AIBU to think Westboro Baptist church have done more good than harm? warning TRIGGERS

[paulapompom]

Westboro Baptist 'church' www.godhatesfags.com, basically hate everyone who is not them. They show vile behaviour, particularly towards gay people but also soldiers,women children - evreveryone. HOWEVER their outrageous behaviour has caused many people to offer support for others, that seems to break down barriers.

For example WBC wanted to picket a childs funeral in the usa, the local Hells Angels gathered to support the child's family and form a peaceful cordon around the funeral.

The people who own the house opposite the WBC have painted their house rainbow striped in support of gay rights, They themselves are straight but want to show support.

I know they are trying to hurt people but AIBU to think a lot of good comes from their hatred?

[MrsHathaway]

I see what you mean, but I'm not convinced.

I'm not sure that they haven't driven people to misery if not suicide with their hateful campaigning.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Cohesive groups frequently need a common enemy. You're right about that.

However, I think we are safe to say that that don't get credit for a clearly unintended consequence.

[paulapompom]

Mrs H - I know, They are vile, I feel they are now becoming a joke, but previously I know they have tried to torment people.

[paulapompom]

Fair enough Mrs T. I get very soppy when I see communities coming together, but yes Wbc shouldn't get credit for anything good, the kind acts are carried out by ordinary people.

[OwlinaTree]

No, they are the most offensive thing I have ever seen. The communities they effect would be better served not having them and their deliberately provocative behaviour anywhere near them.

[SquareStarfish]

I'm surprised nobody/a group hasn't just killed a load of them really. They are some of the most vile people on the planet.

[FuckOffPeppa]

I have to say, if it was my child's funeral, while I would be grateful that the local Hells Angels were helping out, the extra stress and worry caused would definitely be more harmful than anything

[TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet]

Peace and love to all

[ollieplimsoles]

I hate the wbc with a passion. I hate the way they hide behind their constitutional right to free speech to hurt people. I also hate that they are basically a family of lawyers, so what ever happens to them they can worm their way out of it because they know legal loopholes.

But what I hate the most is the way they force those vile placards that say 'god hates fags' into the hands of children as young as five, make them stand on a street corner peddling their hateful message...

I cant wait til the whole family are eradicated, I just wish they would stop breeding...

[DoJo]

Fred Phelps had been a hugely respected civil rights activist and during his law career he dramatically challenged the Jim Crow laws by taking on cases of racial discrimination all over Kansas. Not sure what flipped him towards being a total and utter bastard instead, but he was clearly a man with great charisma which he used for good and bad over his lifetime.

[paulapompom]

I think the fact that most people rise above their shit makes them furious. I bet they would love to be attacked to try and claim some moral high ground. I think there was an attack on the 'church' but don't think anyone was hurt.

Interesting to see what others think. My dds think the bad far outweighs the good with this lot.

[kissmethere]

I see your point but they do make their members lives a misery too I imagine.
Not everyone can be onboard with their madness can they?

[paulapompom]

Dojo, I never knew that. Some people have hinted that he may have developed a same sex relationship during military service, don't know if this is true. I wonder if the children will start to see past all this hatred as they grow up.

[paulapompom]

Kissme - it does seem like shared madness! I would guess that any one with a different (sane ) view is ostracized by the family.

[JohnAllmanUK]

And then you go and spoil it all like saying something stupid like "God hates you"

(song parody aimed at WBC)
johnallmanuk.wordpress.com/2015/07/28/westboro/
:-)

[GeneParmesan]

The wbc is mostly made up of Fred Phelps' family, very few outsiders have joined. Several of his children and grandchildren have left already, I can't see them lasting really.

[GeneParmesan]

But yes, their behaviour is despicable, there is no point trying to engage/reason with them. They need to be ignored unless they're doing something illegal.

[paulapompom]

We can only hope its the beginning of the end for them. Love the parody of their parodies John! Excellent.

Here's a thought... have social care (sorry don't know what they are called in USA, child protective services? ) ever got involved? As earlier pp said, They do make small children demonstrate and carry hateful placards, that's abusive surely?

[CaoNiMa]

I've given a lot of thought to Fred Phelps over the years and the only conclusion I can come to in explaining his hatred is that he's deeply and pathologically closeted.

[iklboo]

To WBC leaders: 'If God hates fags, where does he stand on vaping?' (Innocent look, head on one side)

[RunnerHasbeen]

I actually agree, I think they are so ridiculous and extreme that they hold a mirror up to your more moderate right wing homophobe. A bit like Al Murray did to UKIP.

There does appear to be a very confident US Christian voice against abortion, for example, but gay rights have been steaming on. I don't think public figures, even of the Fox news variety, want to risk Fred Phelps supporting them so stay relatively quiet.

[woolymum]

but OP, to say that implies that the hells angel group would never act kindly if it was not for WBC, and are you saying that the people opposite would not be supportive of gay rights without their influence?

nope, these people would have had their views/kindness anyway. the only thing WBC do perhaps is provide public opportunities for the exisiting kind spirit to show through. the torment and pure nasty that they bring to the world far exceeds any "benefit". the damage they do and the deliberate misery to people already suffering is dreadful.

i would happily paint my house rainbow shades if i lived opposite, but not living opposite or having them in my life hasn't prevented me from teaching my dc to be tolerant and kind to all other humans IYSWIM

[paulapompom]

Hi woolymum, first off I know Hells Angels do lots of good, but it's rarely reported afaik, whereas Westboro do make headlines. But I do take the points that you make, it's not right that people should HAVE to make a stand against hatred, that's what my dds say also.
I know lots if us encourage tolerance and acceptance as the norm.

[GloGirl]

If 10 people wanted to picket my child's funeral I'm sure it could not make me feel any worse than I did already.

If 10000 came out to support me and stand up against those 10 people it would be a good thing.

But ultimately it would always be a distraction that I should not have to go through.

No I don't think that the evil if the WBC is a good thing just because it highlights the good in everyone else.

[woolymum]

i would love it if they never got any more air time and just fizzled out, but it is a shame it will never happen.