Members of the Rev. Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., are picketing military funerals, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported Friday.
The group has made national headlines for traveling throughout the country to picket gay churches, gay weddings, and the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was murdered in Wyoming in 1998.
Friday, about 15 members of the group -- some of them children -- picketed the funeral of a St. Joseph soldier who was killed in Iraq. Mahoney reported that the group stood across the road from the Grace Evangelical Church during the funeral of 21-year-old Spc. Edward Myers.
If there weren't this fighting for hundreds of years, these people wouldn't even have the right to protest. Duh. Does history and religion teach us nothing? Sometimes I wonder what these people are thinking. I am sure in their minds they mean well, but please.
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Stop trying to be what you see. Be what you ought to be.
What angers me about these idiots who love to create controversy, is that its not so much what they want to convey, its about them being seen conveying it. I really hope they get theirs. THey got it coming.
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"And like Web, I enjoy throwing JR under the bus. Problem is, it's usually under the special bus that I ride every day". Ghostdancer 12-18-09
these people are sick and evil and completely disrespectful. I can't even imagine if this were a funeral for one member of my family.
these people do not deserve the protection of the US military. I am shocked and dismayed that such activities would be allowed. I am surprised the government would allow this or even the people that live in the town would turn a blind eye to such disgusting behavior.
It's sad when a few radicals give the whole group (Christians) a bad name.
I think that sin is sin in God's eyes. Doesn't matter if it's being gay, or saying something mean to another person in a forum. I don't think God puts a rating scale on sin.
My reason for saying that is I think a lot of Christians attack gays because for most of us, being gay is not something we struggle with, or have any problems avoiding. We (Christians) can go after gays and not have to worry about the finger ever pointing back at us. If we were to rally or protest against hate, pride, lust, etc. there is a good chance that we will one day also do those things ourselves. That then places us under our own judjement. Something most of us want to avoid.
This makes me sad. Certainly for the family of the soldier, but also for the impression that these few are giving the world of Christians. Christians are not supposed to act that way.
Exactly! What happened to respect for your fellow man? And they brought their kids along to picket with them! "Come on kids, it's time to picket a funeral. Use the bathroom first, and don't forget your signs..."
These people protesting just makes me sick to my stomach. Having friends who are over in Iraq right now fighting makes me think these people are even more crazy and disgusting than ever before. I'm completely horrified at this. And yeah, teaching your kids to do this is terrible.
Somechick, that's exactly I feel. There aren't words to describe the way these people acted. Disrespectful, despicable, rude, just aren't strong enough.
I have had to deal with Fred Phelps on many levels. He has traveled to Tulsa to protest our Pride Parades ( we are closer than the Madison, Milwaukee, CHicago, New York, and St Louis Pride fests that take place every year.)
They travel to Dallas to protest the unoffical "Gay Days" at Six Flags ( similar to Gay Days at Disney)
He protested a High School Student in Sand Springs who was on National Television and coming to terms with his Sexuality.
I agree with Webguy. The guy gives all Christians a bad name. There are many of us ( myself included ) who are Christian and who are more accepting of someones lifestyle. While many do not agree with it they do not judge people on it. They take the person at face value and what is on the inside.
After the mathew Shepard funeral there was a now defunct web site that Phelps put up called godhatesfags.com It was pretty graphic and he thinks he is doing a service for the people of the bible belt but all he is doing is creating sin amongst himself and when he faces our heavenly father he will be cast into the fires of hell for his wrong doing. It does not matter how small you think it is it can affect you for the rest of your life.
I still pray and go to church every sunday and it has made me a better person. I may not get married to a beautiful women as Fuzzy,Ruby, MZ and Star are all taken ( tI think) But I dont judge anyone and consider everyone here equal and good in thier own right. I respect all of you and hope the same in return.