Anti-gay hate-mongers like Rev. Fred Phelps are the biggest reason why a movie like "For the Bible Tells Me So" is so important right now.
According to a report in the Casper Star-Tribune, the city of Casper has for the second time rejected the Phelps' request to erect a monument stating that murdered gay hate-crime victim Mathew Shepard is in hell.
Casper Mayor Kate Sarosy wrote in a letter to Phelps: "Your monument is simply religious in character, based on your personal religious beliefs regarding Matthew Shepard, and bears no historical significance to the foundation of the law for our country. As such, the city cannot place your monument on city property without violating the establishment clause of the United States Constitution."
I would have written him a much shorter letter: "Go away!"
According to the paper, Phelps and members of his church have visited Casper several times since protesting Shepard's funeral in 1998 and they consider the town a "preaching opportunity," despite receiving a letter in 1999 from every preacher in Casper asking them to not come back.
"The end is coming, and it will be cataclysmic," said Phelps, 77. "I don't expect to save Casper."