‘God Hates Fags’ Church Founder Fred Phelps Reportedly Near Death

Fred Phelps is reportedly near death. The 84-year old founder of the Westboro Baptist Church — which uses the term “God Hates Fags” as an integral part of their messaging — according to his estranged son Nathan, “is now on the edge of death.”

Nathan Phelps writes in a Facebook post early today that his father “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.

The congregation of Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church was mostly comprised of family members, but now many of those have now left the Church.

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The organization itself has been deemed a certified anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. A 2007 BBC documentary, The Most Hated Family in America, shed light on the Phelps family, and was followed by the 2011 sequel, Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family in America in Crisis.

The Westboro Baptist Church, under Fred Phelps direction, for decades has picketed the funerals of LGBT people, U.S. service members, and popular culture icons.

The WBC’s website, GodHatesFags.com describes the Church and their mission:

Established in 1955 by Pastor Fred Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) of Topeka, Kansas still exists today as an Old School (or, Primitive) Baptist Church. We adhere to the teachings of the Bible, preach against all form of sin (e.g., fornication, adultery [including divorce and remarriage], sodomy), and insist that the sovereignty of God and the doctrines of grace be taught and expounded publicly to all men. These doctrines of grace were well summed up by John Calvin in his 5 points of Calvinism: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.

…

WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS, FAG TROOPS, GOD BLEW UP THE TROOPS, GOD HATES AMERICA, AMERICA IS DOOMED, THE WORLD IS DOOMED, etc.

Veteran LGBT activist David Mixner shared his thoughts on Twitter:

If Fred Phelps should pass away,REMEMBER it is important not to sink to his level with anger glee or hatred We are above that as a community

— David Mixner (@DavidMixner) March 16, 2014

 

Image: Screenshot of Fred Phelps in Westboro’s 2011 video God H8s, modeled after photographer Adam Bouska’s extremely successful NoH8 campaign.

Previously:

‘God Hates Fags’ Hacked After Promising Picket At Scene Of CT School Shooting

On 9/11, God Hates Fags Protests At Ground Zero (Photo)

God Hates Fags Actually Protested At Geraldine Ferraro’s Funeral