My original headline for this was going to be “horrible people plan on attempting to ruin otherwise awesome and fun event,” but that maybe a little too on the nose.
Reports surfaced today that the Westboro Baptist Church, the Fred Phelps-headed church that thrives on hate-filled publicity stunts, have targeted Comic-Con International in San Diego, kicking off in less than two weeks; specifically from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. It’s galling to give them any publicity at all, since that’s exactly what they want, but the fact that they’ve targeted as innocuous and positive as an event as Comic-Con is really a testament to just how off their nut they are.
Part of their screed: “They have turned comic book characters into ideals, and worship them they do!” That’s way off-base, guys. We worship video game, movie and TV characters, too. Get with it!
July 10th, 2010 at 12:37 am
SDCC is just a cherry on their picketing sundae.
The real reason they’re in San Diego is Al Gore has some sort of conference going on, that’s their main focus.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:36 am
What those people do is atrocious. As bad as picketing comic con, there are more nefarious deeds that they have reveled in.
July 10th, 2010 at 7:43 am
K is exactly right… These people are dangerous and filled with hateful bile.
Anyhow, I just find it ironic they’re saying ““They have turned comic book characters into ideals, and worship them they do!”
I’m pretty sure we all understand that Batman and Superman aren’t real. But they’re all wrapped up in worship of some (likely mythical)Big Sky Daddy none of them have ever seen or heard.
July 10th, 2010 at 9:10 am
“But they’re all wrapped up in worship of some (likely mythical)Big Sky Daddy none of them have ever seen or heard.”
That’s quite hypocritical of you, given your earlier sentence:
“These people are dangerous and filled with hateful bile.”
But it’s not hateful when you make a derogatory attack against religious believers? (i.e. Big Sky Daddy)
July 10th, 2010 at 9:33 am
BTW, I should’ve made it clear that I in no way support those Westboro jerks. I just don’t like hypocrisy in any form.
They’re not doing what they do for religious reasons, after all. Every member is a lawyer, and each makes a bundle from lawsuits filed against individuals and localities.
July 10th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I just hope some of the cosplayers have some fun with these people, it’s filmed and put on Youtube.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
“These are not the idol-worshippers you seek. Move along.”
July 10th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
@Fernando
Maybe Shaun secretly envies Christianity for the following reasons.
* Jesus Christ is more popular than Superman.
* The Bible outsells every sci-fi novel and comic book ever published. The Holy Word also outsells all works of non-fiction.
* The faith has billions of worshippers of every gender, race, class, language, nationality and even political party. (This is a feat that eludes the struggling American comic book industry.)
In short, Shaun has every right to envy Christianity’s global success and influence compared to comics.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Faith has little to do with this conversation. Yes, they are a church, but even if they weren’t their actions would be cowardly and disgusting. And the actions are what are to be focused on. Most of their actions and materials are less about their teachings and more about attacking anything and everything around them. Which is probably their central teachings for reasons others have said better than I. Has anyone else read their tennants? Did they ring as cries of attention, honest opinions, or something else?
July 10th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Oh, and I would love for cosplayers to do what Dwight said. That’s honestly the best response I could imagine for that bunch.
July 11th, 2010 at 10:07 am
“Maybe Shaun secretly envies Christianity for the following reasons.”
Yeah, that’s a very Christian-like statement.
July 13th, 2010 at 2:44 am
@Fred
there are billions? there are only some 6 billion people on earth. and i doubt that that many are Christians. don’t get me wrong there are hundreds of millions of Christians, but there are also Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and THOUSANDS of other religions.
I’m not attacking anyone’s religion don’t get me wrong. More power to Christians, Jews, etc etc.
Honestly this makes me a little happy. While they’re picketing SDCC they’re amusing the hell out of people who are at the con, and not attacking or hurting people about stuff that actually matters (no offense to my fellow comic fans)
July 13th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I just hope these people don’t hurt anyone. I’m sure the convention-goers will be laughing their butts off, but if these guys feel provoked, who knows what they might do? >.<
July 13th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
the best thing to do with these hatemongers is not to respond to their jaw flapping with anything other than a condescendingly amused stare.
July 13th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
I’m thinking we should get people to line up for pictures with these guys. Hey, if they’re coming to Comicon, why not turn them into a cosplay themselves. $5 for your picture with the bible-guy, it’s free if his sign is ranting about the character you’re in costume as…
July 21st, 2010 at 1:39 pm
What they do is less about religion and more about antagonising good harmless people and sueing them when they speak out against them.
Im Scottish and even I cant stand them, be careful what you say folks or they might get you…