Fred Phelps died.
We should send flowers to his family. I'm serious. Just because they hate & have a misplaced sense of social decorum doesn't mean that you can hate them back.
The death of Fred is a tragic event for his family, who built him up as an icon to be obeyed. They are going through a hard time. They are isolated and hated, and alone. No one should have to be alone in their time of need.
I'd like to send my best thoughts, and although I do not believe in a god and especially not one who would hate anyone for any reason. I hope if there in fact is a God, so that what ever gender neutral pronoun can explain the power of love to a man who preached hate. By this, doing one thing that he could never, turn the other cheek. :P
It would fill my heart with happiness if what now happens is Fred gets to look down on billions of people just to realize we are all struggling to make it, struggling to to survive and struggling be kind. Unfortunately life doesn't seem to have a bow to wrap it up in.
Hopefully, Fred's family can remember the times filled with love, and compassion. I know that kindness is the most powerful tool. If you are a follower of Jesus, Love and Compassion should be what you strive to represent, especially when you meet someone as angry as Fred was. That is the greatness in turning the other cheek... Ending a cycle of hate.
God bless the Phelps in their time of need and grief. I understand if you can't, but I ask you at very least to raise a toast, or perform a sexual act on a stranger because a man died as the most who became emblematic of all evil in a struggle for equality amongst all of us beyond anything, but our character, and the value of our actions.
Amen.