CHESTERTON - The ongoing debate over a gay-themed poster in Chesterton High

School will draw a fire and brimstone protest in the town next weekend.

The Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., will

lead a group of 22 "street preachers" to Chesterton on Friday to preach their

belief in God's hatred for gays.

But the parent who originally objected to the poster's display in an English

class, Cathy Podguski, said she is shocked by Phelps' stance and wants no part

of his protest.

Phelps and his congregation of 215 cite Scripture to back their claims that

homosexuals are condemned to hell and AIDS is God's punishment of gays.

A Westboro Baptist Church news release states: "The Bible says gays are

filthy and lawless (2 Peter 2:6,7); liars and murderers (John 8:44); natural

brute beasts (2 Peter 2:12); dogs eating their own vomit and sows wallowing in

their own feces (2 Peter 2:22); violent (Genesis 19; Judges 19); given up by

God to uncleanness to dishonor their bodies among themselves, to vile

affections, and to a reprobate mind such that they can't think straight about

anything (Romans 1:24-28); and, as totally devoid of any hope of entering

Heaven (Revelation 22:15).

"In Romans 1, the word reprobate is used to describe fags," Phelps said,

reading from his own Web site. "Fags are reprobate. God hates reprobates.

Therefore, God hates fags, now do you understand?"

"It's a disgrace that in the heart of America, the gay element is trying to

take hold of the political power points," said Phelps, 68, who has preached

against homosexuality since he was ordained at age 17.

Phelps recently returned from picketing the city of Duluth, Minn., to

"inform Duluth residents that filthy gays and lesbians are in control of their

government."

"We've had more than 13,000 of these missions, and if gay violence erupts,

we hope the police will be around to do their job," Phelps said. "We simply

want to passively focus attention on homosexuals' true agenda."

Phelps said his "delegation of faithful Christians" will definitely protest

in Chesterton, but may also visit other areas in Northwest Indiana.

"If the residents in Northwest Indiana are not careful, the active gay

element will take over all of the important government power points," he said.

Phelps' involvement in the gay poster issue was prompted "through newspaper

accounts," not by anyone's request from this area, he said.

Local figures on both sides of the controversy condemned the tactics used by

the Topeka church.

Podguski, who has been at the forefront of opposition to the poster, was

shocked by Phelps' views and unveiled hatred.

"I am appalled and amazed by his stance," said Podguski, who has yet to file

further litigation for the removal of the poster. "We don't condone this

behavior at all, and this entire issue has gotten off course."

On Dec. 8, the Duneland School Board voted 4-1 to uphold an earlier decision

that the poster met curriculum standards.

"Unfortunately, this has shades of Ku Klux Klan throughout it now. It is not

Christianity," insisted Podguski.

Curt Ellis, director of The Aliveness Project of Northwest Indiana, said his

AIDS-awareness organization will not be present if Phelps and his church

members protest.

"This is truly a sick and pathetic individual," Ellis said, "and we will not

lend him any credibility by participating in this."

"Although the town of Chesterton may be challenged by the homosexuality

issue, the good people of Chesterton are not hateful and spiteful like Phelps,"

Ellis said.

"This is too much hate, and God bless Cathy Podguski for distancing herself

from this loony tune. At least we can find a common ground on this issue of

hatred and extreme sickness."

And local clergy disagreed with Phelps' interpretation of the Bible to

preach God's hatred for gays.

"God loves everyone," said Pastor William Beith of Liberty Baptist Church in

Lake Station. "I believe Rev. Phelps' own feelings have seeped into his cause,

because although our church believes homosexuality is a sin, we hate the sin -

not the sinner."

"It is our job to try to help others, no matter how different. Never to hate

them," Beith said. "There is no biblical standpoint for his preachings."

The Rev. Charles Baker of the Portage Christian Fellowship Church concurred

with Beith.

"We don't condone homosexuality, but we certainly do not condemn it," Baker

said. "There is always hope for change in an individual."

Carl Rose, minister of youth services for South Haven Christian Church, said

he tries to teach the children of his church to "identify and possibly attack

the sin, but never the sinner."

"We are all sinners, and one sin is not worse than another," Rose said. "It

is up to God, not us, to judge."

According to the Topeka church's Web site, the reason Phelps and his

congregation preach hate is "because the Bible preaches hate."

"For every one verse about God's mercy and love, there are two verses about

His vengeance and hatred," a church statement says.