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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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 Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:17 pm Anti-gay church protests at soldiers� funerals |
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| Quote: | 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 in Kansas, 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.
�God hates you,� signs read
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as �God hates f ags� 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.
Large counterdemonstrations
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.� |
� 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
[Edited: In the future, please put the article in quotes  - Puck]
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:25 pm |
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Was just reading this article on MSNBC. That is just disgusting that people are filled with so much hate that they would have the nerve to protest gay marriage at a funeral for our soldiers. The whole thing is just disgusting. I don't know how these people can call themselves Christian, but whatever.
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:40 pm |
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Maybe we should deport these people to an islamic terrorist state like Iran; see how they're treated there.
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:45 pm |
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| Puck wrote: | | Was just reading this article on MSNBC. That is just disgusting that people are filled with so much hate that they would have the nerve to protest gay marriage at a funeral for our soldiers. The whole thing is just disgusting. I don't know how these people can call themselves Christian, but whatever. |
There not protesting Gay Marriage. There protesting Homosexuality as a whole. They are evil vile people.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:54 pm |
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No matter what your views on the issue(homosexuality), this is just disgusting.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 3:56 pm |
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I agree. This is wrong. Simply wrong.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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voy416
Captain
Joined: 28 Oct 2001
Posts: 631
Location: Rock Bottom
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| Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:35 pm |
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That is just plan stupid, no matter your beliefs it should not come in-between a funeral and people should just leave Homosexuals alone
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Five - seveN
Rear Admiral
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 3567
Location: Shadow Moon
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 1:33 pm |
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Right. Those people are just completely retarded idiots. I think they do not have any sense of reality at all. But I guess that's just my opinion, if they want to disrupt other people's funerals, their "God" lets them go ahead, of course.
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:02 pm |
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I have problems with how this article makes it sound like this was from a ligitimate church. It wasn't a church protesting, it was one crazy family which calls itself a church.
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Lord Borg
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 11214
Location: Vulcan Capital City, Vulcan
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:35 pm |
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^Never the less, no matter what kind of church it was, it is Wrong to protest at someones funeral. especialy when its bashing this country at a soldiers funeral
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webtaz99
Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 1229
Location: The Other Side
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:06 pm |
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Just my humble opinion, but I believe there is no greater sin than claiming to know the mind of God.
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:11 pm |
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| webtaz99 wrote: | | Just my humble opinion, but I believe there is no greater sin than claiming to know the mind of God. |
Well, saying that God is opposed to gay marriage is NOT a sin, because it's TRUE. But nonetheless, what these people did was wrong, plain and simple
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:55 pm |
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if god did exist im sure she wouldnt care what people did as long as they didnt hurt anyone
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:57 pm |
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He DOES exist, and there are SINS that one should not do, even if they don't hurt someone. It's NOT all a matter of what happens to other people, but what YOU are doing, in the eyes of God. But let us not get into a debate about this--there's a topic in CC.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:00 pm |
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lol there wouldn't be atheists if there was ANY proof of god/s which there isn't. All religions say different things.
Its all rubbish IMO
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Arellia
The Quiet One
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 4425
Location: Dallas, TX
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:04 pm |
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By the same token, you could say that there wouldn't be Christians if there wasn't a god. Not really a valid argument.
Though, it is one you can pursue, if you really want, here.
As for the topic itself...egh. Totally idiotic. To demean soldiers, of all people...agree with this country or not, you have to give the soldiers credit for their service.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:14 pm |
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| CJ Cregg wrote: | lol there wouldn't be atheists if there was ANY proof of god/s which there isn't. All religions say different things.
Its all rubbish IMO |
If you took the time to understand Religions, you would see they all have have a universal meaning. Not say different things.
As for the topic, this is terrible. Completely dishonors the soldiers. Not to mention that its more fire for Athiests to attack us(People of faith) with.
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webtaz99
Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 1229
Location: The Other Side
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| Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:36 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | | webtaz99 wrote: | | Just my humble opinion, but I believe there is no greater sin than claiming to know the mind of God. |
Well, saying that God is opposed to gay marriage is NOT a sin, because it's TRUE. But nonetheless, what these people did was wrong, plain and simple |
By "claiming" I meant bearing false witness.
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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Link, the Hero of Time
Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001
Posts: 5581
Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
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| Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:30 pm |
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These people are still at it. Sick really.
But at least now there's a group that drowns them out.
| Quote: | Motorcyclists Roll to Soldiers' Funerals
By RYAN LENZ
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (Feb. 21) - Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.
They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.
Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs -- explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.
The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags.
"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."
At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers.
The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them.
"This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms."
Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kan.-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.
"The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral."
The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members.
During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.
The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.
"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."
Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.
Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.
"No one deserves this," he said.
2/21/2006 06:12:36
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060221131509990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:25 am |
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Oh wow, that's great. Don't want to get girly and say I got teary, so I won't, 
Soldiers deserve our total respect. Even if we differ on views on any war, the soldiers aren't to blame.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
Joined: 17 Oct 2004
Posts: 5335
Location: Hiding
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| Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:46 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Soldiers deserve our total respect. Even if we differ on views on any war, the soldiers aren't to blame. |
So very true. Those motos rock! I know a few motos who'd probably be thrilled to hear what those riders are doing.
As for the protesters...There aren't words for their disrespect.
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WeAz
Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Posts: 1519
Location: Where you aren't
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| Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:52 pm |
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Words fail me. There is no describing my rage at these people.
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Seven of Nine
Sammie's Mammy
Joined: 16 Jun 2001
Posts: 7871
Location: North East England
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| Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:28 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | Oh wow, that's great. Don't want to get girly and say I got teary, so I won't,
Soldiers deserve our total respect. Even if we differ on views on any war, the soldiers aren't to blame. |
Agree completely.
To protest at a funeral is just sick. It's disrespectful, and makes me despise these people.
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:03 am |
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| Quote: | States restrict funeral protests after uproar in Kansas
By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY
Fri Feb 24, 7:32 AM ET
Anti-gay protests by a small religious group at funerals for troops killed in Iraq have prompted more than a dozen states to move to restrict picketing at funerals.
The rare action focused on a single person, the Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, has raised concerns about how to balance protesters' First Amendment rights and mourners' rights to be shielded from offensive messages.
Governors in South Dakota and Wisconsin signed laws this month restricting funeral protests. At least 13 states are considering such laws, plus Kansas may expand its existing ban.
Westboro Baptist members picket military funerals, holding signs with such messages as "Thank God for IEDs" and "God Hates *beep* Enablers." They say God is punishing America for tolerating gays.
The Wisconsin law bans protests within 500 feet of a funeral before, during and after the service.
Gov. Jim Doyle says Phelps and his followers "have a constitutional right to state their opinion, as totally bizarre as this one is. But the families have a right to a time in which they can grieve and express their admiration and respect for these fallen soldiers."
David Hudson, an attorney at the First Amendment Center, says a key issue is whether family privacy is a compelling reason to restrict speech. "The courts are obviously going to have to sort this out," he says.
Edwin Yohnka, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois, says a proposal there that limits the time and distance of funeral protests is too broad.
The limit could be applied to somebody picketing the appearance of a public official at the service or somebody protesting on another issue, he says.
Phelps, 76, a law school graduate, vows to challenge the laws in court and says he'll win. He says a 90-foot limit is reasonable, but he would sue over anything farther.
"We're going to get rich off the stuff they're doing," he says. "This is finger-lickin' good."
Westboro Baptist Church has about 100 members, he says, many from his family of 13 children. His church gained notoriety in the 1990s by picketing the funerals of people who died from AIDS.
Phelps makes no apologies.
He says IEDs, the abbreviation for the improvised explosive devices that have proved deadly to U.S. troops, are God's way of punishing America.
"It's God's wrath," he says. "It is a direct, immediate stroke on a depraved nation."
Copyright � 2006 USA TODAY |
Its good to know that the states have finally woke up to this sickening problem caused by that a** Fred Phelps. Who is pure evil 
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AndrewBullock
The Misguided One
Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Posts: 2112
Location: Kentucky. (North America)
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| Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:00 pm |
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Fred Phelps, huh? What makes him so dumb? 
We must live in one of the most idiotic countrys ever devised. Come together, you all... don't get greedy like "Phelps", get loving. It's the path of a better life for millions, and it's the only one that makes sense...
~Andrew
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