The church behind the protests

taotoon · 11-01-2007

Finally someone did something about these bastards. I believe in free speech but this is just hateful. One can onlty hope this bankrupts them deeply enough that they cannot carry on these "protests"

Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist Christian group based in Topeka, Kan., has protested military funerals across the country with placards bearing shock-value messages such as "Thank God for dead soldiers."

They contend that the deaths are punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality and of gays in the military.

At the March 2006 funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq, church members waved fire-and-brimstone placards near the funeral motorcade. Snyder's father sued Westboro and three church leaders for emotional distress and won a nearly $11 million jury verdict Wednesday in Baltimore.

For years Westboro members have crisscrossed the country toting signs using "unvarnished words" such as "God hates fags" because they say the Bible teaches them to speak directly and simply. The church's 75-person congregation is comprised mainly of relatives of Rev. Fred Phelps, the founding pastor.

The group also blames disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and AIDS, on what it views as permissive morals in violation of biblical dictates. Members insist that their protests, no matter how insulting to some, are constitutionally protected.

Alarmed by Westboro protests, at least 22 states have enacted or proposed laws to limit the rights of protesters at funerals. Only months after Matthew Snyder's death, Maryland passed a law prohibiting targeted picketing within 300 feet of a funeral, burial, memorial service, or funeral procession.

Past protests by Westboro have produced so much negative reaction that they routinely alert local police department of their plans so they can provide additional security.

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Seakony · 11-01-2007

They will reap what they sow

MaripositaII · 11-01-2007

OMG!

There are some crazy MOFOS out there

PlayadelSoul · 11-01-2007

Ain't nothing Christian about them.

Free speech is a risky business. Too bad a good asskicking isn't covered by the 1st Amendment.

Rissask · 11-01-2007

Isn't that Fred Phelps' church?

I don't normally like the idea of murder, but in HIS case I'd make an exception.

Mr Cancun · 11-01-2007

Westboro showed up at a military funeral of one of my best friend's nephew. If not for the Rolling Thunder showing up, I'm sure a few of us whould have been in jail or sued by WBC. They suck the big one.

farmgirl · 11-01-2007

Not so sure I would call that a church, sounds more like a cult!!!

That is terrible. I am sure there were people from every race, church and sexual orientation killed in the 9-11 attacks. How can they think that was an act of punishment from god?? It was innocent people that died! Thanking god for dead soldiers, how horrible is that! I thank god for the soldiers that have given their lives and risk their lives to keep us safe. God doesn't kill them, the war does! How many millions of innocent people have died of aids that are not homesexual? How can they say those things. No one deserves aids no matter how they contracted it. Almost sounds like Hitler mentality to me, that is scary!
It would be ironic if their Church were to catch fire or be struck by lightening!! Now that would be an act of God imho. Not that I would want something bad to happen to anyone, but might be good in proving a point to some that are followers!

birdman · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Ain't nothing Christian about them.

Free speech is a risky business. Too bad a good asskicking isn't covered by the 1st Amendment.

Hold down the fort, I will be off huntin for a week in that big ole gas guzzler.
Have fun.

NiceTom · 11-01-2007

Those sobs. Maybe alot of this countries problems could be fixed if we could have an asskicking amendment to the constitution.

Daddy B · 11-01-2007

God hates fags?! Who created cigarettes, then?!

roni · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddy B

God hates fags?! Who created cigarettes, then?!

Reminds me of that old Irish song about a brown-haired boy leaning on a lamp post sucking on a fag.

Daddy B · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by roni

Reminds me of that old Irish song about a brown-haired boy leaning on a lamp post sucking on a fag.

You've been hanging out at a peculiar type of Irish bar...

Just Lucky · 11-01-2007

When I first saw the story all I could think of is thank G-d we have trial lawyers in the USA.

horizon200 · 11-01-2007

A guy that works for me said his wife rallied support for a local family after it was announced that Westboro would picket his funeral. She had so many people show up and stand around the church that the Lunatics couldn't get near. Then the Fire Dept showed up with a HUGE American Flag and draped it between two trucks right in front of the whackos so that was all they could see.

farmgirl · 11-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by horizon200

A guy that works for me said his wife rallied support for a local family after it was announced that Westboro would picket his funeral. She had so many people show up and stand around the church that the Lunatics couldn't get near. Then the Fire Dept showed up with a HUGE American Flag and draped it between two trucks right in front of the whackos so that was all they could see.

That is a wonderful story. That is the only way to fight these idiots, stick together as a community! I just don't understand how anyone who calls themselves christian can do that to someone else while they are grieving no matter what the reasoning for it.

11-01-2007	#1 (permalink)
taotoon beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: where am I going and why am I in this hand basket? Posts: 415	The church behind the protests Finally someone did something about these bastards. I believe in free speech but this is just hateful. One can onlty hope this bankrupts them deeply enough that they cannot carry on these "protests" Westboro Baptist Church, a fundamentalist Christian group based in Topeka, Kan., has protested military funerals across the country with placards bearing shock-value messages such as "Thank God for dead soldiers." They contend that the deaths are punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality and of gays in the military. At the March 2006 funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq, church members waved fire-and-brimstone placards near the funeral motorcade. Snyder's father sued Westboro and three church leaders for emotional distress and won a nearly $11 million jury verdict Wednesday in Baltimore. For years Westboro members have crisscrossed the country toting signs using "unvarnished words" such as "God hates fags" because they say the Bible teaches them to speak directly and simply. The church's 75-person congregation is comprised mainly of relatives of Rev. Fred Phelps, the founding pastor. The group also blames disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and AIDS, on what it views as permissive morals in violation of biblical dictates. Members insist that their protests, no matter how insulting to some, are constitutionally protected. Alarmed by Westboro protests, at least 22 states have enacted or proposed laws to limit the rights of protesters at funerals. Only months after Matthew Snyder's death, Maryland passed a law prohibiting targeted picketing within 300 feet of a funeral, burial, memorial service, or funeral procession. Past protests by Westboro have produced so much negative reaction that they routinely alert local police department of their plans so they can provide additional security. Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

11-01-2007	#5 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 19,661	Isn't that Fred Phelps' church? I don't normally like the idea of murder, but in HIS case I'd make an exception. Last edited by Rissask; 11-01-2007 at 01:40 PM.

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11-01-2007	#2 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,148	They will reap what they sow

11-01-2007	#3 (permalink)
MaripositaII añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,686	OMG! There are some crazy MOFOS out there

11-01-2007	#4 (permalink)
PlayadelSoul Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: We'll know when we get there, We'll find mercy Posts: 8,965	Ain't nothing Christian about them. Free speech is a risky business. Too bad a good asskicking isn't covered by the 1st Amendment.

11-01-2007	#6 (permalink)
Mr Cancun reposado Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 1,359	Westboro showed up at a military funeral of one of my best friend's nephew. If not for the Rolling Thunder showing up, I'm sure a few of us whould have been in jail or sued by WBC. They suck the big one.

11-01-2007	#7 (permalink)
farmgirl life=playa Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 846	Not so sure I would call that a church, sounds more like a cult!!! That is terrible. I am sure there were people from every race, church and sexual orientation killed in the 9-11 attacks. How can they think that was an act of punishment from god?? It was innocent people that died! Thanking god for dead soldiers, how horrible is that! I thank god for the soldiers that have given their lives and risk their lives to keep us safe. God doesn't kill them, the war does! How many millions of innocent people have died of aids that are not homesexual? How can they say those things. No one deserves aids no matter how they contracted it. Almost sounds like Hitler mentality to me, that is scary! It would be ironic if their Church were to catch fire or be struck by lightening!! Now that would be an act of God imho. Not that I would want something bad to happen to anyone, but might be good in proving a point to some that are followers!

11-01-2007	#9 (permalink)
NiceTom life=playa Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 547	Those sobs. Maybe alot of this countries problems could be fixed if we could have an asskicking amendment to the constitution.

11-01-2007	#10 (permalink)
Daddy B añejo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you Posts: 9,300	God hates fags?! Who created cigarettes, then?!

11-01-2007	#13 (permalink)
Just Lucky link king Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Out On the Edge. Posts: 6,613	When I first saw the story all I could think of is thank G-d we have trial lawyers in the USA.

11-01-2007	#14 (permalink)
horizon200 añejo Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Delaware Posts: 4,427	A guy that works for me said his wife rallied support for a local family after it was announced that Westboro would picket his funeral. She had so many people show up and stand around the church that the Lunatics couldn't get near. Then the Fire Dept showed up with a HUGE American Flag and draped it between two trucks right in front of the whackos so that was all they could see.

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