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Anti-Gay Minister Promises to Protest Ledger’s Funeral

posted by Ellen Leventry | 1:55pm Wednesday January 23, 2008

To hear about Heath Ledger’s death yesterday evening was shocking, but to hear this morning that the Reverend Fred Phelps, keeper of the God Hates Fags website, announced that his anti-gay group would be picketing Ledger’s funeral because of his involvement in the Oscar-winning “Brokeback Mountain” was even more shocking.
I suppose it shouldn’t have been.
Phelps and his group from Kentucky’s Westboro Baptist Church have become infamous for their tasteless antics; first gaining infamy for the picketing of hate-crime victim Matthew Shepherd’s funeral. It is despicable enough that the group would picket a funeral, even if they strongly disagree with the deceased’s former lifestyle, but Phelps’ group has expanded their distasteful displays — shouting obscenities and shaking hate-speech filled placards — to events not even tenuously linked to issues of homosexuality: Funerals of fallen soldiers and the victims of last year’s Minnesota bridge collapse. Sure, some of those soldiers and Minnesotans may have been gay, lesbian or bisexual, but Phelps’ group is disrupting those funerals not because of the personal practices of the deceased, but because the group believes deaths of U.S. service persons in Iraq and the failure of the bridge are “punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.” Apparently those deaths had nothing to do with booby-traps and structural weaknesses. Go figure.
Now they want to disrupt the funeral of a man who played a gay man in a movie; a truly genre-busting and important film, but a movie nonetheless.


The link to the announcement about Ledger’s funeral is no longer working on Phelps’ site, but according to Perezhilton.com the group “will picket the decease[sic] Aussie actor’s funeral because he is a pervert who promoted homosexuality by appearing as a gay man in Brokeback Mountain.” The only pervert I see here is Phelps. How can a man who calls himself a Christian minister lead his flock to disrupt one of the most important rites of the religion?
Heck, even President Bush, a conservative Christian who’s not such a big friend of the country’s gay constituency, can see that it is just plain wrong to cause such distress, having signed The Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act which “bans protests within 300 feet of the entrance of a national cemetery and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery.”
Ironically enough, I just read a piece by a contributor to “The Advocate” who said that he hopes Phelps keeps doing what he does best, because now that his group has expanded their list of targets to innocent victims of disasters and honorable soldiers, and not just gay victims of hate crimes, the more the public will be aware of the hate-mongering group and will turn against it. It seems in this case, with Ledger’s phalanx of fans from teens who loved him in “10 Things I Hate About You” to cinemaphiles who revered his work in “Monster’s Ball,” Phelps may be messing with the wrong cowboy.



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tamiagain

posted January 23, 2008 at 2:34 pm


Its people like phelps that make god loving people like me not want to go to chruch. Also makes athiests think that much less of christians.ANYWAY. who died and made this man Judge? Excuse me mr phelps… thats gods Job!



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Charlotte

posted January 23, 2008 at 2:39 pm


This obviously is a sick person, filled with hate;how in the world he can be a “religious” person is beyond me. This is unfortunately another negative blow toward Christianity in general



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kfern

posted January 23, 2008 at 2:54 pm


I do not believe in homosexuality either, however it is not our job
to be judge and jury of these people. This so called christian
preacher should refer to the scriptures where is says “Judge not least
ye be judged” This is why christians are known as hypocrites and I
am tired of people like Phelps giving we christians a bad rap. Maybe
we should pickett him!!!!!!!!!! He needs to be exposed as a fake. I
hope when God punishes him someone is there to make a huge deal out of
it to the public just like he has to others.



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JLF

posted January 23, 2008 at 2:54 pm


The Bible, The Good Book states that ” When man lies with man as with womenkind it is an abomination unto God. ’nuff said’. JLF



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Mark

posted January 23, 2008 at 3:16 pm


“Phelps and his group from Kentucky’s Westboro Baptist Church”
Good post, but Phelp’s is from Topeka, Kansas – not Kentucky.



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Donna

posted January 23, 2008 at 3:49 pm


The actions Fred Phelps have long been misguided. I actually work in the news media and have seen him protest at many events where he should never be. I am a Christian. One thing that I hope to never be is an embarrassment to the name of Jesus Christ and my heavenly Father God. I know it would be easy to do so. Iknow that there are times in my life where I have sinned and faltered in my witness for Christ. I only have His grace and mercy to fall on in these times.
I often wonder why God chose to use His fallen creation to be a witness for Him in this world. I think our biggest problem whether we are Christians or not is that it makes us feel better about ourselves to judge and condemn others.
It’s easy to compare myself to many people and think I’m better, saying, “Well at least I didn’t kill anyone…,” or, “At least I don’t abuse children…,” etc. Yet, when I compare myself with a perfectly Holy and Righteousness God in Whom there is no blemish or spot – I always fall short and am always reminded of my great need for a Savior.
For those who confess to be Christians and are judgemental, for those who stay away from church because of how they see Christians act, for Christians who think we’re pretty fair and balanced, for those who are atheists, or agnostic, WHOEVER… all of mankind must recognize that He is God, He sits on His throne and does whatever He pleases, and that He is perfectly Holy and we are in great need of the forgiveness, grace and mercy He offers to us through His Son Jesus Christ…. because one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – whether they do it willingly or not.



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brighest starr

posted January 23, 2008 at 5:32 pm


MAY THE PEOPLE (SHEEP)THAT fOLLOW THIS SICK PREACHER”S WAY’S AND PROTEST FUNERALS ROT IN HELL !!!!! he is deranged for doing that to the deasesed and the familys !!!



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Scott R.

posted January 23, 2008 at 6:36 pm


Anyone that would protest the funeral of anyone is evil. They should rot.



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Marie Whalen

posted January 23, 2008 at 7:25 pm


I think this guy Phelps has a lot of nerve. His actions are even more disgusting because he is a minister and is supposed to be above this kind of pettiness. He should be reminded “Do not judge less you be judged.” I am sure he is no angel because nobody is perfect but the Lord. Let Mr. Ledger rest in peace. Nobody really knows what happened but him and his maker. Mr. Ledger was also a great actor, and that is all he was doing in that movie was acting. Can’t Mr. Phelps tell the difference. Anyway, who is he, to each his own. Just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean that you have to judge somebody for doing it. So called “gay people” are human beings to and have feelings just like everyone else. How would he like it if somebody judged him because he was straight. No matter how he feels about something it is so wrong of him to show up at Mr. Ledger’s funeral. There is a time and place for everything.



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Donny

posted January 24, 2008 at 12:23 am


Phelps joins a long list of people claiming to be Christians and violating what Jesus taught as recorded in the Gospels. How ironic that he does what Liberals, Progressives, and Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) that he rails against do. If Phelps does what Christians are admonished not to do, how is he any worse than others that “proudly” violate scripture while writing books, implementing legislation and marching down mainstreet in parades proclaiming their sexual proclivities?



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Michael Blair

posted January 24, 2008 at 4:24 am


Mr. Phelps and his clan of rabid, anti-gay activists are an example of what the Bible means when it says God has given up someone to a reprobate mind. The Phelps’ clan has turned their homophobia into idolatry. As we all know, the 10 Commandments tell us we are not to put ANY idols before God. Promoting homophobia is the most important thing in the lives of the Westboro Baptist “Church.” Anyone who has even heard of Jesus knows that He told us to love others as we love ourselves. No one in his/her right mind can construe disrupting and screaming at funerals as a way in which anyone would want to be treated. This kind of indecent conduct is immoral and stinks in the nostrils of the Lord.



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Autumn

posted January 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm


We need actors like Sean Penn and Alec Baldwin, etc. to go to the funeral and start throwing some punches!



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Margaret

posted January 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm


Phelps and his sick flock & family are the reason I don’t believe in organized religion and one of the reasons I don’t go to church. God is about loving one another. Funerals are for mourning the dead. They are no place for a self-serving, publicity seeking protest.



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KWinn

posted January 24, 2008 at 1:01 pm


Some of the comments are the reason he will be stopped..not by bloggers but by God. Those that “say” they are called will be judged more harshly. All we have to do is sit back and let God work it out. The Bible was never intended to promote hate or to beat up on someone so taking quotes from the Bible to promote your hateful agenda won’t work. KKK tried to promote slavery because of the Bible and you see what happened. You can always take one scripture and make a point but if you don’t read what comes before or after that quote your point is moot..sorry “nuff said”..



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Chris B.

posted January 24, 2008 at 1:06 pm


Margaret, you are so right, funerals are no place for self-serving, publicity seeking protests. However, I do think that funerals are a “celebration” of one’s life. I no longer “mourn” the dead – - instead, I choose to celebrate the life that they lived. I will not allow anyone, or organization, to dull my belief in my God or my Church. I do, and always will believe in a higher power. Mr. Ledger was an actor, playing a part. I am a lover of all people, and to denigrate someone because of their sexual orientation in life or death, is just plain wrong. Shame on Phelps and his followers!! I would love to hear his explanation of what he has done when he gets to go before God in the end – - – -



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Jaleyn

posted January 24, 2008 at 1:19 pm


I agree a funeral is NOT the time or place for a protest… Those folks who are mourning his loss need to be treated kindly and with love and respect. Freedom of speech is not a license to be cruel… Just my thoughts…



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Anonymous

posted January 24, 2008 at 1:34 pm


If we had that IDIOT with us in the 40s and 50s To be honest with you he would not last very long on the streets of BROOKLYN NY



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Sheila Traylor

posted January 24, 2008 at 4:29 pm


This man and his flock are not true christians. True christians do not act that way. To protest at anyone’s funeral is just wrong. God will deal with these people.



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Sarah

posted January 24, 2008 at 4:42 pm


I am really at a loss for something to say about these people ,except that they need all the prayers they can get that their hearts will be changed.



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Sharon

posted January 24, 2008 at 4:44 pm


It’s pathetic that Phelp’s can even get away with this style of Freedom of Speech. In a world that already has so much on it’s plate with issues of hate and cruelty, war and bedlam, etc. etc. This should be a time to give family and friends a time to mourn and grieve in peace. I truly feel sad, and sorry Phelp’s and his “followers” can not decipher that what they are doing is making people ill with even the sounds of them.
Amen. And rest in Peace, Heath Ledger.



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Mary

posted January 24, 2008 at 6:36 pm


Phelps and his group are not christians. True christians do not participate in hateful displays or behavior. No one in mourning should have to put up with sick people like Phelps and his group. My sincere sympathy to Mr. Ledger’s family and friends. May God surround them with his love and compassion at this very sad time.



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Irrelevant

posted January 25, 2008 at 4:17 am


If the funeral is held within the U.S., I am hopeful that the protest will be considered a hate crime with all members present put behind bars. The right to “peacefully assemble” means just that, peaceful. Shouting words of hate at a funeral is not “peaceful.” Quite frankly, this man and his groupies are obviousely simply attention seekers. Anyone who firmly believed in God’s word, would also know that it is not their right to cast stones.



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Jodee Borgerding

posted January 25, 2008 at 6:38 am


These people are not Christians and they give Christians a bad name. It is tacky and tasteless to do what they have been doing and it should be illegal at funerals. His family is greiving and they didn’t ask for what roles he played, nor should it matter at this time. I wonder how they would feel if we had a list of each member of thier “church” (I use that term lightly) and when each of them passed on, a group of people who didn’t believe what they do, constantly caused grief while they were already grieving. It’s just kicking someone while they are down. It’s repulsive, UN christian, and I am embarressed that they call themselves Christians. This is not Christian behaviour. Maybe they need to go with a more violent religion, and as far as I know there is only one. And it isn’t Christianity.Peace, love and prayers are what this family needs, not a bunch of people who call themselves “Christians” while I call them false prophets to be anywhere near the funeral for Heath or anyone else. How cowardly to wait until they are deceased to attack them. Sickening, just plain sickening!



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Jodee Borgerding

posted January 25, 2008 at 6:47 am


I feel like only cowards would do something so vile. I pray for them as they call themselves Christians. But I will continue to pray for this family going through such heartache and loss. This is no time for a protest, nor time for people kicking others while they are down. Not Christian attributes for sure.



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Anonymous

posted January 25, 2008 at 11:24 am


Revenge is the Lord’s. We must love and prey for our enemies and know that God prevails and judges fairly. Phelp’s is causing pain and suffering to others and ironically, and thanks be to God, is also causing those he is “throwing stones at” to be more blessed. We should not repay evil with evil but together set a true Christian example. We should offer them (Phelps’s army) water if they are thirsty and food if they are hungry, in doing this we shall heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:17). I would not want to be in Phelps’s shoes on judgement day! May we all learn to walk in love.



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rage

posted January 25, 2008 at 1:07 pm


“Revenge is the Lord’s.”
Revenge for what? How has Heath Ledger behaved to incur Phelps’ revenge? And, don’t give me that tripe about Ledger’s playing a gay cowboy. The man is an actor, simply doing his job. If Phelps didn’t like the movie, no one held a gun to his head to see it. Sure, the Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination. But, that was a mandate for believers to exercise and practice, not a command to the world of unbelivers. Jesus never ordered His followers to go after the GLBT community to deliver His retribution. Jesus ordered us to preach the GOOD NEWS of His Coming and the Kingdom, and go and sin no more. In turning the other cheek, Jesus mandated that we be the offended, not prosecutable offenders.
Phelps makes a mockery of Christendom with these stupid stunts. Jesus never petulently stalked offending sinners to shame them for their impropriety, nor so outrageously protested the abominations openly that offended Him. Jesus even prayed in private, saying that those who make an open show of their religion are already rewarded with public spectacle. Whose example is Phelps following? Because this is not what Jesus would do to anyone.



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Sarah

posted January 25, 2008 at 2:17 pm


Revenge is the Lord’s. We must love and prey for our enemies and know that God prevails and judges fairly. Phelp’s is causing pain and suffering to others and ironically, and thanks be to God, is also causing those he is “throwing stones at” to be more blessed. We should not repay evil with evil but together set a true Christian example. We should offer them (Phelps’s army) water if they are thirsty and food if they are hungry, in doing this we shall heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:17). I would not want to be in Phelps’s shoes on judgement day! May we all learn to walk in love.
You are so right. Absolutely.



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rage

posted January 25, 2008 at 3:11 pm


“We must love and prey for our enemies and know that God prevails and judges fairly.”
‘Prey’ for our enemies?
The prevalence and judgement of God are sure regardless of our human intervention. What Phelps is doing to appointing himself God’s judge, jury, and executioner in a matter that has nothing to do with him. God did not ordain any of us to persecute and derride sinners. These misguided Christian dominionists really need to read the Bible to learn what the real commission of Christ is and how the saints are treat sinners. The sinner is not an enemy on the Lord’s battlefield to be vanquished, coverted to a draconian doctrine faithlessly based on dated traditions and dogma, and subsequently deployed as a weapon in the battle against satan and his armies. Christians are not the BORG to which resistence by the sinner is futile. A sinner is a soul to be won to Jesus with Christian love, patience, grace, and mercy.
“We should offer them (Phelps’s army) water if they are thirsty and food if they are hungry, in doing this we shall heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:17).”
No, we really need to encourage the Ledger Family to quickly secure a restraining order against the Phelps borg now. It’s time we put a cork in this shameful embarrassment to Christendom. We’ve placated and cajoled this pinhead long enough, too often and most unfortunately to our own consternation. If this intrusive, ignorant, overbearing rascal has to pay his freight through enough legal twists and turns, replete with time in the gray bar inn, his irrelvant ‘ministry’ will soon go defunct. Phelps is the kind of weed the saints need to starve out of the Lord’s vineyard.



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runnynose

posted January 25, 2008 at 5:51 pm


The Phelps family is a abomination. Absolutely the worst thing that ever happened to Christianity. When you see them protest at a soldiers funeral, “because they died, due to the gay sinners in our country” you will understand that they are hateful nasty people. I have seen them protesting. They had kids holding up the most disgusting signs of stick figures having gay sex. Would you let your child do this? Would you teach your child to hate like this? Jesus was a man of peace and love. What is the verse about “don’t pick the speck from another mans eye until you pull the log from your own”? Only God will be our final judge. Let’s leave it to him. Maybe we should pray for those who don’t choose the right path, instead of casting stones at them. They are only making no believers run further way. You draw more flies with honey than vinegar.



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Terri Studdard

posted January 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm


I don’t know who he is to think that he is able to judge people for things they do, isn’t that the Lord’s job, how can he put a man down at his own funeral, and expect to gain the Lord’s love.
I think that Heath Ledger was a beatiful person, and that he will enter the Pearly Gates before Reverend Fred Phelps.
Heath did nothing wrong in my eyes.
We will all be judged when the time comes.



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jon

posted March 3, 2011 at 3:22 pm


live and let live! why do trees have leaves? what is the grass green?
Why are children born blind or missing fingers? Some children are born hemorphidite does that mean they are committing sin. It’s how you treat people and the way you live life. If people Don’t want gays in the military I suggest they enlist and pick up a weapon instead of protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers.



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