Westboro Church to protest

[ilovecats]

http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_058011233

Westboro Church to protest at Moore school


By M. Scott Carter

MOORE -- Claiming they speak for the Almighty, members of the Westboro Baptist Church announced they would picket Moore High School next Monday afternoon because God hates the students there.

In a media release, the Topeka-based church announced that "God hates Moore High School" and said church members would picket the 6A high school in "religious protest and warning" at 2:45 p.m. Monday March 2.

"We will picket your really large high school because you southern(ish) hypocrites keep lying to the children," a second document, distributed with the release said. "We have a message, from your Maker, high school students -- we're here to deliver God has cursed you, with your parents' lies. Now God is rejecting your filthy raging lies violent brats, God hates you."

The announcement by the controversial church -- which has previously picketed military funerals in Norman and south Oklahoma City -- raised the concerns of Moore school officials and city leaders.

In an e-mail to The Transcript, Moore councilman Robert Krows -- who also teaches in the Moore district -- said school officials are trying to do "all they can to make the day as normal and as safe as possible."

"Unfortunately, that's not the goal of the WBC group," Krows said.

This week, Moore school officials sent letters to parents in the district about the protest. In a letter dated Feb. 23, Moore High principal Mike Coyle said school administrators were "working closely" with the Moore Police Department to "ensure a safe and orderly conclusion" to the school day.

"We have been advised that the group will create a video chronicle of the protest," Coyle wrote. "We strongly recommend that our students do not interact with this group."

Because of the protest, Coyle said school officials would dismiss the high school early.

"Given our overriding concern is and will continue to be learning in a physically safe and emotionally secure setting, we will dismiss early so as not to subject anyone to inflammatory speech," Coyle wrote. "For student safety, exits from the school will be controlled. School will be released at 2:25 p.m."

A second letter, written by superintendent Deborah Arato, said school officials expected a "non violent protest" and said school officials had "not been contacted nor have they spoken with" representatives of the church.

"Our position is that the event is disruptive in its effect on students and staff at a time of day when we are releasing hundreds of student-age drivers from school," Arato said. "We have heard from numerous patrons and community members who do not represent the philosophy represented on the Westboro group's Web site. Many of our students have discussed ignoring the protesters so as not to provide any further attention to their topic."

The district's goal, Arato said, "is that school is a place for our students to come and learn in physical and emotional safety. We do not appreciate interruptions of that goal."

Telephone calls to the Westboro Church's Topeka office were unanswered. Calls to the telephone number listed in the group's media release noted the number had been disconnected.

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 [email protected]

I just really don't understand how these people can actually think they are doing "God's work".It seems more like they are on the other side.What a bunch of evil people.

[YankeeMary]

Ok why are they targeting this particular school? I read the article twice and I think I am missing something? Anyone have any clues?

[SurferGirl]

I don't think the article said what they were protesting it for.

[YankeeMary]

I don't think the article said what they were protesting it for.

Thank you! I thought I was just losing my mind. There is normally a reason for these people to rally right?

[gmyers]

They really don't sound like a church or even religious to me. There's something really wrong with what they're doing.

[ilovecats]

Ok why are they targeting this particular school? I read the article twice and I think I am missing something? Anyone have any clues?

Just because God hates the kids because their parents lie to them?Maybe there are new military funerals in the area?:(

[SurferGirl]

I used google to try to figure this out and I found an article where they are protesting the crash victims too. That Westboro church must be totally nuts.

Here is the other article I found. I don't think the Westboro church has any respect at all for anyone. They also give Christians a bad name. Belive me all Christians are not like these nut cases.


http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/westboro_church_says_it_will_p.htmlWestboro Church says it will protest at Flight 3407 memorials
by Sarah Moses / The Post-Standard Tuesday February 17, 2009, 8:02 PM
Buffalo, NY -- Members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., who are known for picketing the funerals of U.S. troops, are planning to protest two memorial services planned for the victims of Flight 3407, the commuter plane that crashed near Buffalo.

The group plans to picket a morning community prayer service at the Zion Lutheran Church in Clarence Center, and an afternoon memorial service for Alison Des Forges at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buffalo. Both services are scheduled to take place Sunday.

Westboro Baptist Church is known for its anti-gay message and its picketing of funerals for members of the armed services killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The controversial church says God is punishing America because of what church members consider the nation's permissive attitude toward gays and lesbians.

[hblueeyes]

These people make me want to puke. Christians, I think NOT, for

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.


Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.


Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Me

[gmyers]

Why would they want to picket the memorial service of the plane crash? I think they just like being controversial and getting attention.

[nightrider127]

How do these people get away with all the stuff that they do? You would think that by now, someone would have stomped a mudhole in them.

I am not going to say they aren't Christians because it is not my place to judge them. I will say that they don't seem to be very Christian like to me.

[gmyers]

If someone would file a lawsuit against they might be able to stop what they're doing.

[whatever]

This falls under the category I use as "WTF makes them tick?
Just because its one of those that really doesn't make sense......

[sahm2]

I truly believe there is a special place in hell for these "christians"

[PinkAquila]

If someone would file a lawsuit against they might be able to stop what they're doing.

they have had lawsuits against them. Most of their family is lawyers.
In fact most of their church "people" are all related to each other.

I have posted before that we have had a run in with them before.
They don't listen, all they do is shout the same things over and over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church


His oldest son Mark got out of the "Family" a long time ago. And since he left the family he has been denounced and declared he will go to hell...sigh

His son talked about everything that his dad "Fred Phleps" did.
You can go here Addicted To Hate (http://www.rslevinson.com/gaylesissues/features/collect/phelps/bl_phelpsintro.htm) and read it if you want.

Sorry to go out on a rant. But I really cannot stomach the things these people teach their kids.

[YankeeMary]

they have had lawsuits against them. Most of their family is lawyers.
In fact most of their church "people" are all related to each other.

I have posted before that we have had a run in with them before.
They don't listen, all they do is shout the same things over and over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church


His oldest son Mark got out of the "Family" a long time ago. And since he left the family he has been denounced and declared he will go to hell...sigh

His son talked about everything that his dad "Fred Phleps" did.
You can go here Addicted To Hate (http://www.rslevinson.com/gaylesissues/features/collect/phelps/bl_phelpsintro.htm) and read it if you want.

Sorry to go out on a rant. But I really cannot stomach the things these people teach their kids.

Not long ago I read a book that about this family. They are truly unreal.

[Njean31]

they are vile. i can't believe they were/lawyers. they just dont seem smart enough to me.

[hotwheelstx]

Thank you! I thought I was just losing my mind. There is normally a reason for these people to rally right?

I read it 4 times and Aggie twice. Neither one of us read anything about why this is going to happen.

I knew about the protest in Norman, OK. Both my parents went to college there. these people are just plain crazy if you ask me. Talking with my great aunt who's 87 lives near Norman protesters were carried off, hauled to jail. Really didn't have a reason for protesting anything.

What a bunch of nuts.

[ilovecats]

Not long ago I read a book that about this family. They are truly unreal.

Do you happen to remember the name of the book?I would like to read it.

[YankeeMary]

Do you happen to remember the name of the book?I would like to read it.

Oh my...no I don't but I will try to find it or search for it. I read quite a bit and never remember names of books.

[krisharry]

what a bunch of wackjobs

[jerseybarb]

I think Fred Phleps protests a bit too much about gays, if you get my drift. I would bet two weeks pay that deep down he is a latent homosexual himself. When his kids were growing up, he beat the boys more than the girls, one son more than anyone else. Could he be "punishing' the boys for being sexually atractive to him?

[gmyers]

That explains a lot. Thats probably why he started his own church and just his family goes to it. Its all about controlling his family. If he abuses them then he probably also tries to control them. I bet his 'Church" is not about religion at all. Look at the hate he spews. Always saying God hates someone. Who is he to say that God hates someone. I feel for his family they're probably afraid of him. I wish the government would make it a law you can't protest at any funerals I believe that would stop them or at least make it a crime where they can be arrested. He's messed his kids up big time with his hate.

[PinkAquila]

When I read Addicted to Hate, I got so upset with these people. At first I was just upset with the old fart Fred. But then I became even more upset that the mom let it happen, and when the kids got to go to college to become lawyers and such, they went back into the "fold"....One of them use to be a some kind of school counselor don't know if she still works for school system.

They did have quite a bit of youtube videos up. They had little kids like 6,7,8 years old shouting all this hate. I think that is child abuse. The little ones there now I believe should be taken out!

Sad thing is, with all the lawyers in their family they always look for some type of loop-holes to get out of everything. :(

[Jolie Rouge]

Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dutchtown demonstration ends peacfully
Advocate River parishes bureau

http://media.2theadvocate.com/images/MET+protest+2+HM+031810.jpg

Several hundred people gathered at Dutchtown High School Thursday evening to counter-protest a threat made by Westboro Baptist Church to protest the school's production of 'The Laramie Project.' As of 6 p.m., no one from Westboro had arrived.

A peaceful, if lively, protest outside Ascension Parish‘s Dutchtown High School ended at about 7:15 p.m. Thursday when Anthony Battaglia, the lone man facing down between 400 and 500 counter-protesters, left.

No one from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, , the group that listed the play on its “picket list,” and therefore sparked the counter-protest, ever arrived.

Actors from the high school’s production of “The Laramie Project,” went on undisturbed before a packed house.

While the hubbub surrounding the play made for a strained and nerve-wracking week, Shannon Ehrmann, theater teacher said, “it probably did get more people to buy tickets.”


--------------

Posted 6:25 p.m.

DUTCHTOWN — More than 250 counter-protesters had assembled at Dutchtown High School by 5:30 p.m. today in defense of tonight’s play, “The Laramie Project.”

But a threatened protest by Westboro Baptist Church pickets to the high school play dealing with the death of a gay ]student had yet to materialize.

However, Anthony Battaglia, from First Baptist Church in Gonzales, did visit the campus to discuss God and homosexuality from a spiritual point of view with the counter-protest group.

People in the crowd waved American flags and picket signs while singing songs such as “God Bless America.”

Ascension Parish sheriff’s deputies and school officials said earlier today they didn’t know how many activists to expect outside Dutchtown High School, but they wanted to make sure to keep everyone safe.

The school’s spring production of “The Laramie Project,” a play re-telling the events surrounding the beating death of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, through the eyes of the people involved, attracted the attention of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas.

Church members protested outside Shepard’s funeral, and have listed the Dutchtown play on a “picket list.”

Toni Tizanie, who serves on the board of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of New Orleans, said Metropolitan Community churches of Baton Rouge and New Orleans would be at the school as of 4 p.m., and other groups around the state have been posting messages on various Web sites to organize travel to Dutchtown High.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tony Bacala said protesters and counter-protesters may stand on any public property during the event, but both groups are welcome on campus, he said, so long as they stay within the cordoned-off areas, which are near the cafeteria, where the play will take place.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/88466612.html?showAll=y&c=y


[b]Protester outnumbered 500 to one
By C.J. FUTCH Advocate staff writer
Published: Mar 19, 2010 - Page: 1A

DUTCHTOWN — A threat to protest Dutchtown High School’s production of “The Laramie Project” by anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church became in turns a conversation about religion, a shouting match, and an occasional sing-along.

No one from Westboro actually showed up Thursday night, as scheduled on the Topeka, Kan., church’s “picket list.”

One protester, Anthony Battaglia from First Baptist Church in Gonzales, wound up facing a crowd of about 500 counter-protesters alone.

Battaglia said while he doesn’t agree with Westboro’s methods, he does agree with the church’s view of faith, a faith that sees homosexuality as wrong. “I don’t see myself as fitting on either side, but I can’t stay in the middle,” Battaglia said.

Counter-protester the Rev. Clinton Crawshaw with The Big Easy Metropolitan Community Church out of New Orleans, replied that Battaglia had picked the wrong side. “You know you have to choose a side — hatred, or love,” Crawshaw said

“The Laramie Project” tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student who was brutally beaten in Laramie by two locals later convicted in his death. Westboro Baptist Church picketed Matthew Shepard’s funeral with signs that read: “Matthew is burning in Hell.”

The mass of counter protesters at Dutchtown High carried signs with slogans such as “God hates fat-free mayonnaise,” “God Drinks Haterade” and “Jesus had two dads, why can’t I?” meant to deflect the message for which Westboro is known.

In the end, Battaglia’s only sign read, “God Bless Our Soldiers” — Westboro has also protested outside soldiers’ funerals — and was passed on to him by a counter-protester who was leaving the event.

Many counter-protesters stored their signs outside the cafeteria while they went in to see the performance.

The event remained peaceful, if lively, until Battaglia, still alone, left around 7:15, when the rest of the crowd dispersed.

His message, he said, was to let people know about “the well-rounded character of the God of the universe, and while God is love, he is also just.”

But that “you’re not OK” viewpoint of faith and sexuality, said Keith Mozingo, pastor at the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Community Church, causes a lot of suffering, especially in high school students, which is why he helped organize groups to lend moral support to the play.

Mozingo said he plans to ask the cast to perform the play a third time at his church, “and I hope they will agree. I really wanted to see it.”

Most of those gathered outside were from out of town — Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Hammond.

But the student actors took a moment before the play began to see what was going on outside.

“It’s been a very long week,” Shannon Ehrmann, the theater teacher who initially chose the play, said.

She and students had to deal with rumors and hype surrounding the protest in addition to getting prepared for a play that is already challenging and emotionally heavy.

“But, they did a great job (Wednesday night, the first night of the play),” Ehrmann said. “They committed themselves to blocking out the distractions, and they did,” she added.

Walking back from the front lines of the protest to perform for a nearly sold-out crowd, student actor Adam Gilbert said if the hubbub outside served as anything, it was motivation, not distraction.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/88517072.html


Word has it that a van showed up with the Westbor crew ... when they saw what they were up against ... they loaded back up and left. :rofl:

[ilovecats]

Great job!!It's about time people put these bullies in there place.Spreading hatred under the guise of Christianity has got to be as low as you can go.

[Jolie Rouge]

Marine's dad ordered to pay protesters' court fees
2 hrs 55 mins ago

BALTIMORE – Lawyers for the father of a Marine who died in Iraq say a court has ordered him to pay legal costs for the anti-gay protesters who picketed his son's funeral.

The protesters are led by Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church. Albert Snyder of York, Pa., had won a $5 million verdict against Phelps, but it was thrown out on appeal.

On Friday, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Maryland ordered Snyder to pay the costs of Phelps' appeal.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed earlier this month to consider whether the protesters' provocative messages, which include phrases like "Thank God for dead soldiers," are protected by the First Amendment.

Lawyers say Snyder already is struggling to come up with the fees associated with filing the brief with the high court.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_funeral_protests;_ylt=Aum2wIU18YfG7XdM.Z1cGi6s0 NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNudTVoYWI4BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzI5L 3VzX2Z1bmVyYWxfcHJvdGVzdHMEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXI EY3BvcwM0BHBvcwMxBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZ GxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDbWFyaW5lc2RhZG9y


what a screwed up place this is that we call "land of the free". it makes sense though that these fanatics are so wraped up in their warped belief system that they either, by choice or pure ignorance, neglect to recognize that their "right" to protest was provided to them by the spilled blood of the very people they dishonor.


lost faith in our judicial system a LONG time ago, but after reading this I officially believe OUR government, OUR judicial system, and OUR country have completely failed us. This mans son gave his life for his country and this is how our country repays him and his family. Today AMERICA should be ashamed!!! When are we going to join together and stop the insanity that is beginning to control OUR country???? I am sure this judge didn't lose a son during combat, and I am totally positive this idiotic judge would see this situation completely differently if these idiots showed up at his sons funeral. This is OUR country......
The judges, lawyers, and politicians do not own America, WE THE PEOPLE DO!!


think the Marine's father should promply go beat the hell out of Phelps and any other protester he can find. If I were in his shoes, I'd much rather pay their associated medical bills than pay for their right to picket my son's funeral with slanderous, riot-provoking placards.

Someone (ie: the Marine's father's bank) should start an account where like-minded people could send a contribution in support of the Marine's father to further finance his legal fees for appealing this ridiculous ruling.

[hesnothere]

Oh FFS, what the he!! is going on anymore. Gonna crawl back into bed and come out when it's 1981 again.

[Jolie Rouge]

If they set up a fund ... I'll donate

[Jolie Rouge]

Father wages court battle against funeral protests
By Ben Nuckols, Associated Press Writer Tue Apr 13, 12:17 am ET

YORK, Pa. – Some nights Albert Snyder wakes up at 3 a.m. Other nights he doesn't sleep at all, tormented by thoughts of the hateful signs carried by a fundamentalist church outside his Marine son's funeral.


"Thank God for Dead Soldiers."

"You're Going to Hell."

"Semper Fi Fags."


Hundreds of grieving families have been targeted by the Westboro Baptist Church, which believes military deaths are the work of a wrathful God who punishes the United States for tolerating homosexuality.

Most mourners try to ignore the taunts. But Snyder couldn't let it go. He became the first to sue the church to halt the demonstrations, and he's pursued the group farther than anyone else.

Now, more than four years after his son died in a Humvee accident in Iraq, Snyder's legal battle is headed to the Supreme Court. And his tireless efforts have drawn support from across the country, including a wave of donations after he was ordered to pay the church's court costs — a $16,500 judgment that the congregation plans to use for more protests.

Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, 20, was not gay. But for the Westboro church, any dead soldier is fair game. Pastor Fred Phelps oversees a congregation of 70 to 80 members — mostly his children and grandchildren. They consider themselves prophets, and they insist the nation is doomed.

As Snyder sees it, Westboro isn't engaging in constitutionally protected speech when it pickets funerals. He argues that Phelps and his followers are disrupting private assemblies and harassing people at their most vulnerable — behavior that's an incitement to violence.

"This is more than free speech. This is like yelling, 'Fire!' in a crowded theater. Somebody's going to get hurt," Snyder said, his voice rising and eyes welling with tears.

Snyder's lawsuit accuses the Topeka, Kan., church of invading his privacy and intentionally inflicting emotional distress. He has the backing of his ex-wife and his two daughters, but Snyder insisted on being the only plaintiff.

Except for the 40 hours per week he works selling industrial equipment, the case takes up nearly all his time. He says it's more stressful than a second full-time job.

Snyder, who lives in York, about 85 miles west of Philadelphia, is soft-spoken and polite. But anger and sadness flare up quickly, with little warning. The litigation has forced him to relive the anguish of his son's death, and his grief is still raw.

"It's still very emotional," Snyder said in an interview at his attorney's office. "It's like I constantly relive this every day, and I just wonder sometimes, when this is all over, what I'm going to do with that void. Will the grieving process begin?"

The fight has taken its toll on Snyder's health. The broad-chested 54-year-old has struggled with clinical depression and diabetes.

Snyder fought back against the church in part because he felt Westboro paid special attention to his son. Several weeks after the funeral, the pastor's daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, wrote in an online diatribe that Snyder and his ex-wife taught their son "to defy his creator."

Westboro also protests nonmilitary events, such as the 2007 funeral of the Rev. Jerry Falwell, and the deaths of 29 miners last week in West Virginia. The group first grabbed widespread notice in 1998, when members appeared outside the funeral of Matthew Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student whose murder drew national attention.

Lawyers Sean E. Summers and Craig T. Trebilcock, both military veterans, agreed to take Snyder's case pro bono. They warned him about the emotional toll of a long legal dispute.

Snyder won the first round decisively, when a jury in federal court in Baltimore awarded him $10.9 million in damages in October 2007. A judge later reduced the award to $5 million.

Last September, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the verdict, ruling Westboro's protest was constitutionally protected speech.

The Supreme Court agreed last month to consider whether the protesters' actions, no matter how provocative and upsetting, are protected by the First Amendment. The case will be argued in the fall.

Then something unexpected happened: The appeals court ordered Snyder to pay Westboro $16,510 in court costs. While it's not unusual for the losing party in a civil case to be required to pay some costs, it rarely happens when an individual sues a private entity, especially when the case is still active, experts say.

Margie Jean Phelps, one of Fred Phelps' daughters and an attorney, will argue the case before the Supreme Court. She has said the church plans to use the money from Snyder to stage more protests. That's what's so upsetting to Snyder, who says he would drop the matter if the church stopped picketing funerals.

Snyder has received plenty of publicity since filing the lawsuit, but interest intensified after the court-ordered payment.

Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly pledged to pay the entire $16,510, and the American Legion has raised more than $20,000. Every day, hundreds of envelopes arrive at Summers' office. Snyder plans to use the money for other court fees and to donate what's left over to veterans.

Not everyone is on Snyder's side, even if they find Westboro's protests loathsome.

They point to the undisputed facts of the case. Westboro contacted police before its protest, which was conducted in a designated area on public land — 1,000 feet from the church where the Mass was held in Westminster, Md.

The protesters — Phelps and six family members — broke no laws. Snyder knew they were present, but he did not see their signs or hear their statements until he turned on the news at his son's wake.

Jonathan M. Turley, a George Washington University law professor, asked his constitutional law class to grapple with the case. At first, the entire class was sympathetic to Snyder. But after they dug deeper, they concluded that Westboro's speech was protected by the First Amendment.

"Once you get down to trying to draw the line between privacy and free speech, it becomes clear that a ruling against Westboro could create the danger of a slippery slope for future courts," Turley said.

Turley, who studies the Supreme Court closely, said it's difficult to predict how the justices will rule.

Phelps-Roper has no doubt the court will favor Westboro. "If that case can prevail, there is no First Amendment left," she said.

Some military families see no reason why such protests cannot be restricted.

"I don't think these people should be allowed to come in and disrupt a family's grief," said Diane Salyers of Sims, Ark., whose son's funeral was picketed by Westboro in 2007. Snyder "speaks for all of us who've been affected by these people."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100413/ap_on_re_us/us_funeral_protests/print;_ylt=As115wqSrs1f0.JwQTNBNZhH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDM TBvajZzaTFyBHBvcwMxNQRzZWMDdG9wBHNsawNwcmludA--

[Jolie Rouge]

Lawmakers ban picketing near Tucson funerals
Paul Davenport, Associated Press – 49 mins ago

PHOENIX – Arizona legislators quickly approved emergency legislation Tuesday to head off picketing by a Topeka, Kan., church near the funeral service for a 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Tucson shootings.

Unanimous votes by the House and Senate sent the bill to Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed it Tuesday evening. It took effect immediately. The bill "will assure that the victims of Saturday's tragic shooting in Tucson will be laid to rest in peace with the full dignity and respect that they deserve," Brewer said in a statement, praising lawmakers for "a remarkable spirit of unity and togetherness."

Without specifically mentioning the Tucson shooting, the new law prohibits protests at or near funeral sites.

Dozens of lawmakers co-sponsored the bill, and legislative action was completed within 90 minutes. The Senate's committee hearing took just three minutes.

The Westboro Baptist Church said Monday it plans to picket Thursday's funeral for Christina Taylor Green because "God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America." The fundamentalist church has picketed many military funerals to draw attention to its view that the deaths are God's punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Lawmakers denounced the church's plan to picket a child's funeral. "This is just horrific that ... people have to deal with this. We shouldn't have to do this in time of great pain for our state," said Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Phoenix Democrat.

The girl was the youngest of the six people killed during the shooting at an event held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was among 14 people injured. Giffords was shot in the head and critically wounded.

Numerous states have passed laws restricting protests at funerals after members of the Westboro church began protesting at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Arizona legislation is modeled on an Ohio law that was upheld by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sinema said.

The four-paragraph Arizona bill makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail to picket or conduct other protest activities within 300 feet of a funeral or burial service — about the length of a football field. The prohibition applies from one hour before the event to one hour after.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a church member and a daughter of its pastor, said the prohibition wouldn't matter because church members plan to picket at one of two intersections more than 1,000 feet from the church where the girl's service will be held.

Phelps-Roper also said church members plan picketing Friday in conjunction with a service for another victim of the shooting, U.S. District Judge John M. Roll.

Sen. Paula Aboud, a Tucson Democrat, said volunteers in Tucson were organizing a human shield to block the protesters from view of victim family members.

Sinema said the prohibition applies only to funeral and burial sites because courts have struck down picketing prohibitions for procession routes.

"This is a good compromise that doesn't trample our God-given rights," said Senate President Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican.

Sen. Ron Gould, a Republican from Lake Havasu City, voted for the bill but earlier was the only senator who objected to suspending rules requiring several days of legislative consideration before a final vote.

Gould cited the public's right to know what lawmakers are considering. "And when we suspend those rules mistakes get made," he added.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_congresswoman_shot_picketing;_ylt=Ag7zznKskXsjZ uN3QerGwrKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQzc2ZvcmduBGFzc2V0A2FwL zIwMTEwMTEyL3VzX2NvbmdyZXNzd29tYW5fc2hvdF9waWNrZXR pbmcEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM0BHBvcwMxBHB0A 2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDbGF 3bWFrZXJzYmFu


While I detest these people and their antics ... why did it take this tragedy to force the issue. Don't our military members deserve the same respect and dignity ?


[i]comments

If you're from Kansas, and plan on driving to Tucson to visit friends or family this week, huge mistake. Better fly, take a bus, or rent a car with different state plates.

---

these people have been doing this at military funerals for years and when people spoke out all you heard was all these progressives yelling about free speech, so why now?

---

No one passes a law to stop picketers at the funerals of the soldiers killed in combat. Their families deserve respect also.

[gmyers]

Yeah whats the difference? Why stop them from protesting at her funeral but not the soldiers funerals? She must be family of someone important.

[Jolie Rouge]

The South rises against Westboro
By Ashton Pittman Published: Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church was a no-show Saturday at the funeral of Marine Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers in Brandon, Miss. The church recently won a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that they had the right to protest at funerals.

After Rogers was killed in Afghanistan, the church issued a press release announcing its intent to protest the fallen Marine's memorial service. But even though the church did not show up as they had promised, many others showed up in their stead.

William Carey student Zach Magee helped organize a counter protest via Facebook to combat the negative message Westboro was expected to deliver. "As soon as we heard that Westboro was gonna be here, we didn't want that to happen," Magee said. "I'm a firm believer in human rights, and I believe it should be a natural given human right to be able to bury your loved ones without negativity brought towards that."

Brandon resident Michelle Milloway had never heard of Westboro prior to the events surrounding Staff Sgt. Roger's funeral, but she knew she had to be there to show support for the family. "We came out to support his family, our country, and the soldiers that fight for us everyday," she said. "I don't know how people can have so much hate inside of them to do something as low as that," she said.

She was just one of the estimated thousands who showed up to overpower Westboro's message of hate with one of love.

Supporters of the fallen Marine and his family held signs that said things like, "God Loves Jason" — a stark contrast to Westboro's placards, which often carry messages like "God Hates Fags" and "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."

For Marlee Merritt, 17, of Richland, the idea that Westboro would come so close to home was infuriating. "It really just pisses me off that they would put the family through that," Merritt said. "They don't need that stuff right now—they're dealing with enough."

Several USM students showed up, including both sophomore Theater major Michael Dendy and sophomore Psychology major Emma Burleson. Dendy said that it would not be his first experience with Westboro. "I came here because I've had a past with Westboro Baptist Church, with them protesting the Laramie Project," Dendy said, referring to a play based on the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepherd — whose funeral Westboro also protested. "I just wanted to have a chance to make them realize who they're messing with when they come to Mississippi," Dendy said.

That sentiment was held by many in the crowd. "This is the Deep South," Merritt said. "We don't play. I just hope that they realize that we're the state of Mississippi," said Brandon resident Heather Rodgers. "It's the Deep South. We are very close here. I definitely think they might get more than they bargained for."

Hours after Westboro failed to arrive, Magee offered that it may have been the tight-knit nature of families and communities in the Deep South that made Westboro reconsider.

As it became apparent that the church would not be coming, the hundreds of people gathered at the cemetery where Staff Sgt. Rogers was to be buried began to cheer. "In a round about and direct sort of way, they really just boosted the number of people here and support that the family got," said USM student Jon Negri. "Westboro Baptist Church was pretty positive today."

Magee said he wasn't surprised; the massive crowd of patriots who had shown up to silence Westboro, he said, would have easily drowned out their small numbers. "I really think that was kind of the sole purpose," Magee said, "to keep them away. Mission accomplished," he added, nodding.

http://www.studentprintz.com/the-south-rises-against-westboro-1.2183326

[Jolie Rouge]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s480x480/179100_4155765535358_689148256_n.jpg

[Jolie Rouge]

.
Zombies show up to counter Westboro Baptist Church protestors
By Eric Pfeiffer, Yahoo! News | The Sideshow – 1 hr 58 mins ago.

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mf0XsY4uIDsDL9c.Pxtyeg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/ZombieProtest.jpg

After reading this story, you may begin to see zombies in a whole new light. While they get a lot of criticism over their love of human flesh, it turns out that some zombies also go out of their way to support the troops.

The Westboro Baptist Church had recently announced that it would be holding one of its protests outside the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in DuPont, Washington. But last Friday, the controversial group was met with a far larger group of counter-protestors … dressed as zombies.

The controversial, Kansas-based church did not explain exactly why it was protesting in DuPont, but they have held a number of similar protests outside of military funerals in objection to gay rights.

That's when Melissa Neace and three of her friends organized the Facebook event "Zombie'ing Westboro Baptist Church AWAY from Fort Lewis!"

"I have decided that the most violent free way to protest back is simple... a zombie apocalypse. So I ask EVERYONE who is able to attend that day, please come dressed in your finest zombie outfit," Neace wrote on the page.

The event page received such a positive response that the zombies outnumbered the protestors by a reported level of 300 to 8, the News Tribune reported. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/07/27/2230529/merryman-duponts-antidote-to-westboro.html

"We wanted to turn something negative around, into something people could laugh at and poke fun at," Neace told the paper. "It was the easiest way to divert attention from something so hateful."

"I think that their message is very hateful, and Jesus was not a hateful person. He loved everybody," counter-protestor Ashley Winslow told KIRO-TV.

You can watch video of the protest and counter protest from KIRO, here. http://www.kirotv.com/videos/online/wesboro-church-protest-anti-gay-message/vc3xK/

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/zombies-show-block-westboro-baptist-church-protestors-204613653.html#more-id

comments

If zombies eat brain, then they'd starve at Westboro.

..

They're not a Church. They're a side show Freak act.

..

Those zombies took one look at those people's brains and were like "eww, gross!"

[hblueeyes]

Awesome.

Me

[Jolie Rouge]

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mf0XsY4uIDsDL9c.Pxtyeg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/ZombieProtest.jpg

I can not help but wonder what is writen on the sign that the black-dressed zombie is holding ... bad enought that it was cropped from the pic??

[Jolie Rouge]

Reminder: Fred Phelps is a Democrat
10:54 AM 04/08/2013

Just a little something to remember as his pack of loonies get ready to protest yet another funeral.

Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/westboro-baptist-church-picket-roger-434594


Westboro Baptist Church to Picket Roger Ebert’s Funeral

The anti-gay group says it will protest outside the movie critic’s memorial service Monday in Chicago.

Leaders of Kansas’ Westboro Baptist Church, notorious for picketing at the funerals of soldiers and gay teenagers, have revealed that they plan to picket the funeral of late movie critic Roger Ebert on Monday.

In its news release, the group calls Ebert a “f-g enabler” and complains that he used his Twitter “to mock the faithful servants of God at Westboro Baptist Church.”

That’s crazy. A “f-g enabler”? Not that there would be anything wrong with that, of course, but putting it that way sure is rude. “F-g enabler”? Yeesh. Although come to think of it, Ebert did give Anaconda three and a half stars…

But seriously, though, Westboro gets two thumbs down.

Ebert has left us, sadly, but now a couple of film buffs are continuing his legacy of grading movies via an arbitrary unit of measure. Ladies and gentlemen: On Cinema. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ri0n5EMEApY


http://dailycaller.com/2013/04/08/reminder-fred-phelps-is-a-democrat/#ixzz2PtZpN341

[3lilpigs]

1. Stop calling them BAPTISTS. That's offensive to me.

2. Stop calling them CHURCH. That's offensive to EVERYONE who has stepped foot in one.


In its news release, the group calls Ebert a “f-g enabler” and complains that he used his Twitter “to mock the faithful servants of God at Westboro Baptist Church.”

What ''faithful servants of God''....or church groupe...use language like that???:hmmmm2:

[3lilpigs]

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mf0XsY4uIDsDL9c.Pxtyeg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/ZombieProtest.jpg

My problem with this is..............
If this were your family members funeral...do you really want to see people dressed like that?
I totally get what they're doing, and that they are trying to help...but the last thing I'd want to see as I am about to bury my son/daughter, is a bunch of people dressed as zombies.

Too bad they all couldn't have gone out to a costume or surplus store and got military clothing. :)

[Jolie Rouge]

1. Stop calling them BAPTISTS. That's offensive to me.

2. Stop calling them CHURCH. That's offensive to EVERYONE who has stepped foot in one.

What ''faithful servants of God''....or church groupe...use language like that???:hmmmm2:

Agreed on all three points. In conversation I call them "the Westboro Freaks" ...

[Jolie Rouge]

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mf0XsY4uIDsDL9c.Pxtyeg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/ZombieProtest.jpg

My problem with this is..............
If this were your family members funeral...do you really want to see people dressed like that?
I totally get what they're doing, and that they are trying to help...but the last thing I'd want to see as I am about to bury my son/daughter, is a bunch of people dressed as zombies.

Too bad they all couldn't have gone out to a costume or surplus store and got military clothing. :)

The group were friends of the family ... they were into the "RenFaire" and SciFi Conventions... deceased favorite show was "Walking Dead"

[3lilpigs]

I can not help but wonder what is writen on the sign that the black-dressed zombie is holding ... bad enought that it was cropped from the pic??

I know this is an old topic, but I found a picture of the sign she is holding.
I just don't know how to post it. lol

It says "Enjoying your 1st Amendment Rights??.......Thank a Soldier!"

While I agree...I think the Kool Aid one is funnier. :)


The group were friends of the family ... they were into the "RenFaire" and SciFi Conventions... deceased favorite show was "Walking Dead"

Ok, as long as the family knew/approved. :)

[Jolie Rouge]

.

After the Westboro Baptist Church said it would picket the funerals of those killed at the Boston Marathon (and blamed same-sex marriage for the attacks), Anonymous hacked their FB page, with epic results, seen here.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s480x480/11648_645930375436419_2109376004_n.jpg

[Jolie Rouge]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s480x480/525324_473091436096461_776756818_n.jpg

[Jolie Rouge]

Westboro Baptist Church Creates GodHatesOklahoma.com,
Hacker Hijacks Site, Seizes Domain and Puts It to Good Use
http://cheezburger.com/7492044288

In light of the tragic events of May 20, 2013, when a massive tornado struck Moore, OK and killed at least 24 people, the Westboro Baptist Church, perpetually high in the standings for 'Worlds Biggest Scumbags,' made the website GodHatesOklahoma.com.

A hacker known only as The Jester wasn't having any of WBC's crap though. He stole the domain name right out of the church's hands, made the above image of Jesus flipping the birdy as the site's welcome screen, and redirects it after 5 seconds to this page. http://i.imgur.com/EesWmsW.png

Well done, Jester. Well. Done.

[Jolie Rouge]

5-year-old girl's lemonade stand draws ire of Westboro Baptist Church
Posted: Jun 17, 2013 1:56 PM By DeAnn Smith, Digital Content Manager - By Bonyen Lee, News Reporter
Video : http://www.wafb.com/story/22612435/5-year-old-girls-lemonade-stand-draws-ire-of-westboro-baptist-church?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=9000925

http://kctv.images.worldnow.com/images/22612435_BG1.jpg

TOPEKA, KS (KCTV) - A 5-year-old girl set up a lemonade stand across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church compound, and now the group is targeting her.

Jayden Sink raised nearly $200 Friday while she sold lemonade outside the Equality House across from the Westboro compound, and the online effort has raised $15,000 and counting. "Jayden and I went out there to raise money for Planting Peace, to spread love, to spread compassion," said her father, Jon Sink. "Our mission was not to stand up to Westboro Baptist Church."

The efforts have clearly irritated Westboro members, Equality House resident Davis Hammet said. "She was so awesome. She was such a sweetheart," Hammet said. "She was right in front of this hate group. She was unfazed and unafraid, and they are so very vile and rude to people."

Jon Sink, founder of the philanthropic arts group, FRESHCASSETTE Creative Compassion, spoke with KCTV5's Bonyen Lee via telephone. The family lives in the Kansas City area.

Jon Sink said he is uncomfortable with the attention his daughter is getting, particularly after the backlash from Westboro. "It really puts me in an uneasy position, knowing she's out there for everybody to see," he said.

Planting Peace, which promotes peace and equality issues, bought the home across from Westboro's compound. It was painted in March to reflect gay pride colors. Jayden told her father that she wanted to set up a lemonade stand to help a charity. After doing research, they settled on Equality House because of its mission and efforts, not its location across from the Westboro compound, her father said. "She saw pictures of it and thought it was the most beautiful house in the world," Jon Sink said.

The father and daughter arrived about 11:30 a.m. Friday and set up shop. Jayden set up hand-made signs including one that said, "Pink lemonade for peace. $1 suggested donation."

Hammet said he saw Westboro members pacing up and down the sidewalk and repeatedly making phone calls. He believes they tried to call the police, who declined to shut down the lemonade stand. "They use every legal power possible to shut down any kind of opposition," he said. He said they also yelled rude comments at those buying the lemonade.

A group of motorcycle riders from Fort Riley came by and bought lemonade, and also ruffled the feathers of Westboro members, Hammet said. One soldier stepped on Westboro property while taking pictures, prompting at least one person to yell profanities at the soldier, who responded that he fought for his freedoms, Hammet said.

Jonathan Phelps, son of Westboro founder Fred Phelps Sr., said the lemonade stand has given the church "a great preaching opportunity." "Because every time you tell the story about the lemonade, you have to tell about the eternal hatred and wrath of God towards the impenitent sinner, and the popular sin of the day is the sin of sodomy," he said.

The group repeatedly tweeted a picture of wording on their marquee outside the Westboro compound. The wording, which uses a homosexual slur, says homosexuals and their enablers will burn in hell and "lemonade won't cool any tongues."

After the Huffington Post picked up the story about Jayden's lemonade stand, donations picked up. The goal was originally $500. "It just resonates really well," Hammet said. "But we were shocked by how much money it raised."

He said it's crazy the remarks that Westboro members have made about Jayden and her lemonade stand. "Jayden is 5 1/2 years old. She was having a lemonade stand for charity and they are saying nasty things," he said. "I pity them. It's sad they feel that way. We're not angry at them. We don't hate them. We feel bad for them. We know this comes from a very painful place and that's why they're lashing out. And it's unfortunate."

In addition to Equality House, Planting Peace runs orphanages, has helped treat 14 million for intestinal parasites, helped preserve 600 acres of rainforest and planted trees in earthquake-damaged Haiti.

The money from the lemonade stand will be used for an anti-bullying program in Topeka as well as a national effort to educate children about the devastating effects of bullying.

Westboro members have become infamous for their protests at military and other funerals, as well as their hate speech involving homosexuals. Their protest at military funeral even went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

http://www.wafb.com/story/22612435/5-year-old-girls-lemonade-stand-draws-ire-of-westboro-baptist-church

[Jolie Rouge]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s403x403/1016825_628308383855048_1725413550_n.jpg

[Jolie Rouge]

Taylor Swift targeted by Westboro Baptist Church
Hate group plans to picket her Aug. 3 performance
By Pop Spy -- Jennifer Odell Fri 1:56 PM

The disciples of hate over at the Westboro Baptist Church have a new plan of attack in their never-ending quest to save the world's souls from a fiery doomsday: They want us all to band together and sl-t-shame Taylor Swift, self-professed 23-year-old haver of boyfriends.

In a press release on their lovely website, the WBC urges all you good, Christian hate mongers to gather at Tay-Tay's Aug. 3 concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., ready to picket that "immodest vulgar" she-devil. It seems Swifty is guilty of being a "serial fornicator" with a large Twitter following who "works her 'girl next door' country-singer shtick while hopping from one young man to the next and strutting across the world stage like a proud wh-re."

ErrmK.

The statement goes on to say that given Swift's popularity, "one simple tweet from her -- 'stop fornicating ladies, and obey God' -- would rock the house." But, says the WBC, that "would cost her millions" of the dollars she's earned from her "sin-coddling songs."

The ranty statement also bemoans the fact that Swift "uses her God given talent to warble about fornication instead of warning her fellow man about the coming destruction." (Oh, look, "warble." Nice use of Thesaurus.com, haters!)

And then there's some stuff about how the singer "worships" Barack and Michelle Obama and supports their "blood-soaked handiwork," aka "killing babies" and same-sex marriage. We're unsure how advancing equal civil rights with regard to love and the law is related to "blood," but then, we didn't realize wearing sneakers on the bleachers was gonna catapult us into Hades, either.

Radar spoke to the WBC's Ben Phelps, who elaborated on the anti-Taylor mission: "This girl is a wh-re," he said. "Who else is gonna say that if it's not the church of the Lord Jesus?"

It's funny, but last we recalled, the Lord Jesus was saying stuff like, "As I have loved you, so must you love one another." We totes must have missed the Bible passage where he said, "Get thee to a pop concert and call some young woman a 'wh-re.'"

http://social.entertainment.msn.com/blogs/post--taylor-swift-targeted-by-westboro-baptist-church?ocid=ansent11

[Jolie Rouge]

http://media-social.s-msn.com/images/blogs/002a0065-0000-0000-0000-000000000000_e23e77a7-73a2-4c2d-88d5-eea02b03320e_20130910012926_Vince%20Gill-Paul%20Franklin%202.jpg

Vince Gill takes on Westboro picketers outside his concert
Singer steps outside the venue to confront demonstrators
By Phyllis Stark ` 21 hours ago

The Nashville music industry is cheering for Vince Gill after he stepped outside a concert venue on Sunday and confronted members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church who were picketing there, apparently because Gill is divorced and remarried. According to The Tennessean, the confrontation took place in Kansas City at the Kauffman Center's Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

This 55-second video shows part of the confrontation, in which Gill responds to a question from Westboro member by telling her, "I came out to see what hatred really looked like in the face."

Getting angry for a moment after being accused of adultery, Gill says, "You [expletive] are lucky that you don't have a sign that says something about my wife." Gill has been married to singer Amy Grant since 2000. They wed two years after his divorce from 'Sweethearts of the Rodeo' member Janis Oliver.

Gill then tells a picketer who is purporting to cite the Bible that that Jesus Christ "said a lot of stuff about forgiveness, about grace. You guys don't have any of that."

After he's told by another Westboro member "I don't care what you think" Gill shoots back, "You don't? Then why are you out here?"

He also asks the small group if any of them are members of Westboro's founding family, or if they're just "the C-team."

Via his publicist, Gill declined One Country's request for comment.

As The Tennessean reports, the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro proclaims to "adhere to the teachings of the Bible, preach against all form of sin (e.g., fornication, adultery , sodomy), and insist that the sovereignty of God and the doctrines of grace be taught and expounded publicly to all men," according to its official Web site.

The church is known for its frequent picketing; including military funerals and anywhere else its members are likely to generate publicity.

http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/post--vince-gill-takes-on-westboro-picketers-outside-his-concert?ocid=ansent11

[I]comments

Yes, congratulations Vince Gill in confronting the Westboro mob! They are a despicable bunch of self-appointed judges whose legalistic Christianity reeks of the same stench as Muslim extremism and any other right-wing religious extremism for that matter. Next time check for stones or small rocks before you confront them because being the slow-readers they are, they have not yet read the New Testament concerning the two "greatest commandments." Yet does it matter when you have a very narrow and personal interpretation of right and wrong?

..

He should have told them that whoever is without sin let them cast the first stone!!!

..

Not quite so impressed with how he handled them. His language was deplorable. Act like an adult when you are going to confront someone.

..

Westboro Baptist Church (and their ilk) are the Al Qaeda of the Christian World. While they don't go around blowing themselves up to kill other people, they do tear them down in a terroristic manner with hate, acidic rhetoric, and pure meanness.

..

They frequently picket against all forms of sin??? What gives them the right to pass judgement...I guess they think they are better than Vince Gill....WOW THAT SOUNDS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE PRIDE....isn't that a deadly sin? OOOPS!

[Jolie Rouge]

Fred Phelps, founder of 'rabid' Westboro Baptist Church, said near death
Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church is in a hospice facility, with a son saying he is near death. The son also says Phelps was excommunicated from the virulently antigay church last year.

By Mark Sappenfield, Staff writer / March 16, 2014

Fred Phelps Sr., the founder of the Kansas church held in disgust worldwide for its antigay protests of prominent funerals, is in hospice care and "on the edge of death," according to one of his estranged sons.

Nate Phelps posted the information on Facebook Saturday night, adding the revelation that his father had been excommunicated from the church in 2013. A church spokesman told the Topeka Capitol-Journal that Phelps was indeed in the hospice but that Nate Phelps "is not well informed." The spokesman also refused to comment on the allegation that the elder Mr. Phelps has been excommunicated.

Another son, Mark Phelps, told the Capitol-Journal that its information on his father's health "is accurate."

Fred Phelps established the Westboro Baptist Church in 1955, and in recent years it has become famous for its position that those killed in America's wars are being punished for the country's lenience toward homosexuals. Members protested military funerals with signs that read, among other things, "God Hates Fags."

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups in the United States, says on its website that Westboro "is arguably the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America. The group is basically a family-based cult of personality built around its patriarch, Fred Phelps."

The group began to gain widespread notoriety last decade, particularly through a series of court decisions that ended with the US Supreme Court in March 2011 declaring that the church's right to protest funerals was free speech protected by the Constitution. It later protested the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards, the former wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, and a memorial for Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple.

The church is made up mostly of Phelps's own family. But spokesman Steve Drain told the Capitol-Journal that "for a very long time, we haven't been organized in the way you think," referring to the idea of a defined leader.

Nate Phelps told the Capitol-Journal in an e-mail that when his father was excommunicated last August, he was watched for fear of him hurting himself, then he "basically stopped eating and drinking."

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2014/0316/Fred-Phelps-founder-of-rabid-Westboro-Baptist-Church-said-near-death


Phelps likely to be remembered for 'willingness to hate'
By Jan Biles March 16, 2014

People who have had contact with or observed Pastor Fred W. Phelps Sr., founder of Westboro Baptist Church, say his legacy can be summed up in one word: hate.

“I believe that Mr. Phelps will be remembered for his willingness to hate,” Topeka lawyer Pedro Irigonegaray said. “Sadly, an individual with significant intelligence chose to dedicate his life to the purposeful mistreatment of others. I refer to it as bigotry wrapped in prayer. “His conduct was purposeful and malicious, a sad reminder of what can happen to us when we become embittered.”

Phelps, an ordained minister whose family confirmed Sunday he is in poor health and being treated at Midland Care Hospice, was known early in his legal career as an award-winning civil rights lawyer. However, after his disbarment by the Kansas Supreme Court in 1979 and the surrender of his license to practice law in federal courts in 1989, Phelps decided to follow a different path — perhaps, some say, to feed his need for attention.

Joan Hamilton Lindsfor, who prosecuted or was sued by Phelps during her time as Shawnee County district attorney from 1992 to 2000, said Phelps became involved in the campaign against abortion in the early 1990s.

When the spotlight turned toward anti-abortionist Randal Terry and his group Operation Rescue, she said, Phelps eventually found his niche — a crusade against homosexuals, marked by graphic signs and picket lines, the mass distribution of vulgar facsimiles, and a multitude of lawsuits.

Phelps and his followers became known — and oftentimes reviled — internationally. “I don’t know that it was about the gay issues,” Lindsfor, who now lives in Lindsborg, said of Phelps’ crusade. “It was, finally, the attention he wanted.”

‘Behind the times’

Tim Miller, professor of religious studies at The University of Kansas, said Phelps’ religious views have had “minimal influence” in a changing world where more people, and in particular younger generations, are in favor of equal rights for homosexuals. “I can’t think of any other people who are so universally reviled,” he said of the Phelpses and Westboro Baptist Church members.

When stripped of his abrasiveness, flamboyance and offensive “God Hate Fags” signs, Miller said Phelps’ beliefs would align with “old-fashioned Calvinism and classic Baptist.”

“His style is offensive, but his content is not to a fair number of people,” he said.

Miller said Phelps was “behind the times by 300 to 400 years.”

“His flamboyance would not be typical of Puritans, but what he said would be heard in those churches,” he said.

Akin to Ahab

New York City filmmaker Ryan Jones, whose “Fall from Grace,” a documentary about Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church that was shown on the Showtime channel in 2007, compared Phelps to Captain Ahab, the revengeful whaler in “Moby-Dick.”

“His legacy will be Ahabian, a hunting of the white whale, which to him was the scourge of homosexuality,” said Jones, who spent time with the Phelps family from 2005 to 2007 while a film student at KU. “His views are so extreme, they’re seen as almost foolish rather than offensive, maybe with the exception of the funerals (which is) reprehensible.”

Jones said Phelps has been immortalized in pop culture, although he isn’t mentioned by name, in such films as Kevin Smith’s “Red State” and “The Laramie Project,” a play about the reaction to the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming.

However, Jones wonders if Phelps and Westboro Baptist will remain in the public consciousness longer than “The Laramie Project” and “Red State.”

“People who watch (the film or play) and know it’s based on fact will have to Google to find out who they were,” he said.

Lasting effect

Roy Menninger, a Topeka psychiatrist who was part of a group of concerned citizens that formed several years ago to counter the negative effects of Westboro Baptist’s pickets in Topeka, described Phelps’ crusade against homosexuals as a “paradox” and Phelps as having “always been 90 degrees to the rest of the world.”

Menninger, past president of the Menninger Clinic, says Phelps’ “excessive outrages and obscene attitudes” about gays and lesbians have perhaps provoked a more positive attitude toward them. “It’s ironic his effort to speak against them has led to more acceptance,” he said.

Menninger said Phelps’ lasting effect will be on his children and grandchildren, who have grown up in an environment of hate toward others. “It’s become such a family habit,” he said.

Irigonegaray agreed.

“One of the most discomforting and disconcerting aspects surrounding Mr. Phelps is his disregard for his children’s and grandchildren’s joy — his willingness to sentence those children to a life of bitterness, anger and isolation,” he said.

“Fortunately, there is hope as it has been demonstrated by the departure from those practices by some of his children and grandchildren,” Irigonegaray said. “It is my hope that the future will bring those children and grandchildren the peace, comfort and joy that comes with loving thy neighbor as you love thyself, from rejoicing in the equality of others and the recognition that hate is self-consuming while love is self-expanding.”

Lindsfor said Phelps and his followers wasted so much energy on negative things. “Had they used the energy and brilliance to help victims of crime … rather than the hate that came out of it,” she said.

Irigonegaray said a lesson can be learned from Phelps’ legacy of hate. “Like a virus we survive and it gives us immunity for the next round, maybe, just maybe, we have all learned from the process and as a society can move forward in a more enlightened manner,” he said, “because the fear we face with these hate groups is that one never knows who’s next in line to be hated.”

http://m.cjonline.com/news/2014-03-16/phelps-likely-be-remembered-willingness-hate

[3lilpigs]

Fred Phelps, founder of 'rabid' Westboro Baptist Church, said near death

The only way I can comment on this, is to lower myself to their level of hatred.

So I'll just be good, and say that I hope he enjoys warm weather. lol

[Jolie Rouge]

Westboro Baptist Leader Dying, Relatives Ask for People to Not Protest his Funeral
8:09AM Monday March 17, 2014

Some of the most evil folks on the planet, the Westboro Baptist Church, are asking for some respect as their former leader nears death.

From KCTV5: http://www.kctv5.com/story/24988478/founder-of-anti-gay-kansas-church-in-care-facility


The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who founded a Kansas church that's widely known for its protests at military funerals and anti-gay sentiments, is "on the edge of death," according to Phelps' estranged son.

Phelps, 84, is being cared for in a Shawnee County facility, Westboro Baptist Church spokesman Steve Drain said Sunday. Drain wouldn't identify the facility. "I can tell you that Fred Phelps is having some health problems," Drain said. "He's an old man, and old people get health problems."

However, in a statement on his Facebook page, Phelps' estranged son said the senior Phelps is now on "the edge of death" at Midland Hospice house in Topeka. "I'm not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made," Nathan Phelps wrote. "I feel sad for all the hurt he's caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I'm bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes."

Phelps and the members of his church have "harassed" the grieving families of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Kansans and others, Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, said in a prepared statement. But Witt added: "This is our moment as a community to rise above the sorrow, anger and strife he sowed, and to show the world we are caring and compassionate people who respect the privacy and dignity of all."

Nate Phelps said he has no doubt some people would want to protest his father's funeral but added, "I wish they wouldn't."

Equality Kansas urged members of the Kansas, United States and worldwide LGBT communities Sunday to respect the privacy of the family of Fred Phelps. "If the reports of Fred Phelps' declining health are accurate, then his family and friends are certainly saying their good-byes and preparing to mourn his loss," said Sandra Meade, chairwoman of Equality Kansas. "We ask that everyone understand the solemnity of the occasion, and honor the right of his family and friends to remember and mourn his loss in private without interruption or unseemly celebration. Our focus must remain on our mission: ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

So it looks like the estranged son of Phelps is asking for privacy. The son understands what kind of monsters his family have become.

I also like what the equality leader is saying. Basically, "let's not stoop to their level."

What do you think? Should people take the high road OR should folks give WBC a taste of their own medicine?

http://www.power1057.com/common/page.php?pt=Westboro+Baptist+Leader+Dying%2C+Relat ives+Ask+for+People+to+Not+Protest+his+Funeral&id=18773&is_corp=0

[hblueeyes]

I would not waste my time protesting them. Maybe they will do the same from here on out. Spread the message of "who cares".

Me

[Jolie Rouge]

Spread the message of "who cares".

perfectly stated.

[3lilpigs]

Westboro Baptist Leader Dying, Relatives Ask for People to Not Protest his Funeral

I'm not going to stoop to their level.....

but I am going to bend a bit and say :thefinger: :thefinger:

[Jolie Rouge]

Fred Phelps has reportedly passed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/20/fred-phelps-dead_n_5000577.html

I have to agree with George Takei on this...." I take no solace or joy in this man's passing. We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding "God Hates Fred" signs, tempting as it may be. He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many. Hate never wins out in the end. It instead goes always to its lonely, dusty end."

[Jolie Rouge]

Fred Phelps has reportedly passed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/20/fred-phelps-dead_n_5000577.html

I have to agree with George Takei on this...." I take no solace or joy in this man's passing. We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding "God Hates Fred" signs, tempting as it may be. He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many. Hate never wins out in the end. It instead goes always to its lonely, dusty end."

That being said ... I was sent this ... in regards to the passing of Mr Phelps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHV5XF_MzLc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHV5XF_MzLc

[Jolie Rouge]

Westboro Baptist Church Suing Funeral Protesters Of Fred Phelps
Posted about 2 days ago

“Any f*gs that wanna come out and protest my dad’s funeral better be ready for a lawsuit,” Fred Phelps‘s son, Timothy Phelps told CNN on Friday. The threat of a lawsuit comes two days after the death of the Westboro Baptist Church founder. Phelps’ son, confirmed to Kansas’ WIBW that Phelps died “before midnight” on Wednesday at the age of 84.

Paul Horner who is a spokesman for the Westboro Baptist Church told reporters that the funeral for Fred Phelps would be closed to the public. “Show the man some respect on his well-deserved journey into Heaven,” Horner said. “No f*gs better show up with signs thinking that they’re being clever either. Any f*g caught protesting this great man’s funeral will get sued. This is their only warning so I won’t be repeating myself anytime in the near future.”

“I think it’s pretty ironic that this so called church is making these outrageous threats of a lawsuit,” said human rights activist Sarah Winters. “The Westboro Baptist Church is known for their actions against gay people; picketing is what they do. They hide behind the 1st Amendment and free speech and now that the tables have been turned they don’t want any part of it. This group continues to make me sick.”

The Westboro Baptist Church was founded by Phelps in 1955. They are known for their extreme ideologies and picketing funerals, especially those against gay people and the military. The Baptist World Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention (the two largest Baptist denominations) have each denounced the WBC over the years. The church describes itself as following Primitive Baptist and Calvinist principles.

The funeral for Fred Phelps has not yet been scheduled

http://nationalreport.net/westboro-baptist-church-suing-funeral-protesters-fred-phelps/comment-page-1/#sthash.QLRAYh6O.dpuf

Ironic. And Pathetic. The only thing this family seems to know how to do : spread hate, organize protests, file lawsuits.

...

Seems that they are TRYING to stir up a furor, create a "protest" to affirm their own sad world view. Attention is what they crave... don't fall for it.

..

I felt like this at first. I was wishing every American Soldiers family would show up to protest. But then I realized that the brave soldiers who were the majority of their protests died fighting for their freedom to do just that. No matter how offensive it is. The entire congregation isn’t worth the a plug nickle. Perhaps God will strike the church with lightening and sort it out up there.. I know that God can change men’s hearts and turn them around but these people don’t want to be changed they want to twist the word of God to their purpose. Yes God said being gay is a sin however he hates no one and prays that everyone sees the light and love he wants all of us to have before we die.

,,

As a mother of a fallen hero killed in action by an IED in Taiji Iraq I would not waste one second on this man or his followers. I wish folks would just not say any thing. They want the attention they want the news reporters there. As far as him going to Heaven well that is not up to me, my God tells me to forgive and to love others as I do myself. So I chose to love all and I do mean ALL. We must all stand before God one day my son is there waiting on me and one day I will see him again. For now Mr. Phelps is standing before him. Don’t give them what they want. Pray for them. I do every day.

...

Everyone should make a donation to their favorite GLTG support group in Fred Phelps's name ...

[3lilpigs]

Everyone should make a donation to their favorite GLTG support group in Fred Phelps's name ...

I friggin LOVE this idea!!! :lol

All donations to the Military, and any other organizations that Phelps hated, should be done in his name!!

I gotta say, I really DO hope that some people show up there to protest. I know everyone is saying not to waste your time, and to walk away from it, but part of me wants them to get a huge taste of their own medicine.

Threatening with a lawsuit won't work. They should know that. It's all freedom of speech!

[Jolie Rouge]

I friggin LOVE this idea!!! :lol

All donations to the Military, and any other organizations that Phelps hated, should be done in his name!!

Use his own venom to create blessings


I gotta say, I really DO hope that some people show up there to protest. I know everyone is saying not to waste your time, and to walk away from it, but part of me wants them to get a huge taste of their own medicine.

Threatening with a lawsuit won't work. They should know that. It's all freedom of speech!

They are attention whores ... don't feed their addiction

[Jolie Rouge]

Westboro Baptist Church Plans to Picket Robin Williams’ Funeral,
But One Group Has A Plan of Its Own
By Mike Miller 7 hours ago

http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/westjude-770x330.jpg?de9c64

Westboro Baptist Church, infamous for its protests against everything from military funerals to a vigil held for Sandy Hook victims, now says it plans to picket the funeral of Robin Williams. His “sin”? Playing a gay man in The Birdcage and the role of a man pretending to be a woman in Mrs. Doubtfire.

In spite of the family’s request for privacy, the anti-gay church, known for its ‘God Hates Fags’ banners, announced plans to picket the funeral after labeling Williams a “Fag Pimp.”

As reported by The Huffington Post, Planting Peace, a nonprofit organization founded in 2004, plans to challenge WBC’s protest with a fundraiser. Aaron Jackson, co-founder of the organization:


“Robin Williams played many different roles in so many people’s lives, and giving back to others was at the top of that list. His appeal crossed generational boundaries.

When the WBC announced they were protesting Robin’s funeral, we felt like launching a fundraiser for a charity Robin loved would be the perfect way to honor him and counteract the message of hate and intolerance that the WBC continues to convey.”

The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Planting Peace hopes to raise $30,000 through a crowd-sourcing initiative.

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/168506-westboro-baptist-church-williams/

[Jolie Rouge]

Foo Fighters Rickroll Westboro Baptist Church

http://uploads.neatorama.com/images/posts/176/84/84176/1440302714-0.jpg

The title may seem like a random string of memes, but this really happened. The professional protesters known as the WBC showed up outside the Sprint Center in Kansas City Friday where the Foo Fighters were preparing to play, and the band decided to go outside and visit them. They didn’t have time to put anything elaborate together like they did once before, so they just rode out in a pickup truck with a sound system blaring Rick Astleys’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.”


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BD-fWMYcHXk



The real star of the show was the psychedelic Speedo. A good time was had by all. -via reddit


http://www.neatorama.com/2015/08/23/Foo-Fighters-Rickroll-Westboro-Baptist-Church/


They didn’t have time to put anything elaborate together like they did once before,

Published on Aug 22, 2015 : Foo Fighters Dave Grohl discussing the visit from Westboro Baptist Church and how they Rick rolled them again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6DNx4022R8&feature=youtu.be


Uploaded on Sep 17, 2011 : On Aug. 30th, 2011 Westboro Baptist Church called for a picket of the Foo Fighters show in Kansas City. We had a little something up our sleeve. God Bless America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e5hRLbCaCs&feature=youtu.be

^^ in this clip they show a young male holding a sign "God Hates Your Idols" ... while trying to take a selfie. :rolleyes: