I often wonder how people can read the same Bible, hear the same stories about Jesus and then spew the most vile things, all in the name of God.

On Monday, March 8, NBC News carried a story about the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case against Fred Phelps and his brand of Christianity. I say his brand because I don’t believe Jesus would recognize it as “The Way” He taught.

When I see a sign that says God hates you, I have to wonder which god Phelps is talking about. Surely it is not the same God who chose Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. Surely it is not the same God whom the prophet Micah talked of when he said we were “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”? This is what the prophet says God wants of us. I suppose Mr. Phelps failed to read this. I also guess he missed the only command Jesus gave His followers in the Gospel of John, to “love one another” as Jesus had loved them. This after He had washed the feet of His followers, even the one who betrayed Him. I wonder what bible Mr. Phelps reads? Not the same one I do.

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when I don’t agree with what they have to say or their tactics to get their message out. But Mr. Phelps said, on video, that they had received the publicity they were seeking. He did this by praising the death of a Marine. He did this when one of his followers held up a sign that said, “Thank God for IEDs.” He did this when one of his followers held up a sign that said, “God Hates You.” This was directed to the parents of the dead Marine.

The actions of Mr. Phelps are at odds with everything I know and understand about God. The underlying reason for Mr. Phelps’ particular meanness is due to his hatred of gays and lesbians, people who are made in the image of God just like he is. Mr. Phelps chooses to believe that the death of American servicemen and women is God’s punishment concerning homosexuals serving in the military. That is as absurd as natural disasters occurring from the wrath of God.

I am not perfect, and I don’t profess to know the mind of God. But I believe God cries when someone dies, and I believe God cries when someone says God hates anyone. I believe God loves everyone who has been created in God’s image ... period. Mr. Phelps and his followers are entitled to their opinion. I believe they don’t have the right to destroy the solemnity of a funeral with their brand of hate-filled opinion. In my opinion, Mr. Phelps and his followers don’t have the right to call themselves Christians when they so obviously strain against the life and teaching of Jesus, the prophets and God.

It is not my job to judge; that is up to God. My job, our job, is to love, even those who seemingly hate some of God’s creation.
The Rev. R. Reid Morgan III
Rector
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church