the Phelps Family / God hates everyone except them

[DanaC]

I just finished watching that programme. I love Theroux, I love the way he finds the humanity in people. I also think he's incredibly ballsy to put himself in those situations, with people who absolutely despise everything he is. Like when he spent time with those neo-nazis and the KKK.

I was struck most of all by how unimpressive (intellectually) the patriarch was. We'd got this whole lead up where we'd been led to believe that Gramps was this scripture expert who was only refusing to answer because Theroux's questions were not scripture based and then when he did ask scripture based questions the guy just closed it down; refused to debate. His sermon as well, was really poor. I kind anticipated some sort of charismatic impressive personality. Instead it just seems to be an aggressive domineering man who's brainwashed his kids.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by DanaC

I was struck most of all by how unimpressive (intellectually) the patriarch was. We'd got this whole lead up where we'd been led to believe that Gramps was this scripture expert who was only refusing to answer because Theroux's questions were not scripture based and then when he did ask scripture based questions the guy just closed it down; refused to debate. His sermon as well, was really poor. I kind anticipated some sort of charismatic impressive personality. Instead it just seems to be an aggressive domineering man who's brainwashed his kids.

Yeah, and Ann Coulter is supposed to be a 'constitutional scholar'. The interesting thing about demagogues is how many of them will seem to deflate with only a little overexposure. Unless they possess truly strong and compelling personalities, many of these figures thrive because they manage to avoid the hard questions. Their skill lies in shuffling their lies like a stage magician switching a coin from one hand to the other.

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by DanaC

His sermon as well, was really poor. I kind anticipated some sort of charismatic impressive personality. Instead it just seems to be an aggressive domineering man who's brainwashed his kids.

If it wasn't just a family cult than I wouldn't believe that he was uncharismatic but since it is mostly family, you could pretty easily brainwash kids if you start from birth and segregate them from society.

[Elspode]

Fred and his psychotic brood are sort of locals around my neck of the woods. There's a very special room in Hell for Fred and anyone who follows his hateful spew.