This post is of course dedicated to the person who came up with this blog's name, Charles Ritchie.
Everyone is most familiar with Westboro Baptist Church. I imagine they are the most well known extremists groups in the country. The things they say and believe are quite horrible.
So, what should we do about it?
Listen and educate.
People can spend all day trying to convince the members of WBC they're wrong. People can stand around and argue with others like Repent Amarillo or Dove World Outreach Church. But what does that confrontation do? Absolutely nothing. If there is anything I've learned as President of the Secular Student Society, it is a complete waste of time. I saw countless Christians try and argue their postions to Brother Jed and Sister Cindy when there were at TTU last month, but they just kept on preaching.
Educating audiences civilly and peacefully is the best thing anyone can do.
Brother Jed and his accomplices said things that were in the bible about going to hell and repenting, all expected. So in response, a few others and I silently protested their presence. We made signs that talked about other stuff in the bible that's just as weird or cruel as the ideas they were spouting. (Note: They were directed at the preachers for comedic effect).
Rather than arguing with the aggressors, talk to the audience. Tell them your position and listen to theirs; then discuss the aggressor's. I'm not saying they will change their views overnight, but it at least gives them another direction to think in.
Obviously religious extremism isn't going anywhere any time soon and this isn't going to stop Brother Jed or WBC from preaching across the country, but what else can we really do about it?
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