The title of this thread is Christian Extremism: Good or Bad? But the OP doesn't really address the issue.

Obviously, Fred Phelps is a thorn in the side of everyone who respects individual rights. He is a power-hungry fascist with the intent of brainwashing his congregation against homosexuals and a number of other groups. In this sense, he is bad.

However, he also, like it or not, has a right to do this. I personally do not fell that someone who is outright declaring hate for another group based on prejudice and lies should be allowed to speak publicly. But, I must respect his right to do so under the Constitution. So, if this shows us anything, it is that the Freedoms of speech and expression are still alive and well, and in that roundabout sense, it's good.

I would personally like to see Phelps and his crew shipped off somewhere else, somewhere he's not free to speak. Perhaps a place where if he spoke so freely about the government he'd be shot. At least then he'd know how lucky he is to live in such a "fag-enabling" country.