'Angels' Take On Fred Phelps at Arizona Shooting Victim Funerals

on January 11, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Fred Phelps Westboro Baptist Church Fred Phelps claims he's got an in with God for the Westboro Baptist Church. Fortunately for him, God doesn't talk back. But Tucson, Arizona residents are thanking whatever deity they believe in that angels don't just talk back, they act.

Angels with giant fluffy manmade wings standing around the mourners at funerals, that is. They specialize in funerals where Phelps and his klan clan of anti-Semitic, homophobic, anti-Catholic, anti-divorce, anti-abortion, anti-Lutheran (seriously, let's just say this guy hates everybody except Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner) picketers show up to be giant pains in the tuchas.

Hey Mr. Phelps, just go ahead and try picketing the funeral of 9-year-old shooting victim Christina Taylor Green. The angels will be waiting for you. They're part of Angel Action, a project started informally back in 1998 to protect mourners from Phelps' band of crazies at the funeral of gay hate crime victim Matthew Shepard. It's completely grassroots, completely run by the goodness of people. Volunteers throw on fluffy wings and stand in a close knit group, the wings providing extra protection to keep the disturbing image of picketers out of the line of sight of those there to honor the memory of the deceased.

In light of the hatred we saw on Saturday in Tucson, we needed a miracle of human love. This may be just what the doctor (or God, if you wish) ordered.

Further proof that angels may really exist? Along with these do-gooders to counteract the evil-doers of Phelps' crew is the possibility of a "funeral protection zone" being rushed through the Arizona State Legislature today. Similar to one already in place in Ohio, it would enable police to keep not just Westboro Baptist Church members but anyone causing a ruckus back 300 feet from the people with legitimate business at the funeral. Considering it usually takes months to get a bill through your standard state legislature, and they're trying to get this done today, it seems angels really can work miracles.

Yesterday, Phelps' announcements that "God sent the shooter" made it painful to believe in HIS God. Today, faith is restored. Do you believe in angels?

Image via YouTube

About the author Jeanne Sager

writes articles for The Stir by day, slays closet monsters and bounds through bedtime stories with her elementary schooler by night. Diet Pepsi courses through her veins. The Phineas and Ferb soundtrack reverberates through her brain.

Filed Under: death, human rights, religion

Comments (22)

PonyChaser

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:02 PM

Can I make a request? Please take down Mr. Phelps's picture. I believe that half of his mission is to gain as much publicity as he possibly can. By putting his picture up when you're talking about the group that is standing against him, well that's just playing right into his hands, isn't it? Find a picture from this Angels group and use that - the article, after all, is about them, and the protection that they are offering to the families who are mourning.

It is my hope that the Patriot Guard Riders, Angel Action, and many, many private citizens will stand together to shield the families from this rioting dirtbag and his slimy band of worm feeders.

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Nonmember comment from DrBobNM

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:10 PM

God bless these Angels. Would also be great to pass that 300 ft restriction before Thursday. Praying for the victims and families, especially the princess.

Facebook comment from Ric Carter

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:34 PM

I agree with PonyChaser. People performing in vile ways in order to gain publicity, should not be rewarded with... publicity. It only encourages the b@st@rds.

Nonmember comment from Kathleen

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:37 PM

Well said Ponyrider. Prayers for anyone who has to deal with the hurt and anger they inflict. Kudos to the Arizona legislature...get it done!!

Nonmember comment from NJel

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:39 PM

Love will *always* defeat evil. I thank the Lord that swift action is able to be carried out against such hateful messages, and peacefully! This should prove, without a doubt, that there is still hope yet for humanity. Praise the Lord!

Shaylyn318

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:51 PM

I also agree with PonyChaser.

thedgoddess

on Jan 11, 2011 at 12:54 PM

ALso? THe joke is on Fred. He's going straight to hell. G-d hates hypocrit hate mongers, too.

Facebook comment from Donnie Hamm

on Jan 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

I hope Arizona's government will beat this azzhole today. God bless all the victims and the familys.

Nonmember comment from Chris87654

on Jan 11, 2011 at 1:12 PM

If anyone can figure out how to get funeral notices or burial sites for WBC members, I and many others would like to see them posted on the internet.

Facebook comment from Phillip Brisimitzakis

on Jan 11, 2011 at 1:23 PM

I would prefer the Hell's Angle's biker group would be there. Then maybe these lunatics will get the message... Let parents bury their child in peace.