Judy Shepard on the Death of Fred Phelps

[William769]

"Regarding the passing of Fred Phelps, [husband] Dennis and I know how solemn these moments are for anyone who loses a loved one," Shepard said. "Out of respect for all people and our desire to erase hate, we’ve decided not to comment further."

http://www.advocate.com/obituaries/2014/03/20/judy-shepard-death-fred-phelps-0

Now thats class. She is making me rethink how I feel on his passing (and thats saying a lot).

[Sissyk]

1. Good for her!

That's class, alright.

However, don't let anyone make you feel like your true feelings don't matter, William! Because they do and you are allowed to have them and speak them.

[William769]

2. Thanks Sissy.

But the hate has to stop somewhere and living the life I have lived & seeing the things I have seen, It's been conflicting for me.

[Sissyk]

3. I understand, friend.

We'll be here for you either way.

[William769]

4. Thanks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. In the morning I wished the family the best

at this moment of loss, in particular Nathan, his son is an LGBT activist. I had to self delete.

The best we all can do is show empathy and humanity, and not hate.

(And yes, I know it is hard for a few people)

So let me hijack the thread for a sec.

May you know of no more pain...

[William769]

6. Thank you.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Oh you welcome

[Luminous Animal]

7. So lovely.

[libodem]

9. He was a very sick individual

Probably quite mentally ill. May he see the light, now that he has left that depraved physical temple he inhabited.

[JI7]

10. based on her statement i think you both probably feel the same way about his death

but i think the no further comment is her way of saying "if you have nothing nice to say.................."

[progressoid]

28. Yup. n/t

[Terra Alta]

11. She is a class act.

There are so many things she could have said, after what he and his cult put her and her family through. May Matthew rest in peace.

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. On his passing, or protesting and/or making a scene?

I agree on the latter, but rejoice the former.

If only to be a fly on the wall when this man meets the maker whose name he made a career out of taking in vain...

[Kurovski]

13. There are millions of people saying what she has no need to say.

And what she knows is that the billions of people to come will continue saying what she has no need to say.

She will always grieve Matthew. Of course she understands the loss of a family member, so she spoke of that.

[sheshe2]

14. Thank you Judy Shepard, you are class and grace.

May Matthew continue to RIP.

All I can say to you, your pain is yours. What I can give to you William~

[William769]

17. Here a little information you may not know.

For years now people with AIDS have two "trade marks", one is giving a teddy bear for when you need something to hug and two is giving someone a hug just because.

You don't know how much a hug means to me.

[Luminous Animal]

25. And then hugs to you. You are a good egg William. Your OP choked me up..

1) For the generosity of spirit of Matthew Shepard's family.

And

2) Your embracing it.

[William769]

30. You are to kind my friend.

If you get a chance, you might want to check this out. http://lgbtworld.info/a-tribute-to-the-memory-of-you/

[sheshe2]

26. ...

[GoCubsGo]

15. George Takei had an equally classy statement, which I think compliments Mrs. Shepherd's.

From his Facebook page:

"Today, Mr. Phelps may have learned that God, in fact, hates no one. Vicious and hate-filled as he was, may his soul find the kind of peace through death that was so plainly elusive during his life."

[Whisp]

23. I love that soul - Mr. Takei.

He has a calm and wisdom about him that is quite rare.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. Phelps was the face of a multi headed beast.

It is the people whose apathy empowered him that I am least likely to forgive, those who continue to promote and excuse hate mongering from their own religious leaders, from their international fellowships in places such as Uganda.
Fred was small fry compared to the global hate mongers.

[DrDan]

18. absolutely correct - "that's class"

[Cha]

20. I was just going to say.. Now that's classy..

.. what a class act lady. For Matthew

Mahalo William~

[Behind the Aegis]

21. She is a lovely woman.

I however still hold nothing but contempt for him, and I will not apologize for my feelings, nor should you. We have our reasons too, brother.

[fujiyama]

22. She's a better person than me...

During a somewhat stressful day at work, I took a quick break to check the news and a really big smile came across my face. It actually brightened my day.

[hrmjustin]

24. God Bless her and her family.

[defacto7]

27. Silence....

Silence is the perfect conclusion to this person's life and works, and may that silence continue and continue....

[Cha]

29. K