…and this is a 
Westboro Baptist Church decided that they were going to picket Comic-Con, and Justin Kirchart sent me pictures. He also sent me a photo of the WBC picket — it's a sad and pathetic 4 people standing and holding the usual "YOU HATE GOD" and "GOD HATES FAGS" signs, and it wasn't very interesting, so I didn't bother to upload it.
Here, though, are the forces of Comic-con madness across the street. They're much more entertaining. Click to zoom in!
Justin liked "Jesus was nailed to a cross. Thor has a hammer." I kind of liked "ODIN IS GOD. Read Mighty Thor #5". Thor is always good for a laugh in these sorts of things.
Comments
Posted by: Brownian, Most Vicious & Petty of Pharyngulites
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July 22, 2010 5:43 PM
God bless nerds.
Posted by: Thebear, just an agent of peas
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July 22, 2010 5:43 PM
I might be wierd, but "Is this thing on" got a mighty belly-laugh from me.
Posted by: Kel, The Privileged View From Nowhere
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July 22, 2010 5:44 PM
"All Glory To The Hypno-toad" - Brilliant!
Posted by: Ordeneus
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July 22, 2010 5:45 PM
How DO magnets work anyway?
Bwahahahahahaha. Too funny.
Nerds for teh win!
Posted by: PZ Myers
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July 22, 2010 5:45 PM
Oh, you can see the phelps gang on the left in the bottom picture.
Posted by: 朴競花/박경화 (Gyeong Hwa)
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July 22, 2010 5:47 PM
I'm surprised the Westboro ilks weren't there for SD Pride. But I must say I don't think we'd be able to produce signs of that caliber without the helps of the nerds. lol
Posted by: First Approximation, L'esprit de l'escalier
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July 22, 2010 5:47 PM
I loved:
"Magnets, how the *?*! do they work?!"
"Support fiction read the Bible"
Makes me want to attend one of these geekfests.
Posted by: Brownian, Most Vicious & Petty of Pharyngulites
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July 22, 2010 5:48 PM
I laughed too. I have no idea what that says about your weirdness.
What's the deal with the Phelpses (Phelpsi? Phelpodes?) colour scheme? Why is NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED so irie?
Posted by: ashleyfmiller
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July 22, 2010 5:50 PM
That shit is so funny, for a while I thought that the Phelps signs were also parodies.
EPIC WIN
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp
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July 22, 2010 5:50 PM
Whew, its a good thing someone gave glory to the
HYPNOTOAD
Posted by: Kel, The Privileged View From Nowhere
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July 22, 2010 5:51 PM
Nate Phelps was on freethought radio a few weeks back, it really is a tragic tale.
Posted by: sd_real619#59452
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July 22, 2010 5:53 PM
I have to say... this makes me very proud of my home town.
Posted by: Aratina Cage
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July 22, 2010 5:53 PM
Bender needs a beer, pronto!
Posted by: PZ Myers
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July 22, 2010 5:53 PM
Geeks and nerds are my people, and I do love them so.
Posted by: First Approximation, L'esprit de l'escalier
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July 22, 2010 5:56 PM
So does Captain Hammer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JULyx-wZih8
Posted by: btthegeek
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July 22, 2010 5:59 PM
Inconceiveable!!! - Vizzini
I do not think that word means what you think it means. - Montoya
Posted by: Jennifurret
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July 22, 2010 6:00 PM
My fellow geeks and nerds give me hope for humanity
Posted by: ashleyfmiller
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July 22, 2010 6:02 PM
Oh, and I found this gem, apparently they were chanting: "WHAT DO WE WANT" "GAY SEX" "WHEN DO WE WANT IT" "NOW!"
http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/07/22/super-heroes-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church/
Posted by: otrame
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July 22, 2010 6:03 PM
Oh what a lovely sight. See, that is how you do it. Laugh at their ugly hate-filled asses.
Those pictures have cheered me right up. Thanks.
Posted by: Dania
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July 22, 2010 6:04 PM
These people fucking rock!
Posted by: mommimus-prime
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July 22, 2010 6:14 PM
This is nothing short of the best thang evah! Plus I want to be there. To mill with the throngs and get my feet stepped on and whacked by back packs. To collapse at the end of the day utterly exhausted and go through all the free swag I gathered. Sigh.
Posted by: Gregory Greenwood
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July 22, 2010 6:21 PM
As a nerd, I am once again reminded of why I am proud of my people.
Of course, the fundies are going to whine about how horribly these (rather funny) placards oppressed them and their faith, while conveniently ignoring the entirely non-ironic vitriol plastered over their own placards.
I particularly like;
"Superman died for our sins."
That is guarenteed to drive the Xians up the wall...
:-)
Posted by: 'Tis Himself, Quel Dommage
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July 22, 2010 6:23 PM
FSM bless the nerds and geeks.
Posted by: beigeman
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July 22, 2010 6:24 PM
Heh, I see me a sneaky bad religion fan with a crossbuster sign in the front row :D
Also - GLORY TO HYPNOTOAD! Good to have you blogging again PZ :)
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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July 22, 2010 6:25 PM
Of course, the fundies are going to whine about how horribly these (rather funny) placards oppressed them and their faith, while conveniently ignoring the entirely non-ironic vitriol plastered over their own placards.
This is my favorite recent example of fundie terror. The gay people, *gasp* STOOD THERE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWUkBQXrjpM
Posted by: debeuk
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July 22, 2010 6:25 PM
I want all those accomodationists that claim that ridiculing your opponent is a bad strategy to take a long hard look at those pictures and then tell me that this is not effective.
Posted by: philip.pangrac
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July 22, 2010 6:27 PM
"I kind of liked "ODIN IS GOD. Read Mighty Thor #5". Thor is always good for a laugh in these sorts of things."
This is just disgusting, the continuous Thor-centric bias in America. As an Orthodox Kirbyist I worship the New Gods, the one true pantheon of comic book deities.
Keep trying to hold us down, you smug Thorites, but the day will come when all nations will bow before Darkseid and be held accountable.
Posted by: Cerberus, unnatural product of en-OMnomnom-ification
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July 22, 2010 6:27 PM
I love my people.
Posted by: geralcorasjo
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July 22, 2010 6:28 PM
Epic.
Posted by: 朴競花/박경화 (Gyeong Hwa)
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July 22, 2010 6:29 PM
No Jeff, we weren't just standing there. We were oppressing them with rainbow umbrellas. Get it straight.
(Ballons and umbrellas make fundies cry apparently.)
Posted by: MetalMoe
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July 22, 2010 6:31 PM
This is the perfect way to respond to those trolls.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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July 22, 2010 6:32 PM
Get it straight.
NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: anthrosciguy
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July 22, 2010 6:36 PM
Never go up against Bender.
Posted by: ronsullivan
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July 22, 2010 6:37 PM
Wow.
Which of the Phelpses is holding the No Parking Any Time sign?
Posted by: KennyG
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July 22, 2010 6:38 PM
"Support Fiction Read the Bible"
Man, I would give my right leg to see the look on Fred's face when he saw that.
Posted by: Cerberus, unnatural product of en-OMnomnom-ification
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July 22, 2010 6:38 PM
Gyeong @30 and MaJeff @25
Oh, yes, NOM.
They have certainly been hallucinating wildly in order to justify the fact that there rallies have been eliciting modern Tea Party movements in their (non)attendance.
Did you know that when gay people chant slogans, they are threatening the livelihood of pure white, heterosexual children?
Posted by: Gorg
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July 22, 2010 6:43 PM
My favorites:
- Hypnotoad
- "Is this thing on?"
- Bender (not on the sign but love the quote "Hey baby wanna kill all humans?"
Posted by: Brownian, Most Vicious & Petty of Pharyngulites
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July 22, 2010 6:43 PM
Wow.
"So the gay people were—"
"That's right; standing there. I almost...uh...almost...I mean, they were standing there. Right there! With their agenda!"
"Please, take your time. I know this is difficult for you. So, after that, what did you do?"
"I asked them to move."
"And did they?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Let me get this straight: they didn't move when you asked them to?"
"No. They did not."
"Dear God in Heaven help us. Well, there you have it folks. Another Christian persecuted for her faith. Just like Jesus."
Posted by: Brownian, Most Vicious & Petty of Pharyngulites
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July 22, 2010 6:47 PM
I've better ideas, but none of them legal.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM
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July 22, 2010 6:48 PM
Did you know that when gay people chant slogans, they are threatening the livelihood of pure white, heterosexual children?
Once they're children it's too late. It's the fetus sashimi I'm after.
Posted by: Mattir-ritated
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July 22, 2010 6:48 PM
That's got to be a poster for somewhere in my house. How did I live 47 years without discovering my people?
Posted by: Nineveh
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July 22, 2010 6:51 PM
It's totally true: Superman DID die for our sins. But he does NOT hate the Jedi. Bastard infidel.
Posted by: Loreo
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July 22, 2010 6:51 PM
Sneaky Spy with his God Hates Sentries sign.
People!
How can you assemble a proper protest without a sufficient force of Pyros spy-checking?
Posted by: AJ Milne OM
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July 22, 2010 6:56 PM
I do, as I am the norm*. And as such, I can vouch that yes, 'Is this thing on?' was objectively the funniest sign. You have nothing to worry about. You're incredibly normal.
Funniest in a very competitive field, mind you. The whole damn photo is full of win. Bender w/ 'Kill All Humans' and 'All Glory to the Hypnotoad' are right up there, too...
But as much as I actually guffawed at those, the 'What do we want? GAY SEX!' chant is the icing on the cake.
These people are simply awesome. I'm gonna have have to go to one of those conventions someday.
(*/No, not the Norm. That's the guy from Cheers. Totally different.)
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 22, 2010 6:57 PM
Bender with the Kill All Humans sign was so unexpected that I couldn't stop laughing for five minutes and gave me a fit of junior high giggles. I'm only an hour away, I'm going to have to go next year and pay homage to how entertaining the geek world really is.
Posted by: Caine, ghetto féministe
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July 22, 2010 6:58 PM
Now, that is the way to be absolutely fabulous. All hail the nerds and geeks, baby.
Posted by: Janey Mack
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July 22, 2010 7:01 PM
Total win. Wish I could have been there; looks like it was a blast. And I've always wanted to join an anti-Phelps rally. Smug, hateful bastards.
Posted by: wockrassa
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July 22, 2010 7:04 PM
Of all the signs, I liked the blank one best.
It contained exactly the same amount of information as the Phelps placards, but much better presented.
Posted by: Tulse
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July 22, 2010 7:10 PM
A big fat QFT.
Posted by: gensek
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July 22, 2010 7:10 PM
As I tried to decipher the signs I didn't 'get', I suddenly grokked that the amount of culture (in it's literary or, umm, juxtapositioned images sense) represented by them far outweighs that which inspired those of the Phelpses.
Posted by: Frankencone
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July 22, 2010 7:10 PM
Whoa whoa... they have inflatable Plasma Cutters from Dead Space at the bottom right corner of the second picture?!
I WANT ONE!
Posted by: F
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July 22, 2010 7:17 PM
That is an amazingly good collection of signs. I've never seen anything quite like it.
Hypnotoad! Thanks for reminding me to check for hypnotoad screensavers again. It seems that there some out there now.
@ Brownian, OM
Bwahahahaha!
Was it a Pocket Agenda? Were they holding in it in their hands? For the whole world to see?!
Posted by: Rae Beta
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July 22, 2010 7:22 PM
Awww. Those are my people. I'm so proud!
Posted by: Left Handed Atheist
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July 22, 2010 7:22 PM
I love it! - there may be hope for humanity after all.
Posted by: hznfrst
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July 22, 2010 7:23 PM
I always thought it was the Westboro Batshit Circus. Go figure.
Anyhow, I live in Dago and drove down to see them. It was impossible to park so I just drove past the haters twice, offering my own uncensored opinions of them at a very high volume. Got a few pictures, too, one of someone's small child holding up two of their hideous signs - that little boy needs to be rescued from his family, stat!
The depths to which religion makes some people sink...
Posted by: Craig
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July 22, 2010 7:23 PM
My favourite is the super-nerd dressed up as Bender.
Fucking fantastic.
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 22, 2010 7:27 PM
What is mind boggling are the
Felch, er Phelpsians' 'God Is Your Enemy' and 'God Hates Fags' signs. I suppose these people will have the audacity to tell their children that God is loving and compassionate and benevolent.If the metaphorical biblical message was supposed to be peace and love and hope, these people are so disconnected from having a fucking clue and so hypocritical in one go that they must be absolutely moronic on the IQ bell curve. There's no other rational explanation.
That's probably the scariest thing; there will always be people who are genuinely too stupid to be brought into the 21st century.
Posted by: Quagmire
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July 22, 2010 7:31 PM
Wow, those nerds sure do seem to dislike "porgs" and "carpe chaos", whatever "porgs" and "carpe chaos" are...
Posted by: sasqwatch
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July 22, 2010 7:33 PM
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Posted by: Caine, ghetto féministe
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July 22, 2010 7:34 PM
McCthulhu:
No, they don't. They take the bible literally and Phelps believes in a nasty, violent, hateful god. Ya know, a twisted fucker just like ol' Fred himself. He's old testament school.
Phelps was smart enough to be a successful lawyer for a lot of years.
Posted by: Caine, ghetto féministe
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July 22, 2010 7:39 PM
Quagmire:
It's like carpe diem...except not. ;) http://carpechaos.com/
Posted by: Nebula99
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July 22, 2010 7:40 PM
I understood the vast majority of those signs, and I'm proud. Hypnotoad was great, but I really liked "support fiction" and "God hates sentries."
I've been to a Con or three before; it's a great experience. These are my people for sure.
Posted by: joreth
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July 22, 2010 7:41 PM
THIS! This is what sarcasm and ridicule are for! There is no "dialog" with the WBC, any attempt at compassion and understanding and compromise is a complete waste of time because THEY ARE NOT RATIONAL.
Individuals who seek to escape, like Nate, have our sympathy and compassion and understanding. But the WBC as a whole? No. Rational discourse is not an option.
THIS is what we ridicule. The point is not to change the minds of WBC because that is not possible. The point is to bring attention to the crazy. More and more people have distanced themselves from their religious organizations because the crazy within has been brought out into the light. The combination of their own efforts at being more visible (which, let's face it, sometimes there's nothing we can do to make them look more ridiculous than what they do to themselves), and ours at ridiculing them, have made people step back just to avoid the association.
And once they step back, they have the space they need to really examine their religion, if they want to. But even if they don't, as long as they step back just far enough to stop pushing religious views onto others, and to stop trying to make policy, I am much less bothered by their belief in imaginary friends. To THOSE people, I'll use considerate and compassionate, rational discussion.
But Fred Phelps and his get deserve none of my time, patience, or efforts. They would be wasted anyway.
Posted by: First Approximation, L'esprit de l'escalier
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July 22, 2010 7:46 PM
The geek shall inherit the Earth.
Posted by: Nineveh
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July 22, 2010 7:46 PM
How do I get in touch with/become engaged to Bender Bot?
Posted by: Rich Wilson
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July 22, 2010 7:47 PM
btw, speaking of Phelps, Nate has a new job
Posted by: rippingrich
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July 22, 2010 7:52 PM
y'all missed the most important one of the bunch.
International beer day is August 5th
WaHoooo!!!
Posted by: Arancaytar
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July 22, 2010 7:52 PM
... I knew the WBC were homophobes, but what's got them so upset about parking?
("Thou shalt not place thy chariot across the driveway of thy neighbour, for it is an abomination.")
Posted by: Rhino
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July 22, 2010 8:00 PM
I too loved "Support Fiction Read the Bible" it reminds me of the wonderful texts from last night (second best of all time as voted by the readers of texts from last night!)
"i got kicked out of Barnes and Noble cuz i put all the bibles in the fiction section"
http://www.textsfromlastnight.com/Texts-From-Best-Nights.html
Posted by: KennyG
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July 22, 2010 8:01 PM
@31
Actually, by far the perfect way to troll these people is to protest the funeral of Freddy with "God hates WBC" signs.
Posted by: Wanderfound
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July 22, 2010 8:01 PM
Forth rode the mighty thunder god
Upon his snow-white filly
"I'm Thor!", he cried
His horse replied
"That's 'cos you forgot your thaddle, thilly..."
Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline.
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July 22, 2010 8:19 PM
Is the lazy guy with the Naruto headband holding a blank sign?
Posted by: jbowen42
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July 22, 2010 8:20 PM
So I just concluded a test of whether or not it is literally possible to laugh one's ass off. It's not. I just checked.
Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline.
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July 22, 2010 8:21 PM
There's even a furry and a bear with a bra on its head.
Posted by: mxh
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July 22, 2010 8:25 PM
Yep and it came off brilliant! This would work just as well with any other irrational groups protesting (i.e. tea-party rallies).
PZ, thanks for posting this. You made my day and got rid of my headache!
Posted by: anthrosciguy
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July 22, 2010 8:32 PM
There have been other examples over the past few years. Anti-neoNazi things and the like. Just a bunch of counter-protesters laughing at them works wonders because they're trying to get confrontation and upset. Getting laughed at is not their plan.
Posted by: itsumademootaku
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July 22, 2010 8:37 PM
Oh come on, not even ONE vote for "The cake is a lie!"
Sad, so very sad.
Posted by: Michelle R
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July 22, 2010 8:44 PM
I've never been more proud to be a nerd and a geek.
YOU COMIC CON FOLKS MAKE ME HAPPY!
Posted by: electrakitty74
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July 22, 2010 8:54 PM
I am thinking of two responses to such protesters that I loved, both at the same Pride-Fest. One, a guy in leopard skin pants ran to stand next to the protesters and insisted that his friends "Take my picture" while he hurriedly put his arm around the guy's waist and kissed his cheek.
Second, was a good friend of mine who was in full drag (who is 6'4" without shoes) was approached by a woman as it poured rain on Pride.
"This rain is God's judgement on you people," she said.
Without missing a beat, my friend replied: "Well honey, you're wet too."
I laughed and laughed.
Posted by: Robbie
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July 22, 2010 9:07 PM
Intelligence, creativity, honour, pride and every other positive could be found at one end of the road. At the other end you'll find hatred, closed mindedness, delusion and rampant idiocy. Surely someone could organise to have Phred Phucking Felps committed to one of those institutions that is set up to offer care and compassion to poeople with an obvious mental illness. My apologies to the 99% of those with a mental illness who are nowhere as sick ad Phred Felps and phamily. Can't they be stopped crossing state lines?
Posted by: E
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July 22, 2010 9:13 PM
Maybe there's hope for the Phelps gene pool yet:
Fred Phelps' son gets new job: promoting atheism and battling homophobia
Posted by: Stina
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July 22, 2010 9:14 PM
Oh, this is brilliant! Only wish I could have been there.
Posted by: Kaessa
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July 22, 2010 9:18 PM
My people! I wish I could have been there.
Posted by: DLC
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July 22, 2010 9:20 PM
Congrats to the comicon attendees who decided to show Phelps and co what for.
Fred just needs to relax and admit he's gay.
Posted by: Rob in Memphis
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July 22, 2010 9:33 PM
The guy holding the "Is this thing on?" sign is wearing a t-shirt with a big gold starburst on the front that says, "ACTUAL SIZE!" I must have one!
Posted by: Shplane, some shit in french
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July 22, 2010 9:36 PM
Haha shit, a lot of those were great. Of course, I have to disagree with the one that says "God hates Fred Phelps" since, if you read the Bible, it pretty much does agree with what Phelps is sa-
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
Posted by: jkirchart
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July 22, 2010 9:38 PM
Glad you all enjoyed the pictures, I can't take the credit though, a guy I work with sent them to me. I just passed them on.
Posted by: hznfrst
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July 22, 2010 9:45 PM
This website still has a long way to go: there are *two* giant Jesus ads being shown because of this story!
Posted by: druidbros
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July 22, 2010 9:46 PM
And Nate has a book coming out soon that talks about what it was like living in the Phelps house growing up. I dont usually like horror stories but I will read this one.
Posted by: spam.away.666
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July 22, 2010 9:46 PM
It was either stand inside a room filled with nerds of questionable hygiene or stand outside next to nerds with questionable hygiene... I hope they were upwind of the Phelps Phandango.
Posted by: Rhino of Steel
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July 22, 2010 9:46 PM
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion"
I see the local Sith were there to show their support as well. This is why I'm proud to identify myself as a Geek above anything else.
Posted by: Galactus35
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July 22, 2010 9:47 PM
Bender and the Lone Trekkie FTW!
Posted by: hznfrst
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July 22, 2010 9:50 PM
How come no "Jesus sucks and Mary swallows" signs from the geek squad?
Posted by: Anomic Entropy
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July 22, 2010 9:54 PM
Beautiful. That made my day.
Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawlQI78zf12k2HqXZvDBnxTltBFmOzomZ5s
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July 22, 2010 9:58 PM
Only one other person mentioned the "God Hates Sentries" Spy? Tsk tsk.
Posted by: chigau (◦_◦)
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July 22, 2010 10:20 PM
This almost made me weep for happy. It boosts my confidence that things are getting better.
August 5, International Beer Day, is the day I return to a place where I can obtain alcohol.
Coincidence? I think not.
Saw a caribou today, crossing the road from the helipad.
Posted by: oschaefer
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July 22, 2010 10:45 PM
Is it just me, or did the Phelps side not look like they were enjoying themselves very much? So many people to hate, so little time, I guess.
Those photos made my day.
Posted by: TransHero
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July 22, 2010 10:55 PM
Glory to Nerdvana!
Posted by: geneb123
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July 22, 2010 11:08 PM
FUCK GOD -- Nobody said it better...
Posted by: Aquaria
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July 23, 2010 12:02 AM
Would someone please--please--convince Phelps to protest A-kon? I would gladly break my vow never to go north of Austin to see the Phelps clan square off with all those unAmerican cross-dressers, furries, yaoi and yuri.
It might just be the event that gives ol' Fred an aneurysm or heart attack and takes him out of everyone's misery forever.
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 23, 2010 12:43 AM
@Caine #60: I stand corrected. If it wasn't the stupid, then Robbie's theory at #80 must be correct, that the man is mentally ill. Although getting a legal diploma in some backwater in segregation era America and going through motions for attention rather than altruism don't trumpet someone of any greater mental capacity either, so he still could be thick AND mentally ill. He was disbarred, after all. Was it the thick, or was it the crazy?
Re: the links to stories about Nate, it's cool to see he's doing the good work back in my hometown of Calgary. Not a bad percentage that a quarter of people identify themselves as atheist considering the redneck image of the place. Certainly beats the percentage here in OC (the pocket of red state within the blue state.
As for the Comic-Con counterprotesters from Nerdvana (good one, TransHero), all a person can say is, 'My God, It's full of WIN!' These pics remind me of those paintings you can visit at galleries over and over and continuously see something new to be amazed about.
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 23, 2010 12:54 AM
More win! I just noticed the 'Yes on Prop 19' sign. If that one passes I will be able to replace the weeds in my backyard with ones that bring in money...
Yeah right. I'm sure the feds will allow that one to slide. It's awfully dangerous having a state in a perpetual drought suddenly always having the munchies.
Posted by: Emmet, OM
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July 23, 2010 12:55 AM
rippingrich @#67
And it took until comment #67 for anyone to fucking notice!!! By His Noodly Appendage, the standard of comments has gone through the FSM-damned floor in my absence! It used to be all about beer, bacon, bollocks, and breasts (or innuendo, at least) but now?
Waaaahaaaaa!
Posted by: jcmartz.myopenid.com
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July 23, 2010 12:55 AM
More here: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/07/22/super-heroes-vs-the-westboro-baptist-church/
Posted by: timrowledge, Ersatz Haderach
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July 23, 2010 12:57 AM
Just so long as it's by means of decent single inheritance as part of a proper OOPL and not some watered down inanity like java.Posted by: Rorschach
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July 23, 2010 1:07 AM
porg....didn't know that one...:-)
Posted by: Crewvy
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July 23, 2010 1:24 AM
Fuck god.......ftw
Posted by: ltbear
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July 23, 2010 1:33 AM
OMG THEY'RE BEING DICKS!!!1!!! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!!!1!
Posted by: Cyber_Phoenix
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July 23, 2010 1:41 AM
You know, the Bible actually condemns cross-dressing.
Deuteronomy 22:5
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."
Go figure.
Posted by: Charlie Foxtrot
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July 23, 2010 2:10 AM
More good photos linked to in #104. Thanks!
But what's with the sign where the guy's brain is being crushed by the CIA and other stuff - is this a reference I'm not getting? Or did some genuine paranoia slip in with the fangoria?
Posted by: MichaelEybye
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July 23, 2010 3:39 AM
This is just awesome on so many levels. Why doesn't anything like this ever happen here in Denmark?
Posted by: legistech
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July 23, 2010 3:58 AM
MichaelEybye,
When I think of American exceptionalism, this is the sort of thing I think of.
Exceptionalism itself, of course, is hardly limited to America.
Posted by: PhilJo
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July 23, 2010 4:07 AM
@ #4 Ordeneus
This is how magnets work
http://abstrusegoose.com/281
Posted by: defides
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July 23, 2010 4:53 AM
"NO PARKING at any time."
Wow, I thought. Excellently surreal.
Fastened to a lamppost though. Perhaps I misunderstood.
Posted by: marousek
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July 23, 2010 5:03 AM
Here was my review and some of the pictures I took of the event:
http://www.tvornottv.net/2010/07/22/westboro-baptist-church-vs-the-san-diego-comic-con/
Posted by: valis667
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July 23, 2010 5:17 AM
The most rational sign was "Yes on Prop 19". Legalise it now!
Posted by: Katherine Lorraine, Chaton de la Mort
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July 23, 2010 5:36 AM
I liked the Inigo Montoya one.
Posted by: kendermouse
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July 23, 2010 5:53 AM
I'm sort of disappointed not to see a single 'Come to the dark side- we have cookies' sign.
My husband wondered why nobody had a 'Westboro just lost the game' one. Then he realised that anyone holding a sign like that would piss off con-goers and Westboro idiots alike. NOBODY likes losing the game, after all...
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 23, 2010 6:51 AM
@marousek #115: I just fell in love with Wonder Woman all over again for the first time since I was 8.
Posted by: AmandaS
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July 23, 2010 6:54 AM
Why, WHY, did I not know there was an International Beer Day? What has been wrong in my life that I did not know this?
Now I know. There shall be beer. And it shall be good.
Posted by: Kel, The Privileged View From Nowhere
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July 23, 2010 6:58 AM
Must remember to buy some international beer for August 5th then. Australian beer counts as international beer to most people here, right?
Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/hairychris444#96384
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July 23, 2010 7:01 AM
"WHAT DO WE WANT" "GAY SEX" "WHEN DO WE WANT IT" "NOW!"
Epic win.
Posted by: AmandaS
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July 23, 2010 7:02 AM
Kel - I'm going to the Plonk store the weekend before and stocking up. If I'm going to celebrate International Beer Day, then I'm getting me some international beer! There's also the fact that German weissbier is silky golden heaven in a bottle as far as I'm concerned...
Posted by: Kel, The Privileged View From Nowhere
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July 23, 2010 7:30 AM
It's true that I do enjoy a good German Weissbier...
Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawndl5WTvxsKuvAjluGaxC20wmLtIsO17rY
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July 23, 2010 8:33 AM
"Is this thing on ?" - my favourite one.
Posted by: kariedgerton
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July 23, 2010 8:59 AM
@kendermouse- you suck. It had been months and now I just lost.
I want them to picket Youmacon! I'm cosplaying as Abby Scuito.
I got a great laugh out of the Bender sign. But the one that made me laugh the most was the sign that says "god loves every body" with the Jesus cosplayer standing right there. Those signs are common at a WBC counterprotest but I found it hilarious that someone would cosplay Jesus.
Posted by: gussnarp
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July 23, 2010 9:40 AM
That's just beautiful.
Posted by: Copyleft
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July 23, 2010 9:42 AM
Oh, but SURELY such mockery is counterproductive. It's typical of the hateful attitude of the New Atheists that they would mock those they disagree with, rather than sit down to have a productive and polite discussion with the Westboro fanatics--who were only expressing their gawd-given right to free expression of religion, after all!
No, this shameful display just goes to show how intellectually shallow those darn comic geeks are. How DARE they not take the Phelps crew seriously! What horrid, spoiled little monsters they are not to meet blind hatred with calm patience and gratitude!
/sarcasm overload
Posted by: fauxrs
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July 23, 2010 10:01 AM
I love comiccon and I love this town - i hope this is done every day the westboro batshit circus is out there.
Posted by: https://me.yahoo.com/a/MvCGnjIf2sGvZrNR6xZ_mj1.cVMJD.Jh#5a578
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July 23, 2010 10:28 AM
Anti-Phelps signs? Cool
Anti-Christian signs? Not cool. The Phelps crew were obviously not the only bigots there.
Posted by: cairne.morane
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July 23, 2010 10:36 AM
Blessed are the nerds and the geeks for
theywe shall inherit the earth.Posted by: Rillion
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July 23, 2010 10:43 AM
@ McCthulhu #101
Washburn University, Topeka Kansas, where my father got his law degree as well. Hardly a "backwater." Geez, you don't have to insult everything remotely related to a person in order to call him a crazed bigot. Sometimes crazed bigots are educated. Shocking, I know.
Posted by: Krystalline Apostate
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July 23, 2010 10:47 AM
That someone dressed up as Warren DeMontague is an esoteric classic.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp
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July 23, 2010 10:51 AM
OH NOES!!! Those poor persecuted Christians!
'
Someone help them!
Posted by: Dania
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July 23, 2010 10:55 AM
Why?
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 23, 2010 11:01 AM
Rillion: If I don't insult everyone how the hell am I going to maintain my misanthropic outlook?
Posted by: johnlil#0a224
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July 23, 2010 11:03 AM
Anybody can make a sign, but one person had the genius to make/obtain a Bender outfit. Perfect! I hope somebody bought him a drink and a cigar.
Posted by: Forbidden Snowflake
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July 23, 2010 11:34 AM
Also, where? Denouncing Christianity is not the same as being an against Christians, and doesn't constitute bigotry.
Posted by: Dania
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July 23, 2010 11:43 AM
You're right. I think yahoomess meant signs mocking Christianity (that's what those that refer to Christianity do in this picture), but that wasn't what yahoomess wrote. So, yes, "where?" is appropriate.
Posted by: Algernon, elle sans chapeau
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July 23, 2010 12:37 PM
Well technically an Anti-Fred Phelps sign is an anti-Christian sign anyway.
I mean actually, more specifically an anti-Christian sign than a sign denouncing Christianity since it refers to a specific Christian.
I just can't get over Bender there. The perfect moment for the perfect costume and the perfect sign!
Posted by: sqlrob
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July 23, 2010 12:41 PM
Your concern has been noted.
Posted by: Rillion
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July 23, 2010 12:41 PM
I wonder if people who are into comics specifically are more critical of religion, or if it's a general geek thing?
Posted by: faisons
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July 23, 2010 1:18 PM
@142:
Even geeks who technically belong to a religion DON'T tend to be the more "religious" types. A lot of them are skeptics who belong to a religion more by cultural association (ie. "My parents are Christian, so... whatever"). But even the ones who are "religious" tend to be very open-minded, science-friendly, and supportive of a secular government and public school system.
And yeah, overall, there are a lot of skeptics and rationalists and scientists amongst convention geeks. I know - I AM one. GEEK PRIDE!
Posted by: Savaga
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July 23, 2010 1:33 PM
I burst out laughing when I saw the sign with part of the Sith Code on it.
It's good to know that there is one thing that the Jedi and Sith can agree on...
Posted by: Gregory Greenwood
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July 23, 2010 2:23 PM
Savaga @ 144;
I can see the scene now...
A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...
A Jedi Knight and a Sith Lord are locked in a desperate lightsaber duel. As they battle back and forth, they pass a protest group of fundies carrying placards that say "God hates force-sensitives", "medi-chlorians are the root of all evil" and "End Jawa affirmative action".
The Jedi and the Sith stop fighting, and slowly share a look of understanding...
(que Lucas-style screen wipe)
In the background of the next shot, the Jedi and the Sith go their seperate ways in peace, while the foreground shows the remains of the fundies, who have been carved up with lighsabers and fried with force lightening, and a pile of burning placards...
Posted by: Kagehi
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July 23, 2010 3:32 PM
Just wish there was some Jedi-like effect you could actually do, then wait for these idiots to run over to protest a Star Wars convention. Whole line of people dressed as Jedi or Sith, with lightning coming off there fingers, vs. 4 idiots. lol
Posted by: Falyne, FCD
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July 23, 2010 4:00 PM
Damn! I'm here at comic-con (sitting in a thinky "your brain on comics panel right now), but I totally missed protest time. I'm glad the counter-protest was epic.
Posted by: btthegeek
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July 23, 2010 4:04 PM
Now, the Jedi and Sith don't agree. Time to whip out the nerd badge. Ahem.
Jedi Code
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
Sith Code
Peace is a lie. There is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Posted by: Moggie
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July 23, 2010 5:14 PM
I hope Matt Groening is beaming with pride right now.
But... why does a Starfleet officer have an opinion about Jedi?
Posted by: Fomalhaut B
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July 23, 2010 5:17 PM
Can anyone explain the 'No Parking any time' sign to me. I don't get it...
Posted by: dillman.alan
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July 23, 2010 5:31 PM
@101 McCthulhu
I think the 23 percent attributed to Nate Phelps is actually journalistic sloppiness on the part of the reporter and it refers to the stats Canada numbers for Albertans who have no religious affiliation. Which doesnt exactly coincide with true atheism.
While 23% would be a very nice number, it could also be a crafty phrase saying "there are not enough atheists" while at the same time suggesting "you are not so alone".
Methinks he'll be great at his job.
Here is the statistic. Hope the link is okay.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2006001/c-g/4097584-eng.htm
Posted by: Code Monkey
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July 23, 2010 5:47 PM
*sniff* - I love my people
Seriously, with people like these, how does creationism survive?
Posted by: McCthulhu is taking ∞ to eat all the pi
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July 23, 2010 7:01 PM
@dillman.alan: You know what the beautiful thing about that statscan chart is? The trend is going in the right direction right across the country. Reality is infectious!
I feel sorry for Quebec, though. The Vatican has their claws in deep there. Hopefully the jump is much larger there during the next census as people get sharply jolted out of their reverie. Pope Fritz and his Global Pro Pederast League should be just the whack upside the head to supply that jolt.
Posted by: Owlmirror
|
July 23, 2010 7:09 PM
I CAN HAS SIYNS?
OMG
WTF
BBQ
Posted by: Owlmirror
|
July 23, 2010 7:12 PM
GOD
HATES
SPOO
(The other blue meat)
Posted by: Owlmirror
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July 23, 2010 7:15 PM
GOD
HATES
SIGNS
THIS
ISN'T
A SIGN
REALLY
NO
IT ISN'T
Posted by: Owlmirror
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July 23, 2010 7:22 PM
GOT
ANY
SPOO?
And in homage to the funniest in the photo....
IS THIS
THING
ON???
(Westboro Baptists demonstrates against gays --- surrealists demonstrate against reality)
Posted by: dillman.alan
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July 23, 2010 7:23 PM
@McCthulhu
You are correct: Truly that chart is a thing of beauty. There is to be a 2011 census and hopefully that chart will be updated. I dont much expect a trend reversal.
I suspect that Quebecers like their traditions more than their god. It wont take much to shake those numbers up.
Posted by: Dania
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July 23, 2010 7:24 PM
*blink* *blink*
*blink* *blink* *blink*
Oh, it's you again, showing off your HTML-fu and messing with our eyes.
Tsk tsk.
Posted by: arborharbor
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July 23, 2010 7:55 PM
@Code Monkey #152, "Seriously, with people like these, how does creationism survive?"
Seriously, through sheer stupidity.
Posted by: «bønez_brigade»
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July 23, 2010 8:17 PM
It's nice to see that someone brought along the magnet meme. Anti-WBC protests are becoming a meme of their own.
Posted by: ckitching
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July 23, 2010 11:02 PM
McCthulhu, #153
You don't necessarily need to feel too sorry for them. There might be extremely high numbers of people who say that they're Catholic, but with 35% of them not attending religious services, they're largely 'cultural catholics'. I highly doubt many of them even care what happens in the Vatican, nor donate 10% of their income.
Who knows, we might start seeing people call themselves "Secular Christians" (similar to those who call themselves Secular Jews today) or something similar before too long.
Posted by: Silič O'Nopolitanopoulos, Färschdbischuf Beesknees aus Ulm und Klein Elguth, Elector Pharynguline.
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July 23, 2010 11:14 PM
Well, the Star Wars films are part of Earth history, and Star Trek takes part in our future, so I don't see why a history buff couldn't have specialised in 21st century geek culture.Posted by: John Morales
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July 23, 2010 11:22 PM
ckitching,
♫And wouldn't it be nice♬
Posted by: dillman.alan
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July 24, 2010 3:56 AM
@ckitching
Secular Christians would be akin to poseurs pissing in the parish pool.
Posted by: Owlmirror
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July 24, 2010 4:01 AM
Oh, one more:
DOG
SETAH
R-OT-L
Posted by: KingUber
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July 24, 2010 4:57 AM
Bender cosplayer wins
Posted by: Lady Dada
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July 24, 2010 1:50 PM
I missed you so much!! thank you for ending the strike!~
Posted by: Kieranfoy, Faerie Godfather of Death, GMKSC, OED
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July 24, 2010 7:06 PM
Phucking Phred Phelps.
May his genetalia take wing and fly off.
Also, consider the following image: Phelps. A 40k commissar. A bolter.
"HERESY!"
Posted by: Rutee, Shrieking Harpy of Dooooom
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July 25, 2010 12:12 AM
Late to the party because I was elsewhere in time and space;
At F-anime a few years ago, they had these kinds of protests.
anonymous counter-picketed as well. They had people breakdance. A memorable sign read "It's okay, I'm from the internet!".
It's almost as if one group reacting negatively to undeserved bullshit foisted on them by another group is exactly equivalent to foisting undeserved bullshit on others for your own sick laughs.Fucking morons.
Posted by: Finch
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July 25, 2010 10:01 PM
Man, I wish I knew when this was going on, but my gf and I were too busy inside. I totally wanted to point and laugh at Phelps.
Posted by: https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmVT1LBhwmO9ej9LNg7a5e9d-AVJ8ezfmE
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July 26, 2010 1:45 AM
Nerds for the 'framing' win.
I always liked Rollins' suggestion for dealing with the KKK: start a bunch of organizations all claiming to be the KKK but allow anyone to join, and have really hip rainbow-colored multi-gender groovy marches/block parties; culture-jam them by forcing them to defend their trademark as hateful and unhip.
It'd be fun to start a campaign of joining Phelps' movement and then 'coming out' any time a member of the media points a camera in the right direction. It'd eat up their ability to trust new recruits (they can't be getting many, anyhow) and it'd encourage them to tailspin into paranoia in addition to their pre-existing assholiness.
I feel sorry for Quebec, though. The Vatican has their claws in deep there.
Someone needs to remind them that it's unlike proper Quebecois to take orders from a foreigner. I mean, really, how culturally submissive. They just don't make Quebecois like they used to, apparently. Etc.
Posted by: jaybgee
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July 26, 2010 2:07 PM
Yay for geeks and nerds! I'm proud to count myself as one. This makes me so happy =D
Posted by: sharon.lynn.campbell
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July 26, 2010 3:16 PM
A "porg" is an alien from the carpe chaos universe, at carpechaos.com
Posted by: lasthussar
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July 26, 2010 8:11 PM
Can't but think it would have been funny if Darth Vader had joined the Phelps side.
Posted by: kendermouse
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July 29, 2010 1:31 AM
@kariedgerton #126
Yeah, the Buddy Jesus was totally icing on the cake.
Posted by: aketzle
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August 12, 2010 11:40 AM
My favorite is the one that says, "No parking any time!" Brilliant!