Before Someone Drops a House on You

Last updated on: March 20, 2014 at 1:21 pm by Erin Wathen

Before Someone Drops a House on You 2014-03-20T13:21:23-07:00 Erin Wathen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve long had a theory about Fred Phelps: He didn’t really hate gay people.

Well, ok, he probably did. But not to the degree that his antics would lead one to believe. He was probably homophobic in the same way that a lot of people are homophobic…in a passive way that is mildly accepted by much of popular culture (which is a whole ‘nother post) but you don’t see all of those mainstream haters pounding the pavement with these ugly signs, and forming an abusive cult around their ideology. What set this lawyer/pastor apart from the rest of his ilk? My theory is that, long ago, he found a platform that got him into the public eye in a big and distinctive way. And he ran with it.

What was his motive? Fame? Power? Money? I could not even field a guess. And I am fully willing to admit that I might be wrong. Like I said, this is just a theory. A what if…

And IF I’m right… Does that make his behavior somehow ok? Or at least better? Hecks no. His words and actions were deplorable, whatever their intent. But what it does point to is this truth: hate, whether real or contrived, is magnified when you give it air time.

I’ve been proud of the many church folks and friends around me calling for a gracious nod to this man’s passing, and not a loud and hateful protest–as he would have produced. I wholeheartedly agree. This is a chance for true Christian witness to rise above the rhetoric of a vocal minority with hate in their hearts. Send love in that general direction, and let’s be done with it.

Except…then, can we really be done with it?

Anyone can call themselves a Church. But the Westboro folks are not so much a church as they are a family. One family, with maybe a few friends and second cousins come to sit for dinner. If the media machine will stop following them around and sharing the LATEST HORRIBLE THING that they are plotting, (are we really supposed to still be surprised?) then they will just drift away on the wind.

I mean…without cable news and social media, would YOU have ever heard of them?

My friend Lara once said that the WB crowd–and others like them–are like Voldemor…. (Sorry! He who Shall Not Be Named!)The more you say their name, the more power they acqure.

So…I reckon a bit of sacred silence around this man’s life and passing would not be the worst thing in the world.

Even for those dancing a little “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” jig right about now, I’ll remind us all… the spirit of hate is still alive and well in the world. Lest we forget…he was always, ever, only one man. Granted, he was a loud one. But still, just a person. Tragically flawed and misguided, to be sure. But whether it is contrived for publicity and book sales, or at work in the hearts of angry people, the hate that tortured him still moves among us. We can answer it with love, and then walk on by.

It need not always be the headline.

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you.

Being a Person

fred phelps

kansas

progressive christianity

spirituality

westboro baptist

Previous Post

March 19, 2014

Singing in Dimly Lit Places: Is Religious Freedom Under Threat?

Next Post

March 27, 2014 Buzzfeed Your Soul: Which Whatever Are You?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category a good week for progress Advent and Christmas Being a Person desert life faith and community Good News for Progressives Lent and Easter Marriage and Family S*^! Jesus Says sabbatical road tripping Spirituality in Culture Talking to Strangers the "Best Stuff I Ever Ate" diet travel Uncategorized writing Writing Prompt Wednesday

Select a Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 February 2011 July 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Moses do after breaking the tablets?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Destroyed the calf Fasted for 30 days Left the camp Returned to Sinai for new tablets