Over
the years, I have found that many a person has this strange idea
when it comes to the Pagan faiths. It as if, you know as soon as one converts,
they [the pagan] are thrown back to the middles ages. People have
this rather quirky notion that pots and pans turn into wands and
broomsticks, that tables and chair turning to sacrificial altars and
stone circles. At best, many people think that once one devotes themselves
to the God and Goddess, reality bleeds away is magically replaced
with Hogwarts schools and Weasly like houses. At worse, they believe that
our God and Goddess are just whores, or the Christian devil.
With this miniblog series, it is my hope to not only document my time growing as a Pagan, but to address these and many more
misunderstood concepts so that we will be see as people. We are not
the demons some people try to make us out to be.
Special thanks toJennifer Arend for giving me the heads up. Stay strong and awesome sister!
Back in my day, which is surprisingly not that long ago, journalism meant something. It was a group of people and organizations that worked hard to seek out the truth of a story and report on it. Opinions where kept to talk shows, and fast (actual facts) where presented with out political influence. Sites like policofacts really wasn't needed because reporters where ready to fact check the hell out of everything. But now a days? Not so much. Now a days, we have idiots on NBC (or what ever BC it was) making the absolutely rubbish claims that Normans where nothing more than sex crazed prostitutes. Seriously man, you're not Bill O'reilly, stick to reporting on facts, and facts that can actually be backed up. (Protip: We know where the moon and waves come from)
So what's the point of today's post? Well, it seems our darling Fox News is up to some silly crap again. Meet me past the break to share my surprise.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist
“church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other
religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also
known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen
service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special
section created for the WBC Cult Exposed we will explore their
hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they
truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
By the Earth Mother, how long has it been since I last sat down and wrote one of these? Must have been at least a couple of months, at the very least. Maybe it's been work that has been keeping me away? Work has been killer with the amount of hours I needed to put into it, many of them off the clock. This or that has been breaking down will this person or that has been causing more problems then good. Maybe it's been my personal life; no never mind I don't have one. Maybe it's just that the WBC really hasn't done anything worth writing about? Sure they still protest funeral and blow more hot air than a balloon, but what's new? They have been doing the same tired crap now for years and it's getting easier and easier to tune out. The WBC just isn't that important anymore. However this coming week changed everything, what is it you wonder? Was it some photoshopped protest? Saying the 1st amendment had holes in it... in Canada? Claiming to be in the UK when they are banned from the country?No, it's something even better!
The Westboro Baptist Church (or
WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance
against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles
their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest
activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular
people. In this special section created for the WBC Cult Exposed we
will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose
them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for
personal power.
Not to long ago, this little blogger issued a contest of shorts to the
folks of the Westboro Baptist Church. If you are blissfully unaware of
what these things… er people are, then you are one lucky person
While spending my off hours trolling the WBC (can it be
considered trolling?), the email for the cult was posted on their
twitter account. AWESOME! I thought, I could pose my Q&A again
without the need to shorten it. Well I got an email back, and not
surprisingly it's something I would expect from a second grader.
Nathan "Nate" Phelps (born November 1958) is an author, speaker on religion and child abuse, and an LGBT advocate. The seventh child of Pastor Fred Phelps, Phelps has been estranged from the majority of his family since his 18th birthday.Phelps
has since declared himself an atheist. He is known for his open
criticism of the Westboro Baptist Church through literature, interviews,
public speaking at atheist conventions and his website. He states that
his father abused him and the other Phelps children and believes that
the church is an organization for his father to "vent his rage and
anger." Today I am now happy to present part one of the email Q&A I
had with Nate Phelps, otherwise known as the No H8 Phelps.
Our words are also not free floating, easily said then quickly
forgotten. Our words can linger on in people and thought, or even echo
forever in the ages. Like what is said about the internet, once you say
something it is more than likely recorded somewhere. Today’s edition
deals with language in a much different way than the previous “God H8’s”
series. In such previous titles we explored how their main message of
each video was hateful and… well crap. In today’s edition I want to
return to their previous video and twitter postings to explore the items
we might have missed. You know, the little things they let slip that
gives hint to just how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Shirley, along with other female members of her "church", preached
about a Jewish video that taught America's how to murder the WBC. While
many, myself included, would call their religious and political views
extreme, making a movie for the purposes of "Idiot's Guide to killing
WBC"... is a bit much. I was also curious that it was Jewish in nature.
You would think a people who have suffered A LOT would turn their nose to such actions. The video in question is the trailer for a new fictional movie is called God Bless America (2012). A how to guide for killing the WBC? Wut?!?
Welcome to another addition of ramblings of a normal guy. This is my
special column, where I go off on wild rants complaining about the things
that happen and effect my (and ours) every day life. Because of the
excessive amounts of stupidity that will be featured, a large amount of
inappropriate language will most likely be used. Also expect a large
helping of calling out and "I don't give a crap". Rated M for mature,
and read at your own risk.
So before we do this, I need to get a few things straight;
As many of you know by now, I have this growing desire to be pat of and participate in the human rights moment. Why? Because... well it's just not right how humans treat each other. It's deplorable really. The color of one's skin should not dictate social standing, just like who one's love shouldn't get them chained to a car and dragged to death. Seriously, how could anyone thing this is ok to do? How the fuck could anyone think it's ok to kill another because they are gay? All people are equal, all people have the right to life and all people have the right to love. No "god", no bullshit religion, and no book could nor should ever take that away. And no, being gay doesn't lead to bestiality. So it was probably because of this belief, that I was asked to write a essay for gay marriage. Sure, no big there!Yet confident in my choose, a bit of iffyness hits me. It can be best described as doing something you know is right, but also knowing it isn't going to be pretty. As I'm sitting here formulating how I'm going to write this, my brain box races with different ways this will all play out. The purpose of this rambling is to open eyes, not a bitch fest.*1 I happen to know a few people who are very religious, one happens to be a great friend. I want to go about this to show that gay marriage really isn't this horrid thing, not do anything to offend his beliefs. Can I actually do this?
Another point I want to make before I begin in this; when one uses the bible to make arguments about anything of a (non)religious nature, a certain mind set is present. The bible is a two thousand old year old book that many believe is without question or suspect. Within the pages, such people say that nothing is subject to interpretation, nothing is in need of being "updated" to current times and nothing is in need of editing in, out or changed. The bible is a book said to have divine inspiration, and as such should not be held to any mortal law or thought. Each person should and MUST have the right to believe in what they hold true, even if we and others think them batshit insane. While I may find much of Christianity suspect, and the ideas of Creationism just silly, each person that holds true belief in it, must forever be allowed to do so in peace. Religion and faith is their personal relationship in the Divine, not a bloody boxing match! My only problem comes when people use such religion for ego, profit or (in this case) to deny others civil rights.
Religion is yours to keep, not force on others.
Now that I'm here, and as I further organize my thoughts about this, and I'm just about ready to get started, I come to the realization I will probably offend some people. No matter how one puts it, how nicely it is said or what evidence is presented, there will always be at least one person who takes offense. When one mixes speaking about human rights, taboos and the bible, well let's just say it rarely ends well. As I said before, people have very specific and fixed ideas when it comes to their religious worlds, and when questioned, it is rarely handled civilly. But I seem to be repeat loop here. The purpose of today's Ramblings of a Normal Guy is not to insult or shake ones faith. If you are offended by this, and you are not a egotistical a-hole, I do apologize but ask you to read on. If it shakes your faith in what ever you hold, these are issues you should probably address with yourself.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
So I’m in a bit of an odd mood at the moment. I’m excited for the up coming commercial Christmas, but no so much for the “five months of bills” part. Honestly, why does everything need to cost so bloody much these days?! I am super excited about the amazing Yule celebrations this year, but will probably one again find myself solo in such celebrations. It would seem not many pagans are to be found in a mostly Catholic area. But then again, I do have a rather impressive collection of Doctor Who on my hard drive now, so all can’t be that bad eh? After all who doesn’t think Doctor Who is amazingly awesome?
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 19/19
Name: Accept Jesus as your personal savior- Pt 19 WBC's GOD H8S vid
Link:http://www.twitvid.com/UWO1T Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined.
Bible Verse use:
John 6:44: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day."
And so here we are...
With the final movie of the god h8's series now under review, this blogger finds himself recalling the past and how much it has effected him. All I need now is some prune juice, a rocking chair and some kids to tell "back in my day"... When I look back at all the traveling I have done, all the people I have met because of joining the anti-wbc movement, I see how this endeavor has allowed me to see so much more than the sheltered child of my youth could. I have always said how there is a HUGE difference between saying and actually being part of a religion, but to see it first hand. It's can be a beautiful and wonderful thing at times or like in the case of our cult, perverted to be a horrid disgusting thing. I have seen how belief and faith are what truly makes a person, not just saying the religion they follow. I have seen that while life does get better, victory can not be claimed just yet. Hate, discrimination, deceit and just not giving a damn still have a iron hold. So much so that no single event will ever change it. Remember back a little under four years ago, when the presidential elections where taking place? For the first time in... well ever, a black man was running for the highest office in the land. Not only was he running, but with a amazing use of his well devolved public speaking skills he actually won! For many, this seemingly impossible election heralded the end of racial hate. It was thought that with the election of this single man the long history of inequality would finally close. >_> The whole race card thing would become a thing of the past, and things like "you're black" and "you're white" would be replaced with "you're human" Yea right, this is humanity we are talking about! Despite all the feel good mojo we had floating around, the worse still pollutes it. Violence and misdeeds committed against people because of bullshit excuse of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation remains a serious problem in America.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 10/19
Name: The Bible is subject to interpretation- Pt 10 of WBC's GOD H8S vid
Link: http://www.twitvid.com/QFR9L Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined.
Bible Verse use:
2 Pet. 1:20: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
So here we are big number ten.
Hitting this half way mark, I found my self reflecting on the time spent on this so far. I also found myself returning to previous entries to clean them up a bit. Which I do hope many of my readers will forgive me, in my haste to disprove such cults, I sometimes (often) find my spelling and grammar lacking. While I am still not not Catholic nor do I have any wish to be, I still appreciate the learning experience it has been for me. Learning the true message of the man Jesus, learning just how meanings of various words and phrases can change over the decades, and even learning a bit of Hebrew along the way! Perhaps you can remember with me quickly how, in past editions, I have wrote at length (and burning eyes ugh!) on how this or that translation could not only destroy the flow of a verse, but also cause a great amount of confusion. A very good and often sighted example of this is how the WBC used Jer 17:9 to show the hearts of humans are evil 24/7 365. If we used the same translation or interpretation for the rest of the bible, well Jesus turns into an evil most foul. Yea…Today’s video is somehow fitting for our half way mark. In today's review/rebuking; we have WBC cult member Fred Jr inform us that the bible is NOT subject to interpretation.That everything writing in the bible is the firm word of law of their god that can not be ignored, negotiated, or revised. As a not so hidden side message, the WBC also try to prove with this video is that everything they have said to date (and will continue to say) is also the world of law.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section created for the WBC Cult Exposed we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 9/19
Name:I’ll Pray for you - Pt 9 of WBC's GOD H8S vid
Link: http://www.twitvid.com/U94V9 Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined.
Bible verses mentioned:
Psalm 109:7:When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
James 5:16:Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Hipster kitteh also thinks the WBC is insane
Self Importance.
Excessively (and often unwarranted) high regard for one's own importance or station; conceit.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 8/19
Name:Hell's not a real place, it’s a state of mind- Pt8 WBC's GOD H8S vid
Link: http://www.twitvid.com/HDT4Z Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined.
Matt 5:29:If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matt 23:33: [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Mark 9:44: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Update: Well it appears this post has become very popular and as such, I would like to point out a few things. First as is written here, each person is invited to come to their own conclusion. I am here simply to disprove the drivel that spews from the cult, nothing more. If I really shook your faith that hard (just by questioning hell), then I would question the amount of faith you had to begin with. The second is I am not Christian, I do not believe in your Satan and I will thank you to stop sending me emails with various cursing and proclamations of me heading to hell. Thanks.
Ah hell here we go again!
You know what I would like? You know what I would really like? One day to wake up next to a smoking hot red head handing me a Snapple; how frigging epic would that be? I would also like a little place in the middle of the forest where my closest neighbor would be a bear. We would play cards on the weekend during the summer then I would hang with the wolf pack during the winter. We’d probably make some snide remark about how bears are “super lazy” during the winter too. Tree, foliage, all the best nature has to offer AND a red head with Snapple. Oh yea baby, that’s frigging paradise there. Now if you want a more realistic (and actually possible) desire, well then I would like the WBC to crumble into dust. I would like each of them to see the stupid errors of their ways and work towards some type of reconciliation with the community. I would like to see them apologize to the youth of the WBC for corrupting them, and to each and every person personally they have hurt. But until that days comes (and I hope the red head comes first ^_^) I will be here writing, rebuking and discrediting.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 7/19
Name: God loves everybody - Pt 7 of WBC's GOD H8S vid -
Link: http://www.twitvid.com/9CEJB Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined.
Bible verses mentioned:
Mk. 9:44: 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'
Rom 9:13:As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Matt 13: 49-50: This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
So I’ve been sitting here for the past two hours getting no where fast. I would normally blame this on the awesome programming afforded to me by the History Channel, but well… ok it’s the evils of History channel. DAMN YOU CABLE TELEVISION! I’m watching a really interesting show about Stonehenge, it details the long history of the stone construction as well as it's many secrets and supposed uses. During the various ads for this weight loss program or some new “As seen on tv” thing, I try to think up insightful and witty opening for this rebuking paper. Cause you know I'm sooooooo witty. Every time I think I get something, I stop and think about the poor smuck in this video. In every previous and future installments of the ever bias and baseless God H8’s series, there is always a tiny description box on the bottom right hand side giving the title and whom from the cult was featured. In today’s display we have “A WBC member answers the common misconception God loves everybody. Pt 7 of WBC's GOD H8S vid”. It’s the whole bleeding surrounding cities of Sodom and Gomorrah again! Fear not random WBC cult member, while you are not important enough to have a name, you can still be called out for telling fibs :-)
Plus now that I think about it, didn't we already address this God love everyone thing? Eh fine what ever....
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Part: 2/19 Name: He who is without sin cast the first stone - Pt 2 GOD H8S vid Link:http://www.twitvid.com/MX9RM Update: Videos have been removed. Blog now shows video of all of them combined. Bible verses mentioned: Jon 8: This would be the story of “he who is without sin”
Have you ever worked in retail? Perhaps customer service? If so, then you know about the wonderful variety of customers life can throw at you. From silly whines and never ending complaints, to all around stupid remarks and actions, one wonders how a bar doesn't open up next to every retail store. When I am at work, and unable to part take in a good Irish beer, I drink a lot of Snapple. Treating it much like my brother treats the captain, it not only tastes amazing but it also helps the calming process. It helps me deal with the amazing amounts of stupid and rudeness that spews from these people. These same people who think themselves everyone’s betters.... Remind you of everyone? When taking the time to write about America's most hated family, I make sure to have a least a six pack of delicious awesomenss with me. If am fortune it enough, the pack will last until the end of the video before the curses start flying. And do they fly.
How any person or group of people could hold this much hate inside of them scares me. How they could house and even improve upon it frightens me to the core. Even worse is how quickly these people can turn on their own family. Their own flesh and blood, their children, brothers or sisters or even parents! Any sign of “godly weakness” and your sent straight to hell. It is just… I don’t even have a word for it. Of course what do you expect from people who said “Hitler was an instrument of God”.
The Westboro Baptist Church (or WBC) is an Independent Baptist “church” known for its extreme stance against homosexuality, other religions, and anything else that tickles their fancy. They are also known for their greatly offensive protest activities against fallen service men/woman and high profile aka popular people. In this special section, we will explore their hateful and distorted “divine” teachings and expose them for what they truly are, a hate group who uses religion for personal power.
Before we begin with this (what is now popular) rebuking and discreating thing, I would like to begin with a short story. You know, It’s kinda funny how one small event can have such a HUGE impact. Of course once you think about it, life is full of such events isn't it? Your first kiss, your first bump on the head, that time you learn fire is frigging hot.... all little life events that shape and form the greater part of what we are. Ah fond memories.
When I began this little thing with the Westboro Baptist Church (or the WBC is you prefer) I really didn't think much would come of it; nor did I honestly think it would last long. Sure, I would counter protest them when they made their appearances; I would have a bit of fun trolling their twitter, but that would be it. It's basically what any other young blooded (at least at the time I was) American would do. Besides, my free time is far to short, and I have far more important things to doing. Why waste any of it worrying about some hick inbreeds who use religion as an excuse for insanity. Hell I still have video games to finish playing! Disgaea here I come!
