Preacher Plans anti-Matthew Shepherd Monument

[Spence]

You may recall the name of Matthew Shepherd. He was the young man who was tied to a fence and beaten to death in rural Wyoming by two men because he was gay. Fred Phelps is a Christian preacher who runs a group called God Hates Fags. At Mr Shepherd's funeral, Mr Phelps and others of his group demonstrated outside the cemetery, shouting anti-gay slogans and declaring that Mr Shepherd had been murdered in accordance with God's law. It has not ended there. Mr Phelps now plans to erect a monument to Mr Shepherd. (http://www.365gay.com/newscontent/100303phelpsMemorial.htm) But, the monument will be no memorial. Phelps says the monument would be 5 to 6 feet tall and made of marble or granite. It would bear a bronze plaque bearing the image of Shepard and have an inscription reading "MATTHEW SHEPARD, Entered Hell October 12, 1998, in Defiance of God's Warning: 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is abomination.' Leviticus 18:22."

The monument would be erected in downtown Casper, Shepard's home town.

Here is a look (http://www.godhatesfags.com/fliers/oct2003/sketch_10-4-2003.pdf) at the planned monument. It is found at Reverend Phelps' website, www.godhatesfags.com.

[Skinzaholic]

It isnt fair to place the "Christian Preacher" label on this man. The term "christian" means "Christ-like" and Jesus Christ doesnt condone this behavior.

I am a "Christian Preacher" and see this guy as a fraud. He wouldn't know a Christian if one came up and bit him.

This "Christian Preacher" is taking Old Testament laws and applying them to a society placed in the Age of Grace through the New Testament. If he does it with that, then he must do it with everything (which Im certain he doesnt). Such as... if he misses paying his tithe to his church (10%) then he must pay back double.

Im sure he ignores that "law".

It is misguided people like this who give Christians a bad name. They all arent like that.


Let's refer to this gentlemen as his actions display him...a bigot.

[Spence]

Well, that's fine with me, Skinz. I'm a Christian and don't think I have any religious beliefs in common with Mr Phelps. But, in the interest of fairness, I thought I'd call the man what he calls himself. Otherwise, people might think I'm biased or something. ;)