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HYPERASHEL
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 Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:28 Post subject: Ignorant and tasteless
| Quote: | Mourners Enraged By Anti-Gay Protests At Soldiers' Funerals
Preacher Says Soldiers Defend Country That Harbors Gays
POSTED: 10:57 am EDT August 29, 2005
UPDATED: 2:38 pm EDT August 29, 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 Church in, Topeka, Kan., 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." |
Ok, i respect the right for free speech and the right to assemble but i also think that there is a time and place. what azz clown thought this was a good idea? and i hope they recieve a good scorching for thier intolerant views.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:33 Post subject:
That's up there for one of the more disgusting offensive things I've heard of.
That seems to be par for the course for Fred Phelps.
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wanttorun100
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Location: Just to the right of Atilla the Hun!
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:35 Post subject:
I'd love to see someone really back check this group of nut cases - wonder if they're just a 'Stalking Horse' for some pro-gay group.
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cdnhollywood
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:36 Post subject: Re: Ignorant and tasteless
| HYPERASHEL wrote: | | The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you." |
First off, here's what I can't understand -- this church actually promotes hate??? Isn't that what religion is supposed to be against?!?
Second, it's a funeral, not a town hall meeting. You may be "religious", and you have every right to believe what you want, but you MUST have some level of human dignity and respect that makes you think that you should keep your mouth shut for the time being.
They're quick to judge, but I bet things would be different if they were the ones losing lives in the war.
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sonnylax
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Location: Living in a lollipop and unicorn world
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:41 Post subject:
I don't understand how these folks get a permit to protest on private property. You may have a right to free speech down at the City Square or the County Courthouse... but not on private property such as a church, etc.
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andydp
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:43 Post subject:
That group of "christians" is nothing but a mean, hateful, spiteful group. They do nothing but foster hate in the name of religion. The name escapes me, but at the funeral of the gay college student beaten to death in Montana they showed up at the kid's funeral with a sign that read: "______ Is going to hell".
Nothing is sacred or disrespectful enough for that group.
I am amazed at the self control of the families involved.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:43 Post subject:
They protested near the church, not on church property.
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:45 Post subject:
| andydp wrote: | That group of "christians" is nothing but a mean, hateful, spiteful group. They do nothing but foster hate in the name of religion. The name escapes me, but at the funeral of the gay college student beaten to death in Montana they showed up at the kid's funeral with a sign that read: "______ Is going to hell".
Nothing is sacred or disrespectful enough for that group.
I am amazed at the self control of the families involved. |
Montana or Wyoming? If Wyoming, Matthew Shepard,
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sonnylax
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:50 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | | They protested near the church, not on church property. |
Wonder if that was another piece of private property?
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andydp
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:53 Post subject:
| Pug wrote: | | andydp wrote: | That group of "christians" is nothing but a mean, hateful, spiteful group. They do nothing but foster hate in the name of religion. The name escapes me, but at the funeral of the gay college student beaten to death in Montana they showed up at the kid's funeral with a sign that read: "______ Is going to hell".
Nothing is sacred or disrespectful enough for that group.
I am amazed at the self control of the families involved. |
Montana or Wyoming? If Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, |
That is correct. Thank you.
Think about it, you're Matthew's parents and you see a sign that says "Matthew Shepard is going to hell" at his funeral.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:58 Post subject:
Any money on Fred Phelps and Pat Robertson being twins separated at birth?
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andydp
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 15:59 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | | Any money on Fred Phelps and Pat Robertson being twins separated at birth? |
At times Robertson shows signs of lucidity.
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airehead
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 16:03 Post subject: Re: Ignorant and tasteless
| cdnhollywood wrote: |
They're quick to judge, but I bet things would be different if they were the ones losing lives in the war. |
I have family members like this group. 
The only thing that gives me comfort is that these azzhats aren't the ones who decide my ultimate judgment. I think these people are going to be VERY surprised at how things are going to play out in the end.
God is a God of compassion and love. That's what these people forget.
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wanttorun100
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 16:09 Post subject:
I still think these numb nutz are not what they seem. Maybe wishful thinking on my part.
I do know if they had pulled that shix here when we burried a local Marine this spring they'd have walked away with the sign jammed horizontally up their rectums.
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purple hayes
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Posted: 08/29/05 - 16:10 Post subject:
I thought this was a call out thread. 
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