Phelps of Westboro Baptist dies. Would you join a protest at his funeral?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Westboro Baptist, of course, is the family/church infamous on the Dope and lately famous nationally for their demonstrations at funerals: demonstrations notorious for their sadism and the use of phrases such as “God Hates Fags.” I’m sure that most of y’all are familiar with it, but here’s a trio of Wikipedia links and NPR article that may be helpful. Now here’s the sitch:

Imagine that either Fred Phelps (patriarch of the family, pastor of the church) or Shirley Phelps-Roper (his daughter and the church’s spokeswoman) were to die suddenly. You happen to be in Topeka on business when the funeral is being held, and thanks to whatever circumstances you care to contrive, you have the entire day of the funeral free. You learn that a fairly large group of people is planning a protest around the funeral, using tactics parallel to the WBC’s; that is, the protestors will come as close to the service as the law allows, holding placards saying things like “Phelps is in hell” and chanting “God hates bigots.” You are invited to participate.

Would you? Why or why not?

2

No. I don’t see what the point would be. He wouldn’t be able to hear you.

3

He’ll see the protests from heaven.

4

No. His awful behaviour would not make my behaviour (if I were to protest) any less reprehensible.

5

Nah, why bother? Much like internet trolls, the more attention you pay to these people the more “strength” they gain. The easiest way to get rid of these people once and for all would be for everyone to ignore them (funeral attendees, press, general public, etc.)

But then again they might move on to some more obnoxious type of trolling.

6

I suspect they would probably disintegrate and disband after Fred kicks off. From what I’ve read, they’re more hostages than comrades.

7

Did you see SNL last night? Satan’s going to prank him.

8

And sink to their level? Hell no.

9

No, but thanks to the internet, I was able to go and look at it just now. Hehe, cupcake shops…

10

I’m actually hoping for a Jonestown ending.

11

The Bastard is just an attention seeking whore. The last thing I would ever do is let him win by Trolling me from the grave,

12

If by “protest” you mean “drunken revel complete with a chorus of 'Ding Dong, the Bigot is Dead,” I just might.

Otherwise, no. Just no.

13

I think it’s more worthy of a Lisa Simpson/Paul Anka “Just Don’t Look” - but that goes for now, too, not just when they die.

14

No, but I would be tempted to show up in a dress and claim that Fred and I had been secret lovers.

15

I voted no, for reasons already given: (1) He’s a troll and shouldn’t be given any attention; (2) protesting at funerals is a scuzzy thing to do in general, and two wrongs don’t make a right; (3) why should I waste any of my time or attention on the dude?

16

No. I would not vindicate their reprehensible behavior by imitating it.

But I would glance skyward, and ask God, “Took ya long enough, didn’t it?”

17

I can’t be bothered to pay attention to them when they’re alive, so I’m certainly not going to waste my time acknowledging their deaths. If everyone ignores then, they cease to exist.

18

mrAru wants to get a picnic pavillion tent, and a small cooking tent, and paint a marqee First Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Revival and have a spaghetti dinner for the counterprotesters.

Don’t bother actually protesting, just have fun and a spaghetti dinner =)

19

Unless he changes his ways, a Heaven with Phelps is not where I’d want to be.

I would not attend either or any, but I’d pray that he found the truth in time.

20

I suspect it would be less angry, and evolve into a party. I like a good street fair.