NationStates Jolt Archive

Those fuckers. These soldiers are serving their country, whether you agree with the war or not.. the families and fallen soldiers do not deserve this treatment.

I hardly hold a grudge for long, but I truly think Phelps is a despicable disgrace of a human being.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050828/D8C8JGIG0.html

SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and screaming "God bless America." (FUCK YEAH!)

"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.

The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you."

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.

The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.

Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.

So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.

The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.

"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our country."

"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just wrong."

Damn Christian republican extremist terrorist groups!

Damn Christian republican extremist terrorist groups!

Uh well, Phelps is a lifelong democrat (but he's a racist, homophobic "dixiecrat"). He even accuses christian republicans of appeasing gay people. He's that insane.

Uh well, Phelps is a lifelong democrat (but he's a racist, homophobic "dixiecrat"). He even accuses christian republicans of appeasing gay people. He's that insane.
Damn republodixcatrasiphobehomo....oh christ how to sum it up....DAMN POLITICS AND RELIGION MIXING TOGETHER.

I do not approve. A funeral should only be interupted for two reasons, impending danger or coffin fights.

Wait, wait scrap on of those. Just coffin fights.

But seriously....(Insert serious sentence of sympathy empathy yada yada yada)

I would say those people aren't Christians at all, what with the ignoring the teachings of Christ and all.

I would say those people aren't Christians at all, what with the ignoring the teachings of Christ and all.

Now now, don't forget about the ammendments, there free to interpret the bible and spread there hateful messages...unless their muslim.

Now now, don't forget about the ammendments, there free to interpret the bible and spread there hateful messages...unless their muslim.

Sure, they can call themselves Christians if they want and spread messages of hate all they like. Many of the Christians I personally know, however, don't actually acknowledge such people as Christian. I tend to argee with them.

What they did was pretty awful, though. I wonder if people show up at their churches on Sunday and protest against them?

I'm sure the devil has prepared a spot in hell for Rev Phelps. It is him and his followers, not gays, that are first in line for eternal damnation.

I'm sure the devil has prepared a spot in hell for Rev Phelps. It is him and his followers, not gays, that are first in line for eternal damnation. Amen to that. Not that I'm passing judgement, I'm sure God will do a great deal of that for Phelps.

I think all this anti-gayness highlights an insecurity

I think all this anti-gayness highlights an insecurity

Maybe he's got something to hide? :p

I'm surprised this man hasn't been on the receiving end of a bullet.

I'm surprised this man hasn't been on the receiving end of a bullet. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. The ones who get killed are never the right ones. :mad:

I'm sure the devil has prepared a spot in hell for Rev Phelps.

I wouldnt be surprised if Phelps is offered a job by Satan.

Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. The ones who get killed are never the right ones. :mad:

Beautiful. And true.

I wouldnt be surprised if Phelps is offered a job by Satan. Armageddon just got a whole lot nastier.

Yeah, I'm sure by people starting threads and giving this butt wipe attention, he'll surely go away... :rolleyes:

http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/religion/fred-phelps/

I think that, as per usual, Rotten.com have done a good job (even with only
a bare minimum of words).

I've always wondered how I'd react if, should I have children one day and, if one of them were to pass away before I did
*knock on wood that this never happens * ol' Freddy "much to hide" Phelps - or anyone else, for that matter - did that sort of thing at any of my kids', or in fact any relative of mine's funeral, how I'd react.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I know how, as would and should anyone.

And yet, if I were to do that, even while I'm wiping his blood from my hands, it'd be ME going to jail. *sigh* there's no justice in the world...

Anti-gay church protests at soldiers’ funerals
Counterdemonstrators in Tennessee chase away members of small church

The Associated Press
Updated: 5:38 a.m. ET Aug. 28, 2005


SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars’ down a highway, waving flags and screaming “God bless America.”

“My husband is over there, so I’m here to show my support,” 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. “To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are.”

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps’ children, grandchildren and in-laws.

‘God hates you,’ signs read
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as “God hates fags” and “God hates you.”

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.

The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.

Large counterdemonstrations
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.

So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.

The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.

“If they were protesting the government, I might even join them,” Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of “get out of our town” and “get out of our country.”

“But for them to come during the worst time for this family — it’s just wrong.”

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9102443/

What are your thoughts?

i think its sick that they would do such a thing..

People in that Church, is why God invented Zyklon B.

Sick and very bizarre. I do think it's worse though when they hold these protests at the funerals of gay people, saying the dead person is burning in hell...

My opinion is: if you don't like gay people, don't fuck them! Otherwise, shut up, it's none of your business.

This's the perfect opportunity to have Phelps brought in. He spoke his mind, which is entirely legal, but his is a mind that has been twisted by his own pitiful, egotistical desire for self-prolongation.

He is actually sick, and for his own safety I would recommend he go under immediate psychological treatment, restrained in care until such a time as he is no longer a threat to either himself or those around him.

Not another Phelps Phread. Listen, he lives on attention. Pay him none!

Wow, and aren't these the same brand of people that called Mrs. Sheehan's vigil and anti-war protest an afront to the memory of the soldiers who are "nobly" giving their lives for the USA?

"Anti-gay church protests at soldiers’ funerals"

Jesus. As if there weren't enough dissention, protests, and other assorted nonsense going on! :headbang:

I really want to hurt that little prick you know he's a fucking closet homosexual

Wow, and aren't these the same brand of people that called Mrs. Sheehan's vigil and anti-war protest an afront to the memory of the soldiers who are "nobly" giving their lives for the USA?

Not that I agree with the anti-Sheehan people, but they have nothing on this kind of psychotic crap.

"Anti-gay church protests at soldiers’ funerals"

Jesus. As if there weren't enough dissention, protests, and other assorted nonsense going on! :headbang:
Dissent isn't necessarily nonsensical. This incident is nonsensical, but so are these Westboro Blabtists and so is Fred Felch.

I really want to hurt that little prick you know he's a fucking closet homosexual
Who, Phelps?

That'd be so funny I'd have to change pants.

What a world we live in. If only I was there. I could point and laugh at the anti-gay nutjobs. sigh. My finger shall have to wait to point another day. :( I really wanted to point and laugh at the nutjobs.