America's Most Hated Family: The Westboro Baptist Church
Not only did I check out the church's radical websites, which includes westborobaptistchurch.com, godhatesfags.com,godhatesamerica.com and various other godhates whoever you are (which appeared to be just about everyone), I also found some more basic information about the church. According to the church's website, they have "conducted over 34,000 peaceful demonstrations".
They are very proud of their media coverage even though it is negative. The site also has links to their press releases which will include disturbing images, that I will not mention. They also keep a list of where their next pickets will be. Upon further reading I discovered that they have picketed the funerals of Coretta Scott King, Fred Rogers, Matthew Shepherd, the victims of the 2006 coal mine disaster and many, many others. They have even picketed such events as Billy Graham revivals, but their newest target involves picketing the military funerals of our fallen soldiers.
The church based out of Topeka, Kansas is led by Fred Phelps, who is a former disbarred attorney. Although the church identifies itself as Baptist, it is really an independent church and really a dangerous cult in most people's opinion. To summarize their basic belief, every natural disaster, terrorist act, war, or shocking murder is basically God's wrath on America for supporting homosexuals. If there is any tragedy here in America, you better believe that Phelps's clan, plans to be there. The group also firmly believes that God does not love everyone. In fact they have a list of Bible verses depicting God's wrath on mankind and says that this is proof that he does not love everyone.
I could write more on the beliefs of this church, but I don't even want to write it. If you really want to know, it is simple to find their websites, but some of their shocking information is something I was better off without knowing. The quotes that WBC has made and the slogans that they display on signs at funerals is something that will forever be embedded in my memory.
Can the government stop the WBC from picketing military funerals is a question that many are asking. Some states have adopted legislation where picketers have to remain 500 feet away from a funeral, although in some states it is only 100 feet. Regardless, what a horrible feeling it would be to see any hate group near your son's, daughter's, father's, mother's, husband's or wife's funeral. Especially when they have given up their life for people like this to have the legal right to picket. (Wikipedia.org)
As for the first amendment and freedom of speech, it's a touchy issue. In the case that Matthew Snyder's family filed, the jury had to decide "whether the defendants actions would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, whether they were extreme and outrageous and whether these actions were so offensive and shocking as not to be entitled to first amendment protection." Although damages were awarded to the family, the Westboro Baptist Church plans to appeal.
Maybe it's not such a bad thing that I just found out about WBU. Maybe that means that the are getting less coverage. Although I am an advocate of the news and learning about current events, this may be a group where the more coverage they get, they more they are encouraged to continue with "their cause". I am happy for the family of the fallen soldier for winning the case, although no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of their son, maybe hitting the church in their pocket, will deter them from doing this to other families.
Sources include:
Westborobaptistchurch (online) 14, November 2007
http://westborobaptistchurch.com/
Godhatesamerica (onlne) 14, November 2007
http://godhatesamerica.com
Godhatesfags.com (onlne) 14, November 2007
http://godhatesfages.com
Wikipedia (online) 16, November 2007
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church.com
Published by Bronwyn Matthews
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10 Comments
Post a CommentYou people are TRULY sinful PIGS FROM HELL!! the only people judged in the end will be yoy .And guess what? You will all burn in hell!! OH, ande good ridance
The westboro babtist is not a "church", it is a hate group. They are in it for the money and the press. Most of the members of this "church" are attorneys, so they get away with this. Any one can say they are a "church", that is not going to make you a Church! We in this country let a lot pass for "church". This is not about freedom, it is about being human. The hate is a way to make money, by bringing a Lawsuit against people THEY have provoked. They are running a “church†scam. But, add a bit of crazy on the side just for show.
Out of all the comments above, Heather's comment is by far the most sensible and less HATEFUL of all! Congratulations Heather! I think everybody has the right to express their views and opinions, that's fine (Except at funerals please). However, if you examine the tone and LANGUAGE on most comments, you can only think and decide for yourselves who the REAL HATERS, BIGOTS AND NARROW MINDED PEOPLE ARE.
God dam religion, it has caused more misery in this world. You say that God hates Canada, well to me hate is a terrible thing and I won"t live by it but as Canadian I say this to you: Go back to the burning pits of hell where you belong! Go and soak your evil face up satins arse!
Foolish god dam nut cases!
God dam religion, it has caused more misery in this world. You say that God hates Canada, well to me hate is a terrible thing and I won"t live by it but as Canadian I say this to you: Go back to the burning pits of hell where you belong! Go and soak your evil face up satins arse!
Foolish god dam nut cases!
i promis the americas most hated family i will be at your funeral, not with signs or words but faith that god has sent you to the place you so defiantly belong,why dont each of you read the constitution of the U.S.come on
people,and i mean true AMERICANS,not morons that has no morals or values just want to run that mouth,who is usually a coward.I respect anyone serving in the military and coalition forces. If you dont like america i will personally escort you out,Its idiots like you who should have had your asses whiped when you where young not giving everything you have given to you without earning it. WAKE UP AMERICANS LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK
A comment for Americas most hated family and there church, you seem to forget that god damn's all that judge his people, if god wanted to give a messeage he wouldnot let people so stupid try to pass it along, what you fail to understand is god is almighty, you think god is delivering judgement on people for trying to protect what they love, then woulden't god have already sent you to hell for judging them, you think your way of life is the life that is right, when so many people had thought the same thing and do you know were they went when they died, i bet you have no idea, you couldent, got would not talk to tho's who defie his words, who say that "Gods people" are going to hell when god says (I love all my children), only god can choose the fate of anothers life not the words of a life he has maid, if you still dont understand my message than keep living this way and you will meet your maker right befor he damn's you to hell...................................
I'm new to this story and i find it beyond ridiculous and incredibly cruel. It's pure insanity and ANYONE who really believes that God, whose presence is nothing more than faith Tachmonite (go ask a REAL priest), would punish people for being homosexuals is ludacris.
I believe there is something out there, but it doesn't control us, we were made in "Gods image" and to live free lives without complete worship and ridiculous ideals, such as the WBCs.
Shame on those "people" for being so ignorant and pigheaded. There is no reason to believe that the homosexuals have no rights and that God is punishing us.
The Bible states a LOT of things that are inaccurate and if you know anything about history, including when Jesus was even born.Using the Bible to defend such an inhuman protest is disgusting. I hope the soldier's parents get every last cent of that $11 million dollars.
We didn't kill him you fool! God did that why on earth would you want a church to compensate him for the loss of his son?
He shouldn't have been speeding around the Iraqi countryside like he woned the place. Then his vehicle wouldn't have crashed. He shouldn't have been serving in the military of a country that pissed God off, then God wouldn't have killed him. Unless you (the living brething people out there now) repent, you shall likewise perish. That is what we want you to know. Get the sodomites out of the military and you will need a lot less body bags.
Don't say we didn't warn you to flee the wrath to come as the death toll continues and you stand idly by whining about a church of 70 people who told you the only TRUTH you will ever hear..
Very Interesting. I was aware of this church but not aware of all you have listed here. Nice.