FP.jpgYou may have heard about the picketed military funerals, the anti-gay protest signs or the claims that 9-11, Hurricane Katrina and the Boston bombing were sent by God. These news reports are the majority of cases associated with Westboro Baptist Church.

Since the 1990s, Westboro Baptist has been known for picketing events it considers anti-God. Their signs have made international news with statements like “Planes Crash God Laughs,” “Thank God for 9-11,” and the ever popular “God Hates F**s.” Members claim they are trying to tell others about the truth and wrath of God.

March 19, the longtime head of Westboro Baptist, Rev. Fred Phelps, passed away from natural causes. This started a media frenzy of jokes and nasty opinions. Cal Thomas wrote an article for townhall.com titled “Fred Phelps: Satan’s Servant.” Paula Pell, a writer for Saturday Night Live, tweeted, “Bye Fred Phelps, I hope you like retirement communities in warm climates.” Andy Cohen, the vice president of development and talent at Bravo Cable Network, tweeted, “If there is a hell, then he is there.

These comments showing people dancing on the grave of Phelps did not bother me until a friend of mine stated on Facebook, “I’ve never celebrated a mans death….but holy s*** can I start like now hahaha. Someone go picket his funeral yea?” I am very thankful after reading my friend’s post to see Maggie Phelps from WB tweet that there would be no public memorial or funeral to picket if any member died.”

Many Americans, including LGBTQIA people and my family and friends, do not know how to react to Phelps’ passing. As a gay agnostic at APU, it would seem that I should be excited as well over the death of Fred Phelps, but I am not. There are many reasons for this, but maybe by sharing some different perspectives we can all learn how to respond to death no matter how differing another person’s views may be.

WB.jpgAs a Christian, the appropriate response seems to come from Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” You see, judging is meant for the Day of Judgment and by judging another person you are acting and taking God’s place. In other words, it is not your place to judge when you are also on trial as well. Your role in life is to be the best Christ-follower you can be by loving God, others, and yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).

Now we all have heard of turning the other cheek, going another mile and giving your coat when asked for your shirt (Matthew 5:39-41). These exemplify how you should respond when in conflict. Phelps’ passing allows the church to react in a way in which we become servants and treat others how we would like to be treated, as in the Golden Rule.

As an agnostic, I realize that the response to Fred Phelps’ passing should not be treated any differently than the Christian response. Being agnostic means that I do not have a definite view of whether God exists or not. Therefore, I cannot fairly discuss judgment of Phelps either.

We can also look to science for answers. In a 75-year Harvard grant-study, George Vaillant concluded that love is the only thing that matters in life. If you look at almost any study done for business growth, problem-solving or creating change, you will find the same conclusion on love. If we respond in love no matter how different one’s opinion may be, we can possibly create a healthy change in the future.

And if you do not believe in God, then you probably believe everything happens purely by chance. That means you could have been any person on Earth, whether it be a sex-trafficked girl, a rich heir to a throne or even a Westboro Baptist member. So show sympathy for every human being. Everyone is equal.

March 21 at a Lorde concert in Kansas City, WB came to protest for the first time since Phelps’ passing and received an unexpected surprise. Instead of getting hate, found two people held a sign stating, “Sorry for your loss.” I am proud to be part of a country in which we can proudly hold up a sign at a concert showing our love, which is the same right WB has to protest at funerals, concerts and churches. Hopefully, we can represent a body of people on Earth who treat others in ways we would like to be treated because in the end, we are all human and should be respected as such.