What do you think of people like Fred Phelps?

[SortOfMormon]

He believes he and his member were chosen to be saved, and everyone is going to Hell, right?

Well, this is interesting. There is a Bible verse that says 'Ye believe not. Because ye are not of my sheep." Thats his proof there that what he says about God choosing people is true. But what does it mean?

[SortOfMormon]

What I mean is, what does the verse really mean? Whats he says or something else?

[SortOfMormon]

Also something about the elect in mentioned sometimes in the Bible. What does that mean?

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by jadams_4040

Not his followers; they simply are being led around by the nose.they know not. He is the problem.

Not really. I've seen interviews with church members--mostly family members btw--and they are usually highly intelligent, though not highly discerning. Their websites are prolific with Bible verses and a logic that is both intensely thought out, and yet, again, not wise, and certainly not Spirit-led.

[MormonMema]

Fred Phelps is a poor excuse for a pastor, who abused his children, and hates everybody. He was a lawyer, but his explosive temper got him into so much trouble in the court room, he was eventually disbarred. Then, he found religion. His cult of a church (Westboro Baptist Church, by definition is a cult, and has no semblance to a real Baptist Church) has picketed the funerals of homosexuals, and the funerals of soldiers who died in Iraq. He and his group, mainly brainwashed members of his own family, and a few outsiders, carry signs that say God hates soldiers. God hates America. God hates fags. , etc. ad nauseum.

I watched a documentary on him and his group from Netflix, and it was really sad. His young grandchildren, young as 4 or 5, were talking to the reporter in the documentary, and talking about how they hated the gays, and the gays should all die and go to hell. When the reporter asked why, they said they didn't know why, they just did. That's what I mean by brainwashing. Their stupid parents actually brought their children to the protests! You saw infants and toddlers carrying hate signs! It was appalling!

They planned on picketing a funeral for a soldier here in AR, a year ago, but this state has a law against such conduct within a certain radius of a funeral. What is really funny, is that that lunatic group on one occasion picketed a funeral, and a patriotic motorcycle group surrounded them and revved their engines, drowning out the voices of the protestors.

[SortOfMormon]

His young grandchildren, young as 4 or 5, were talking to the reporter in the documentary, and talking about how they hated the gays, and the gays should all die and go to hell.

Wow. Jesus taught us to love one another, even our enemies. I'm sure he wasn't just talking about our own brethren.

[Faded]

Originally Posted by Carl62

Oh, and along with hating all military, they also hate religious groups such as Catholics and Jews. I wonder if Mormons made their list? Surprised we haven't seen them on Temple Square yet.

Yeah, they've taken their shots at "Mormonism".
Deseret News | Church group plans protest at Pres. Hinckley's funeral

"On February 2, 2008 the group picketed during the funeral of former LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley in Salt Lake City, Utah, displaying picket signs criticizing him for being a "lying false prophet" and "leading millions of people astray." The organization also criticized Hinckley for being too accepting of gay people, accusing him of having an "ambiguous voice" about homosexuality rather than taking a firm stand against it. Police had difficulty determining whether the demonstration met the guidelines of protected free speech. It was said at least one of the picket signs read, "Hinckley is in hell." "
Westboro Baptist Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wikipedia link also contains a summary of everything else they've protested, criticized or condemned to hell. To summarize, they hate EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING OTHER THAN THEMSELVES. Some of the things they denounce and protest are things they have in common with other Christian Churches. Most are things that no decent human being would ever do.

This group is a true embarrassment to all things Christian and indeed all things Baptist. One thing has always struck me as very curious: Can't the Baptist faiths/organization prohibit them from referring to themselves as "Baptists"? No doubt they'd continue anyways, but at least an official denunciation should be in order, right?

[SortOfMormon]

He believes he and his member were chosen to be saved, and everyone is going to Hell, right?

Well, this is interesting. There is a Bible verse that says 'Ye believe not. Because ye are not of my sheep." Thats his proof there that what he says about God choosing people is true. But what does it mean?

Also something about the elect in mentioned sometimes in the Bible. What does that mean?

Can someone please explain these?

[Maxel]

Originally Posted by SortOfMormon

Can someone please explain these?

I'll offer my opinion, although it's late and I'm tired so it won't be backed up with scriptural support.

Christ has said that 'my sheep know my voice'- I take this to mean that those who would be his sheep (those who would humble themselves and submit to Christ's will) understand the doctrines of Christ's gospel when they hear them. Those who would follow Christ, know the "timbre of His voice", so to speak. The hard implication is that those who are not humble, who would not follow Christ's voice, don't understand because they cannot understand.

This kind of doctrine is easily abused by those who don't understand it. People like Phelps can claim that everyone else is a child of the devil using this doctrine and then hide their heads in the sand when it comes to the other weighty matters of the law (charity, tolerance, etc.).

[SortOfMormon]

Originally Posted by SortOfMormon

Wow. Jesus taught us to love one another, even our enemies. I'm sure he wasn't just talking about our own brethren.

What I meant by this was that I don't think Jesus told us to only love our own members and hate everyone else. He said to LOVE OUR ENEMIES!!!