What does Fred Phelps son reveal about dad?

[ladyinred]

letter from a son who left the Phelps family / church
Mark Phelps wrote the following to the citizens of Topeka, Kansas, homebase for his (in)famous father. It is printed at his request in The Capital-Journal on May 19, 1993. Contacted by telephone in California July 7, 1994, Mark Phelps said the letter still represents his feelings. He also cautioned people against taking the letter out of context, saying there is "gentleness" in the context of the letter and a hope that the community can better understand Fred Phelps based on what the letter contains.
"Many people have been asking me, over the past several weeks, about my father. They want to know what I think about him and 'What is he really like?' People's interest in what I think baffles me, but after careful consideration, I decided to respond.
What is he like? Well, it's been 19 years since I left home, but his behavior still appears to be the same. He considers his environment to be against him without admitting, acknowledging or taking responsibility for how he contributes to that. He likes to show himself as being moral, pro-family, pro-Bible, but his actions just don't add up to that. I believe in God and the Bible, and my father's behavior doesn't fit the description of behavior that would show in the life of one who loves God; behavior characteristics such as Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Instead, my father's behavior characterizes, I believe, Hate, Outbursts of Wrath, Contention, Jealousy, Vengefulness, Misery, Harshness, and Selfish ambition. He misstates the truth about his own behavior, about others, about the Bible, with apparent ease and regularity. He behaves with a viciousness the likes of which I have never seen. He accepts no genuine accountability in his life and is subject to no one. His lifestyle betrays the sacred trust of what a pastor, husband, father and grandfather should be. I suppose if a comparison were made between the life of Jesus Christ and my father, there would not be much to compare.
I also realize that my father is a very unstable person who is determined to hurt people. And because he is so bound to be hateful and hurtful, and because he's so untrustworthy, I believe it's a good idea to respond to him with caution much like the caution used when dealing with a rattlesnake or a mad dog. You see, the causes that he crusades for, including the Bible, are not the issue here. He simply wants to hate and to have a forum for his hate. If the causes he focuses on were the issue, that is, if they really meant something to him in his heart and he meant for the things he does to be for the good, his behavior would not be what it is. He would not betray his message with his behavior. But, when he needs to, to vent his hate, he readily goes outside the bounds of any previously stated 'value' or 'cause' he may have supported. He experiences no moral dilemma when it comes to doing what he wants to do. If it weren't the homosexuals, it would be something else.
Yet checks and balances on his behavior are appropriate, on the part of the community, in order to at least confine his destructive behaviors and to limit his influence. I believe that Topekans are making a good effort to try and stop him and should continue to do so. He can seem very intimidating. He can use foul language and come across with a booming voice to the community, but the truth is, like the Wizard of Oz, when Toto pulls the curtain back, instead of this big powerful individual, it's only a small, pathetic old man.
I feel sorry for my father as I would for anyone who displays this kind of hate and evil viciousness. These can only be the manifestations of tortured, injured and agonizing souls."
-- Mark W. Phelps

[scott snedeker]

Is ther a link to the original?

[ladyinred]

http://www.nndb.com/people/908/000025833/

Scott the above link will lead you to the letter.I originally posted it off another website ,Free Christians. This is the full content on the letter on this website:http://cjonline.com/indepth/phelps/s...phelps03.shtml

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by ladyinred

http://www.nndb.com/people/908/000025833/

Scott the above link will lead you to the letter.I originally posted it off another website ,Free Christians. This is the full content on the letter on this website:http://cjonline.com/indepth/phelps/s...phelps03.shtml

yuck! what a creep!

[pnggrad79]

VERY MUCH A CREEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[progressive4christ]

I am so glad a least one of the family members got smart and left.

[alisaeyes]

He sounds like a dangerous person...he believe in what he does,,,and he brings people in to help him spread hate for others...I thought Jesus and god loves everyone...does he think they are wrong in that belief...

[ladyinred]

That would be hard to explain Hobo,it seems his hatred is destroying him and alienating him from alot of people

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by hobo

He sounds like a dangerous person...he believe in what he does,,,and he brings people in to help him spread hate for others...I thought Jesus and god loves everyone...does he think they are wrong in that belief...

As a matter of fact, yes, he does. He constantly bangs the drum that "God loves everyone" is a lie. Fortunately, God didn't consult Fred on that policy.

[ladyinred]

LOL Brent. I always like people who have a flair for humor.(or is it just me seeing things as humorous?)

[ladyinred]

Originally Posted by progressive4christ

I am so glad a least one of the family members got smart and left.

Ok, yea,I finally got it you all,I learned how to do this quote stuff right.(of course with help from others, I have to give them credit where credit is due) He'd have to leave unfortunately because the environment he was in was so toxic and soul deadening. There's not alot he can do about dad, except not follow his lead and hope and pray one day he will change.

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by ladyinred

LOL Brent. I always like people who have a flair for humor.(or is it just me seeing things as humorous?)

I am an incurable smart alec. I know, I was in a program. Electroshock and everything ... no, wait, that's something different. See, there I go again.

[ladyinred]

My dear you are entitled to be a smart alec,actually I think that smart alec part of you brings out some wisdom.

[Progo35]

As a Christian, I wish that Fred Phelps would do us all a favor and shut up.

[ladyinred]

I posted this as an insight to Fred Phelps ,his own son actually had to leave the family I guess to keep his sanity. That does not say much about Fred Phelps when he alienates his own. But it also shows that he pretty much is pathetic and to be pitied rather than despised.

[u-dog]

can't we do both? Pity AND despise him? Picketing soldiers funerals is pathetic and pretty damned descpicable!

[Paulus]

No, Fred Phelps & his followers because of their hate -- they have walked away from Christ, are lost souls in a dying world.

[Cheese-Love]

Thanks for posting! I've seen websites and documentaries on the Phelps family... It's always a point of interest with me and I enjoyed reading this letter. I didn't even know Fred Phelps had an estranged son.