Christians: Why do you abide the Westboro Baptist Church?

Just like the "moderate" Muslims quietly support the terrorists, "moderate" Christians quietly support the Westboro nuts.

This is not the public face of "Christian homophobia" as you claim. This group is so far outside of the norm of Christianity it isn't even on the radar and I believe you probably know that. This "church" is a small group of haters, mostly related to Mr. Phelps who band together calling themselves "Primitive Baptists". There is no such affiliation with any known Baptist denomination, by the way.

If you are trying to imply that mainline Christianity is somehow in agreement with these supposed "Christians" you are greatly in error. I know of no true believers and followers of Jesus Christ who do anything less than hate was is promoted at that so called "church". Even Jerry Fallwell referred to Fred Phelps as a "nut case". If you need proof of the Christian opposition to these people, check out the links below:

http://www.eauk.org/media/westboro-statement.cfm

http://liveprayer.com/ddarchive3.cfm?id=3711

http://www.therefinersfire.org/challenging_pastor_...

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14918/the-deplorab...

These responses by the Christian community are just a few that I could find quickly. They are all over the web if you are really interested in seeing how Christians of all varieties respond to Mr. Phelps ideas. You are wrong for implying that Christians are not speaking out. But somehow I think you know that.

Your statements are a not so subtle attempt to produce guilt by association when there is no association.

I don't think Westboro have the right to say and do such hateful things. Much in the same way my right to wave my right hand in the air stops when your nose starts. If they were in Australia they would be in gaol by now.

Anyway, I think in America the laws are far more liberal (read 'freedom of speach' centrist) as opposed to socialist Australia, among other countries, and there fore they are unable to do anything about Westboro Baptist there if they wanted to. That, and Fred Phelps is a lawyer.

Who says they don't?

All the Christians I know think they are vile.

Edit:

Watch "Fall From Grace" it's all about the Felps clan and the Westboro Baptist Church. There's Christians speaking out against them in that film.

It might have something to do with not wanting to give them any more time in the spotlight than is absolutely necessary. They came to our town once and the outrage that resulted made headlines, which is exactly what the WBC wants.

BTW, I think they DO speak on behalf of many Baptists who feel the same way they do but aren't brave enough to say it out loud. I'm not talking about picketing funerals, I'm talking about having the same basic hatred for gay people.

It's unfair for you to assume that all Christians support this group, because they don't.

They are a disgrace to those who follow Jesus' teachings & long for an eternal life with Him.

Just the name of their website makes me want to puke.

Oh my friend I have spoken out against them many times. I also have contacted them, to show them how HORRIBLE they are representing Jesus. Guess what, no response. God will judge them in the end, with much better justice than any of us could bring. Please do not compare their "christianity" which is none at all, with the true Christians who live out the love of Christ.

The WBC is using the name of Jesus in vain...they are not christian...they are a hater group using the name of Jesus.

I don't abide in anyone but God

I have to tolerate them because there is nothing I can do about them, but I am on record many times in this forum denouncing them as a disgrace to the name of Christ. Believe me, I wish they didn't exist.

What?

Are you paying attention?

They are a very small, thoroughly misguided misrepresentation of Christianity, and those who oppose Christianity seem to pay more attention to them than Christians.