Kiss The Fiddler

Ramblings, moments of humor, random thoughts, experiences, insights, simple wisdom, and whatever else I feel like sharing.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

On the death of hate

Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, has died.  He and his church are known for their hateful and inflammatory speech and actions, specifically that "God hates fags" and that "fags" will "burn in hell".  

The overwhelming response from the gay and lesbian (and bi, trans, queer and questioning) community has been one of reactive hate.  For this, I am so, so sad. 

Let us not trade hate for hate.  This makes us no better than he.  Let God be his judge.  I hope this sad and angry man has finally found the "peace that passeth all understanding".  I hope God welcomed him with warm and open arms, just as we hope God will welcome each of us. 

I understand.  I really do.  Gays and lesbians, our friends families and supports, have been deeply hurt by this man and his followers.  And, I am so, so saddened by the overwhelming response of hate this morning.  When you are so hurt, it's easy to hate.  Please though, try to let yourself breathe through it.  Go ahead and feel it.  Get angry.  Then use that anger to focus your action.  Become an agent of change and growth instead of spewing hateful sentiment.  Please . . . 

Let this be the death of this hate.  

hbk

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Please. Yes.

Unknown said...

Please. Yes.

Mindful in Montana said...

Thank you, Heidi! My first response was "hope you like hell" but after reading your post, you are the one who is right. I think you're a Buddhist!