Estranged son of anti-gay Westboro pastor says father does 'evil'

sara1981 · 03-17-2011, 06:05 PM

Estranged son of anti-gay Westboro pastor says father does 'evil'
Estranged son of anti-gay Westboro pastor says father does 'evil' - CNN.com

Quote:

An estranged son of anti-gay Kansas pastor Fred Phelps said Wednesday that the spiritual leader of Westboro Baptist Church hit his wife and beat his children with a mattock handle until they bled.

"I think what he does out there is evil," said Nathan "Nate" Phelps, during an appearance on HLN's "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell."

Nate Phelps is the seventh of the Westboro Baptist minister's 13 children. The younger Phelps severed ties with his family on his 18th birthday and said he hasn't had contact with his father in three decades. Nate Phelps is currently writing a book about his family.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that Westboro's practice of picketing the funerals of fallen soldiers with offensive placards is constitutionally protected free speech. The picketing, which includes chants and placards stating "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," have enraged supporters of the U.S. military and the families and friends of slain soldiers.

Nate Phelps called his pastor father "one of the best reasons that America has been forced to get off the fence and address this issue (of gay rights)."

"But at the same time you can't ignore the fact that he's done a lot of damage," Phelps said. "He's hurt a lot of families, not only in the gay community, but the families of these soldiers."

The younger Phelps said his father also hurt his own family.

"He used his fists. He used his knees and he used ... the handle of a mattock," said Phelps, referring to a pick-like digging tool. "He used that in such a way that it split the skin on the back of the kid's legs so they bled."

"If they want to call that discipline, that's fine. But I call it abuse," Phelps said.

The son said Fred Phelps also hit his mother, but not with the handle of the mattock.

Phelps has also said his father abused prescription drugs when he was in law school. He didn't back down from the claim during the HLN interview.

Velez-Mitchell read a statement from Nate Phelps' sister, Shirley Phelps-Roper, denying the claim.

"Yikes. Hell no. His (Nate Phelps') imagination goes on and on," Roper wrote. "This lie should not have come out of his mouth when he decided to reject the word of God. Nothing he can say will change the fact that God hates (homosexuals) and their enablers and therefore God hates America and America is doomed."

Nate Phelps responded that his sister "just cynically lies about what happened."

Likewise, Phelps said his father manipulates facts and circumstances to reach false conclusions.

"My father can make any connection to anything that anyone has done or hasn't done in their life and point to that to say that that's evidence they're damned and going to hell," Phelps said. "He's convinced that homosexuality is the ultimate sin against God.

"So since the United States is taking steps to move in the direction of equality for gays in America, he says that has doomed America," Phelps said. "So anyone who is connected to America, so anyone who is supporting America in any sense is subject to the wrath of God."

When asked what he would say to his father if he could, Nate Phelps replied, "I've never had a relationship with my father. I wouldn't know what to say to him."

There was no immediate public response from Fred Phelps to his son's televised remarks.

CSign · 03-17-2011, 07:27 PM

Wow. I feel for this guy. Something tells me the son is being honest. So sad and disrespectful of this pastor to do what he does.

**shel90** · 03-17-2011, 08:01 PM

It seems to be very common among people who are deeply religous...that the men do harm but it is the women who have "sinned".

**Reba** · 03-17-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

It seems to be very common among people who are deeply religous...that the men do harm but it is the women who have "sinned".

It's not because they're religious but because they're screwed up. They use religious language and references to justify their cruelty and perversion.

If they really followed the teachings of Christ they wouldn't treat women and children that way.

**shel90** · 03-17-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

It's not because they're religious but because they're screwed up. They use religious language and references to justify their cruelty and perversion.

If they really followed the teachings of Christ they wouldn't treat women and children that way.

You know what...sometimes I do wonder if they use religion to cover up for their evil doings but I was never sure because I am not familiar with religion and I had been told by a few priests or religion people growing up that I was being punished, needed to be cured, or I had sinned. Just too much negativity for me about who I was.

**Reba** · 03-17-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

You know what...sometimes I do wonder if they use religion to cover up for their evil doings but I was never sure because I am not familiar with religion and I had been told by a few priests or religion people growing up that I was being punished, needed to be cured, or I had sinned. Just too much negativity for me about who I was.

Well, we all sin (including the priests and pastors) but not all things that happen to us are the result of sin.

In the Bible (John 9), the same question was put to Jesus (just substitute the word "deaf" for "blind"):

"1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

**Dixie** · 03-17-2011, 08:48 PM

Things are just the way they are, not because of any sin that the person or anyone connected to them has done.

Sadly there are still people out there that think that if you have a child that is born with a disability or impairment that the parents are paying for their sins. This is not true at all.

I'm with Reba on this one.

**deafskeptic** · 03-19-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

You know what...sometimes I do wonder if they use religion to cover up for their evil doings but I was never sure because I am not familiar with religion and I had been told by a few priests or religion people growing up that I was being punished, needed to be cured, or I had sinned. Just too much negativity for me about who I was.

There are times when I think people will use the teachings of their religions(s) to mask unwholesome intentions. Personally, I think a person inclinced to do good unto others will do so even without the trapping of religon or religious teachings because they are by nature empathic toward others.

**Daredevel7** · 03-19-2011, 07:32 AM

Which day will pastor Fred Phelps finally come out?
Placing all bets! Placing all bets!

His actions reeks of self-hate as well as the need for attention.

**Reba** · 03-19-2011, 10:06 AM

Fred Phelps is hateful, evil, and mentally twisted. His daughter, the family lawyer, is not far behind.

Their "church" group has been to the Charleston area several times with their protests.

Hubby and I haven't encountered them face-to-face yet but as members of the Patriot Guard Riders, we're ready.

marcyp06 · 03-19-2011, 10:26 AM

2/22/11: Shirley Phelps-Roper admitted in an interview Monday that her father, the head of the Westboro Baptist Church, physically abused her and her siblings as a way to indoctrinate them to church dogma.

The group was in my town about 7 years ago. They were protesting our college production of The Laramie Project and chose my church to protest in front of. I went and met everyone that came and shook their hands and said "This catholic lesbian will be praying for you." And they all acted like I had poured cyanide on their hands. It was hillarious!

planetdoodle · 03-19-2011, 10:32 AM

Thinking hate is just as bad as taking action on it

deafdyke · 03-19-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Phelps has also said his father abused prescription drugs when he was in law school

. On another messageboard, someone posted a link to a series that the Topeka paper did with the son. I remember the article said that Phred had abused ampethmines in college, and that his behavoir might have been due to ampetamine pysosis.

I also remember that the article said that Phred was a member of one of those REALLY extreme Baptist churches that advocate violence against women. And Reba, I'm not attacking the Baptist church as an insistution. I understand that those types of churches are on the fringe, even in fundamentalism. It's just like how virtually ALL Pentecostal Churches practice speaking in tongues, but only a small fringe practice snake handling.

**KarissaMann05** · 03-19-2011, 09:05 PM

I remember Phelps disowned five children... so sad.

**Dixie** · 03-27-2011, 10:45 PM

Phelps is literally digging his own grave. When he passes I am sure there are several people that will make it a point to go and disrupt his funeral any way they can in the name of 'free speech'. Karma's a bitch.

jillio · 04-19-2011, 01:14 PM

Family violence, substance abuse, disowned children...none of this surprises me. Unfortunately. Phelps is a horrible person.

jillio · 04-19-2011, 01:15 PM

Family violence, substance abuse, disowned children...none of this surprises me. Unfortunately. Phelps is a horrible person. He spreads all of the anger and hate inside of him all over others. The sad part is that he distorts Christianity to justify his beliefs and actions.

**Dixie** · 04-21-2011, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Family violence, substance abuse, disowned children...none of this surprises me. Unfortunately. Phelps is a horrible person. He spreads all of the anger and hate inside of him all over others. The sad part is that he distorts Christianity to justify his beliefs and actions.

I think it's safe to say that even Jesus would not approve of Phelp's 'message' and behavior. Sorry Mr. Phelps if you are spewing hate across the nation, then you do NOT have the love of Christ in you!

jillio · 04-21-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixie

I think it's safe to say that even Jesus would not approve of Phelp's 'message' and behavior. Sorry Mr. Phelps if you are spewing hate across the nation, then you do NOT have the love of Christ in you!

Agreed.

Off topic: Is that a new haircut? Very cute!

posts from hell · 04-21-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixie

I think it's safe to say that even Jesus would not approve of Phelp's 'message' and behavior. Sorry Mr. Phelps if you are spewing hate across the nation, then you do NOT have the love of Christ in you!

Just curious - Does Christ love everyone?

Steinhauer · 04-22-2011, 12:02 AM

The devil can cite Scripture... at BrainyQuote

jillio · 04-22-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

Just curious - Does Christ love everyone?

Yeah, he just doesn't like some of them very much!

**Reba** · 04-22-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

Just curious - Does Christ love everyone?

Yes.

**Reba** · 04-22-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steinhauer

The devil can cite Scripture... at BrainyQuote

Satan can misquote Scripture. He knows the Scriptures and can twist them to suit his purposes.

**Dixie** · 04-28-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Agreed.

Off topic: Is that a new haircut? Very cute!

Thank you! Yes it is. My friend 'M' cut it for me. I had no idea she could cut hair until about 6 months ago and we've been friends for nearly 2 years. She's been a blessing/godsend ever since I got booted from Tyson.

Quote:

Originally Posted by posts from hell

Just curious - Does Christ love everyone?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Yeah, he just doesn't like some of them very much!

Bingo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Satan can misquote Scripture. He knows the Scriptures and can twist them to suit his purposes.

Bingo x2. There's the 'clobber verses' that many gay bashers use to cut homosexuals down. I believe this is what Phelps is doing. Misquoting scripture to meet his personal agenda and claiming it's from God.

03-17-2011, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
shel90 Let It Snow!!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,287 Blog Entries: 3	It seems to be very common among people who are deeply religous...that the men do harm but it is the women who have "sinned". __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

03-17-2011, 08:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dixie May I be found in Him Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 13,266	Things are just the way they are, not because of any sin that the person or anyone connected to them has done. Sadly there are still people out there that think that if you have a child that is born with a disability or impairment that the parents are paying for their sins. This is not true at all. I'm with Reba on this one. __________________ Oh, you will. It is all a dream and since matter cannot be created nor destroyed, the dreams must be real in all their myriad forms. -Beowulf This Delicate Thing God Has Made *The world is measured in peasants; smaller than a unicorn but, bigger than a tidbit!*

03-19-2011, 10:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,129	Fred Phelps is hateful, evil, and mentally twisted. His daughter, the family lawyer, is not far behind. Their "church" group has been to the Charleston area several times with their protests. Hubby and I haven't encountered them face-to-face yet but as members of the Patriot Guard Riders, we're ready. Tousi likes this.

03-19-2011, 10:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
marcyp06 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ellensburg, WA Posts: 303	2/22/11: Shirley Phelps-Roper admitted in an interview Monday that her father, the head of the Westboro Baptist Church, physically abused her and her siblings as a way to indoctrinate them to church dogma. The group was in my town about 7 years ago. They were protesting our college production of The Laramie Project and chose my church to protest in front of. I went and met everyone that came and shook their hands and said "This catholic lesbian will be praying for you." And they all acted like I had poured cyanide on their hands. It was hillarious! deafdyke and sheila022 like this. __________________ Aspiring interpreter (with an auditory processing disorder) becoming more Deaf-minded everyday. Love this culture.

03-19-2011, 10:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
planetdoodle Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: IN Posts: 151	Thinking hate is just as bad as taking action on it __________________ LUCKY THE BEAGLE

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03-17-2011, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
CSign Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Best Coast, USA Posts: 3,192	Wow. I feel for this guy. Something tells me the son is being honest. So sad and disrespectful of this pastor to do what he does.

03-19-2011, 07:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
Daredevel7 Adrenaline Junky Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 4,341	Which day will pastor Fred Phelps finally come out? Placing all bets! Placing all bets! His actions reeks of self-hate as well as the need for attention.

03-19-2011, 09:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
KarissaMann05 Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 6,381	I remember Phelps disowned five children... so sad. __________________ "Pragmatic language is a vital social skill that enables the school-aged child to navigate their way through demanding social situations." -- R. Owens

03-27-2011, 10:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dixie May I be found in Him Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 13,266	Phelps is literally digging his own grave. When he passes I am sure there are several people that will make it a point to go and disrupt his funeral any way they can in the name of 'free speech'. Karma's a bitch. __________________ Oh, you will. It is all a dream and since matter cannot be created nor destroyed, the dreams must be real in all their myriad forms. -Beowulf This Delicate Thing God Has Made *The world is measured in peasants; smaller than a unicorn but, bigger than a tidbit!*

04-19-2011, 01:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60,296	Family violence, substance abuse, disowned children...none of this surprises me. Unfortunately. Phelps is a horrible person.

04-19-2011, 01:15 PM	#17 (permalink)
jillio Banned Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 60,296	Family violence, substance abuse, disowned children...none of this surprises me. Unfortunately. Phelps is a horrible person. He spreads all of the anger and hate inside of him all over others. The sad part is that he distorts Christianity to justify his beliefs and actions. Dixie and Bottesini like this.

04-22-2011, 12:02 AM	#21 (permalink)
Steinhauer Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8,191 Blog Entries: 1	The devil can cite Scripture... at BrainyQuote

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