by Aubrey Wahl
God hates “fags”, and God hates you! But we can’t say that; we can’t speak for a God. The Westboro Baptist Church thinks it can, however. The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is scheduled to visit and protest Bethesda-Chevy Chase High on Tuesday, November 10, at around 7:00 AM as you probably know.
Started in 1955 by Fred Phelps in Topeka, Kansas, the Westboro Baptist Church has committed much its time to protest funerals, schools, and public gatherings where the presence of “fags” is felt.
Now the definition of a “fag” comes to question. According to the WBC, “fag” is a contraction of “faggot”. A fag, “fuels the fires of nature, so does a sodomite fuel the fires of God’s wrath.” The WBC does not use “fag” in reference to gays, but instead as a general term for anyone who contradicts what they consider to be the word of god. Rest assured that we’re not putting words in the mouth of Fred Phelps or his cult. The WBC acknowledges the fact that its followers truly hate. In the FAQ (frequently asked questions) section of the WBC website, godhatesfags.com, one question reads, “Why do you preach hate?” part of the answer to which is ,”[b]ecause the Bible preaches hate.” Regardless whether you’re Gay, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, atheist, agnostic, or of any other faith or belief system not that of the WBC, the WBC says that you are a “fag”.
“But what did I do?” you may be asking yourself. You’re probably a perfectly fine, hardworking student, teacher, or all-around person. On the protest schedule section of the WBC website we find their reasoning:
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School – These brutes needs [sic] WORDS! 4301 East-West Highway What is the matter with these parents and adults who sit on the sidelines and allow this school to have a “Diversity Club” and a “GSA”? Do you think God does not see what is happening with you rebels? You are each and all in big trouble because you insist that we come and speak with you. SHAME!
What can we expect on Tuesday? If the WBC shows up, there will be no violence; that is against the church’s policy. The WBC is prohibited by law to enter campus grounds. The protesters will most likely congregate on the Pearl St. side of the school, just outside the parking lot. They are set to arrive at 6:55 AM, and will leave at 7:25. During that time, students at BCC will initiate a non-violent counter protest within school grounds. It is advised that students avoid speaking directly to or making physical contact with any of the protesters as it is has been suggested by representatives of the BCC GSA that they will sue for the slightest sue-able reason.
It must be remembered that even though, according to the followers of Westboro Baptists, we are brutes, they are people, too. Let’s not stoop down to their level on Tuesday.
Sources:
http://www.godhatesfags.com/faq.html
http://www.godhatesfags.com/written/wbcinfo/aboutwbc.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Story?id=4183635&page=2
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7072404.stm
Picture taken from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26806952@N08/4019168136/
