Submitted by Charlton “Chuck” Stanley, Weekend Contributor
Fred Phelps son, Nathan Phelps, has reported on his Facebook page that his father, Fred Phelps, Sr. is near death in a Topeka KS hospital. Nathan himself has been estranged from his father and family for some time, and was “excommunicated” from the Westboro Baptist Church. What few people knew, apparently, was that Fred Phelps himself was excommunicated from the “church” he founded in August of last year.
The immediate family, in their usual mean-spirited style, will not let Nathan and other former members of their “church” have a last visit with the old man. Of course, all or almost all, current church members are immediate family themselves, so they are keeping his son and other descendants from seeing him before he passes.
Nathan reported the news last night on his Facebook page.
Nathan posted this:
Nathan Phelps
I’ve learned that my father, Fred Phelps, Sr., pastor of the “God Hates Fags” Westboro Baptist Church, was ex-communicated from the “church” back in August of 2013. He is now on the edge of death at Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made.
I feel sad for all the hurt he’s caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I’m bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes.
12 hours ago near Chestermere, Canada
Lauren Drain, who joined the “church” at age 15 when her father joined, was indoctrinated into their hate group, but was thrown out of the “church” about five years when she began to question their beliefs and behaviors. In an interview, she described a confrontation with Fred Phelps. Drain says that at some point, Phelps wanted to join the military and even started to attend West Point, but “something happened.”
“All I know is that he said he went to West Point, then all of a sudden he had a religious experience, and now he wanted to preach against sexual immorality, preach against the military, and ever since then things have kind of progressed.”
Drain went on to say that she thought his reaction to being asked by the media if he was gay himself was suspicious, in that it was particularly extreme.
“I never understood why, when [he was asked by the press], ‘Why are you so against the homosexuals? Did you have a homosexual experience? Do you have homosexual tendencies?’ And he would get so mad, he would shut down. And he’d be like, ‘I can’t talk to this person anymore, they’re stupid.’
“His reaction to that was stronger than any other question you can ask him. So I always wondered that — why does he get so mad? If I’m not gay, I’ll just say I’m not gay.”
Both Nathan and Lauren have become pro-LBGT activists. Lauren has posed for pictures and has become active in the NOH8 Campaign.
The primary source of news so far has been Nathan’s post to Facebook. As of this writing, there is no mention of Phelps’ condition on the church’s website, Twitter feed, or blog. Obviously, under HIPAA regulations, Midland Hospice House cannot release any information. Hemant Mehta has talked with Nate by phone, who confirmed his post to Facebook was legitimate.
Sources:
Raw Story
Daily Kos
Friendly Atheist
Pink News
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays or art are solely their decision and responsibility.
Pete: The act of quoting doesn’t make the quote being quoted true. It’s just the regurgitation of anonymously written myth.
Pete,
I think you’re right…. Lucifer worked for the man in charge at one time I hear….. So yep… You might have a point…. Didn’t say what kinda ever lasting life it’d be…..
Pete:
That might be true. Maybe God can send fred on an everlasting Snipe Hunt away from Heaven.
hate to point this out, but, read your bible folks. If you believe, then you’ve got a spot.
“Who so ever believeth in me shall not perish but have everlasting life”
Suggested Epitaph:
“Here Lies Fred Phelps. Fred Made Us All Haters: He Hated Everybody And We Hated Him For It. RIP”
The haters are out this fine Sunday.
The seat in hell next to Reagan is reserved for George H W Bush but there’s an empty chair next to Maggie Thatcher or Robert Lovett.
Bye.
One of the interesting things about Fred Phelps is that he started his career as a civil rights lawyer. He was originally from Meridian, MS, a small city located on I-20 near the Mississippi-Alabama state line. He got an appointment to attend West Point, but claimed later that after attending a revival meeting he decided to become a minister instead. He attended Bob Jones University in Arkansas for a short time. He later went to college at a bible institute. He got his law degree from Washburn University in 1964.
Phelps began doing civil rights work and won a number of lawsuits on behalf of black clients. He even won an award from the NAACP for his work.
He was disbarred after he sued a court reporter for not getting him a transcript when he wanted it. In the trial, he had her declared a hostile witness and cross examined her for a full week. During the cross, he called her a number of vile names, accused her of various sexual acts and tried to subpoena her boyfriend(s) to “prove” her sexual misconduct. He was disbarred by the Kansas bar for that, but was still allowed to practice in Federal courts.
That lasted until he made vile accusations against nine Federal judges. They filed a disciplinary complaint against him. That resulting in his permanent disbarment from Federal courts. Two of his kids were suspended, one for six months and one for a year.
Going after families, for any reason is indeed vile, annie. Always looking for places to agree. It takes an angry, evil person like Phelps to think that a family, particularly a grieving family, should EVER be the target of some demented person’s destructive rage.
Some people have an adventure of the mind that can be treated. Some call it meaness, or whatever choice makes their existence more meaningful – I’ll just close this chapter with the simple expression – l’m sorry for all involved !!
AY
I’m sure you’re righ on this. Many years ago I saw an interview on TV where the guest was a woman from this church. Whenever a question was posted to her she replied in a monotone almost semi-incoherently, like the stereotype of a brainwashed person one might see in a movie. It made me think of the original Manchurian Candidate film with the line:
“Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.”
Darren…. Too many family members waiting to take over….
I didn’t think the truly evil ever really died…. Do they?
Now I am seeing why Westboro Baptist hated deceased military personnel so ardently, with the Westpoint angle.
The nation would be better off if this church disbanded. Not even the Mafia would disrespect a funeral. I remember a couple of times when Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs were angered by the church’s actions. When OMGs and the Mafia are deploring an organization, that says a lot.
rafflaw
… Mr. Phelps has earned the scorn of any parent or family member of a fallen member of our military. Maybe he will have to answer for his intolerance when he transitions into whatever is next.
==================
Hate and love generate strange bedfellows:
(Hypothesis: The Cultural Amygdala – 4, formatting removed). That quote is from a U.S. General talking to a church congregation.
Rafflaw, yup, guilty as charged. 🙂
The protests at military members funeral holding up signs that stated vile things, no forgivness warrented. I’m human, if there is Divine retribution, he’ll be experiencing it soon.
He’s probably saved, but what a surprise he’s in for when he sees Jesus and finds out how very very wrong he was. We will all feel that way of course, but I’m glad he’s going away. He’s caused too much pain here on earth.
annie,
I detect a hint of sarcasm in your comment! 🙂
While I wish no one ill will, Mr. Phelps has earned the scorn of any parent or family member of a fallen member of our military. Maybe he will have to answer for his intolerance when he transitions into whatever is next.
If ever there was a person who deserved that “special place in hell” …
He will be sorely missed. What a loss to humanity.