Fred Phelps found a new hobby.
I'm seriously going to send this letter to him:
To Mr. Fred Phelps, Jr.
Dear sir,
It was with great regret today that I read a news article on the CNN website about you're new protesting tactics at targeting the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq as a statement against a country that "supports the homosexual lifestyle."
This is not my first encounter of your work. Several years ago, I was involved with Virginia Tech's production of The Laramie Project, which as you may know, is a play involving the aftermath of the death of Matthew Sheppard. Or, perhaps you don't - it seems like you view this script as an advocation of homosexuality, when in fact it's merely the study of the justification (or lack thereof) of a hatecrime, simply using the death of a homosexual man as the vehicle of communication.
At that point in time, our cast became aware of one of your pending protests at a university a few hours up the road who were distributing copies of the script as required reading. Needless to say, we were all shocked and outraged.
But some of us in different ways than others. I want to let you know I am a firm believer in Christ, having accepted salvation over five years ago. I live my life to best of my ability to both follow His will in my life, and to show love to others. So I'm writing to you now because I can only hope as a man of God that your goals are the same, and that hearing my experiences in these matters will help enlighten you to more effective ministering.
That night in college that we found out about your protests, I sat in rehearsal with one of my fellow crew mates and friends, who is also a sister in Christ. That evening we sat up in the catwalk of the theatre in sad silence, while we listened to the rest of the cast (all of which I'm sure are NOT believers) while they ranted, argued, and made fun of you, your work, God, and everything surrounding the Christian faith. I remember looking at my friend and us mutually acknowledging that any love or faith we had shared with our non-Christian friends had been thrown out the window by YOUR thoughtless actions.
Don't you understand? Protesting is the WORST way to "witness". Please take a moment to consider the other side. Imagine yourself a person in this society who is (by either nature or choice, it doesn't matter) considered an outcast. One day you are minding your own business as you always do, when suddenly you are bombarded by people telling you they hate you, holding signs saying "God hates you!" and "You're going to hell!"...all because you're a bit different. I'm not arguing a point for who is right or who is wrong here - I'm focusing on the method of communication! No one wants to be rediculed! Why in the world would anyone who is a victim - yes, victim - of your protests, of your attacks, want to immediately say, "Oh, yes, you're right! God hates me because I'm gay! I'm going to stop right now and join you so that I can yell at people too!" Really, this is just common sense here.
I've been a victim of protesting. Jerry Falwall's students came over to my high school awhile back and protested abortion randomly one day. I love how I was summarily judged and stereotyped as a child-killing whore just because I went to the public high school. That day brought nothing but, again, a perpetuated sense of hatred towards what Christianity has come to represent in our society.
It's my firm belief that Jesus would never do what you are doing. The Bible shows a man who forgave killers and prostitutes. Because He knew that individual love and attention was how to make a difference.
My plea to you and your followers is to understand that protesting is nothing but counterproductive. And that you would be much better to actually meet some of these "sinners" you're targeting and to get to know them and their concerns - and to show them the real love of God.
Sincererly,
Laura
-----
Meh. I just hate that shit.
Moving on. I'm exhausted. I've had two 8 hour calls at The Shakespeare Theatre this week, which have been awesome, but hard work, lol. I need to work on getting back into a bit better shape. Lugging around a few hundred Source Fours is a bit too much for me.
So I do have tomorrow off, so I'm going home once I wake up. So if anyone in Roanoke wants to meet up, I'm thinking about heading over to AA's in Roanoke tomorrow night. :-) I'll call all of you guys.
I'm seriously going to send this letter to him:
To Mr. Fred Phelps, Jr.
Dear sir,
It was with great regret today that I read a news article on the CNN website about you're new protesting tactics at targeting the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq as a statement against a country that "supports the homosexual lifestyle."
This is not my first encounter of your work. Several years ago, I was involved with Virginia Tech's production of The Laramie Project, which as you may know, is a play involving the aftermath of the death of Matthew Sheppard. Or, perhaps you don't - it seems like you view this script as an advocation of homosexuality, when in fact it's merely the study of the justification (or lack thereof) of a hatecrime, simply using the death of a homosexual man as the vehicle of communication.
At that point in time, our cast became aware of one of your pending protests at a university a few hours up the road who were distributing copies of the script as required reading. Needless to say, we were all shocked and outraged.
But some of us in different ways than others. I want to let you know I am a firm believer in Christ, having accepted salvation over five years ago. I live my life to best of my ability to both follow His will in my life, and to show love to others. So I'm writing to you now because I can only hope as a man of God that your goals are the same, and that hearing my experiences in these matters will help enlighten you to more effective ministering.
That night in college that we found out about your protests, I sat in rehearsal with one of my fellow crew mates and friends, who is also a sister in Christ. That evening we sat up in the catwalk of the theatre in sad silence, while we listened to the rest of the cast (all of which I'm sure are NOT believers) while they ranted, argued, and made fun of you, your work, God, and everything surrounding the Christian faith. I remember looking at my friend and us mutually acknowledging that any love or faith we had shared with our non-Christian friends had been thrown out the window by YOUR thoughtless actions.
Don't you understand? Protesting is the WORST way to "witness". Please take a moment to consider the other side. Imagine yourself a person in this society who is (by either nature or choice, it doesn't matter) considered an outcast. One day you are minding your own business as you always do, when suddenly you are bombarded by people telling you they hate you, holding signs saying "God hates you!" and "You're going to hell!"...all because you're a bit different. I'm not arguing a point for who is right or who is wrong here - I'm focusing on the method of communication! No one wants to be rediculed! Why in the world would anyone who is a victim - yes, victim - of your protests, of your attacks, want to immediately say, "Oh, yes, you're right! God hates me because I'm gay! I'm going to stop right now and join you so that I can yell at people too!" Really, this is just common sense here.
I've been a victim of protesting. Jerry Falwall's students came over to my high school awhile back and protested abortion randomly one day. I love how I was summarily judged and stereotyped as a child-killing whore just because I went to the public high school. That day brought nothing but, again, a perpetuated sense of hatred towards what Christianity has come to represent in our society.
It's my firm belief that Jesus would never do what you are doing. The Bible shows a man who forgave killers and prostitutes. Because He knew that individual love and attention was how to make a difference.
My plea to you and your followers is to understand that protesting is nothing but counterproductive. And that you would be much better to actually meet some of these "sinners" you're targeting and to get to know them and their concerns - and to show them the real love of God.
Sincererly,
Laura
-----
Meh. I just hate that shit.
Moving on. I'm exhausted. I've had two 8 hour calls at The Shakespeare Theatre this week, which have been awesome, but hard work, lol. I need to work on getting back into a bit better shape. Lugging around a few hundred Source Fours is a bit too much for me.
So I do have tomorrow off, so I'm going home once I wake up. So if anyone in Roanoke wants to meet up, I'm thinking about heading over to AA's in Roanoke tomorrow night. :-) I'll call all of you guys.
 | Song of the Day: Psyclon Nine - "Harlot" www.psyclonnine.com |
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