To Each His Own
“If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death” (Lev 18:22-23). Perhaps, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney took this message from the bible literally, and executed Matthew Shepard for his “sinful” actions. The way in which Matthew Shepard was harassed, brutally murdered, and left to die, tied to a fence in the wide, open plains of Laramie, Wyoming truly reflects the theme of the “wild west.” However, Matthew Shepard was murdered just before the new millennium. Matthew was crucified, ironically tortured in a similar way as Jesus Christ. In a modern society where many citizens have altered or drastically changed their beliefs regarding homosexuality, a large percentage of Americans still standby their traditional ideals. How come these people strictly hold on to their original, conventional ideals?
The people of Laramie, Wyoming, the hostility of the town in general, as well as its overall atmosphere reveals isolation from the rest of the modernized world. The hate Aaron McKinney, Russell Henderson, Fred Phelps, and other homophobic antigay followers have for gays and lesbians is something that needs reason or explanation. The hate Russell and Henderson obtained towards Matthew in order to brutally injure and abandon him to die is surreal. It is something one would see happen in a movie. What caused these people to truly believe that “God Hates Fags” and that being gay is unacceptable and “wrong.” How do these people become so hateful? Who promotes these assertive beliefs? Fred Phelps. The 81 year old homophobic founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas is notoriously known for his anti-gay protests, hateful sermons, and steadfast beliefs towards homosexual citizens; this essay will reveal Phelps Christian motives and influences from the bible that have led him to religiously follow his dogmatic beliefs as well as explore the intentions of Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney in committing the homicide of Matthew Shepard.
Fred Phelps is a Christian who follows fundamental Baptist beliefs using what the bible says as God’s literal word. A different branch of Christianity, Phelps fundamental Baptist beliefs teach, “God does not love everyone” and that we must “fear God and keep his commandments.” His Baptist church participates in cult-like tendencies, such as, picket rallies, and group gatherings. The way that Phelps and his followers picket is extremely hateful and disrespectful to the beliefs of others. At Matthew Shepard’s funeral in 1998 Phelps and a group of believers held cruel signs displaying quotes such as, “God Hates Fags” as well as hateful comments regarding AIDS and HIV and their relation to homosexuals. Although Phelps and his fellow believers have the right by the second amendment to express their thoughts and ideas, the way in which they picket so hatefully feels as an embarrassment to more modern based Christians. Many view these acts of rebellion by Phelps and his followers as “unchristian.” What does the bible actually say about homosexuality? “Lev 18:22-23 proclaims, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Lev 18:22-23). These words, thoughts, and opinions were written in the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament before Christ was born. These are “traditional” beliefs that many Christians have chosen to live their lives by. Everyone has the right to their own beliefs, and this is a value most Americans claim to respect, but when someone is murdered for being gay in the 21st century it becomes something far from respect, it is arrogance and complete savagery.
Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson claim that the killing of Matthew Shepard was “a robbery gone bad, not a hate crime.” What caused Russell and Henderson to commit such a gruesome, violent, and surreal act? There really is no clear answer. Russell and Henderson purely and simply do not like gay people. Not everyone likes each other, it is understandable, but nobody deserves to be treated the way Shepard was on October 12th, 1998. Gregory Koukl, author of “Equal Rights for Homosexuals” respectfully reveals the reasons why he and many Christians alike follow the right-handed views regarding the subject of homosexuality. Koukl expresses, “Most people who consider homosexuality deeply immoral don't do so because they hate homosexuals. They have principled moral objections…you see, this isn’t about us forcing our views on them. This is about conservatives and morally-minded people being allowed to express their moral point of view and act on it. This isn’t about homosexual liberties; it’s about our liberties” (Koukl, Equal Rights for Homosexuals). Koukl feels threatened by modern views, and truly wants to preserve his beliefs, his personal liberties. Although, intolerance of different cultures, genders, religions, sexual orientation, and ethnicities disregard our “American values,” all of humanity is entailed to their own beliefs; both sides should present respect.
After viewing The Laramie Project, and hearing Henderson and McKinney pronounce their testimonies and alibis, I was shocked to see the lack of remorse they had for their actions. District court judge Jeffrey A. Donnell told Henderson, "You drove the vehicle, you bound him to that fence in order that he might be more savagely beaten. At the very least you stood by as he was struck again and again and again. You did nothing [in court] but concede your involvement." The murder of Matthew Shepard was "savage, brutal," Donnell told Henderson, "and lacking in respect for human life, regardless if [Matthew's life] was different from your own or not" (Donnell). Donnell emphasizes the fact that even if Russell and Henderson disagreed with Matthew’s way of life, they had no right to inflict the harmful actions they did on him that night. Donnell continues, “The court does not believe you feel real remorse…this vile, senseless crime victimized Matthew, his family, your family, your community. You are not a victim, you are a perpetrator” (Donnell). There is no excuse, no type of explanation, for the killing of Matthew Shepard. There is reason, very difficult and illegitimate in my opinion, but there is reason for why he was disliked. At Matthew’s court hearings, Dennis Shepard, expressed, “My son was born blind,” he said. “Not physically blind, but blind to people’s differences-short or tall, black, brown or white, religion or ethnic backgrounds. His friends included gays and so-called straights” (Shepard). We do live in a world where homosexuals and heterosexuals are friends, blacks and whites are friends, Jews and Christians are friends. Why is it such a problem to accept difference?
Fred Phelps, Aaron McKinney, and Russell Henderson have a right to their beliefs, and this is respected, however, their hateful actions cannot be justified. After the murder of Matthew Shepard occurred in Laramie, Wyoming the small western town was forever changed. Some local citizens feeling appalled after this incident expressed their emotions, stating bold phrases, such as, “it offends us” and that Laramie is “this kind of town.” Emotionally, mentally, and physically hurt by the situation, a huge portion of the community felt motivated to participate in the making of Moisés Kaufman’s The Laramie Project. Although Laramie is still populated with many conservative citizens against homosexuality, the murder of Matthew and the response from the world impacted Laramie forever. The murder has opened a majority of citizens’ eyes to new ideas, thoughts, and beliefs of acceptance. Matthew acts as a figure of Jesus. He was tragically crucified, but left this earth with all that he believed in. Matthew, as he uncomfortably suffered through his last moments of life hopefully felt some peace with the earth, for “the last thing he saw on this earth was the sparkling lights of Laramie, Wyoming” (The Laramie Project).
Sources
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5226
http://webspace.webring.com/people/xp/pebx/henderson.html
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