A Plan for Dealing with the Westboro Baptist Church

They have been called the most hated family in America. In fact, with an inflated sense of self-martyrdom, they have described themselves that way. I am speaking of the Phelps family of the Westboro Baptist Church.

Upon reflection, that last sentence could have been written in reverse. I could just as easily be speaking of the Westboro Baptist Church of the Phelps family, as the extended family makes up most of the small population of the church.

Led by patriarch Fred Phelps, the church has become famous (and earned the most-hated handle) for preaching that "god hates fags," protesting movies and plays that focus on gay or lesbian themes, and protesting the funerals of soldiers. It is this last obsession of theirs that I want to deal with.

The church has been sued for their funeral protests. They have been arrested for stomping on the flag. They have been recently met at their various protests by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of volunteer motorcycle riding military retirees who assemble wherever the Westboro Baptist Church is to protest. Standing in an unbroken line, they to try to shield, for instance, the bereaved attendees of a military funeral from the protesters. I applaud the Riders for their work, but I think there might be a more direct way to counter the church, one that they cannot help but notice.

It helps that it is also humorously ironic.

Here's how it works. The mechanic is well known... have you ever had a co-worker announce to you that they were going to go on a charity walk of some sort, and ask you to sponsor them 'x' amount for each mile? Imagine a similar system for the church's protests. Counter protesters, even the Riders, gather donations based on how long the church protesters remain on site in their protest. The money is donated to organizations the church demonizes.

GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)
Various Veterans Associations
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
AIDS Researchers
Veterans Associations

The day of the counter-protest, make sure that the church knows that they are earning money for the very people they are protesting against. The longer the church protesters stay, the more money is raised.

In the end, they can almost be thanked for their help raising the money. Almost.

Note: I cannot take credit for this idea. It was originally suggested by Hammer over at the Religion, Ethics, Spirituality & More Discussion Board. It is such a good idea, though, that I thought it needed to be shared and spread around the net.