Westboro Baptist Church

[NonServiam]

I really don't think these people deserve the notoriety of a thread. I was going to post this under Sgreger's Gay Pride Parade thread, but decided to just go ahead and start a thread should the discussion become lengthy.

Some of you may be familiar with them. They call themselves the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka,KS. They are more a family of nutjob bigots then an actual recognized church.

They have many websites, godhatesfags.com, godhatesamerica.com, and (get this!) godhatessweden.com (yes, Sweden!). They travel the country protesting the funerals of soldiers, homosexuals, and anyone else they don't like. They even protested the funeral of the Metal God Ronnie James Dio ( R.I.P. \m/ ).

Just recently, yesterday in fact, they protested a soldiers funeral here in Oklahoma. Their stance is that America tolerates homosexuality, among other sins against Christ, so any tragedy bestowed upon soldiers or other Americans is the well deserved wrath of God. They are known for holding up signs outside of funerals which read: God Hates Fags, Pray For More Dead Soldiers, Thank God For Dead Soldiers, etc...

We all have the right to freedom of speech. But to spew this rhetoric and propaganda at a funeral in front of grieving families is sickening and pure disrespect in my opinion. I will give them credit for one thing, they are one of the few Christians that truly follow the bible as it is written (Old Testament; Vengeful God). Although, the New Testament is more of a loving god. If you are going to proclaim yourself as a Christian, at least follow the bible as it is written, instead of only reading the parts you like and twisting it into a modern view that fits your agenda.

They may be coming to a city near you!

[justintempler]

Keith Allen did his own special on them.

They are trolls and media whores. Professional chain yankers.

[NonServiam]

Keith Allen did his own special on them.

They are trolls and media whores. Professional chain yankers.

They have definetly made a business out of their propaganda. They spend approximately $250,000 a year on their travels and such. They earn quite a bit of money from lawsuits. They have sued many cities and police agencies when they feel their right to freedom of speech has been violated. They have won only a few, but many cities settle with them out of court because the legal fees would exceed the settlement cost. I guess budget comes before principle.

[deadpool99]

They came to my home state of West Virginia to "protest" the miners the where killed in the blast recently. They didn't stick around very long and as far as I know the only went as far as our state Capitol. I think they where warned not to go to the mine site because no one could guarantee their protection. I'd put the youtube vid up of the crowd that surrounded them down here but I'm not to sure how to put it on here yet.

[NonServiam]

They came to my home state of West Virginia to "protest" the miners the where killed in the blast recently. They didn't stick around very long and as far as I know the only went as far as our state Capitol. I think they where warned not to go to the mine site because no one could guarantee their protection. I'd put the youtube vid up of the crowd that surrounded them down here but I'm not to sure how to put it on here yet.

I'd love to see a video of them getting their asses handed to them, but that rarely happens as police are always between them and the angry mob. There is a video of them being loaded into a van and hauled out when the mob becomes uncontrollable and they bust out the windows on the van.

Yesterday, here in Oklahoma, a mob of about 300 people began to encircle them and they packed up camp and left. The police also made sure that everything was by the book in attempt to avoid these parasites from filing any frivolous lawsuits. Oklahoma law is they have to stay at least 500 feet away from the funeral service.

[AtreyuKun]

These assholes came to my county to protest the funeral of a gay kid. Some thugs shot him, then set him on fire while he still alive. But it was his fault cause you know, he was gay.
They said some ****ed up shit about him, like how's he's still burning. These people are the scum of the earth.

[tom502]

Seems they would be charged with harrassing and stalking. Like the poparatzi should be.
If they wanna have a parade or a demonstration on the capital steps on some defined area, then yeah, but stalking and harrassing people should be a crime.

[NonServiam]

These assholes came to my county to protest the funeral of a gay kid. Some thugs shot him, then set him on fire while he still alive. But it was his fault cause you know, he was gay.
They said some ****ed up shit about him, like how's he's still burning. These people are the scum of the earth.

I agree. I support everyone's right to free speech, no matter how vile or disagreeable it is. I don't however support protesting a funeral. Run your mouth all you want, but at least afford the family the human decency of a day of peace and mourning.

[myuserid]

They were here protesting the funeral of a Marine a couple months ago.

I agree they are scum. They use the name of God to further their propoganda, but are by no means a church in the actual sense. They are basically a family run hate machine.

[tom502]

People should counter-protest them, but find where they live and hold events in front of their homes.

[NonServiam]

Seems they would be charged with harrassing and stalking. Like the poparatzi should be.
If they wanna have a parade or a demonstration on the capital steps on some defined area, then yeah, but stalking and harrassing people should be a crime.

The "momma" of the group is a lawyer, and knows the law. They walk a very fine line, pushing the envelope just short of criminal action. She has however represented gay clients before. Hmmmm.....sounds like she's going to hell as well according to her dogma. Hypocrite. Like Justin said, I'm not sure how much of their stance is money making publicity or if they are as hardcore as they portray. Either way, they definitly find some truth in their ideology.

[LaZeR]

They were here protesting the funeral of a Marine a couple months ago.

I agree they are scum. They use the name of God to further their propoganda, but are by means a church in the actual sense. They are basically a family run hate machine.

Yep. This ---^

[bipolarbear1968]

Sheesh, no wonder some people are atheists.

[dEFinitionofEPIC]

Sheesh, no wonder some people are atheists.

you judge a tree by its fruit... just because someone uses the name of God to push their agenda does not mean they are of him... the Catholic church has been using the name of Christ to commit atrocity after atrocity for centuries...

i don't think it would be wise to make a decision about God based on a bunch of nuts who use his name... just as it would not be wise to make a decision about the people of a country based on their wicked dictator.

[bipolarbear1968]

you judge a tree by its fruit... just because someone uses the name of God to push their agenda does not mean they are of him... the Catholic church has been using the name of Christ to commit atrocity after atrocity for centuries...

i don't think it would be wise to make a decision about God based on a bunch of nuts who use his name... just as it would not be wise to make a decision about the people of a country based on their wicked dictator.

I wasn't judging per se.

I'm not an athiest, but I do see why this would push people back. It's not going to bring people aboard...so to speak. I'm one of the peeps that knows better and this isn't how my Church acts.