# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/121 "2014-03-17T14:53:05Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Because understanding evil is the only way to prevent it. What can we learn from this guy that we don’t already know? He may have been a decent person at one point (or maybe not). He may have become a giant asshole as a result of sexual trauma or repressed sexuality, or maybe not. We already know those things can make people miserable and cause them to do horrible stuff. We know that some religious fanatics are terrible people; as a species we’re up to our eyeballs in people like that. If you can think of some insights specific to this particular dickhead, that might be interesting. But I don’t think there’s much to learn from Phelps and I think it’s too bad he got such media attention. To me he’s just one more variation on the Mega Asshole type. I suppose each one of them is unique in some way, but once you realize you’re not going to get them to change, they become intensely boring. > [@](#): > > Writing people off as born assholes is a surefire way of ensuring there will be more of them. Assholes will be with us always. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/122 "2014-03-17T14:58:30Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > Was he once a decent man who fell into extremist douchebaggery causing untold misery to grieving families? You mean, aside from being an attorney? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/123 "2014-03-17T16:06:30Z")
> [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](#): > > I think I may have just figured out why they excommunicated the old bastard. According to [Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church), who in turn are citing Nate Phelps, these headcases believe they’re _immortal!_ Seriously! I reckon, when Fred started going downhill the rest of them realised the only way they could keep believing that lunacy would be to kick poor old Grampa to the kerb. Now that he’s no longer a church member he’s free to do all the dying he wants. The page has just been changed. I went and checked out their citation, which is [this TheThinkingAtheist interview](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WDURT-b_8s) with Nate Phelps last year, and that statement doesn’t hold up. The WBC members simply believe they’re going to be alive for the Second Coming, and therefore won’t die as a result (because they’ll just go straight to heaven). Much different than being immortal. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/124 "2014-03-17T16:18:46Z")
Does anyone know what he is dying of? Congestive heartless failure? The Gay AIDS? Or did Satan just decide to call him home? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/125 "2014-03-17T16:22:04Z")
This whole “excommunicated” thing intrigues me to no end. I wonder if we’ll ever find out what actually happened to cause this? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/126 "2014-03-17T16:24:21Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > Or did Satan just decide to call him home? No way. Satan doesn’t want to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/127 "2014-03-17T16:31:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Assholes will be with us always. useful too. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/128 "2014-03-17T16:34:22Z")
I’m of the same opinion as **Mom**. Do not feed the troll. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/129 "2014-03-17T17:15:12Z")
Wouldn’t it seem like, if they threw HIM out, it wouldn’t be excommunication; it would just mean all the rest of them quit? ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/130 "2014-03-17T17:16:35Z")
I like a quote from the article on _Daily Kos_: > [@](#): > > In the end, Phelps hate mongering has probably done more good for the gay rights movement then could have been imagined as it put a real, tangible face on hatred and forced society to accept that the slippery slope also involved creepy weirdos like Fred. Fred’s continuous picketting, protests and the like led more people to say ‘I can’t be on the same side as this guy’ and helps influence a generation that this kind of bigotry is wrong. Plus WBC once gave [Comic-Con the chance to be real heroes.](http://comicsalliance.com/super-heroes-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church/) ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/131 "2014-03-17T17:19:02Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > This whole “excommunicated” thing intrigues me to no end. I wonder if we’ll ever find out what actually happened to cause this? Near as I can tell, it’s a tenet of their particular faith that members of that faith will live eternally and cannot die. Fred dying would negate that. So, by excommunicating him on his death bed, they’re protecting their religion. Meh. Other faiths do other things that strike me as equally [de]ridiculous[/del] illogical. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/132 "2014-03-17T17:24:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He may have become a giant asshole as a result of sexual trauma or repressed sexuality, or maybe not. We already know those things can make people miserable and cause them to do horrible stuff. Even if he was sexually molested as a boy scout, or merely never recovered from the untimely death of his mother, none of that matters. Everyone should be accountable for their own personal actions, and blaming stupid shit like childhood trauma is NO excuse. And frankly, I’m disgusted that our modern society always tends to play the “Victim Card”, even with people who’ve NEVER claimed to be victimized at all, ever. No matter the cause, Fred Phelps is a sick, sick man who deserves a lot more than he’ll ever get in this current life. With any luck, he’ll be reincarnated as a slime mold. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/133 "2014-03-17T17:25:44Z")
I hope he is ignored. Picketing his funeral is pointless and just isolates the Westboro group even more. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/134 "2014-03-17T17:31:55Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Even if he was sexually molested as a boy scout, or merely never recovered from the untimely death of his mother, none of that matters. Everyone should be accountable for their own personal actions, and blaming stupid shit like childhood trauma is NO excuse. And frankly, I’m disgusted that our modern society always tends to play the “Victim Card”, even with people who’ve NEVER claimed to be victimized at all, ever. To that end it should also be pointed out that there are people who go through abuse and all manner of horrible trauma and still become good, decent, compassionate people. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/135 "2014-03-17T17:36:26Z")
If the Westboro Baptist Church excommunicated Phelps, does that mean they got tired of his God-Hates-Fags message, or that they’re prepared to carry on proclaiming it without him? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/136 "2014-03-17T17:37:02Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, if the church’s history is any guide, Phelps will be buried in a marked grave, which will then be constantly monitored with cameras, the goal being to sue any would-be desecrater for trespassing and/or infliction of distress, etc. and thus Fred can continue to generate income. That just means you have to think long-range. ‘Water’ balloon launchers are always fun. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/137 "2014-03-17T17:38:28Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > What??? You mean. . . > They think that dying is a deadly sin? > [@Grumman](#): > > If true, I assume it’s a No True Scotsman argument: Dying isn’t a deadly sin, but it is proof that you committed some other sin. After all, if you hadn’t sinned you’d still be alive, duh. Well, of course. “The wages of sin is death.” ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/138 "2014-03-17T17:42:37Z")
As despicable as he is, Phred did more for the LGBTQ movement than a lot of people. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be people all over the world saying, “That guy’s a real asshole. I don’t want to be on _his_ side. Equal rights for all!” I’m with the ones who say to ignore it. Or, at least, picket with signs talking about love, not hate. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/139 "2014-03-17T18:27:20Z")
> [@Indyellen](#): > > As despicable as he is, Phred did more for the LGBTQ movement than a lot of people. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be people all over the world saying, “That guy’s a real asshole. I don’t want to be on _his_ side. Equal rights for all!” > > I’m with the ones who say to ignore it. Or, at least, picket with signs talking about love, not hate. How about, “Jesus Loves You Physically, Fred!” ---
**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, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820/140 "2014-03-17T19:16:13Z")
These five articles appear in today’s Topeka Capital-Journal. All are related in one way or another to Fred and his legacy. > **[Elders excommunicate Phelps after power struggle, call for kindness within...](https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/state/2014/03/17/elders-excommunicate-phelps-after-power-struggle-call-kindness-within-church/987276007/)** > > Pastor Fred Waldron Phelps Sr. was excommunicated from the Westboro Baptist Church after advocating a kinder approach between church members. > The excommunication occurred after the formation of a b… [http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/wbc-spokesman-said-fred-phelps-sr-was-healthy-month-he-entered-hospice](http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/wbc-spokesman-said-fred-phelps-sr-was-healthy-month-he-entered-hospice) > **[Ex-WBC member Lauren Drain calls report that Fred Phelps has been...](https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2014/03/17/ex-wbc-member-lauren-drain-calls-report-fred-phelps-has-been-excommunicated/16676201007/)** > > Former Westboro Baptist Church member Lauren Drain said the report Sunday that Fred W. Phelps Sr. had been excommunicated from the conservative church was “incredibly devastating.” > Additionally, sh… [http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/son-fred-phelps-sr-westboro-baptist-church-anti-gay-picketing-will-survive-beyond](http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/son-fred-phelps-sr-westboro-baptist-church-anti-gay-picketing-will-survive-beyond) [http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/phelps-likely-be-remembered-willingness-hate](http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/phelps-likely-be-remembered-willingness-hate) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-phelps-is-dying/683820.md?page=8)