Westboro Church Plans to picket VT Funerals

[SirFozzie]

I swear, they are trying to get the crap beat out of them.. (or worse)

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/news/nation/17107593.htm

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A fringe church that has garnered attention and scorn for protesting funerals of troops killed in Iraq is planning to picket services for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church have disrupted funerals across the country over the past few years with profane signs saying that deaths in Iraq are retribution triggered by America's tolerance of homosexuals.

A church news release explains;

"God is punishing America for her sodomite sins. The 33 massacred at Virginia Tech died for America's sins against WBC (Westboro Baptist Church). Just as U.S. soldiers dying in Iraq each day for America's sins against WBC."

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell is warning protesters that they could be arrested if they interrupt the funerals. McDonnell's spokesman sent out an e-mail detailing the section of the Virginia Code that can be used to quell disturbances at funerals.

McDonnell's e-mail did not explicitly say protesters would be arrested and charged, but did say that the state's top lawyer "wants to ensure that those who perished on Monday receive the dignified and tranquil services that they, and their families, deserve."

The state code states that a person can be charged with disorderly conduct for willfully disrupting any funeral or memorial service.

A handful of protesters picketed outside of Quantico Marine Corps Base last December during a memorial service for a fallen Marine. The group has threatened to protest at other events but not shown up.

Pastor Fred Phelps and his congregation at the church in Topeka, Kan., travel the country preaching damnation to a "nation of sinners," routinely glorying in the death of U.S soldiers.

His church of 75 people, many of them his relatives, believes that God causes the death of soldiers as punishment for a society that condones homosexuality.

They routinely carry signs that read "Thank God for IEDs," referring to the improvised explosive devices that have killed many troops in Iraq.

The group has offended state and federal lawmakers, who have passed laws aimed at curbing their protests. Congress passed a law that restricts demonstrations at national cemeteries and last year Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed a bill making such protests in Virginia a misdemeanor.

An online petition railing against Phelps and the protests had already gathered nearly 31,000 signatures.

[kingfc22]

Ummm wow.

[Young Drachma]

They just like attention. Plain and simple.

[flere-imsaho]

That'll end well.

[Scarecrow]

Can you guys keep them in jail for a while - my Wednesday morning walk to work would seem nicer without having to go through them.

[Chief Rum]

I was fine with them picketing at Iraq soldiers' funerals for some reason. It seems more political, even if their reasoning is religious. I would still abhor them being there, but I wouldn't do anything about it.

I think, though, if I were at one of the funerals for these innocent VT kids who have died and saw them, I might literally go over there and tear someone's head off. And I don't normally tend toward violent acts. This just sickens me.

And I'm just nobody who knows anyone. Think what the students' families will be inclined to do.

[Toddiec]

They just like attention. Plain and simple.

I can't agree more with Dark Cloud on this one. Here is a great example of the "more media attention = more encouragement to do stupid things" doctrine.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Let the record show that Reverend Phelps regularly shows up to protest funerals in a Kansas Jayhawks jacket. One more reason to hate the beakers.

[SirFozzie]

I was fine with them picketing at Iraq soldiers' funerals for some reason. It seems more political, even if their reasoning is religious. I would still abhor them being there, but I wouldn't do anything about it.

I think, though, if I were at one of the funerals for these innocent VT kids who have died and saw them, I might literally go over there and tear someone's head off. And I don't normally tend toward violent acts. This just sickens me.

And I'm just nobody who knows anyone. Think what the students' families will be inclined to do.

They also threatened to picket the funeral of the Amish school shooting victims (they were bought off by a radio talk show host who offered an hour of his radio time to the "church" in return for not picketing).

These are litigous bastards too, they want folks to threaten them and attack them, so they can sue them for everything.

[stevew]

Like Foz said, some folks just need killin'

[DanGarion]

I think a bunch of gay people should constantly picket their church, that they are the cause of the death of everyone because they can't accept homosexuals.

[Maple Leafs]

Anyone have the photo of Phelps with two "fans" who, right before the photo was taken, revealed t-shirts that said "gay" with an arrowing pointing at him?

[terpkristin]

What does this kind of thing actually accomplish, other than enraging people at them?

I mean, what about being Christian says it's EVER OK not to honor the dead? What about being HUMAN.

Things like this really make me sick. :(

/tk

[Poli]

I'd give someone a boot.

[Eaglesfan27]

Simply unbelievable.

[Coder]

what would be really fun would be if everyone just ignored them..

They've got this vendetta against Sweden, after a pastor was arrested for a hatespeech against homosexuals. When WBC found out about this they started their website godhatessweden.com, praising the pastor and basically pouring all kinds of crap on Sweden, our royal family and just about anyone living in Sweden.

Unfortunately, our media-outlets latched on to this, considering it fantastic news that someone was this completely out of it. Result: Front page coverage about these pathetic jokesters across Sweden.

Recently, the BBC did a documentary about WBC.. result: Pan-european coverage for them..

Seriously... Media has got to take a step back and re-consider what's newsworthy and what isn't. This is a perfect example of attention craving morons getting EXACTLY what they want, and as a result they'll try to outdo themselves over and over again to get even more coverage.

IGNORE THEM.. Please.. the more coverage they get, the stronger they get.

[markprior22]

What does this kind of thing actually accomplish, other than enraging people at them?

I mean, what about being Christian says it's EVER OK not to honor the dead? What about being HUMAN.

Things like this really make me sick. :(

/tk

These people aren't Christian. Doesn't really matter what they name their church.

[Scarecrow]

I think a bunch of gay people should constantly picket their church, that they are the cause of the death of everyone because they can't accept homosexuals.

Kinda hard to do when there's a 10' concrete wall around their 'compound'.

[Scarecrow]

what would be really fun would be if everyone just ignored them..

DOLA

The Topeka media outlets have been ignoring him for 10 years to no avail.

[cougarfreak]

They also threatened to picket the funeral of the Amish school shooting victims (they were bought off by a radio talk show host who offered an hour of his radio time to the "church" in return for not picketing).

These are litigous bastards too, they want folks to threaten them and attack them, so they can sue them for everything.

So, anyone know a homeless guy I could hire to beat the hell out of them?

[Autumn]

When Michael Moore had a TV show, he did a segment where he got a bunch of gay guys together. They outfitted this RV as this pink flaming gaymobile. They then drove around to wherever Phelps was protesting and pulled up next to them, the guys all hanging out of the bus acting outrageous, and then would come out and mingle with the protesters until they ran away. It was quite hilarious.

[Wolfpack]

When Michael Moore had a TV show, he did a segment where he got a bunch of gay guys together. They outfitted this RV as this pink flaming gaymobile. They then drove around to wherever Phelps was protesting and pulled up next to them, the guys all hanging out of the bus acting outrageous, and then would come out and mingle with the protesters until they ran away. It was quite hilarious.

About the only time I could ever applaud Michael Moore for something he did. Bravo!

[DanGarion]

Kinda hard to do when there's a 10' concrete wall around their 'compound'.

they need to cowboy up!@

[Schmidty]

What does this kind of thing actually accomplish, other than enraging people at them?

I mean, what about being Christian says it's EVER OK not to honor the dead? What about being HUMAN.

Things like this really make me sick. :(

/tk

Please don't call these people Christian. Thanks.

[JediKooter]

These people are scum, plain and simple. I can only hope their bus goes over a cliff.

[14ers]

His church of 75 people, many of them his relatives, believes that God causes the death of soldiers as punishment for a society that condones homosexuality.

I do not under stand the connection between the US Military and Homosexuality?

The US military is about the only place where an employer can openly punish and fire people for Homosexuality.

[ISiddiqui]

I do not under stand the connection between the US Military and Homosexuality?

The US military is about the only place where an employer can openly punish and fire people for Homosexuality.

Actually, considering that sexual orientation is NOT a protected class (under federal law), the US military is not alone in being able to openly fire people for being gay.

Anyway, the connection is that the military is a symbol of the society that, to Phelps, tolerates homosexuality.

[terpkristin]

Please don't call these people Christian. Thanks.

I'm not sure I can call them human, much less Christian. Was just noting that they were a part of a "church."

Sickening. :(

/tk

[EagleFan]

It seems the radio host has come to the rescue again.

hxxp://images.mikeonline.com/images/linksandinfo/WBC_message070420.htm

So basically they get positive reinforcement everytime they try a stunt like this.

[Coder]

Please don't call these people Christian. Thanks.

To be honest though, they claim to be doing this in the name of God. In the sense that they believe in God and Jesus Christ, are they not Christian?

That's like saying that the terrorists doing things in the name of Allah aren't Muslim, since what they're doing is not condoned by the Koran.

I'm not trying to argue, because even though I'm not a believing Christian, I do know that hatred and intolerance have absolutely nothing to do with the Christian faith, these people do consider themselves Christian.

[MrBug708]

Im a hell of a football player so I must be an NFL player...

[Autumn]

lol, good point

[Coder]

Im a hell of a football player so I must be an NFL player...

Disregarding your attempt at an analogy, what about my example.. are the people commiting acts of terrorism in the name of Allah Muslims or not? What they're doing is not condoned by the general interpretation of their holy scripture.

Of course they are muslim, just like the morons at WBC are Christian. However, the point I really wish to make is that we shouldn't, no, we CAN'T, "pull everyone over the same comb" as we say here in Sweden.

I'm can't help being frustrated about attacks on Asians after the VT-tragedy.. and the attacks on Arabs after 9/11.. or the general outlash against Americans across Europe simply because of something their President has decided.

There are countless examples of minorities doing wrong and a majority gets to suffer because people on the other end of an opinion are just as clueless as the minority doing something wrong in the first place.

I'm not blaming every Christian for the idiotness of a select few; I have some very good friends who are also very religious and find them to be both kind and tolerant of other people's views and beliefs.

[Autumn]

I can see it both ways. They identify as Christian, so we call them so. Alternately, we only call someone Christian if they somehow live up to the priniciples of the faith. Given that hammering down a definition of those principles in any religion that we can all agree on would be impossible, I agree it's simplest to go with the first. Perhaps we can settle on "they call themselves Christian."

Edit: OK, VT - Virginia Tech, I get it now. But VT is my state! How confusing.

[WSUCougar]

Easy solution to this one: call out the cossacks and clear the square.

[Fouts]

Just read about Kevin Smith's next project (called Red State) which he talks about on rottentomatoes.

UK audiences recently saw documentary journalist Louis Theroux spend time with members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, a controversial church group made largely of members of the Phelps family and run by preacher Fred Phelps. Infamous in America for taking a supremely homophobic stance and for picketing the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq, the group see media interviews as a platform for airing their views and the word of their founder, Fred Phelps.

"That dude has always fascinated me and he's really informed the horror movie that I'm working on," Smith told us, "The movie's called 'Red State' and it's very much about that subject matter, that point of view and that position taken to the absolute extreme. It's certainly not Phelps himself but it's very much inspired by a Phelps figure."

hxxp://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=412463

[Karlifornia]

Disregarding your attempt at an analogy, what about my example.. are the people commiting acts of terrorism in the name of Allah Muslims or not? What they're doing is not condoned by the general interpretation of their holy scripture.

Of course they are muslim, just like the morons at WBC are Christian. However, the point I really wish to make is that we shouldn't, no, we CAN'T, "pull everyone over the same comb" as we say here in Sweden.

I'm can't help being frustrated about attacks on Asians after the VT-tragedy.. and the attacks on Arabs after 9/11.. or the general outlash against Americans across Europe simply because of something their President has decided.

There are countless examples of minorities doing wrong and a majority gets to suffer because people on the other end of an opinion are just as clueless as the minority doing something wrong in the first place.

I'm not blaming every Christian for the idiotness of a select few; I have some very good friends who are also very religious and find them to be both kind and tolerant of other people's views and beliefs.

I think you're partially right, but partially wrong. If you're a member of the local 4-H club, and you hear that a fellow member of the 4-H is torturing and murdering baby goats, do you still consider him a 4-H member? Yeah, he took his oath which makes him a member, but he is not upholding the values that the club holds dear to it. Islam and Christianity are supposed to be compassion-based, no? If you are directly violating the values of the faith, then that no longer makes you a part of it. You may refer to yourself as a Christian, but Brian Bosworth referred to himself as an actor at one point, did he not?

I may not be too fond of the history of Christianity, but I can surely tell the difference between someone like Schmidty, and someone like Fred Phelps.

[tucker342]

When I graduated from High School in '04, they came and protested at my graduation because a girl recieved the Matthew Shepard Scholarship or something similar. In response, my high school forced to require everyone to have a ticket to get into the arena instead of anyone being able to get inside we also wore ribbons on our robes to show our support.

in fact, they have been frequent visitors to Iowa City, at least 3 times that I can remember, and every single time the number of counter-protesters is usually at least 3X greater than the number of protesters.

What they do is terrible and despicible but just like everyone else they have the freedom to protest... Although, while they should be able to protest they shouldn't be able to be within 20 miles of those funerals.

[flere-imsaho]

I wonder... Bush & Cheney have been all too happy to set up "free speech zones" in the past 7 years to keep protestors away from their events. Certainly this would be a situation to use those "free speech zones" for good? ;)

[Desnudo]

Odds that Phelps is a closet homosexual: 1:1