Christians of the right wing variety engage in activities that flaunt the teachings of the gospel, online and off. When you look at the conduct of many of them it makes the sayings of Jesus seem like a joke. Admonitions to not only love thy neighbor, but love thine enemy also have no meaning for people who are fueled by hatred and driven by ideological fanaticism.

No Christian in America hates more than Fred Phelps and his crew of dysfunctional followers, sometimes referred to as the 'God Hates Fags' fanatics. Their latest target is Heath Ledger, a brilliant young Australian actor who struggled with fame and the personal challenges it brought.

Ever the publicity slut, Phelps crawled out of his cave in order to spew venom on everything Heath Ledger stood for:

"Heath Ledger thought it was great fun defying God Almighty and his plain word; to wit: God Hates Fags! & Fag Enablers! Ergo, God hates the sordid tacky, bucket of slime seasoned with vomit known as Brokeback Mountain - and He hates all persons having anything whatsoever to do with it. Heath Ledger is now in Hell, and has begun serving his eternal sentence there - beside which, nothing else about Heath Ledger is relevant or consequential."

Phelps and co have staked out the funerals of American soldiers killed in the line of duty. They chant messages of hate while heart broken relatives are paying their last respects. The same ghouls also appeared at the funeral of the murdered gay teen, Mathew Shephard, in 1998.

Phelps's has been making noises about protesting at Heath Ledger's funeral, which will likely take place in Australia. The laws are different in Australia when it comes to hate. Chances are high that if the Westboro Baptist fanatics make the trip they will have to deal with the authorities.

Heath Ledger was a great actor who wasn't afraid to challenge taboos in the process of breaking new ground. His death is a tragic loss.