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Edited on Sat Feb-19-05 08:55 PM by scarlett1
It will be interesting since Dean will be In Lawrence Kansas Next Friday, I can't attend because I'll be skiing in Colorado. I bet Phelps et al will protest. I will be in Topeka to see John Edwards speak at the Kansas Democratic Party Dinner the following week. YEEEEEEAAAAH.
Below is a letter to the Editor and an editorial
Letters to the editor Phelps' group hateful
Reading Jeanny Sharp's recent editorial about Fred Phelps' protest group made me remember a similar experience that we had. Last December, shortly before Christmas, our family attended a Christmas concert at the Lied Center. When we walked up to the entrance, we noticed the protesters outside the building. They were holding up signs testifying to the hatred of God against America and others. Wanting to find some common ground, I began reciting the Biblical verse John 3:16 as we walked past. I got through "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son", and then I was interrupted by the lady holding the sign, who cursed me. The cursing that she gave me confused me. I had thought that they were a Christian based group. However, cursing at me for quoting scripture to her seemed out of character for a Christian. So I went away confused as to the message and to the objective of the protests. What are they trying to accomplish? I don't know. They are an annoying, unprincipled, disruptive group that is against nearly everyone. I am thankful that I believe in a God who loves me.
(I removed writer's name),
Editorial referred to in Letter
Editorial: Phelps' protesters would do well to learn from area children
Hard lessons
Phelps' protesters would do well to learn from area children Kids love to learn new things -- especially if that education is accompanied by interactive entertainment. Thousands of kids -- mostly preschool to elementary school-age -- and their families learned more about recycling and the science of sound Saturday during a musical performance of "The Magic School Bus" at Lawrence's Lied Center. The high-energy performance was followed by a science workshop and activities, but the activities that preceded the event were what piqued some kids' interest. Topeka's notorious Fred Phelps' clones stood in front of the performing arts center spewing their hatred and intolerance through their signs stating that the 9/11 victims deserved what they got; God hates fags; Thank God for tsunamis, and more. It's uncertain what the protesters were protesting because they weren't able to explain it themselves. Upon questioning of one of the picketers about sentiments emblazoned on her sign, she said simply that she couldn't explain it. How awful that these people don't recognize or care what impression they would leave with innocent children who were certain to ask questions. Questions about why those people are "so mean?" Why are they so mad? Those are questions lots of adults wonder about, too. It's sad that these Kansans can't find a way to positively influence children and others rather than spreading venom. Phelps, a fundamentalist preacher at Topeka's small Westboro Baptist Church, has long protested against gays, but what in the world do tsunamis and the 9/11 attacks have to do with gays? The answer probably lies in Phelps' view of God. Rather than believing that God loves everybody, he contends in an open letter to the Topeka community on the Topeka Capital Journal's Web site that God loves only "the elect." "Every human is born totally depraved, deserving hell...The heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things, and the best description of mankind is a corrupt mass. The only people who will be saved are those God chooses to save. They are called the elect....The rest are reprobate," according to Phelps. In Phelps' world his picketers are doing the rest of us a favor by reminding us that God is punishing America via the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy for ignoring his commandments. In the real world, kids need to learn vital lessons on a host of educational topics -- none of those ought to include hate. Teacher extraordinare' Ms. Frizzle and the other members of the Magic School Bus cast had important lessons to impart on how to work together to keep our world healthy, clean and beautiful. It's too bad the divisive picketers didn't go inside to learn the same lessons. -- Jeanny Sharp, editor and publisher
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