Fred Phelps is dead.

[frigidmagi]

CNN

Fred Phelps -- the founding pastor of a Kansas church known for its virulently anti-gay protests at public events, including military funerals -- has died, the church said Thursday.

The 84-year-old died of natural causes at 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to church spokesman Steve Drain.

Well, at least he can't hurt anyone any more. I can't say I have the least regret for his passing, although I do have a nagging sensation that I should. But...

I'm gonna be blunt.

He was a bully and a brute. An abusive father, a man who used his knowledge of the law to harass and bully others, who had no respect for the dignity of anyone and most galling of all decided to cover the fact that he was unable of any emotion besides bitterness and loathing by proclaiming himself unquely blessed by God. I cannot no matter how hard I try think of one redeeming thing to say about him. Not one word. While I cannot say he was the worse of humanity (after all has far as I know he never murdered or raped) but he certainly stands as an example of a life devoted to the worse we can be.

This man wasted his life completely and utterly, any good results from his existence will almost certainly be in spite of his best efforts. He did this willfully and with intent. I cannot even call his life a tragedy, because that would elevate it beyond what he has earned.

I don't think there's anything left to say.

[rhoenix]

He was a man who preached hatred, fear, and intolerance.

As someone who doesn't value those things, I will simply wish his memory and his family peace and blessings.

[B4UTRUST]

I cannot no matter how hard I try think of one redeeming thing to say about him. Not one word.

Phelps earned a law degree from Washburn University in 1964, and founded the Phelps Chartered law firm.[18] The first notable cases were related to civil rights. "I systematically brought down the Jim Crow laws of this town," he claims.[9] Phelps' daughter was quoted as saying, "We took on the Jim Crow establishment, and Kansas did not take that sitting down. They used to shoot our car windows out, screaming we were nigger lovers," and that the Phelps law firm made up one-third of the state's federal docket of civil rights cases.[19]

Phelps took cases on behalf of African-American clients alleging racial discrimination by school systems, and a predominantly black American Legion post which had been raided by police, alleging racially based police abuse.[20] Phelps' law firm obtained settlements for some clients.[21] Phelps also sued President Ronald Reagan over Reagan's appointment of a U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, alleging this violated separation of church and state. The case was dismissed by the U.S. district court.[21][22] Phelps' law firm, staffed by himself and family members also represented non-white Kansans in discrimination actions against Kansas City Power and Light, Southwestern Bell, and the Topeka City Attorney, and represented two female professors alleging discrimination in Kansas universities.[19]

In the 1980s, Phelps received awards from the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Blacks in Government and the Bonner Springs branch of the NAACP, for his work on behalf of black clients.[21]

Apparently at one point in his life he did do some good, however briefly. However the pain, suffering and abuse wrought by this man and his family far outweigh any redeeming qualities he may have once had. Overall, nothing of value has been lost with his death and his passing shall not be mourned.

[Steve]

What happened to that man, I wonder, that warped him toward hatred?

[Josh]

What happened to that man, I wonder, that warped him toward hatred?

People can have both all along, be incredibly compassionate and understanding in one area and utterly hateful in another. It's probably as simple as that in his interpretation black folk are god's chilluns like any other, whereas gays are abominations bringing down the wrath of the heavens on us all.

[LadyTevar]

I do find it odd that his family refuses to have a funeral service for him. I expect they are afraid of reaping what they sown.

I myself am not a nice person, so I freely admit to an extra spring in my step and a smile on my face because the old bastard is dead. My Christian upbringing just knows the hate he preached sent him straight down to Hell, right beside all the other men who used religion for their own ends.
Nope, I'm not a nice person at all, when the thought of him reaping his just desserts makes me smile.

[Josh]

Yeah, I thought about how if anybody deserves to rot in hell it's a guy who wished it on so many others.

But I also utterly abhor the entire concept of hell and eternal torture, so I'm just content with his current state of no longer existing.

[B4UTRUST]

I do find it odd that his family refuses to have a funeral service for him. I expect they are afraid of reaping what they sown.

The oddness, I suppose, depends on how you read the 'truth' in the matter. His estranged son Nate said he was excommunicated(Nate left the church years ago himself), while the official WBC line is that they 'don't do funerals or memorials for any church members as they don't worship the dead in this church.'

You can take this as yes there would probably be a funeral otherwise but we kicked his ass out for trying to promote a 'kinder, gentler approach' to dealing with other church members. Or you could take it as they just don't do funerals(maybe they have been to enough while living?). You could also do a reading between the lines thing and take the 'don't do funerals' bit as 'we don't do funerals because we don't want them picketed'. Which is probably true.

I wonder how many people are standing in the streets around the WBC compound anyway with 'God Hates Phelps' signs?

[General Havoc]

Good riddance.

[LadyTevar]

Ok, story that Nitram told me, regarding the "Excommunication"

This is NOT Confirmed... but SUPPOSEDLY... he was excommunicated on his deathbed because he was DYING. The Chosen do not Die, you see, they are lifted bodily up to Heaven still alive.

[Steve]

Wow, that's taking Calvinism beyond extreme.