Should I go to an anti-Phelps protest?

[John Gauger]

Some of my friends are going to a counter-protest to combat the message of Fred Phelps in my town. I don't want to encourage the bastard by giving him any more attention, which is all he is after. Should I go or not?

[krispos42]

1. Go, and make out with your partner the entire time

That should piss him off. Borrow a couple of nephews or something and pass them off as your own as well.

:evilgrin:

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Evil as it seems, I really hope we get a chance to pickett one of their funerals

I might even ride my MC to it...

[Hekate]

3. The Phelps's came to my sister's area, and her UU church went and "shunned" them

The idea of shunning was that all these people would first get between the Phelps tribe and the group they were trying to harass, and then turn their backs on the Phelps's and refuse to engage with them. That way the Phelps would see a wall of backs and not be able to get close to the object of their hatred.

The only one who kind of broke ranks was my sister's father in law, who thinks he can persuade people of their errors by talking to them. (Wrong, Bernie. :-) )

She said it went pretty well. I only offer this as one choice. The Phelps tribe WANTS confrontation. They want the attention.

Hekate

[Turbineguy]

4. Do something worthwhile

with your time, like get drunk.

A Presbyterian Minister once told me: "I'd cross town to give a sermon, I wouldn't cross the street to listen to one!"

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. If Phelp's crowd of idiots are there to disrupt a funeral, yes

Because you'll be going in support of the berieved family. You are showing them that you care and that you are not afraid to stand up to bigotry. This can only help your cause and hurt his. Besides, I saw a video once where some gays went to Phelps and he saw them and ran away! I think it was from Michael Moore's old TV show.

[John Gauger]

8. A local HS is putting on "The Laramie Project."

It's not a funeral. Actually, now that I think about it, I should probably go to see the show.

[dsc]

9. You really should go see the show

Any high school willing to put that on should be supported. But bring tissues if you are at all like me.

[nealmhughes]

6. I like the idea of standing there surrounding them in complete silence, turning collective backs

to them every time they move, much like the reverse of facing the Cross and the Gospel during the Mass. Complete and utter silence, no eye contact. Maybe have a minister/rabbi/imam/other clergy offering up holy writ on peace with everyone paying apt attention to them and not to the Homo phelphsensis nonsanis.

[BR_Parkway]

7. Phelps = Falwell or Dobson without the lipstick

I think that would make a great sign

[mitchtv]

10. By all means attend the showing

especially if you haven't seen it. No reason you can't do both, attend the demo and see the show.