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?

Vile people.

I have seen a lot of people theorise that Fred Phelps never actually went over to the dark side, but was deliberately taking homophobia to such horrendous extremes so that it would be discredited. It is really the only explanation that makes sense (although I don't actually believe it).

They're scammers, that's all. Once people started to understand that they started to lose their power.
I think they have inadvertantly done some good, because people look at them and realise they don't want to be like that themselves.

Several of the young women of the church have left, including Megan Phelps who was high profile. This podcast she did with Sam Harris is fascinating www.samharris.org/blog/item/leaving-the-church/

I've often wondered if the WBC are part of sort of left winger conspiracy - they undermine the christian right so effectively! I'm gay and find their campaigns often hilarious. Having said that, they haven't picketed my child's funeral....

But to answer your question, yes OP, I think they do inadvertently do more good than harm.

Well it's an interesting philosophical question too - do we need to have evil in order to appreciate good?

Thanks for comments on this. Rightly or not I once showed my class of boys with Besd (behavioural emotional and social difficulties) some of the wbc literature during a lesson on sexuality. These were teenagers who found it difficult to show empathy and sometimes considered showing care for others as weak. But they were truly shockedat the carry on of the wbc. (Ill probably end up in the daily mail for that lesson! )

Yeah picketing children's funerals is very low and bizzare, but then so is announcing that 'God Hates Fags'!! If you really believe that Jesus was the son of God, Jesus loved everyone, unconditionally. I have never seen anything in the bible against being gay ever. They are just so full of hate, but yes, I guess hate and evil can make people want to show their love and goodnes.

Did you see the Keith Allen doc on them? Sorry if this's already been mentioned, I've only skim read the replies. Anyhow, it emerged the hobby daughter, who's always on the telly, herself had a child out of wedlock.
It's a great doc. Can't recall the name but its well worth a look.
Course, extremists like that do become a joke, a parody. And they certainly create rival unions of passionate people. I didn't know of the examples you gave. That's fantastic. Their picketing of funerals is so disgusting. And how they still have their kids god only knows. The Louis theroux documentary showed just how biblically illiterate they are, how they didn't understand what'fag' - their favourite term of abuse - meant, how they are ostracized and sometimes assaulted.
I find it appalling they have custody of their kids still. Even if I agreed with them. It's like taking babies to a riot, day in, day out.
If the reaction of those they've hurt has created good, that's great. But if there is a hell, I'm sure there's a special place reserved

No haven't seen that one, Myname, but will have a look for it. They fascinate my in a way as most organised religions, whatever our opinion of them, have at least some people they are kind to; Christian Aid, svdp, Samaritans purse are all religious charities, but wbc don't seem to like anyone! Even their own children. Yes it would be like taking kids to a riot, unnecessary and irresponsible. I think if we all get judged by what we have done on earth, then yes, it's going to be very hot where they're going.