Anti Gay Protests at Funerals

Darryl G. Thomas · February-6th-2006, 04:31 PM

" Several Midwestern states are considering laws that would limit protests at funerals, responding in particular to a religious group from Topeka, Kansas, which pickets at soldiers' funerals. The group has for years demonstrated at soldiers' funerals, arguing that the soldiers' deaths are a sign of God's wrath against the U.S. for tolerating gays and homosexuality. "

The above was from a news story on NPR. I remember reading about these protests in the paper a few weeks ago. I couldn't finish the article because I was so pissed. And I couldn't listen to the story on the radio. It sickened me.

Tanager · February-6th-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

" Several Midwestern states are considering laws that would limit protests at funerals, responding in particular to a religious group from Topeka, Kansas, which pickets at soldiers' funerals. The group has for years demonstrated at soldiers' funerals, arguing that the soldiers' deaths are a sign of God's wrath against the U.S. for tolerating gays and homosexuality. "

Here's one link on this. If there's a good side to this, it's that perhaps Joe-Middle-America will see these nutjobs for the assholes they really are.

Darryl G. Thomas · February-6th-2006, 04:48 PM

The families in the article handled it well. I'm afraid back in West Philly Phelps and crew would've gotten beat down.

But I guess that's what they want.

Brian Olewnick · February-6th-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

"arguing that the soldiers' deaths are a sign of God's wrath against the U.S. for tolerating gays and homosexuality. "

Even for morons like this, what's the purported link? Why are soldiers' deaths singled out? Why not--I don't know--traffic fatalities? (I know, logic is too much to ask for....)

Sergio Zamora · February-6th-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

Even for morons like this, what's the purported link? Why are soldiers' deaths singled out? Why not--I don't know--traffic fatalities? (I know, logic is too much to ask for....)

I think this is the connection

Quote:

Originally Posted by the article

The group, notorious for its “God hates fags” placards, reasons that roadside bombs killing American troops in Iraq are divine retaliation for an small bomb that caused about $1,800 damage outside the Topeka home of one of Phelps’ daughters in 1995.

So, not only are they absolute nutjobs but they are arrogant fucks who think the destruction of a couple grand in property compares to the death of so many human beings.

MRS · February-6th-2006, 04:57 PM

Fred has a gay son.

Darryl G. Thomas · February-6th-2006, 05:12 PM

I think it's pretty obvious. These days you've got to be very outragious to get attention. This is one way to do it. I'm surprised they didn't pick the funerals of 9/11 victims.

Dan G · February-6th-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

Even for morons like this, what's the purported link? Why are soldiers' deaths singled out? Why not--I don't know--traffic fatalities? (I know, logic is too much to ask for....)

When Phelps' ideas start making sense to you Brian, we'll have to have you killed.

jesus marion joseph · February-6th-2006, 10:12 PM

Phelps & Co. protested at the funeral of a Boston area soldier about a year or so ago. Sad and pathetic.

February-6th-2006, 10:37 PM

It's a shame that common decency and respect for the dead and family has to be legislated. just saying

Dennis Gonzalez · February-6th-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanager

If there's a good side to this, it's that perhaps Joe-Middle-America will see these nutjobs for the assholes they really are.

C'mon Tanager, you see what kind of people here at JC are anti-gay, and openly afraid. And our JC colleagues are supposed to be (by their own accord) "Joe-Middle-America".

It is to laugh.

Gordon B · February-7th-2006, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Gonzalez

C'mon Tanager, you see what kind of people here at JC are anti-gay, and openly afraid. And our JC colleagues are supposed to be (by their own accord) "Joe-Middle-America".

It is to laugh.

Who is anti-gay at JC?

This guy is a true nut-job. Here's what wikipedia has to say about him.

Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. (born November 13, 1929) is the highly controversial leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, an alleged cult based out of his home in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps is best known for preaching that God hates homosexuals and will punish both them and "fag enablers" (which they define as anyone who is insufficiently anti-gay). He claims events such as the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina are caused by God because of this hatred. He and his followers frequently picket various events, especially gay pride and funerals of gay men, feeling it is their sacred duty to impress their views upon others.

Phelps is a self-described "fire and brimstone" preacher who believes that homosexuality and its acceptance have sentenced most of the world to eternal damnation, claiming true salvation can only be achieved through him. His group, which has roughly 100 members (90 of whom are related to him through blood or marriage), is built around an anti-homosexual core theology, with many of their activities stemming from a mantra that homosexuality is the lowest sin one can commit. He also refuses to use any word other than "fag" to describe homosexuals. Gay rights activists, as well as Christians of virtually every affiliation, have denounced him as a producer of anti-gay propaganda and violence-inspiring hate speech.

Phelps rose to national prominence in 1998 when he and congregants from Westboro picketed the funeral of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard, delivering an obscenity laden sermon (with focus given to graphic descriptions of homosexual sex acts) informing the mourners that Shephard had gone to hell and that everyone in attendance would join him there. Ever since, Phelps and Westboro have remained in the national limelight for their regular pickets of events ranging from gay pride parades to the funerals of soldiers killed in the Iraq War.

Brian Olewnick · February-7th-2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. (born November 13, 1929)

One good thing, anyway. He should die fairly soon.

Gary Sisco · February-7th-2006, 08:44 AM

"He's not your son, Fred."

Jazzbluescat speaks for me. This is a matter of simple decency and respect.

I'd likely respond in a similar way as Darryl purports to West Philly -- or South Philly either I might add. ;-)

Fuck up a funeral and you can only expect someone to fuck you up and no sense yelping self-righteously when you do. Have some simple respect for people's grief, already.