Founder of Westboro Baptist Church, Rev. Fred Phelps Sr. Dies

[LongTomH]

52. I can only repeat George Takei's brilliant comment:

"I take no solace or joy in this man's passing. We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding "God Hates Freds" signs, tempting as it may be."

"He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many. Hate never wins out in the end. It instead goes always to its lonely, dusty end."

Please take note of the comments by Sue Hyde of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:

Sue Hyde, a staff member at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said plenty of churches and ministers preach a message that attacks gay people. But Phelps and his family had “taken this out on the streets,” forcing people to confront their own views and rousing a protective instinct in parents and friends of gays and lesbians.

“It’s actually a wonderful recruiting tool for a pro-equality, pro-social acceptance movement,” she said. “To the Phelps family, that is not particularly important or relevant. They are not there to save us. They are there to advise us that we are doomed.”

I've seen too much hatred from rightwing acquaintances, and even family members who have been twisted by 'conservative' talk show hosts like Beck and Limbaugh. I do not wish to add to the already destructive hatred and divisiveness afflicting our society.

No, I don't claim to be blameless in this myself.