Phelps targets Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and comic books

(RNS) As “God Hates Fags” pastor Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church prepare to tackle the Supreme Court this fall, they have set their sights this summer on some pop culture icons: Al Gore, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and even comic books. According to the available schedule of events on the Kansas church’s website, […]

(RNS) As “God Hates Fags” pastor Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church prepare to tackle the Supreme Court this fall, they have set their sights this summer on some pop culture icons: Al Gore, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and even comic books.

According to the available schedule of events on the Kansas church’s website, Westboro protesters will be picketing at 26 different locations in the month of July.

Ranging from condemning idol worship to apocalyptic warnings, some highlights include protests at a Gaga concert in Oklahoma, a Bieber concert in Missouri and the Comic-Con 2010 comic book convention in San Diego, Calif.


While fans of Gaga and comic books are accused of being idolaters, Bieber concert fans are criticized for spending so much on their tickets.

“There are no jobs, homes, money or hope, but you’ll pay big bucks to attend rock concerts by the thousands,” the website says.

Phelps’ daughter and spokeswoman, Shirley Phelps-Roper, said the church plans to be “preaching to where the people are.”

“People whose destruction is imminent,” she said, “are entitled to know why.”

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