re: #253 Irenicum

I agree. back in my undergrad, we ad a similar type visit our school for a fews years going. He would stand between our library and chapel declaring that everybody passing by was going to hell. It woulda been funny if it weren’t for the fact that he often included his wife and kids along for the display. Very sad to see them stand there like zombies as he spouted hate masquerading as love. A Greek prof of mine tried reasoning with him but got nowhere, finally declaring that the guy was beyond reaching.

I’ve read some quite frightening investigative reporter stuff about how Phelps raised his family and also about his general life. This is one disturbed individual.

One of his sons who left forever when he was 18 spoke at the American Atheists convention last year. He’s only been an atheist since 2005 or so, however. His speech is primarily about his father and growing up in that family — highly recommend if you want an inside look at the family dynamics. He’s a monster.

**trigger warning for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse**
atheistnexus.org

This isn’t from that speech, but elsewhere:

The mattock, a close cousin of the pickaxe, is used to dig through tough, earthy surfaces—it loosens soil, breaks rock, and tears through knotted grass. Its handle is a three-foot wooden shaft, twice the density of a baseball bat and its dual-sided iron head is comprised of a chisel and a pick. It was Pastor Fred Phelps’s weapon of choice when beating his children according to his son, Nate Phelps.

“The Bible says ‘spare the rod, spoil the child,’” explained Nate, “and he would be screaming that out as he was beating us.” One Christmas night, Pastor Phelps hit Nate over 200 times with a mattock’s handle, swinging it like a baseball player.