Paul Ryan
2012-08-18 05:57:23 UTC
Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. (born November 13, 1929) is an American
pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), an independent
Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps is a disbarred lawyer,
founder of the Phelps Chartered law firm, and a former civil rights
activist.
Phelps's followers frequently picket various events, such as military
funerals, gay pride gatherings, high-profile political gatherings,
university commencement ceremonies, performances of The Laramie
Project, mainstream Christian gatherings and concerts with which he
had no affiliation, arguing it is their sacred duty to warn others of
God's anger.
In response to Phelps' protests at military funerals, President George
W. Bush signed the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act into law in
May 2006, and, in April 2007, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius signed
into law a bill establishing a 150-foot no-picketing buffer zone
around funerals,
He is known for the slogans that he and his ministry use against
people he deems sinful; his church is built around a core of anti-
homosexual theology, with many of their activities stemming from the
slogan "God hates fags", which is also the name of the group's main
website.Gay rights supporters have denounced him as a producer of anti-
gay propaganda and violence-inspiring hate speech. The church is
considered a hate group and monitored by the Anti-Defamation League
and Southern Poverty Law Center.
pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), an independent
Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps is a disbarred lawyer,
founder of the Phelps Chartered law firm, and a former civil rights
activist.
Phelps's followers frequently picket various events, such as military
funerals, gay pride gatherings, high-profile political gatherings,
university commencement ceremonies, performances of The Laramie
Project, mainstream Christian gatherings and concerts with which he
had no affiliation, arguing it is their sacred duty to warn others of
God's anger.
In response to Phelps' protests at military funerals, President George
W. Bush signed the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act into law in
May 2006, and, in April 2007, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius signed
into law a bill establishing a 150-foot no-picketing buffer zone
around funerals,
He is known for the slogans that he and his ministry use against
people he deems sinful; his church is built around a core of anti-
homosexual theology, with many of their activities stemming from the
slogan "God hates fags", which is also the name of the group's main
website.Gay rights supporters have denounced him as a producer of anti-
gay propaganda and violence-inspiring hate speech. The church is
considered a hate group and monitored by the Anti-Defamation League
and Southern Poverty Law Center.