Louis Theroux Goes to Kansas

And spends a couple weeks with the Westboro Baptist group. The whole of the fascinating show on his experiences can be seen here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QRy...elated&search=

It's split into six parts, and that's the first.

It's really an insightful look into the group and how they go about their lives. They are so firm in their beliefs, so passionate about hate. They never got the message about God's undying love for people - they don't get the whole reason he sent His Son to earth.
Along that vein, I wish the interviewer had been more religious, more able to challenge the members on theological grounds, to emphasize the unending love and mercy of God and Jesus Christ. Perhaps mention Matthew 7:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Strangely, this video didn't make me despise them any more - I certainly despised them plenty before watching this video. It made me sad to see all these people, forming a wall of hate between themselves and the outside world, misinterpreting the Word of God. Sad to see children spouting off about how God hates America, fully indoctrinated in this hate.

Perhaps, though, their cult will die out. The children, it seems, are less likely to get married than their parents. I wonder if they'll be surprised when they die, and find the judgment they decreed upon others visited upon themselves.

Crazed Rabbit

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

the Westboro Baptist group.

Perhaps, though, their cult will die out.

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But what if they gain a billion followers? The euro and yankweenies will then mistake their cult for a respectable religion and defend their every opinion and say that we should distinguish between their cult and what it ought to be
[/drunk]

Fortunately, I think the time when such cults gained power by attacking other groups of people and spreading their influence by the sword because no one would otherwise listen is over.

Plus, these guys have very bad PR, and aren't subtle or cunning or patient.

CR

Being a Kansan myself I demand everyone just ignore this little thread and go back to making jokes about the Wizard of Oz :sweatdrop:

Nothing to see here... move along folks... move along.

Azi

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Along that vein, I wish the interviewer had been more religious, more able to challenge the members on theological grounds, to emphasize the unending love and mercy of God and Jesus Christ. Perhaps mention Matthew 7:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

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That's just not his style. he tries to be non-judgemental so he can sketch an 'inside picture' , to discover what makes people tick and why they do the things they do, I think it tends to be far more interesting than the 'Fox' style of interviewing where people just get insulted ("you're a sick, soulless human being !"), that doesn't really give added value.

EDIT: second part doesn't fully load right now, too bad, maybe later. I'll probably comment on the Church when I've seen all of it.

I thought the same CR when I saw it. I reckon I could have torn them apart on basic theology after 20 minutes research.

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Originally Posted by doc_bean

That's just not his style. he tries to be non-judgemental so he can sketch an 'inside picture' , to discover what makes people tick and why they do the things they do, I think it tends to be far more interesting than the 'Fox' style of interviewing where people just get insulted ("you're a sick, soulless human being !"), that doesn't really give added value.

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I'm not saying he has to get into a shouting match with them. He did try to challenge their beliefs, not by shouting at them, but asking questions.

My point is that I think he would have been more effective had he known theology and been able to strike away at the reasoning these people use for their hate when he asked questions. He was trying to go for human emotion - don't you feel bad telling the daughters of a fallen soldiers their father is in hell?, when I would ask - did not Jesus die for his love of humanity, was that not why God sent Him to earth? And that's really not a deep knowledge of Christianity at all.

Crazed Rabbit

But let's face it, taking such an approach would be entirely counter-productive when used on such people. They're certainly not dumb, and would recognize the attempt for what it is, namely provocation.

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Along that vein, I wish the interviewer had been more religious, more able to challenge the members on theological grounds, to emphasize the unending love and mercy of God and Jesus Christ.

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This family's problems are not theological but forensic. The only aspect that is theologically (mildly) disturbing is that some outside the U.S. will view thse lunatics as somehow representative of American religiousness.

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Perhaps mention Matthew 7

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No chance, poopy pants. Gramps should be locked up and the girls sent to Adrian's centre for empirical love therapy. :yes:

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

I'm not saying he has to get into a shouting match with them. He did try to challenge their beliefs, not by shouting at them, but asking questions.

My point is that I think he would have been more effective had he known theology and been able to strike away at the reasoning these people use for their hate when he asked questions. He was trying to go for human emotion - don't you feel bad telling the daughters of a fallen soldiers their father is in hell?, when I would ask - did not Jesus die for his love of humanity, was that not why God sent Him to earth? And that's really not a deep knowledge of Christianity at all.

Crazed Rabbit

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I fear any kind of discussion with these people concerning religion will turn into a shouting match. They were already shouting 'God hates fags !' and "We follow the Bible! ' with barely any provocation. These people have read the Bible and know what's in it, quoting scripture to try and prove them wrong will only provoke them into shouting how you are interpreting it wrong.

I think he might have even feigned ignorance just so he could get closer to them.

Cheers for giving the link. It was definately worth watching and brought forth a multitude of emotions from anger to sadness in me. Especially the last part with Louis talking with the daughter put me at the verge of tears.

Now, what if they are right about the (christian)religion, and those people following other will, as they say, burrrrrrn?

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Originally Posted by HoreTore

Now, what if they are right about the (christian)religion, and those people following other will, as they say, burrrrrrn?

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The WBC is not right at all. They are completely wrong.

CR

Well, they say that about you too. Why should I believe you, instead of them?

Because my position is supported by 99.9999999% of Christians and those who actually study the Bible.

Yay, a band wagon argument, but I'll list a few quick examples:
They say 'God hates you'
If so, why did God make the rainbow as covenant with mankind?,
why did he send his only Son to earth, to suffer and die for the sake of all mankind?
Why did Christ stop the stoning of the adulterer?
etc.

I'm assuming though, that you're not one to fall for their explanation.

CR

Wow. Great show. He got threw to the 21 year old duaghter. I can tell.

They aren't really Christians because they don't believe that Jesus came to Earth to save mankind from sin, and that everyone can be saved by believing that God is almighty, and Jesus is his son.

I would so hit the daughter in the last episode.
She was quite good looking.
Give me 48 hours with her and I will turn her over to the light/darkness(depending on how you see it).
And since I'm swedish I'm sure the rest of the family will love it :laugh4: .

But it is just sad really.
Those poor kids.