Group Launches ‘God Loves Gays’ Billboard Campaign In Kansas To Taunt Westboro Baptist Church

[cbayer]

August 19, 2014 1:05 PM


(Photo courtesy of God Loves Gay Billboard Project)

(CBS SF) — God is everywhere — particularly in Topeka, Kansas these days.
The mysterious comedian behind the “God” Facebook Page is using his divine power to create a billboard campaign that advocates for LGBT rights in the hometown of Westboro Baptist Church, a group notorious for protesting the funerals of soldiers and carrying signs that say God hates gay people.

Now using the power of social media, God has launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy several billboards and plant them in and around Topeka featuring a cartoon image of the Holy Spirit, a giant rainbow and the message “God Loves Gays.”

God’s followers — among the 1.72 million on Facebook and 72,000 on Twitter — have already pledged nearly $42,000 to help pay for the billboards.

“BEHOLD!” the creator writes on the Indiegogo crowdfunding website. “God is tired of having hate-speech put into his mouth by bigots. Therefore, the LORD shall put up a billboard in Topeka, Kansas that declares to all that ‘God Loves Gays’!”

more at link

[trotsky]

1. Taunting people who hold sincere religious beliefs?

How horrible!

[merrily]

76. The issue is not whether it is horrible or not, but whether it will be effective.

I don't know the answer to that as far as changing the minds of anyone in the hardcore religious right. However, I believe it will make some liberals happy, perhaps especially gay liberals, so it's good enough for me.

[edhopper]

2. The Bible says otherwise

Leviticus 20:13

“If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense."

But wait, that is the OT, what does the NT say?


ROMANS 1:26-27

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."

Where does the Bible say that God loves Gay people.

[cbayer]

3. Wow, I've only seen fundamentalists resort to pulling up those bible quotes.

There are all sorts of things in the bible that are contradictory, ludicrous and impossible to follow. But you are making WBC's case for them. Isn't that special.

Not sure what you point is here. Are you not in favor of this campaign? Do you think the people sponsoring it are wrong?

Do you object to people saying that god loves gay people?

Most christians believe that god loves everyone and particularly loves the most vulnerable and marginalized.

I've seen you take some puzzling positions before, but this one wins hands down as really out there.

[trotsky]

5. The point is, cbayer, those quotes exist.

And they are used to justify homophobic beliefs. You can't just wave your hand and say they should be ignored, no matter how much you wish that were the case.

(And for the record, that's extremely inappropriate and hurtful of you to imply that ed is taking the "position" that god doesn't like homosexuality.)

[edhopper]

6. I'm saying

That they have no way of knowing that God loves gays, and the Bible says otherwise.
That maybe we should condemn any morality based on the proclamations of a supposed supernatural being and move to a more humanistic approach.
If you are just showing a he said/she said argument about what Christians should feel about homosexuality, you have no way of knowing which is right. You have no proof or evidence that either is the true faith.

I would rather see "Gay people should not be subjected to your hateful, religious intolerance."

That was my point.

[cbayer]

7. I think you have completely missed the point here.

Why would we condemn a morality that has a good message just because you don't believe in the supposed source.

There is everything humanistic about these billboards and their intent.

My god, I really think your position here is completely untenable.

The point is to counter the hate being spewed by WBC. I am entirely in favor of that. Sorry that you are not.

[edhopper]

9. I like the graphics of the billboard

if that is any help.

And truthfully if it makes them fume, it's a good thing.

I doubt a long billboard about the philosophical underpinnings of the theology would be of any use.

Though my billboard would probably say:

"If your God says what you say he says; Screw you and your God!"

Probably wouldn't go over well either.

[cbayer]

12. I like the graphics too.

I think sometimes you have to fight back using the same tools that you are fighting against.

This billboard is highly unlikely to offend or enrage anyone except the intended targets. That makes it good.

Yours, OTOH, would being using a sledgehammer and alienate many from your cause.

I think it was Bill Nye who recently talked about how it's important to challenge the harmful positions and distortions of the religious right in a way that does not threaten their very basic beliefs. I agree with him on that.

And this billboard does exactly that, imo.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Your billboard would be in service to yourself. This one serves others.

To both you and religious posters here, let me say Straight Folks, believers or not, stood by while Westboro Baptist attacked the funerals of gay people and other gay gatherings in all 50 States, hundreds of times before ANY of you got around to doing a thing to counter them, before any non gay group stood with us against them. That's a fucking fact.
Be they people of faith or people of no faith, Straights did not do a fucking thing to respond to Westboro until they started going to the funerals of Veterans who were not gay.
When it gets right down to it, as a pragmatist I have no idea what you do or do not believe, I just see what you do and you don't do. For many, many years, the Straight Community's only representative at such events was Fred Phelps.
Lots for all of you to be very proud of.

[trotsky]

29. You are right, Bluenw, and that is something we all need to keep in mind.

Years ago I had to go to Topeka for work. I saw them protesting downtown - and it was the first time I had seen anything like that. Raw, ugly hatred on display. Honestly I was more shocked than anything else; I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't know what to say, and I was on my way to meet with our customer.

I have learned and grown since then, have gotten much more brave and have also seen just how much the WBC folks are willing to do to spread their hate. Glad to see we are now standing up to them with our LGBT allies - and proud to stand with you against the people still spreading hate - whether they be WBC or the RCC and its "gay marriage is from Satan" leader.

[trotsky]

11. "Sorry that you are not."

That's bullshit, cbayer, and you really need to stop doing that.

We may disagree with the most effective ways of doing so, but we all oppose and want to counter WBC. There is NO NEED to smear other DUers like that.

[trotsky]

8. Very well put.

"Gay people should not be subjected to your hateful, religious intolerance."

Full stop.

[rug]

4. Galatians 3:28

There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

[Cartoonist]

10. Didn't Jesus say something like . . .

Above all else, love one another.
-
Works for me. Those who hate gays are Leviticans, not Christians.

[cbayer]

13. Yes, and for many that is the core of Christianity, and a similar message can

be found in other major religions.

I like this campaign very much.

[Cartoonist]

15. Over your head

While it is supposedly the core of many religions, it is so in words only. Let me know when it translates into deeds instead of slavery, genocide, and stoning.

[cbayer]

17. Over my head?

If all you can see from religion is slavery, genocide and stoning, then I am afraid that is your head that is not high enough. I could suggest a reason for that, but it would be unkind, so I won't.

What about this campaign do you think is about slavery, genocide or stoning? Is this not an example of a good deed being done by a religious group?

[bvf]

23. Not being on Facebook I have to admit to a certain level

of confusion. Do these followers of "God" truly constitute a religious group, or is the handle used more as a poke in the eye to religion, or what?

[cbayer]

27. That's a good question. I am not familiar with them, so I don't have any idea.

I don't think they are poking the eye of religion, though, just the eye of WBC.

Whether they are religion or not makes no difference to me. Anybody that challenges Westboro is ok by me.

[bvf]

45. You referred to them as a religious group

in the question. Now you're answering your own question with "I have no idea" whether they are.

I don't get your reasoning here.

[cbayer]

52. I made an assumption, but I am not certain about it.

OMG, not infallible!

[bvf]

60. Of course not.

No one assumes you to be speaking ex cathedra.

But this was your question:

"What about this campaign do you think is about slavery, genocide or stoning? Is this not an example of a good deed being done by a religious group?"

Folding an unfounded assumption into your question like this doesn't advance your argument in the least. If you want to accuse me of splitting hairs here, I'll say in anticipation that those hairs are thick as a stump. And that the answer to the question is "no."

I like what they're doing here too--I'd just take more care in making my case if I were out to change anyone's mind about the value of religion.

Thanks to AtheistCrusader for the info, too.

[cbayer]

61. I had assumed it was a religious group based on the billboard.

On looking a little further, I came to believe that i could be wrong about that.

You can read more into it than that, I guess, but it was an honest mistake and I am still not sure.

Since I'm not keeping score, it doesn't much matter. Take the point if you want it.

[bvf]

65. It's not a question of wanting the point.

It's a question of what is required to make the case for religion in general. You've demonstrated that just now.

[AtheistCrusader]

51. That 'God' account on FB is a long-running satirical gag, and it is hilarious and awesome, and very

much worth following.

[cbayer]

57. Thanks for that. I am not at all familiar with them

I did assume they were a religious group, but it doesn't matter to me whether they are or not. I like their campaign.

[bvf]

62. Thanks, AtheistCrusader. <eom>

[Cartoonist]

30. Way over

That's the hypocrisy of religion. Claim to be all about love but instead, be haters. Call WBC for an explanation.

[cbayer]

39. What? WBC is clearly a hateful institution. Are you saying that I share that quality with them?

Because that wouldn't be nice at all.

[Cartoonist]

46. The Bible says

"Love one another" on one page, "hate the gays" on another page. All Bible based denominations share that quality with WBC. And no, that's not nice. Get the picture?

[cbayer]

53. The bible is clearly a flawed set of books with contradictions and inconsistencies.

Not all bible based denominations share literalism with WBC. Are you a literalist?

I've got the picture. How about you?

Love to see some of your cartoons, btw.

[Cartoonist]

58. More hypocrisy

Name one Bible based denomination that has come out and said that the Bible is not the word of God. Don't give me that literalism crap. That's just another aspect of religion's hypocrisy. It allows them to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to use to oppress. I doubt you will ever get the picture.

[cbayer]

59. Now you are calling me a hypocrite? And you doubt that I will ever get the picture?

Personal attacks are a sure sign that you have lost.

So how about those cartoons?

[Cartoonist]

63. Stop crying

I speak only against religion. You want to take it personally.

I can't show you my cartoons without revealing my identity.

[cbayer]

66. Don't flatter yourself. You can't make me cry, only laugh.

Sorry that you don't feel safe to reveal your cartoons. If they contain the acerbic wit that comes through in your posts, I am sure they are super!

[Starboard Tack]

19. Not always

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

But let's face it, the Bible is due for an update. The guys who wrote these books and especially the guys who edited them were really uptight about homosexuality. The Bible, as it stands, needs a serious rewrite. It has been done before, many times. If this doesn't happen soon, it will end up being no more than a curiosity, or used as a doorstop.

There is much speculation that gospels are missing, or excluded (Enoch, Mary Magdalene, Judas and others), which may shed a different light on homosexuality and it's propriety.
But it is all rather silly, because regardless of any God (almighty creator), if one exists, the books were written by humans and reflect social mores of the writers and their culture at the time.

[stone space]

14. Oh, good Lord!

Those particular Bible quotes are the last thing that I expected to be subjected to in a gay rights thread here on DU.

I can surf over to www.godhatesf**s.com if I want to read shit like that.

[Goblinmonger]

16. The point is that scripture supports them

Do I like the "love everyone" verses better? Yes, I do. Other than "because they fit my politics," can you give me a reason why those verses have to be rejected on face value?

[stone space]

18. I'm not sure what to say.

It's not about politics.

It's about human rights.

If some folks here at DU find it difficult to choose between the Bible verses that the Phelps clan have on speeddial and the sentiments expressed on that billboard, then I don't know what I can add.

That billboard says it much better than I ever could.

The message is direct. It is simple. And it is powerful.

With a bit of humor sprinkled in for good measure.

Sorry, but I can't do much better than that.

Try reading that billboard again. And a few more times, if necessary. Eventually, it will click.

Us atheists are just as capable of moral discernment as are progressive Christians. Otherwise, why would God have given us brains in the first place?

[Goblinmonger]

20. I get that.

I think you are confusing the argument that the conservative side of Christianity also has support for their positions with the person making that argument supporting the conservative side. That isn't the point.

We are all on the same side here when it comes to the issue of GLBT rights.

But to dismiss the position of those opposed to it as not being the message of the Bible is just wrong.

It gets a little tiring to read from you and others that people showing an argument are supporting horrible positions.

[stone space]

21. If the Phelps clan wants to come here...

...and present their arguments, they can do that.

They don't need anybody to act as their proxy here.

[Goblinmonger]

22. Do you really not get it?

The point is that liberal Christianity doesn't have any unique claim to scripture. And to dismiss Phelps and others as not being really Christian is a bad argument.

[stone space]

25. Oh, yes. I get it.

Do you think we don't have our share of fundamentalist Christians out here? Do you think that I've never heard rapid fire Bible verses?

I'm tired of having fundamentalists throwing the same old Bible verses around. They're getting stale.

And they don't taste any better when thrown around by fundamentalist atheists than they do when thrown around by fundamentalist Christians.

Look, I don't mind somebody presenting a thoughtful Bible verse or two. (But not too many. Otherwise, my eyes will no doubt glaze over pretty quickly due to past experience...lol.)

But the key word here is "thoughtful". Otherwise it's just meaningless to me.

Rapid fire Bible verses do nothing for me as an atheist. It's just empty words to me. All syntax and no semantics.

If a Christian (or an atheist, for that matter) has a favorite or especially relevant Bible quote, then treat it like a gem and pass it to me gently. Tell me how this particular verse speaks to you, and how it derives meaning in your life ad in your world, and what lessons you derive from it.

Try to breath life and meaning into the verse, so that even an atheist mathematician can understand.

If a Bible verse is worth presenting and reading, then it ought to be worth savoring. That's when the verse gains its meaning and semantics, and is no longer a meaningless sequence of ink marks on a page.

I know that it's not easy, and this may be a lot for an atheist to ask, but I don't know how else to understand what it means to you, and without that, it's just a formal sequence of symbols to me. I come away with no insight into your religion (or irreligion) or the verse in question.

[freebrew]

49. The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

My take on that quote is that the book has so many contrary verses, it's easy to justify most anything and support it with a line somewhere.

My most favorite quote(this week): "If what Jesus said was good, why does it matter if he is god?" - KV

[unblock]

26. i'm hardly a bible expert, but isn't god supposed to love *all* his children?

[merrily]

78. Where in the words attributed to Jesus does it say that gays are second class citizens?

The Bible was in the hands of the Church for at least a millenium. If there is a God, only God knows what they did to it during all that time.

But, nothing in the words attributed to Jesus includes a reason to discriminate against gays.

Jesus said that all the law and the prophets (meaning all of the OT) boils down to loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. Didn't say your hetero neighbor, or your rich neighbor, or your white neighbor, etc. Just your neighbor. He also had a lot (relatively) to say about working on your own self instead of judging your neighbor.

What Jesus's followers and/or the church did to his words after he died and went to heaven is another story.

BTW, I don't know what translation you used, but I ignore translations after King James. Or, at least, I look to see what a modern translation "clarified."

[rickyhall]

28. I'm tired of the argument

Live your life you want & leave everyone else alone. In other words, "Do as thou wilt. Harm none. Is all of the law."

[passiveporcupine]

31. Of course God loves gays

He created rainbows, didn't he?

[edhopper]

32. I am sorry some

missed the point of my post quoting bible verse.

[stone space]

33. Just once, I'd like to see...

...a gay rights thread here that doesn't result in somebody posting a Bible verse from Leviticus.

I mean, surely this is possible here at DU, isn't it?

[Goblinmonger]

34. Perhaps if there was a gay rights thread

that didn't involve people talking about how great their religion is and how bad some other religion is, people wouldn't need to be reminded that the same sacred text their great religion uses for their greatness is the same sacred text that has some horrible shit in that supports the other side.

Surely this is possible here at DU, isn't it?

[stone space]

35. Why is it necessary for anybody...

...to post gay-bashing Bible verses in gay rights threads?

Just stop, ok?

This is nearly as annoying as when you wouldn't stop using the N-Word in your posts to me even after repeated requests from me for you to stop.

I'm beginning to think that some folks here just get off on being as offensive as they possibly can get away with.

[Goblinmonger]

36. Please give me the link

to where I posted "gay-bashing Bible verse in gay rights threads." Hint: I didn't. Please stop making claims that I did. I'm trying to explain to you why it is a valid response to those saying that religion is awesome and the answer to all gay rights problems.

[stone space]

37. Good Lord! Learn to read!

Please give me the link
to where I posted "gay-bashing Bible verse in gay rights threads." Hint: I didn't. Please stop making claims that I did.

What is your problem, anyway?

[Act_of_Reparation]

38. Your lying might have something to do with it.

This is nearly as annoying as when you wouldn't stop using the N-Word in your posts to me even after repeated requests from me for you to stop.

Nice try, buddy. Some of us know how to use the search function.

[stone space]

40. Why are you defending racism? (nt)

[Act_of_Reparation]

42. Why are you falsely accusing a fellow DUer of racism?

The potential answers are few and, admittedly, unflattering.

[Act_of_Reparation]

44. Yes, he has.

When you first made your asinine allegation back on June 4th.



This "gay rights" thread to which you refer eludes the search function. You should have no trouble finding it, though.

And I'm not going to bump the thread for some uninvolved troll attempting to stir up shit by defending racist bullshit.

Oh, did I step into a private conversation uninvited? Well, my stars, how embarrassing!

Carry on, then.

[AtheistCrusader]

50. I don't see you jumping on Starboard Tack in post 19. there, post 35'er.

Oh wait, you can't now, lol.

But you could have when you got here to post 35, couldn't you. Funny that.

[edhopper]

47. Do you think the bible

or religious scripture in general should be used at all when talking about Gay Rights?

[cbayer]

54. This doesn't answer my question about what your point was, even though you submitted

it in response to my question.

What was your point in posting what could have been posted by a member of the WBC?

[edhopper]

55. That was the point of my post

I explained, and it was explained by others.
Not saying you have to agree, just think you would understand the point.

[cbayer]

56. Your point of was to inquire as to whether others think that the bible should

be invoked in defense of glbt rights?

No, I didn't understand that at all.

[cbayer]

41. What exactly was your point?

When you make a post that could have been made by a representative of WBC, you really should be a bit clearer about what your intent is.

I still don't get your intent.

[edhopper]

48. read #47

[subject]

64. the

bible is myth, regardless of what it says or teaches.

AND The second you start quoting scripture to validate/invalidate and fight/defend your politics is the second i leave the conversation. Because you are crazy, out of your mind, insane and demented. Religion is EXACTLY THAT tho isn't it? Religion is perfectly healthy spirituality gone political.

God wants this and doesn't want that. Jesus liked his eggs over easy with hot sauce and Mary drank decaf and had IBS. Hello? ET Phone home? It doesn't take rocket scientists with MBA's in theology to understand that God loves us all. And under that auspice we all have equal and inalienable rights as human beings. Why is this even a question? An all inclusive kinda thing, "don't need no ticket, just get on board"~~

[cbayer]

68. So what do you think of this billboard?

[Kalidurga]

67. I don't call that taunting

although thin skinned haters might. It reads more like a PSA and a reminder. It would be funny if they got mad enough for introspection and some actual research. But, that could lead to something horrible like not hating gay people. I don't think that will ever happen they have a lot of emotional investment in believing they are special snowflakes and God loves them more.

[cbayer]

69. I don't think it will have any impact on them at all, but

it's a wonderfully positive statement in support of those they are trying to harm.

That's what I like about it. I like to see this kind of solidarity against the bad guys.

[Kalidurga]

70. I think it could make them angry

and that's a good thing. It won't likely change their minds though and that's a meh thing. I think the billboard people are on the right track though a show of solidarity is going to do a lot more good than trying to get the haters to stop hating.

[cbayer]

71. If they get any angrier, they might explode and that would be a very good thing!

I'm not a big fan of billboard wars, but in this case I am very supportive.

[Kalidurga]

72. That can actually happen

the explosion is usually internal. I like the other people too that got the rainbow house. Evidently they speak in cordial terms with each other.

[cbayer]

73. Is the rainbow house the one that is catty-cornered from the WBC?

The one that recently started the project in memory of Robin Williams?

[Kalidurga]

74. Oh probably didn't hear about the Robin Williams project

good to know they are still active activists

[cbayer]

75. I think it is the same. Here is my post about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218146552

[Kalidurga]

77. Yes same group

WBC is out matched I think.