Topic: fred phelps

Kevin Smith Trades Barbs with Phelps Kids Over Twitter

Kevin Smith Trades Barbs with Phelps Kids Over Twitter

First of all, it’s frankly terrifying that the second generation of Phelpses are so Twitter-savvy. It’s not enough that Fred Phelps and several of his offspring are lawyers — ostensibly so they can keep from getting in trouble with the law for their “God Hates Fags” signs and other protests — but his children Megan Phelps-Roper and Shirley Phelps-Roper, and documentarian/cult member Steve Drain, sound like normal people over Twitter. Reading their tweets, you’d be impressed at their eloquence and pop culture knowledge, until you start seeing the rhetoric about salvation and, you know, God raining down punishment on queer people.

They’ve even managed to get a Twitter feud going with filmmaker Kevin Smith. It’s difficult to follow the thread and figure out exactly what prompted the tweets, but it’s clear that this began when Megan responded to Smith’s invitation to attend a Kansas City, KS, screening of his new horror film Red State. She brought along a bunch of the mini Phelpses (third generation, people!) and walked out before the movie was over — but not before offering some parting words via Twitter. Smith, who had been livetweeting the event, began responding to her Twitpics and insults. More »

Megan Phelps-Roper and Family Attend Kevin Smith’s ‘Red State’ Screening, Walk Out

Megan Phelps-Roper and Family Attend Kevin Smith's 'Red State' Screening, Walk Out

Less than a week after Kevin Smith invited fundamentalist pastor Fred Phelps and his family/congregation to attend a screening of Red State — a horror film inspired in part by the Westboro Baptist Church’s antics — Phelps’ Twitter-savvy daughter Megan Phelps-Roper brought several members of the clan to the Kansas City, KS, screening.

In a blog post prior to the screening on March 12, Smith warned attendees of the Phelps’ intention to join in, comparing it to watching Star Wars with Darth Vader in the audience. He briefly turned serious and added, If they’re on my stage, that’s one less bereaved family they’re harassing for a few hours. Then it was back to snark, as he dutifully livetweeted the experience. More »

Kevin Smith Invites Westboro Baptist Church to ‘Red State’ Screenings

Kevin Smith Invites Westboro Baptist Church to 'Red State' Screenings

In some ways, Kevin Smith is extending an olive branch to Fred Phelps and the rest of the conservative Westboro Baptist Church (the ones who protest at soldiers’ funerals): He’s offered invites for them to attend the Kansas City preview screenings of his new film Red State. The thing is, the horror movie is based on Phelps and his swollen sense of morality. Awkward. More »