Apparently God is pissed off

If you believe the folks who are members of Westboro Baptist Church (mostly comprised of the family of founder and head Fred Phelps), God commits random acts of vengeance on individuals because he (or she) is pissed off about various things. They highlight this belief by celebrating at funerals of soldiers or victims of violence.

They began by celebrating at soldiers funerals saying that God was killing people in Iraq because the US had gays and allowed abortions. They are now branching out to Canada. They are planning to celebrate at the funeral of Tim McLean (the young man who was stabbed and decapitated on a bus in Manitoba last week). They say this is the punishment for Canada allowing abortions. Fortunately thus far they have been turned away at the border but they suggest they will continue to try to get in.

This depraved indifference to people's suffering and clear desire for publicity is horrific. I really wonder if where this hateful belief (they have a website godhatesfags.com among others) comes from and if they really can't see the ridiculous illogic of their position.

1) How do you decide what is evil, bad luck and what is god punishing evil? You'd need a direct line to God to distinguish. 12 people died in a bus crash in Texas today. God or a blown tire? I don't mean to make light of people's deaths at all. I do mean to highlight the ridiculous randomness of the deaths that these whackos choose.

2) How does God pick his victims?

3) How does God rationalize killing if he doesn't allow others to do it? Do as I say but not as I do?

4) If he/she is sending a message about homosexuals and abortions, wouldn't it make more sense to smite gays and abortionists or those who have them? Why the subtlety? Especially since this little inbred family from Topeka seems to be the only one that's getting the message.

Now if God were to smite the Westboro Baptist Church folks on their way to a hateful funeral celebration, I might pay some attention. I might then get the message. Otherwise, I think I'll take my chances. God knows he can find me.