Westboro Baptist Church & The Laramie Project

Last night, I learned that the Westboro Baptist Church (http://www.westborobaptistchurch.com/) will be coming to my college campus to protest.

If you've never heard of the WBC, it was founded by Fred Phelps and is based in Topeka, Kansas. According to the WBC's website, they "adhere to the teachings of the Bible, preach against all forms of sin (e.g., fornication, adultery [including divorce and remarriage], sodomy), and insist that the sovereignty of God and the doctrines of grace be taught and expounded publicly to all men. These doctrines of grace were well summed up by John Calvin in his 5 points of Calvinism: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. . . . Even though the Arminian lies that 'God loves everyone' and 'Jesus died for everyone' are being taught from nearly every pulpit in this generation, this hasn't always been the case. If you are in a church that supposedly believes the Bible, and you are hearing these lies, then your church doesn't teach what the Bible teaches.

WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, THANK GOD FOR DEAD SOLDIERS, FAG TROOPS, GOD BLEW UP THE TROOPS, GOD HATES AMERICA, AMERICA IS DOOMED, THE WORLD IS DOOMED, etc."

Also, they do not believe that God forgives everyone, they do not "pray for the salvation of those who [they] feel are condemned," "Jesus died only for His sheep," and "the Bible preaches hate."

The WBC is protesting Judy Shepard's appearance on campus to speak, and the theatre department's performance of "The Laramie Project" the following night. A Facebook Event has been created, of which I am an administrator (contact me for more information). The event, "Stand Up For Love," will feature a silent, peaceful counter-protest/human chain near the chapel where Judy Shepard will be speaking, as well as a human chain around the theatre.

Personally, I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle. However, many of my friends are homosexual (and many of the students on my liberal arts campus are also homosexual), and I love them, regardless. I will support them. I do not believe in the WBC's message of hate.

I and over 100 others (not including the presence of Public Safety) will be there to spread our silent message of love. I would like to ask for prayer over those two days (April 30 & May 1), as violence has been known to occur whenever the WBC appears, and I am certain that emotions will be running high. Although we've been policing ourselves and repeatedly reminding everyone to remain silent (or not to come at all if they feel they will be unable to control themselves), I do worry about people not from our group who may come to protest the WBC.

I would like to request prayer for strength, for solidarity, for self-discipline, for success of our counter-protest. Or, if you are not inclined to prayer, we would appreciate good vibes/thoughts those days.