Westboro Baptist Church is coming to my town to protest

Christy - posted on 01/09/2012

you should hold up a sign like one of these:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-3o-be...

Gina - posted on 01/09/2012

I'm stunned by this,this brave soldier died protecting his country and a stupid 'church' wants to preach.

It's not the 'gays' that are ruining the country, it's people like this.
Westboro members should repent for this behaviour but all the repenting that they do won't make up for them treating the soldiers and their family like this.

Katherine - posted on 01/08/2012

Oh no. They are horrible people. Even if you check out their website it's so creepy.

Medic - posted on 01/08/2012

Sadly these horrid people invade Texas as well. One of the boys I grew up with died while protecting his brothers and sisters in his hummer when a grenade was thrown in. He came home and his funeral was picketed. His little sister fought for her right to serve and honor her brothers memory. She too was killed doing the same thing as her brother, and again they picketed her funeral. I think it is sad that these people lack the compassion to see that these are people, OUR people, OUR generation, they are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins and someones family. They are fighting and they truely believe they are helping maintain our rights and freedoms.

Kellie - posted on 01/08/2012

God hates fags dot com? WoW :/

I've not read the bible, but I'm pretty sure God doesn't hate, period.

I'm so glad the funeral went well and the family didn't have to deal with these horrible peopl and their bad nasty energy.

Kelly - posted on 01/07/2012

I am glad to say the funeral went very well. The Patriot Guard came out--they had over 500 bikers here!--and lined the streets around the church. Along with the members of our town, we had several thousand people in the streets paying their respects and widening the gulf between the family and the protesters. There was no violence--all was peaceful.



It was very moving to see all these people from all over the country come to protect our boy's funeral. I did not really know Justin, I knew his mom in passing, but I was moved to tears several times today due to the outpouring of support for him--someone most of these people had never met, yet they traveled thousands of miles to protect his funeral (and the creeping thoughts of J in the casket at 20yrs).



Our local papers are refusing to say anything at all about the protesters, robbing them of the media time and attention they crave. They did thank the Patriot Guard and others who came to block the protest from the family, but they thanked them for "paying their respects" and an "out pouring of support" as opposed to "guarding" or "protesting the protest" which I thought was very tasteful and clever of the writers.



I am very happy with my town tonight, and very thankful to the Patriot Guard and everyone else who came out today.

Jakki - posted on 01/07/2012

Oh... Kelly... words fail me. I didn't realise that there were such people in America. It's ghastly and chilling, and deeply weird.

How did the funeral go?

Kelly - posted on 01/07/2012

Here is a link to a local story on the issue:
http://www.wyff4.com/news/30143621/detai...

Excerpts:

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. -- Once again, Westboro Baptist Church is threatening to stage a protest at the funeral of an Upstate soldier.
On Westboro’s website, it says: “God hates America and is killing our troops in his wrath. Military funerals have become pagan orgies of idolatrous blasphemy, where they pray to the dunghill gods of Sodom AND play taps to a fallen fool. This message to be preached in respectful, lawful proximity to the memorial of Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire Sat., Jan.7, at 12:15 p.m. First Baptist Church Simpsonville, 3 Hedge Street, Simpsonville …"
Westboro claims to have protested more than 43,000 funerals over 20 years.

Church Focused On Whitmire, Not Possible Protests

Even though Westboro’s threat to protest has been in the media, Pastor Terry Rogers said, “Our focus is on Justin’s memory and his family.”
Rogers said he is aware of the bulletin that Westboro posted, but said he is not going to give the organization any attention that will take away from Whitmire’s funeral.
Rogers confirmed that the Patriot Guard will be present for Justin’s viewing and funeral. He said that was already previously planned. Rogers said the Guard members pay their respects if the family allows them. The Guard makes it clear their attendance isn't always about shielding families from protesters. It's more about showing respect for the fallen troops and their families.
Rogers said the Whitmire family will allow the Patriot Guard to line up in support of their son. He said two of Justin’s relatives are Patriot Guard members and will be part of the line.
On Friday, the Patriot Guard confirmed that they will be staging at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 205 E. College St. in Simpsonville. Patriot Guard members were already on hand to escort Whitmire's casket when it arrived in the Upstate Thursday.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Whitmire and his family are expected to line Highway 14 (417) and other streets near the First Baptist Church in Simpsonville.
Visitation for Whitmire is Friday at Faith Renewed Outreach Center in Mauldin from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Images: Pfc. Justin Whitmire
The funeral service is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Simpsonville First Baptist Church.
Whitmire will be buried with full military honors in Cannon Memorial Park.
One Facebook organizer is asking people to line main street Simpsonville and Fountain Inn with American flags, the processional from the church starting at about 1:30 p.m.

Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/30143621/detai...

Kelly - posted on 01/07/2012

They are protesting the fact that gay men and women are not persecuted. Jamie was not gay (not that it matters) but they are saying that he died because we are allowing homosexual behavior in this country. This is a Press Release from their website picket schedule:



First Baptist Church Simpsonville in Simpsonville, SC January 7, 2012 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

In mercy and compassion, God has sent his servants to warn the living. IF YOU DON'T REPENT, you will join this lad, Army Pfc Justin Whitmire in hell, where the worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched and the smoke of your torment will ascend up for ever and ever. HOW AWFUL!



Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.



You have turned this nation and your military over to the fags. God's wrath is abiding upon you, pursuant to his precious promises. Your destruction is imminent, and Westboro has been daily on your streets warning you, and you did not heed and you did not repent.



Here is a link to their sight...yes, their homepage is really at godhatesfags.com. Sometimes you have to click it, then hit refresh to make it open.



http://www.godhatesfags.com/schedule.htm...

Becky - posted on 01/06/2012

This "church" does not even deserve to be called that. They are an embarassment to Christianity.

Jakki - posted on 01/06/2012

I'm confused - what is Westboro Baptist Church protesting against?

Amy - posted on 01/06/2012

I completely agree that the family has every right to grieve without some group trying to shove their propaganda down their throats! My heart goes out to the family and it's great that it is such a close knit community to keep them away.