May 18, 2007 | Sex & Society

Foolish Phelps at it again

In an attempt to remind us all that he's still alive and kicking, the 78 year old Reverend Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka has released an Internet video parady of "We Are the World." This is no MADTv chuckle-fest nor a late April Fool's joke, but another scary example of how demented this man is.

The Westboro Baptist Church, best known for picketing the funeral of Matthew Shephard, preaching that US soldiers are dying in Iraq as part of God's punishment for a pro-homo homeland, and creating the godhatesfags.com website, recently released "God Hates the World." The song includes the line: "You are all a part of the devil's family and the truth, you are all headed straight to hell!" Sweet!

 "It's all our effort to deliver a faithful message to this generation," claims Shirley Phelps-Roper. She is both a church attorney and daughter of Mr Phelps, and argues that the video is protected under freedom of speech and religious expression.

The original song, released in 1985, sold over 7.5 million copies in the US alone. Revenue from the single, album and merchandise helped raise almost $50 million for famine relief.

Warner/Chappel Music Inc. said the video is in obvious violation of copyright laws. "According to our records, no request has been made to use the Composition, no authorization has been granted nor has any license been issued for the use of the Composition on the Web site," Kelly Isenberg, director of legal and business affairs, advised the Westboro Baptist Church.

From hating queers, Canada and Sweden, we would suggest Phelps redirect his energy to a more productive pursuit: the abolishment of figs, not fags!

• Fred Phelps and a final farewell [The Daily Campus]
• Church under fire for parody video [canada.com]