Westboro Baptist Church

A couple friends and I made an impulsive decision on Friday to travel to NIU because we saw reports that the Westboro Baptist Church was going to picket during a campus vigil.

This wasn't me being stupid and immature and saying "I'm gonna kick their ass!". But if they were going to spew their hate during a vigil, I at least wanted to stand with NIU students while that happened. And maybe talk in a civilized manner to the WBC folks.

There wasn't much going on at the school. Everything was quiet. Like a funeral.

No vigils. No WBC. Just quiet.

Monday, however, may be a little different.

The WBC website, GodHatesFags.com, says that the group will picket the funerals of two NIU shooting victims.

I've been looking at videos on YouTube of the church and people's response to them. Here's what I've learned...

Don't hate them. Not only are they used to it, but in their minds it only validates that what they're doing is right. The more resistance they encounter, the more they're convinced that they're similar to Jesus because he was also hated. They are in the business of hate and are unaffected when it's used on them. 

They bring out the worst in others. Understandably, they upset people. And it's natural to feel pure disgust for them. But when you stoop to their level of name calling, they win.

They're brainwashed. It's a cult. They are not sane people. That's just something else to keep in mind. There is something very wrong with them. 

There are better options. At the risk of sounding cliche, if I was ever face to face with these people I'd want to respond in a way that would make God proud. Whether that's just ignoring them or telling them that God forgives them. Because somehow they too are loved. 

It's sickening to think that they will protest the funerals of NIU victims. And obviously emotions will be running high tomorrow at these funerals. I'm not saying it would be easy to keep my composure. And I'm thankful that I've never had a mourning process interrupted by these people.