Probably because then people would cheer instead of talk about what a tragedy it was. . .

thunder - 07 May 2007 09:51 PM

Accipiter - 06 May 2007 02:15 AM

It’s rather interesting how they claim that bad things only happen to bad people. . .except for when it is themselves who have bad things happen to them.

I watched a documentary about these guys, a reporter went and lived with them for a week, a girl he was talking to told him that she would be happy if he died as God would be punishing a sinner, so he asked her something like “So what if your mum died?” and she just replied that her mum must have sinned and so she would be happy because a sinner is getting what they deserve.

Lovely.

That sounds like it could be evidence of child abuse. Not physical abuse (although who’s to say it hasn’t happened) but emotional or mental abuse. Certainly this sounds like this girl has been denied her Right to function normally in society.

Peter - 08 May 2007 01:28 AM

thunder - 07 May 2007 09:51 PM

Accipiter - 06 May 2007 02:15 AM

It’s rather interesting how they claim that bad things only happen to bad people. . .except for when it is themselves who have bad things happen to them.

I watched a documentary about these guys, a reporter went and lived with them for a week, a girl he was talking to told him that she would be happy if he died as God would be punishing a sinner, so he asked her something like “So what if your mum died?” and she just replied that her mum must have sinned and so she would be happy because a sinner is getting what they deserve.

Lovely.

That sounds like it could be evidence of child abuse. Not physical abuse (although who’s to say it hasn’t happened) but emotional or mental abuse. Certainly this sounds like this girl has been denied her Right to function normally in society.

But then it could be argued that raising her with this belief is no worse than a child brought up in a very religious catholic or muslim household. Or any other religion really.

thunder - 08 May 2007 08:46 PM

Peter - 08 May 2007 01:28 AM

That sounds like it could be evidence of child abuse. Not physical abuse (although who’s to say it hasn’t happened) but emotional or mental abuse. Certainly this sounds like this girl has been denied her Right to function normally in society.

But then it could be argued that raising her with this belief is no worse than a child brought up in a very religious catholic or muslim household. Or any other religion really.

While I wouldn’t deny that such things would happen in families that are members of other religions it still doesn’t make it right. You have to take into account the norms of behaviour and attitude of the society the girl is living in. For example if this happened in a Catholic family (or in a family of a different Christian faith) I would still say the same thing about it. I dare say a lot of very religious Catholic and Muslim households would not let this happen.

Yes you could come up with examples of different societies with different “norms” but do you really want to live in a world where it’s OK for a child to say such things?

There are actually quite a few religions I’ve seen where people are encouraged to rejoice and be happy when people die.  But with those, it was always because those who died have fulfilled their destinies and gone on to a better happier place beyond worldly suffering and all that sort of thing.  Not because the dead were evil and deserved to suffer and die.  There is a distinction there.

Accipiter - 06 May 2007 02:15 AM

It’s rather interesting how they claim that bad things only happen to bad people. . .except for when it is themselves who have bad things happen to them.

as in: when Jesus was crucified…after being beaten beyond recognition….

I just don’t understand the mindset. How can you be filled with so much hate? Wouldn’t it be exhausting, if nothing else?

I’m currently trying to let go of the anger caused by a supposed friend of 15 years who seriously betrayed me. I have a very good reason to have hate towards him, but I can’t stand that I’m feeling that negative towards someone and am doing my best to get past it. I can’t imagine the stress of hating every single person who either isn’t the same colour/religion as me or who doesn’t share my way of thinking.

From the info in the link Boo provided and a few video’s of the guy I have seen, the leader of that cult is a classic psychopath. It has all the elements: revelling in causing pain and anguish and suffering, far-reaching manipulation of people for your own gain, no feelings of guilt, using people as instruments, revelling in humiliating people, complete lack of empathy.

We had a bit of a scare in my hometown when the WBC threatened to come here and protest the funeral of a 21-year-old man who died fighting in Iraq. The police department planned for hundreds of people to line the funeral route so they couldn’t get anywhere near his family. Luckily, they couldn’t get a permit in time and never showed up.

MadCarlotta - 09 May 2007 01:47 PM

I just don’t understand the mindset. How can you be filled with so much hate? Wouldn’t it be exhausting, if nothing else?

That’s exactly what I don’t understand either.

What’s also scary is that by teaching “God hates fags”, then when they hate gay people, to them, they are acting Godly, or Divine.

Peter - 09 May 2007 12:30 PM

thunder - 08 May 2007 08:46 PM

But then it could be argued that raising her with this belief is no worse than a child brought up in a very religious catholic or muslim household. Or any other religion really.

While I wouldn’t deny that such things would happen in families that are members of other religions it still doesn’t make it right. You have to take into account the norms of behaviour and attitude of the society the girl is living in. For example if this happened in a Catholic family (or in a family of a different Christian faith) I would still say the same thing about it. I dare say a lot of very religious Catholic and Muslim households would not let this happen.

Yes you could come up with examples of different societies with different “norms” but do you really want to live in a world where it’s OK for a child to say such things?

No, I didn’t say it’s right, I just said that it does happen in other cultures, not to this extent, perhaps, but then it’s all in context really. This is the most extreme religion “available” at the moment, so people are gonna get insulted and offended at it. I’ll bet you that in about 10 years there’ll be some even worse group calling themselves religious that people will object even more to.

MadCarlotta - 09 May 2007 01:47 PM

I just don’t understand the mindset. How can you be filled with so much hate? Wouldn’t it be exhausting, if nothing else?

I don’t think they do hate, I think its just what they’ve been brought up to be. They were born into it. Well, not the one reading in the film, but I’d say it’s more about power and feeling important than any actual hate he has of the world.

And just to clarify, I do not in any way think that these people are right in their beliefs