The Phelps family: are they Christian?

Question

A-Everytime rotten Christians rear their heads, good Christians claim the bad ones aren't true Christians.

B-At the same time, most Christians claim mankind is inately wretched and in need of a savior. I.e. people have a tendency to do bad things and this is why they should ask for salvation through Christ.

A and B cannot both be true. Which 1 is it?

The most logical and honest explanation is: some Christians are good and some aren't. This applies to all groups (atheists, plumbers, doctors, cops, Jews, gentiles, indian chiefs, etc...).

Answer 1

Right, they are Christian by definition, even though they are not acting in a "Christian" way. All good Christians can do is to denounce hateful actions like those the Phelps family do, and be nice and respectful themselves so they show by example.

For my part, I remind myself about all of the nice Christians I've met everytime I encounter a jerk Christian so I don't become prejudiced...and it's good to remember all of us belong to *some* group that is negatively stereotyped by the nasty but vocal minority.

Answer 2

You're right. They do actually follow what the bible says, unlike most Christians who have to resort to sometimes strange interpretations or saying "you're not supposed to take that literally" (how do they know?) in order to be socially acceptable. This merely confirms my opinion of Christianity, which is unprintable in full in a forum such as this. I hate Fred Phelps too and his idiot daughter Shirley, and have only admiration for his son Nate who escaped it all as soon as he could and is now a campaigner for atheism. I can't imagine what he must have gone through with such an abusive father, but his speech to the American Atheist Association back in April (link below) gives a flavour. It may interest you to know, if you didn't already, that Fred and Shirley are on the banned list for entry to the United Kingdom, as they are classed as members of a hate group. This was imposed on them when they threatened to picket a performance of "The Laramie Project" at Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke. Just about everyone else on that list is a suspected muslim terrorist.

Answer 3

Yes, Phelps and co. are Christians. A particularly xenophobic, paranoid, and hateful variation, but they still fit the bill: They believe in the existence of the Christian God and in Jesus. That's really all that's required. All the rest is just window dressing.

To be fair, it is nessecary to point out that Christians also actively oppose the man.

Answer 4

Any organization that promotes hate is an abomination.

Whatever is buried within the heart of man, comes forth from the mouth, and also in mans actions. What might be buried in their hearts?
Hatemongers are plentiful in the world, and I ask you why one has to proclaim itself Christian? This is definitely an example of false wisdom, in its purest form.
Sometimes to much light can blind man, so he cannot see the error of his ways.
The Phelps Clan is an example of all of the above.
When these hatemongers appear before Jesus, they will say that they are Christian, and Jesus most likely will respond by saying:
"I Know You Not".

Answer 5

Being a Christian isn't a title- it's a way of life.

The Phelps family may believe they are Christian, but their actions and words are not "Christ-like" in any way.

People do need salvation, but they have to recognize that first.

Answer 6

Some Christians just take it too far (radicals) You'll find this happening with any other religion. Just don't stereotype us.

Answer 7

They are hate mongers, of course they are christians.

Answer 8

whos saying they arent christians? noones saying THAT. theyre just stupid christians.

Answer 9

You are so right