Louis Theroux vs Westboro Baptists

[electrogirl]

I was also surprised about the homeschooling aspect. I had assumed that she would insist on keeping them home and insisiting that they not be exposed to evil

no it seems she wants them to spread the word.

flippin eck, him questioning the protesting kids about whether they understood was telling.

 

[butterfly child]

That's my opinion. Fred Phelps is not stupid though, there's a lot of intelligence there imo.

There was an article about it in The Guide, and Theroux says

"I found a lot to like about the Phelps. They have a strong family unit, and Gramps aside, they were open and hospitable".

One can only hope that the bastard goes soon and they'll implode.

 

[LilMissHissyFit]

If you dont want your children to get hurt dont use them as pawns. Its not good but like he says, the kids are victims of the parents

 

[Augie March]

 

[The Pious Pawn]

what a shower of cunts , i hope a nutty ex serviceman kills them . harrassing peoples familys like that .

 

[Idaho]

How come, in religion, the curve of self proclaimed scriptural literalism is mirrored by the curve in observations only of the more extreme elements in scripture?

 

[Balbi]

How come, in religion, the curve of self proclaimed scriptural literalism is mirrored by the curve in observations only of the more extreme elements in scripture?

My hangover does not compute.

 

[Idaho]

That those who claim to be taking religion literally, are always the most extreme?

They seem to ignore the milder elements as soon as they claim to be literal.

 

[Balbi]

Because the bible has been 'watered down' over the years. And extremism is incredibly simplistic to preach. Totally ignores the human conditions and the questions that have been posed to mankind over the last 1500 years or so.

 

[Dubversion]

they had a certain media savvy

Princess Di: Fag Enabler

 

[spanglechick]

i would have liked to hear from someone who had left the family.

 

[editor]

Theroux's ability to mix with utter cunts and keep a straight face can only be admired.

Top prog!

 

[big eejit]

Great programme. That old man was evil. Had to feel sorry for the children and younger members.

 

[Idaho]

I was saying to Ms Idaho that the Dyke Land (I think it was) poster would probably sell for a bomb in some cities. It was pop art!

Does anyone think he hammed it up a lot less this time? Less flippant?

 

[Pete the Greek]

they had a certain media savvy

Princess Di: Fag Enabler

here's my fag enabler:

 

[Balbi]

I thought they were going to do that, but it never materialised.

The young girl paused when describing those family members who had left as 'gone'. Disturbing sometimes. The small children who couldn't remember what they'd been told.....

 

[frogwoman]

I know

 

[skunkboy69]

The mans a genius and a saint.

 

[Dubversion]

i'm seriously considering starting an email correspondence with them, on a kind of "well, here in the UK we KNOW what a faglover Louis is, he tried to make you look stupid but your message came through", dunno if they'd fall for it, they are - scarily - fairly sussed in some ways

 

[krtek a houby]

The funeral in Illinois was dignified and moving and contrasted sharply with the insane hateful picket. What is it with bringing along kids to those pickets, anyway? Like a form of child abuse, as Louis said - it was like they were being "groomed" to take part in their weird lifestyle.

Facinating but deeply disturbing stuff.

 

[Pete the Greek]

and if you did fool them.......where would you take that?

 

[frogwoman]

Fred Phelps is very intelligent.

That Shirley woman though... and the documentary member - i don't think he was part of the family, so he didn't even have an excuse

I felt so sorry for that young woman, who was not allowed to go out with her friends, you could tell she was upset about it but she had to put on that front about being happy really quickly And those poor kids, for them it was just a bit of fun

 

[Cloo]

i would have liked to hear from someone who had left the family.

I wonder if perhaps they only allowed filming on condition that they didn't speak to the people who'd left.

Or possibly the people who left get so inundated with interest that they refuse to talk. According to gsv there's some interesting stuff about these people on wikipedia.

It was surprising that this was no bunch of dumb rednecks, but seemingly intelligent people espousing this utterly bizarre rhetoric.

 

[Balbi]

Those who are in charge aren't stupid by any sense, they're very astute in getting their message across and combating criticism. And after all they can 'win' the argument by just claiming it's the devil talking

 

[LDR]

I'm not sure if it was the same people but I was left a voice mail message saying I was going to burn in hell when I worked for an HIV charity a number of years back claiming to represent godhatesfags.

When you have the rules of how you should live your life laid out in front of you, I suspect it's quite a comfort zone never having to question or think about whether something is right or wrong as it just is. They strike me as very frightened people really. It makes me sad.

 

[og ogilby]

Theroux's ability to mix with utter cunts and keep a straight face can only be admired.

Most posters on this board have got it off to a tee.

 

[krtek a houby]

Those who are in charge aren't stupid by any sense, they're very astute in getting their message across and combating criticism. And after all they can 'win' the argument by just claiming it's the devil talking

Yes but they simply refuse to entertain even the notion that they may be wrong. Criticism does not register with them. I dunno, if an organisation of any sort cannot examine themselves with even a mild degree of critical dialogue - they'll eventually implode, surely?

 

[wishface]

That was a superb and measured documentary on people whose beliefs and behaviour I am too aghast at too properly comment. Those poor kids, that sad, sick hate filled old man. What future is there for these people? They will either end up getting run over (which is what I thought happened to that kid at the picket), shot (which is what I thought was going to happen at the funeral - picketing a military funeral!?!) or burned in their church (which is what i thought was going to happen after the fire at the other church).

Louis THeroux is da man. Sad to hear he is going to burn in hell.

 

[Balbi]

Mmm. They don't let themselves get into deep discussion, it's never a proper one on one situation. They fear that they can be isolated, and so remain together for collective strength.

 

[wishface]

What needs to happen is one of them needs to have their life saved by a gay doctor or something. Though they'd probably prefer death than live 'tainted by fag medicine'.

Shouldn't they be in jail or something with the kids taken into care? I mean surely they are living breathing hate crimes?