mind?
Traditionally, I envision an arab male shouting and waving an ak-47 assualt rifle. (No racial profiling comments please. I've been a soldier for most of my life. It comes with the territory...) maybe yours are similar to mine. Perhaps you think of a chechen rebel trying to protect his home from the serbs...
What do they have in common you ask?
They both believe that they have a God/Allah - given right to be where they are, doing what they're doing.
"So what?" You say... "Nothing they're doing affects me directly, I don't need to concern myself with what some religious nut-job is doing half a world away."
What if I told you that we have our own sect of religious fanatics right here in the good 'ole U.S.A.?
That's right. Right here. You've probably run across them and not even known it.
"That's ridiculous" you say.. "Sure we have some troublemakers... the Tim McVeighs.... and the Arayan Brotherhood... and some terrible gangs.. but none of them are religiously affiliated or religiously driven."
I would have to say that you're right on those counts... but you've missed one...
I would like to call your attention to the "Westboro Baptist Church".
Some of you may know about them while others may not. Let me start by saying that all known baptist associations have disavowed themselves of this group.
The following are some quotes as found on wikipedia's page about the group....
"The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. It is headed by Fred Phelps and consists mostly of members of his large family; in 2007, it had 71 members.
"The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the Westboro Baptist Church as "virulently homophobic", whose anti-homosexual rhetoric they say is often a cover for anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism, racism, and anti-Catholicism."
I'm not going to go into too much detail on them other than to offer my personal feelings about them after giving you the resources to draw your own conclusions..
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church?wasRedirected=trueAnd
http://Www.godhatesf*gs.com
That's supposed to be an "a" up there by the way...
These two resources should give you plenty of information to make up your own mind. PLEASE don't just accept what I'm telling you here. Go to these websites and find the truth for yourself.
The first is obviously wikipedia, a fount of open-source information. The second, and more d**ning if you ask me, is their own website.
Go ahead... click on the links... I'll wait... the blog will still be here when you're done and you can finish reading my thoughts...
You back yet? Ok. Good..
That being said, my opinion of this group is...
1. They are a hateful people.. an appropriate assignation would be "Hatemongers".
2. Their only purpose is to inflame the common man and incite violence. (I don't know how you could have any other reaction after seeing them disrupt a military funeral.)
3. In fact.. I put them in the same category as terrorists. I will go so far as to call them terrorists. I do so because what they do to military families is the exact same thing that the bombs do.. the damage they cause with their words is just as hurtful and mentally anguishing. What's worse, is that they no longer limit their activities to military funerals.
4. Because of this, I believe they are evil.
It takes a lot to push me to say that about anything or anyone.
So... now you're asking... "Ok.. so they have a screwed up view of things.. what does that have to do with anything in this thread?"
Some of you may have noticed something on their website that will clue you in. If not, that's ok. I'll show you how this relates....
The following is a recent press release from the Westboro Baptist Church...
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Westboro Baptist Church
(WBC Chronicles -- Since 1955)
3701 S.W. 12th St. Topeka, Ks. 66604 785-273-0325 http://www.GodHatesf*gs.com
Religious Opinion & Bible Commentary on Current Events
Sunday, January 9, 2011
NEWS RELEASE
(Background, photos, video, sermons, parodies & hymns – available free at
www.GodHatesTheMedia.com, Blogs.SpareNot.com,
www.SignMovies.com,
www.JewsKilledJesus.com,
www.GodHatesTheWorld.com & http://www.PriestsRapeBoys.com)
DAY #2 OF “THANK GOD FOR THE SHOOTER” – 6 DEAD! WBC WILL PICKET THEIR FUNERALS.
The 9-year-old girl was born 9/11/01! “Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it,” Mic. 6:9. God mercifully gave this nation a fair warning on 9/11 – but you despise His mercies, so you get no more mercy – man, woman or child. That’s how God the Avenger rolls!
That child was not innocent. This is a nation of depraved perverts who pass their children through the fire of their rage against God & all-consuming lust. From the womb, she was taught to hate God & mock His servants. That child is better off dead, so the cup of her iniquity will not overflow! Rep. Giffords passed laws trying to keep WBC watchers off the street corners. In repayment, God sent the shooter when she took to a street corner! The blood of the 9-year-old is on Rep. Giffords’ hands! This nation rejoiced & your officials were ho-hum when a violent veteran stalked 5 WBC picketers with 90 rounds of ammunition. In repayment, God sent the shooter with 90 rounds of ammunition & killed your federal judge, your child, & others. Now let’s see if you’re so ho-hum in the face of God’s wrath! The blood of these six dead is on your hands rebellious doomed-america! God’s judgments are so righteous & marvelous in our sight!
THANK GOD FOR HIS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS!
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(There are other news releases that I won't dignify by putting up here... you can read them on their site if you can stomach it... all equally terrible and hateful... some more so..)
Yes. You read that right.
These hateful people intend to demonstrate and picket the funeral of 9 year old Christina Taylor Green who was shot and killed this past Saturday in Tucson.
I can't even begin to give voice to the emotions that I feel when I think of what will happen at her funeral. I would most likely go to jail if I were to attend.
Speaking of attendees...
Who is flying into Tucson on the 13th?
That's right!
Now what better way to make a statement!
As much as I would like to go and support this little girl's family, I will not be attending. I offer my most sincere condolences to her family. And as I am sure they will have an outpouring of support from the community, I have 4 very compelling reasons to not attend...
1. Westboro baptist church will be there.
2. "He" will be there.
3. Tucson is already a very emotionally charged city right now in light of the recent immigration law, political events and figures, and this recent shooting. I think with those things and the WBC present will be tantamount to a powder keg with a lit fuse. Does anyone else see the possibility for civil unrest?
4. I don't believe in coincidence. All these things coming together at one time? Coincidence? Really?
Unfortunately, what should be a personal family matter, has tremendous potential to turn into a very dangerous situation. I sincerely hope and pray that this is not the case. For those of you who may be considering whether or not you might attend, I urge caution. Send a note or a donation. I'm sure it will be just as appreciated and you may avoid a serious situation.
Ironhorse