We are all going to HELL ...
May 6th 2008 00:20
… except the Phelps family, the most hated family in America.
Clever and hilarious investigative journalist Louis Theroux lived with the extended Phelps family in Kansas, attended their Westboro Baptist Church, and listened to Fred Phelps, aka Gramps, the head pastor, preaching the angry Word of God. Very scary stuff!
On Australian ABC last night a documentary called The Most Hated Family in America started screening as I was about to go to bed. It caught me off guard and the evil angels on the screen enraptured me … but for all the wrong reasons. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. I hadn't heard of this man and his family before. I know truth is stranger than fiction (and the Austrian house of horrors is testament to that!), but this family of extremist, religious hate-mongers was something else. I was glued to the television (the Phelps family would be pleased to know).
Supposedly Fred Phelps had thirteen children, perhaps more; he refused to answer questions in direct relation to his family. All his children have children and they’ve all been indoctrinated into Gramps interpretation of the New Testament. In a cracked nutshell; essentially the world is screwed, but especially America. God is America’s terrorist and America – in particularly the troops stationed in Iraq - is being overwhelmed by homosexuality, or “fags” as the Phelps family like to have emblazoned on their picket banners.
They regularly stand on the side of the road or highway with their neatly inscribed banners and slogans held high: “God Hates Fags”, “USA = Fag Nation”, and “Thank God for Dead Soliders”. People driving by shout obscenities at them, give them the finger, and even throw objects at them (one of the younger Phelps grandchildren is pelted by a large slushie). But it gets worse, the Phelps family travel, in some cases interstate, to picket military funeral services. It’s so very wrong.
What’s most alarming, and ultimately disturbing, is the Phelps’ family’s moral intensity; their self-righteousness, arrogance, even smugness. When one of the teenaged daughters starts giggling as she tells reporter Louis Theroux that he’s going to Hell, she appears slightly unhinged. Admitting quite matter-of-factly that she has never dated, will never marry, and that she is on earth to do God’s business; a courtesy to everyone: telling them that God Hates America and everyone is going to Hell … except the Phelps family, of course.
At one point when Theroux is trying to fathom how they teach their children in these religiously askew diatribes the mother explains by turning to her five-year-old son and asks him, “What are you if you support fags?” The son replies emphatically, “You’re a dyke!” Theroux shakes his head in bewilderment. I did too.
When Theroux tries to get some serious answers from Gramps at the end of one of his sermons Gramps becomes agitated and defensive, the interview is over before it started. I’m amazed they allowed the film crew to hang around so long in the first place, with Theroux being so “impertinent” and all, but then it simply smacks of the Phelps family’s resolute arrogance. They know they are right and everyone else is wrong. They know they are hated by everyone (the kids have no friends, only acquaintances), and they prefer it that way as it proves they are doing God’s work properly.
The Phelps family has two websites; www.godhatesamerica.com and www.signsofthetimes.net. I’ve had a brief look at both and it is disturbing content. On the first site’s homepage is written (no doubt by Gramps): “God Hates America. This is a profound theological statement that any God-fearing person will recognize as truth. America is on a path to sure destruction, and there is no remedy available to Her anymore. She was once a great nation, like Sodom and Gomorrah, blessed with great propserity and power not before seen in the modern world. And, like Sodom and Gomorrah, she has spit in the face of God until His wrath has been brought down upon her with fierce anger.”
On the second homepage is written: “While there have been literally tens of thousands of news stories, editorials, and documentary pieces covering the street preaching ministry of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, nearly every one of them is inundated with fag media spin - that is to say, they all attempt, at some level, to vilify, demonize and marginalize the pure Bible perspective of this church. It is no surprise that, when it comes to Bible truth, there is no clear, accurate and objective reporting - all media is fag media - dominated and run by fags and their enablers. 'Hatemongers' is, however, one of the only documentary films that paints the tiny church in its true light, letting the voices of her members speak, without clouding the air with a fag-and-flag-worshipping slanted narration. It is perhaps the only true saga of this tiny New Testament church, her pastor, members and amazing, worldwide ministry.”
The nightmarish truth is just how deluded these people are and the lengths they are going to perpetuate this delusion, and teach it to their children, all in the safety of the Constitution's First Amendent. It’s probably one of the most psychologically cruel practices I’ve ever encountered.
Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church are banned in 40 States and recently got slapped with $2.9 million in compensatory damages and a further $8 million in punitive damages for protesting the funeral of a military figure in the state of Maryland. The jury was asked to pick an amount that says “Don’t do this in Maryland again. Don’t bring your circus of hate to Maryland again.” But that’s only one battle in an ongoing war, although for how long? The Phelps family believes the world is entering into the Last Days. So Armageddon must be just around the corner then.
The Most Hated Family in America is a real modern horror story.
Here's Louis Theroux experiencing a Fred Phleps sermon and trying to get some questions answered:
And for a little extra, here's Australian opportunist Anna Corrin interviewing Fred Phelps and Australia "Land of the Sodom Damned":
The inquisitive Louis Theroux
Supposedly Fred Phelps had thirteen children, perhaps more; he refused to answer questions in direct relation to his family. All his children have children and they’ve all been indoctrinated into Gramps interpretation of the New Testament. In a cracked nutshell; essentially the world is screwed, but especially America. God is America’s terrorist and America – in particularly the troops stationed in Iraq - is being overwhelmed by homosexuality, or “fags” as the Phelps family like to have emblazoned on their picket banners.
What’s most alarming, and ultimately disturbing, is the Phelps’ family’s moral intensity; their self-righteousness, arrogance, even smugness. When one of the teenaged daughters starts giggling as she tells reporter Louis Theroux that he’s going to Hell, she appears slightly unhinged. Admitting quite matter-of-factly that she has never dated, will never marry, and that she is on earth to do God’s business; a courtesy to everyone: telling them that God Hates America and everyone is going to Hell … except the Phelps family, of course.
At one point when Theroux is trying to fathom how they teach their children in these religiously askew diatribes the mother explains by turning to her five-year-old son and asks him, “What are you if you support fags?” The son replies emphatically, “You’re a dyke!” Theroux shakes his head in bewilderment. I did too.
The Very Scary Fred Phelps
The Phelps family has two websites; www.godhatesamerica.com and www.signsofthetimes.net. I’ve had a brief look at both and it is disturbing content. On the first site’s homepage is written (no doubt by Gramps): “God Hates America. This is a profound theological statement that any God-fearing person will recognize as truth. America is on a path to sure destruction, and there is no remedy available to Her anymore. She was once a great nation, like Sodom and Gomorrah, blessed with great propserity and power not before seen in the modern world. And, like Sodom and Gomorrah, she has spit in the face of God until His wrath has been brought down upon her with fierce anger.”
Some of the Phelps extended family and Westboro Baptist Church members
The nightmarish truth is just how deluded these people are and the lengths they are going to perpetuate this delusion, and teach it to their children, all in the safety of the Constitution's First Amendent. It’s probably one of the most psychologically cruel practices I’ve ever encountered.
Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church are banned in 40 States and recently got slapped with $2.9 million in compensatory damages and a further $8 million in punitive damages for protesting the funeral of a military figure in the state of Maryland. The jury was asked to pick an amount that says “Don’t do this in Maryland again. Don’t bring your circus of hate to Maryland again.” But that’s only one battle in an ongoing war, although for how long? The Phelps family believes the world is entering into the Last Days. So Armageddon must be just around the corner then.
The Most Hated Family in America is a real modern horror story.
Here's Louis Theroux experiencing a Fred Phleps sermon and trying to get some questions answered:
And for a little extra, here's Australian opportunist Anna Corrin interviewing Fred Phelps and Australia "Land of the Sodom Damned":
| 245 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
I really liked the filmmaker though, Louis Theroux, he's fantastic and it's a credit to him that he didn't run away screaming half the time!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
David, yes, the expressions Theroux would occasionally give the camera were priceless.
Cibby, you'd love it. Perhaps ABC will bring it out on DVD ... Or re-screen it at a later date.
Comment by the world of gaye
batty
Family Madness
bright lights greedy city
REFLECTIONS
THE WINDMILLS OF MY MIND
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
That said, they were out of control. Shirley gives new meaning to the word "shrew" and Gramps is the most narcissistic nitwit that ever did preach about anything.
The only reason they "preach" the way they do is because they want people to hate them so they can play the 'see we are being persecuted, this means we are true Christians" card.
Well I won't play into their hands. To Shirley, Gramps and all your brainwashed offspring: I Love You, I Love You, I Love You!
Guess that means you're coming to hell along with me?
But did anyone else giggle over their Liz Taylor and Diana "fag lover" placards? I mean really, how much time do these people have AND WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR MONEY?
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Oh, and set Safran on them.
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
Jack's Back
Comment by Ombi
Comment by Damo
I think that they offer the media a circus and the media lives off that too. They may make documentaries and news stories about them but they do so only to stir up passions.
When it gets down to it they are only 50 or so people seeking attention as do many Cults.
The fact that they choose the most controversial mixture of subjects may be no accident for Rev Phelps. Is just playing the hate card to get attention.
In 80's and 90's it was the Orange People now it is the Wesborough Church.
My assessment of them is here: Really Long Link
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Ahmed
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Contrary to popular belief they have a very close knit family with no abuse or dastardly things happening of any sort.
Which perfectly falls inline with their particular flavour of extremism, it's a pity they never did put that documentary on air.
I think tLouis Theroux delibrately went out to paint them as nothing but crazed lunatics. I don't personally think it's a good idea to give biased reporting of people no matter who they are.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I love the way Denton never talks down to the people he interviews, although I remember reading some reviews that criticised him for being too gentle with them.
But unlike Theroux, Denton knows that you can't "talk sense" into such people, they believe what they say they believe and talking down to them is only going to make them defensive and angry. But Denton is an expert on bringing out the human side of people and showing us why they believe what they do.
Theroux's doco just gave me no insight into what makes Shirley tick, after an hour I was none the wiser as to her motivations...he handles the teenage girls a bit better though...i think given a bit more time, he just may have cracked them. Poor girls...you can only hope that some of them will follow in their sister's footsteps and "fall away".
That scene where the kid gets hit with the slushie was devastating.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
These mongrel hatemongers, starting from "gramps" down, have consistantly debased the spirit of the Gospels, like a lot of equally twisted Moslems are doing to the Koran today, and then passed this onto their naive, brainwashed and ignorant children.
Surely, no humane and logical person could defend what they do? Bigots and sociopaths would be the only ones to either; argue for support of their 'ideals', or dilute criticism of their loathsome behaviour.
No normal person could POSSIBLY deny that this is a disgusting form of abuse of innocent kids, gays, soldiers, and their families?
The good thing is, they are so over the top, so twisted and vile and ignorant, they are laughable!
fog
Comment by Louie
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I watched this one last night, I'm a massive Louis Fan and have the first two seasons of his original show in the collection. It was interesting to see that where as he used to be curious and empathetic enough to earn his subjects trust here he was a little more like Ruby said "Antagnistic."
Still Louis came through with an interesting and disturbing examination of an alternate reality.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Bethany
Sadly, as an American, I hear about them a lot. I have a friend in Iraq (he should be headed home soon, YAY!), and we're both pretty surprised that Phelp's family members haven't been seriously hurt while protesting military funerals- I can honestly say that mixing anger with that kind of grief is just aching for violence. I wouldn't be surprised, in fact, if Phelps weren't hoping for it so he could claim religious oppression.
When I first visited his site, I didn't believe it was real. I couldn't- for three years I insisted he was part of some deep satire.
Ugh. Now I'm mad.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
I want to watch this. I also kind of want to buy one of those soldier shirts! Haha. Crazy stuff.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Andrew Denton would have been gold...
Comment by Anonymous
Now, Theroux, if he himself is going to get to the next level, must drop the one note Harry
Potter pose, leave his life long gig at the
state run propaganda arm BBC ---and turn those cameras on the belief system of hsi
own 'hidden masters' ----EUGENICS.