Westboro Baptist Church Plans Elizabeth Edwards Funeral Protest

Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church announced in a statement on their web site Thursday plans to protest the funeral for Elizabeth Edwards scheduled for Saturday.

WBC is well known for holding protests at funerals for fallen military servicemen. They have also picketed high school graduations and theatrical productions.

The church didn't mince words in their statement, saying Mrs. Edwards, "... INSISTED upon being summoned before the King of Eternity while her children are yet minors. She INSISTED upon her son's death, an unremitting disease raging in her body, a whorish husband bringing their family to open shame, & now her death and final judgment."

Elizabeth Edwards made occasional appearances on talk shows in which she discussed her battle with cancer. Cancer patients from across the nation credit her as being an inspiration and someone they could identify with as they fought their own battle with the disease. She was also an advocate for healthcare.

Westboro Baptist Church has attacked Elizabeth Edwards and her family in what is one of the most difficult of times.

Instead of words of love, they have said "Elizabeth Edwards Is In Hell," and that, "She rejoins the dead child who beat her there, and has seen the face of her grievous misconduct in neglecting her non-delegable duty to him."

The church went on to call on John Edwards to burn the "willful tripe" his estranged wife wrote to their children as "a substitute for Deut. 6 duty," referring to Edwards "dying letter" she wrote to her children which is more of a guide to living than anything else.

Elizabeth Edwards died Tuesday following a six-year battle with breast cancer. According to the Washington Post, the service will be held at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C. at 1 p.m. Her daughter Cate and longtime friends Hargrave McElroy and Glenn Bergenfield will give eulogies.

The service will be open to the public; however, burial will be private and restricted to family.

Elizabeth Edwards is survived by her husband, John Edwards, and daughters Cate and Emma Clare, and son Jack, 10. Wade Edwards, the couple's 16-year-old son, died 14 years ago in an automobile accident.

Sources:
Westboro Baptist Church Press Release
Daughter, friends to deliver Edwards eulogies - Washington Post