Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.

Like many, I’m taken aback by the unbelievable story concerning Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. In case you haven’t heard, the controversial place of worship intends on picketing the funerals of all those who died in Saturday’s Arizona shooting. The church’s leader, Fred Phelps, had this to say on their official website: ”However many are dead, Westboro Baptist Church will picket their funerals. We will remind the living that you can still repent and obey. This is ultimatum time with God.”

The story really hit home with me. Partly because of how cruel these actions are to the loved ones of the victims who lost their lives as a result of the shooting. And partly because this past Saturday, I attended a funeral. For my cousin.

Who was murdered a week ago this past Sunday.

The second after my cousin’s brother and I saw each other at the receiving of family and friends, we shared a long and tearful embrace. Through the impossible sadness, much love abounded. And through that love I heard myself saying words I had not planned on saying. Words which simply came out. Words which I hoped would comfort.

I told him how much I loved him as well as how much my family loved his, and that we believed what happened was the personification of evil. And that whenever evil rears its ugly head, goodness does the only thing it knows to do: come from far and wide armed with love and support for those affected most by evil’s actions.

My slain cousin left behind an 11-year old girl. It’s impossible to explain how much I ached for her as I watched her receive hug after hug during the service, her vacant stare shooting off in the distance. And though I realize that she’ll never get over losing her parent to the hands of a murderer, perhaps with all of the love and support that comes with goodness, she can at least get through it.

I cannot imagine, not even for one second, what it would have been like for that little girl if she, or anyone else in my extended family, had been forced to contend with picketers at my cousin’s funeral, so crippling already was there grief. As such, it’s hard to fathom the gall of Westboro Baptist. But as my colleague Danielle posted earlier today, Fred Phelps and his congregation have done many a dastardly thing before. She writes: “This church has been known for inciting violent declarations against gays, Jews, and even the U.S. troops. Their proclamations are shocking and the statements they put out not only endanger people everywhere, but they also are a slap in the face to these innocent victims and their families.”

A slap in the face that one woman is trying to prevent. ABC reported earlier today that Christin Gilmer, 26, has come up with a concept to help out the family of the youngest victim of the masacre — 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green. When Gilmer heard about the church’s plans to picket Christina’s funeral, she sent a Facebook message to 90 or so of her friends, urging them to donate money to an entity she has named the “divine guard.” That message soon spread to thousands.

Gilmer told ABC, “We’re hoping to have people dressed in white, lining the streets to show a brightness and hope, to show Christina’s family and Tucson that we love you … and we support them.” If all goes according to plan, over 200 people donning white will line the streets on the day of the funeral, 30 of whom will be sporting large angel’s wings designed to block the signs of the protestors.

But if Arizona lawmakers have their way, there may not be a need for the benevolent gesture. According to the ABC article:

“Arizona State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema has drafted legislation that would require the Westboro protestors to stay 300 feet away from the funeral from an hour before it starts until an hour after it ends, ABC Affiliate KNXV reported. ‘I’m a strong advocate of the First Amendment, and the bottom line is this, Fred Phelps and his group of people can still spew their hate if they want. They just don’t get to do it close to the families that are grieving. They have to be farther away,’ Sinema told KNXV.”

Still, Gilmer wants to be ready just in case. “If there’s a threat of them, we’ll be there,” Gilmer said. “They’re going to bring hate, intolerance, ignorance … we’re going to bring love.”

Of course they will.

That’s what goodness does when confronted with evil.

My heart goes out to the families affected by the Arizona shooting, as well as all other families who have ever been impacted by murder. And if any of y’all are reading from Memphis, I love you.

Image: stock.xchng

John Cave Osborne’s personal blog.
John Cave Osborne’s book website.

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