Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Shake · 05-12-2003, 07:22 AM

To protest at memorial service for Mr. Rogers.

While I don't agree with this statement:

Quote:

"Today, I have absolutely no question as to Mister Rogers' whereabouts," Ghubril said. "He is in the heavenly neighborhood after which he modeled his television neighborhood, and he is with the architect of that neighborhood, the one who gave shape to Mister Rogers' vision and fueled his passion."

I find the following shocking:

Quote:

A group of about a half dozen members of an anti-gay organization gathered at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Sixth Street to protest what they called Rogers' failure to condemn homosexuality. The group, which included an 8-year-old girl, held signs expressing their hatred of gays and, while standing on a torn American flag, their hatred of America.

...

The anti-gay group, members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, has a history of picketing at funerals of gays and those they accuse of being supportive of gays. It is led by Fred Phelps, a self-proclaimed minister and disbarred attorney. He was not present at the demonstration yesterday.

A wise choice by Phelps, not to be present. It's the political thing to do. Have some of your groups' members go, but don't show up yourself. It's a CYA action. But really [sarcasm]nice, having an 8-year-old there. Does she really realize what's going on?

Fortunately...

Quote:

The protesters were no match for the thankful sentiments, solemn and cheerful music and occasional bouts of hearty laughter inside Heinz Hall.

RIP, Fred Rogers.

hezekiah jones · 05-12-2003, 07:55 AM

We're not supposed to regard these losers as True Christians. But they say they are, which seems to be all it takes. So as far as I'm concerned, they're True Christians along with all the rest. Just goes to show "True Christian" barely means anything at all. And as for Jesus himself, he was a Jew.

quartodeciman · 05-12-2003, 08:38 AM

Phelps and the Westboro Baptist gang are just part of the current scene. They should be anticipated and prepared for by their targets. The best thing would be to IGNORE THEM totally. Groups anticipating a protest should circulate warnings in advance and circulate photos of the provocate signs in advance so participants in an event will be inoculated against them. They should be strongly advised to PAY NO HEED at all- don't even stop to stare. The Phelps/Westboro gang benefit from each angry confrontation and each news item. They are just like the smelly garbage cans and sacks sitting on the edge of the street waiting for collection. Just walk on by, look away and give them NONE of the recognition they so desire.

Bree · 05-12-2003, 08:40 AM

I didn't know Fred Rogers had anything to do with the condemnation (or not) of gays and lesbians. Was this something he actively took a stance on?

Spaz · 05-12-2003, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bree
I didn't know Fred Rogers had anything to do with the condemnation (or not) of gays and lesbians. Was this something he actively took a stance on?

Well from how I took it, what they seemed to be bitching about was that he said that everyone was good and worth something, instead of saying everybody's cool but the evil satanic homosexuals. They were bitching because he took no stance, when he should've told the kids the evils of homosexuality, and because they have the combined IQ of a trout.

beoba · 05-12-2003, 07:20 PM

I never knew he (Phelps) was disbarred, what'd he do? (Give all the juicy details please!

)

Radorth · 05-12-2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

We're not supposed to regard these losers as True Christians. But they say they are, which seems to be all it takes. So as far as I'm concerned, they're True Christians along with all the rest.

It's a great marvel how skeptics doubt everything a lousy Christian says, except "I am a Christian." Well as long as you're willing to agree Lenin and Stalin were following Marx' teachings, and everyone who says they take personal responsibility for their actions really does so, and everyone who hangs up a flag is a patriot, at least you can say your thinking is consistent.

Seems rather naive way of thinking to me.

Rad

Invader Tak · 05-12-2003, 08:08 PM

Grrr!

So those scumbags decided to show up after all.

I didn't go to the memorial, and probably a good idea too.

I know you're supposed to ignore them, but the make me so mad!!!

How dare they!

hezekiah jones · 05-12-2003, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by Radorth
It's a great marvel how skeptics doubt everything a lousy Christian says, except "I am a Christian."

I never said I doubt everything they say except "I am a Christian." The point is no one among the 30,000 denominations has ever been able to define what a True Christian� is, so in the meantime I'll just take their word for it, since as far as I'm concerned it's a completely superfluous and irrelevant claim anyway.

Whether these particular people claim to be Christians or not doesn't change the simple fact that they're despicable assholes. Conversely if Martin Luther King claims to be a Christian, it neither diminishes nor enhances his accomplishments.

Nice strawman though.

Originally posted by Radorth
Well as long as you're willing to agree Lenin and Stalin were following Marx' teachings ...

Well I don't.

Originally posted by Radorth
... and everyone who says they take personal responsibility for their actions really does so ...

I don't.

Originally posted by Radorth
... and everyone who hangs up a flag is a patriot ...

I don't.

Originally posted by Radorth
... at least you can say your thinking is consistent.

I don't.

Originally posted by Radorth
Seems [a] rather naive way of thinking to me.

I suppose it would, since you're basing this particular snide remark on strawmen and unwarranted assumptions.

Now if you'd actually like to make a point, please do.

wade-w · 05-12-2003, 08:53 PM

Stop trying to derail this thread.

05-12-2003, 08:38 AM	#3
quartodeciman Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: US Posts: 245	big deal! Phelps and the Westboro Baptist gang are just part of the current scene. They should be anticipated and prepared for by their targets. The best thing would be to IGNORE THEM totally. Groups anticipating a protest should circulate warnings in advance and circulate photos of the provocate signs in advance so participants in an event will be inoculated against them. They should be strongly advised to PAY NO HEED at all- don't even stop to stare. The Phelps/Westboro gang benefit from each angry confrontation and each news item. They are just like the smelly garbage cans and sacks sitting on the edge of the street waiting for collection. Just walk on by, look away and give them NONE of the recognition they so desire.

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05-12-2003, 07:55 AM	#2
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	We're not supposed to regard these losers as True Christians. But they say they are, which seems to be all it takes. So as far as I'm concerned, they're True Christians along with all the rest. Just goes to show "True Christian" barely means anything at all. And as for Jesus himself, he was a Jew.

05-12-2003, 08:40 AM	#4
Bree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 3,197	I didn't know Fred Rogers had anything to do with the condemnation (or not) of gays and lesbians. Was this something he actively took a stance on?

05-12-2003, 07:20 PM	#6
beoba Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 699	I never knew he (Phelps) was disbarred, what'd he do? (Give all the juicy details please! )

05-12-2003, 08:08 PM	#8
Invader Tak Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 244	Grrr! So those scumbags decided to show up after all. I didn't go to the memorial, and probably a good idea too. I know you're supposed to ignore them, but the make me so mad!!! How dare they!

05-12-2003, 08:16 PM	#9
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	Originally posted by Radorth It's a great marvel how skeptics doubt everything a lousy Christian says, except "I am a Christian." I never said I doubt everything they say except "I am a Christian." The point is no one among the 30,000 denominations has ever been able to define what a True Christian� is, so in the meantime I'll just take their word for it, since as far as I'm concerned it's a completely superfluous and irrelevant claim anyway. Whether these particular people claim to be Christians or not doesn't change the simple fact that they're despicable assholes. Conversely if Martin Luther King claims to be a Christian, it neither diminishes nor enhances his accomplishments. Nice strawman though. Originally posted by Radorth Well as long as you're willing to agree Lenin and Stalin were following Marx' teachings ... Well I don't. Originally posted by Radorth ... and everyone who says they take personal responsibility for their actions really does so ... I don't. Originally posted by Radorth ... and everyone who hangs up a flag is a patriot ... I don't. Originally posted by Radorth ... at least you can say your thinking is consistent. I don't. Originally posted by Radorth Seems [a] rather naive way of thinking to me. I suppose it would, since you're basing this particular snide remark on strawmen and unwarranted assumptions. Now if you'd actually like to make a point, please do.

05-12-2003, 08:53 PM	#10
wade-w Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Silver City, New Mexico Posts: 1,872	Stop trying to derail this thread.

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