Religious Group to Picket V-Tech Funerals

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Group Plans To Picket Va. Tech Funerals

The families of those killed in the Virginia Tech massacre may not be able to grieve in peace at the funerals of those they lost. An anti-gay religious group known for protesting at the funerals of American soldiers killed in Iraq is planning on appearing at services for those killed on Monday as well.

The Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), which is not affiliated with any national Baptist organization, announced plans to protest at victims’ funerals only hours after 32 people were killed in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. They also may protest at other events on the Virginia Tech campus.

The organization, founded and led by Fred Phelps, believes the United States has condemned itself to destruction by accepting homosexuality and other “sins of the flesh.” Phelps’ daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, said the Virginia Tech teachers and students who died on Monday brought their fate upon themselves by not being true Christians.

“The evidence is they were not Christian. God does not do that to his servants,” Phelps-Roper said. “You don’t need to look any further for evidence those people are in hell.”


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/18/national/main2699800.shtml?source=mostpop_story


Just when you think humanity has sunk to it's lowest level, these a-holes come along and sink lower. This is just sickning. Protesting is an American right and I am thankful for that, but this truely crosses the line.:mad:

[CoasterMatt]

So, if an upset family member of a shooting victim starts picking off the Phelps family with a sniper rifle, where do I send more bullets?

[blueerica]

Oh, I despise that group. I'm trying to remember if I saw an interview with her on TV or whether it was a youtube-type link. They just plain old bonkers.

[ozron]

I'm speechless. There are no words to express my contempt for this group.

Literally.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Um, yeah, more than a little inappropriate. These kids did nothing more than try to make a future for themselves. I'm sure more than a few of them identified as Christian.

Once again, Phelps proves himself to have something of a loose hold on sanity.

[Ponine]

I have nothing to add, but after looking at this thread title four times, I was still thinking.... isnt V-tech a toy company? I guess I better open this thread to see what the hell we're talking about.

[blueerica]

What I don't get is how she separates a true Christian from everything else - which wasn't really anything other than "if you die in a violent way then you weren't a true Christian" - or something to that effect. And it seems to apply to anyone not in her sect. I've never seen a cult-type religious sect go so far out of their way to try and offend others.

[Alex]

It is hateful. But I also don't understand the logic of a protest. It is not a protest of their funerals but rather of the fact that they had been alive (they're certainly no longer sinning now). So rather than protesting the funerals shouldn't they be celebrating?

But, as far as groups capitalizing on these deaths, Phelps will be about 300th in line and a week later than most.

[blueerica]

Maybe their twisted logic is that they'll scare people into becoming "true Christians" - by booing and hissing at them, letting them know they'll go to hell too?

Fire and brimstone, baby... fire and brimstone.

[innerSpaceman]

This is where an eye for an eye comes in nicely, for any wanna-be mass murderers among the Virginia Tech students, staff, or alumni.

[Ghoulish Delight]

What I don't get is how she separates a true Christian from everything else - "If they died tragically, then God wanted them to die tragically. And the only reason God would want someone to die tragically is if they were evil. And if you're evil, you're not a true Christian."

[cirquelover]

That's the same group that said that the people on 9/11 deserved to die too. I was shocked and amazed at their sheer audacity!! I think they need to go reread their bible, because I seem to recall a lot of judge not or you'll be judged, love thy neighbor and such.

I said to my husband that I hope there is a special place in hell just for them.

[Alex]

I also recall a lot of God inflicting terrible punishments for various crimes from the truly insignificant to the absolutely horrible. Why, he once let horrible things be done to a person just to win a back-alley bet and another time he forced a man to murder his own son just to show devotion.

So upon reading the Bible it is easy to understand getting mixed messages on the loving nature of god.

But Fred Phelps is still a dick.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Yes, they also blamed the flooding in New Orleans on the sinners that died there.

Absolutely, they're bat****. But I also think that this, more than anything, a publicity stunt. They're whores for attention, Phelps and his teat-sucklers. I try not to wish bad karma on anyone-- but these people? I don't even have to-- they're doing it themselves.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Oh, and also-- they sound a lot like 'The Secret.' "You brought it on yourself!" I wonder what Oprah & co think of the situation, and if they see it Phelps' way...

[Not Afraid]

Disgusting. Audacious.

I want to slap people who think that they can speak for god.

[Moonliner]

The BBC did an interview with these "special" people. You can find it on Youtube under "Most hated family in America (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyS8GIrwZyE)"

[Alex]

Disgusting. Audacious.

I want to slap people who think that they can speak for god.

Based on that last sentence, you now have to slap yourself. You are you to say that god doesn't speak through others?

Yes, it is very similar in philosophy to The Secret. That is a point brought up by many who have rebutted it on philosophical grounds (as opposed to just because it is really, really stupid).

[blueerica]

"If they died tragically, then God wanted them to die tragically. And the only reason God would want someone to die tragically is if they were evil. And if you're evil, you're not a true Christian."

No, I know that's what it was... A more appropriate wording on my part would have been "I don't understand it." or better yet "I don't know how she became such a batty-a$$sed bitch."

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Way more than you ever wanted to know about the Westboro Wackos from Good As You (http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/westboro/).

[Not Afraid]

Based on that last sentence, you now have to slap yourself. You are you to say that god doesn't speak through others?



I don't know who god speaks through or what he has to say. But, I do think that people who think that they speak for god are delusional.

[Alex]

So do I. But I think that of everyone who believes in god.

But are you not speaking for god when you say he is not speaking through Fred Phelps? Personally, such a god strikes me as equally likely as the one most of us would prefer (the one who speaks through Oprah).

[Not Afraid]

So do I. But I think that of everyone who believes in god.

But are you not speaking for god when you say he is not speaking through Fred Phelps? Personally, such a god strikes me as equally likely as the one most of us would prefer (the one who speaks through Oprah).

Mabe the better way of conveying what I said would be "My ideal of god probably wouldn't say the things Fred Phelps does." However, I don't really "know" what god thinks, says, does or speaks. I only know what i would like him/her/it to think, say, do or speak. And, really, that is only me humanizing something that I don't believe is human.

[alphabassettgrrl]

What I don't get is how she separates a true Christian from everything else - which wasn't really anything other than "if you die in a violent way then you weren't a true Christian" - or something to that effect. And it seems to apply to anyone not in her sect.

Oh, I think it's that anybody not in their little cult is evil and wrong and not a true Christian. Their little insular abusive stronghold.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, much as we like to downplay it ... we all know that everyone who doesn't post on the LoT is simply not swank.



:cheers:

[flippyshark]

Forgive me a quick outburst. I am SO sick of hearing about these people. (Also, I watched the documentary about them, and while I do not hate them, per se, I find them unbelievably creepy and unpleasant.) They make the news every time they announce they are going to do this, which is often. (They even protested Mister Rogers' funeral, for the love of Henry.) It'd be great if the media could treat their announcements of intent with a bored "Yes, of course you are," and leave it alone. It isn't newsworthy anymore. (I do appreciate the efforts of the various bikers groups and other who civilly but forcefully keep them at a distance. Way to go!)

Anyway, I am unusually depressed about a lot of things this week, not just the obvious stuff. I'm heartsick and tired over all the thoughtless debates, talking points, accusations, name calling, aggravation and circular bloviating that crams the meme-waves these days. I need to take a break from it for a while. Thanks for letting me vent aimlessly for a moment. Love you all.

[wendybeth]

We love you too, you corndog-eating sharkperson.;)



I refuse to waste any energy on these assholes, beyond that which I've just spent on typing these words. The vast majority of the world is so great- why dwell on these bottom-feeders?

[JWBear]

If anyone truly deserves to go to Hell, it's these people.

[Morrigoon]

I say hand the b*tch a burka and send her to Iran. She'll be happier there.

I wish someone would plant the idea in their heads of protesting a gang funeral :evil: