# Fred Phelps is dying. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 16, 2014, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820 "2014-03-16T05:20:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/81 "2014-03-16T22:45:29Z")
Excuses are just that. Everything we are is bound by the choices we make in life. Fred has had many years of making the wrong choices. Making the most hateful and despicable choices, knowing that he is harming others. Do not absolve him of responsibility for those choices based on something that may or may not have happened to him a lifetime ago. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/82 "2014-03-16T22:46:17Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > In an effort to address the good in people in their last days, I remind (or inform for the first time) that in his younger days, Phelps was a defender of civil rights for blacks. > [Fred Phelps - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps#Civil_rights_cases) Only because it was an untapped market. He wasn’t a believer in equal rights, he was a believer in making money where he could. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/83 "2014-03-16T22:49:49Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > If you, in your dying moment of clarity and fear, repent of all of the evil that you have done during your life, I cannot accept it. Because you have had all of your life to come to that epiphany and have refused it. You have chosen to continue to do evil right up until the moment that you, at long last, see the darkness of the abyss, and realize that you too shall end. I shall not grant you the peace of believing that I forgive all that you have done, or that you bear no further guilt for those crimes. > > Carry that weight, like a stone, into the Abyss. I shall not take it from you. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/84 "2014-03-16T23:07:22Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I dunno. Perhaps we can all go to Kansas and protest at his funeral. **Or line up and piss on his grave.** Those are reasonably kind thoughts, considering the asshole extraordinaire that Fred Phelps was in his life. Not me. I can’t stand long lines. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/85 "2014-03-16T23:08:03Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > If you, in your dying moment of clarity and fear, repent of all of the evil that you have done during your life, I cannot accept it. Because you have had all of your life to come to that epiphany and have refused it. You have chosen to continue to do evil right up until the moment that you, at long last, see the darkness of the abyss, and realize that you too shall end. I shall not grant you the peace of believing that I forgive all that you have done, or that you bear no further guilt for those crimes. Word is, this is God’s policy now too. Too many bad apples abused the “repent and be forgiven” program. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/86 "2014-03-16T23:20:32Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Why on earth are some people trying to make excuses for this jerk? > > Some assholes are merely assholes – they’re born that way. I’m not trying to make excuses for him. I \*did \*say it wouldn’t absolve the hate, didn’t I ? I’m sure I must have. If only there was a way to go back in time and find out what I said… ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/87 "2014-03-16T23:35:43Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > But after a lot of thinking and prayer I have come to realize that if I believe that Saul of Tarsus(the Fred of his day) could become Paul, professing God and dying for him, then that could happen for Fred too. It’s never too late to come back to God. > > Never. I thought Paul hated fags too? As for Fred. it’s enough for me as an atheist to fervently wish that there were a Hell so this asshole could suffer eternal torment in it. But, unfortunately, in reality he sleeps as peacefully now as Mandela or Mother Teresa. The universe was never about fair. Nathan I feel for. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/88 "2014-03-16T23:42:16Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Why on earth are some people trying to make excuses for this jerk? > > Some assholes are merely assholes – they’re born that way. Fred never went to West Point. He did have the appointment, but went on a mission trip the summer before. A mission trip with two older men. A family member,(I think it was a sister) said he came back from that a changed young man. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/89 "2014-03-16T23:42:41Z")
Let’s just say that I hope nobody pickets his funeral, because it would involve acknowledging his existence. And I think the Pit is an appropriate place for this thread, because that’s where he’s probably headed. One of my Facebook friends, who’s openly gay and a devout Christian who’s thinking about going into the ministry, said he’d love to be a fly on the wall at the Pearly Gates. 😛 😃 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/90 "2014-03-16T23:45:48Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Where’s the funeral? > > Completely unrelated, but is it legal to send shit through the mail? (cue Divine in “Pink Flamingos”) “Someone has sent me a bowel movement!” I read somewhere that Jerry Falwell’s ministry used to get packages like this all the time, too. Actually, it is legal. You can get stool sample kits that test for occult blood, and they come with a biohazard mailer. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/91 "2014-03-16T23:47:27Z")
I’m glad he’s dying because he specifically sought to increase human suffering, and presumably his cult will die with him, or soon after. I’m sad that religion poisoned him, like it does so many others. Such a waste of a life. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/92 "2014-03-16T23:50:15Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > If you, in your dying moment of clarity and fear, repent of all of the evil that you have done during your life, I cannot accept it. Because you have had all of your life to come to that epiphany and have refused it. You have chosen to continue to do evil right up until the moment that you, at long last, see the darkness of the abyss, and realize that you too shall end. I shall not grant you the peace of believing that I forgive all that you have done, or that you bear no further guilt for those crimes. > > Carry that weight, like a stone, into the Abyss. I shall not take it from you. It’s a good thing you aren’t God then. The God I worship, is one of mercy, and I truly believe that if Fred would repent of the evil he has done, and acknowledge God as his savior, then he would be forgiven and enter Heaven. _One night I dreamed death came for me, and Heaven opened wide. With kindly grace an angel came and ushered me inside. There, to my asonishment Stood folks I’d known on Earth, some I’d judged and labeled as “unfit, of little worth.” Indignant words rose to my lips But never were set free, For every face showed stunned surprise No one expected me!_ ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/93 "2014-03-16T23:54:10Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > It’s a good thing you aren’t God then. The God I worship, is one of mercy, and I truly believe that if Fred would repent of the evil he has done, and acknowledge God as his savior, then he would be forgiven and enter Heaven. > > _One night I dreamed death came for me, > and Heaven opened wide. > With kindly grace an angel came > and ushered me inside. > There, to my asonishment > Stood folks I’d known on Earth, > some I’d judged and labeled as > “unfit, of little worth.” > Indignant words rose to my lips > But never were set free, > For every face showed stunned surprise > No one expected me!_ Your beliefs are shitty. John Wayne Gacy being forgiven at the last moment because of a deep repentance, isn’t a positive thing. It’s horrific and nonsensical. The fact that you think this is a laudable way to run a universe is goofy-as-fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/94 "2014-03-16T23:58:14Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Why on earth are some people trying to make excuses for this jerk? > > Some assholes are merely assholes – they’re born that way. I don’t think anyone is making an excuse for him – but an _explaination_ for why he was like he was. It doesn’t excuse his actions. He still made the choice to act that way. If he was born evil, then generally that would make him a sociopath, which would be also be making an excuse for him. (I’ve heard his “civil rights” activism was mostly a farce to get attention) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/95 "2014-03-16T23:59:43Z")
Why all the hate for Phred? He was a great _Doonesbury_ character, and the interplay between him and B.D. was always enjoyable. And hi, **Lucretia**! Hope all is well with you and **Bluesman** , not to mention your kids who I guess are now grown up or close to it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/96 "2014-03-17T00:08:28Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Your beliefs are shitty. John Wayne Gacy being forgiven at the last moment because of a deep repentance, isn’t a positive thing. It’s horrific and nonsensical. > > The fact that you think this is a laudable way to run a universe is goofy-as-fuck. I said _forgiven_, I didn’t say “not punished”. Civil authority is a different thing than divine authority. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/97 "2014-03-17T00:28:59Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Why on earth are some people trying to make excuses for this jerk? > > Some assholes are merely assholes – they’re born that way. Because understanding evil is the only way to prevent it. Writing people off as born assholes is a surefire way of ensuring there will be more of them. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/98 "2014-03-17T00:59:59Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > It’s a good thing you aren’t God then. The God I worship, is one of mercy, and I truly believe that if Fred would repent of the evil he has done, and acknowledge God as his savior, then he would be forgiven and enter Heaven. As my personal quote goes; _**The greatest sin is to cast your evil upon the face of God. To ascribe to Him the darkness in your own heart.**_ Fred Phelps is the poster child for this. And I don’t truly believe, after half a life of saying that his God is a god of Hate, that any repentance of this would be sincere. But since God knows men’s hearts, I’ll leave it up to him. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/99 "2014-03-17T01:17:26Z")
Actually if God does exist he’s responsible for a whole universe more of pain and suffering than Fred ever caused. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/100 "2014-03-17T02:10:50Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > It’s a good thing you aren’t God then. The God I worship, is one of mercy, and I truly believe that if Fred would repent of the evil he has done, and acknowledge God as his savior, then he would be forgiven and enter Heaven. > > _One night I dreamed death came for me, > and Heaven opened wide. > With kindly grace an angel came > and ushered me inside. > There, to my asonishment > Stood folks I’d known on Earth, > some I’d judged and labeled as > “unfit, of little worth.” > Indignant words rose to my lips > But never were set free, > For every face showed stunned surprise > No one expected me!_ Knock-off Emily Dickinson; you can sing it to _The Yellow Rose of Texas_, as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820.md?page=6)