Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)

mrshellem2012

Westboro Baptist Church protesting at our fallen soldiers funerals among other things. Make me damn sick!!! (copied post from my facebook)
  

The repulsive Westboro Baptist Church plan to disrupt my friend's son's funeral in Nashville next we

www.kevinmontgomery.com

  I just want to say God Bless our Soldiers. Keep them safe. Amen

Wiscisbliss

This guy has been a jerkface for decades.  I would post my true feelings, but TK is censoring them. 

DeadUtopia

I respect our right of free speech, but those people are just jerk offs.
Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Whether or not a person is pro or anti war, our soldiers are risking their lives every day for them and when one loses their life their family should be allowed to grieve in peace.

HobokensFury

They do sh!t like that all the time.  They're just a hateful group.  They came to my hometown 2 years ago to protest our mayor.  It wasn't pretty.

Arayx2

I agree with Freedom of speech - when it is not made in ignorance (!!!!) like these jerks. They too quickly forget that because we have soldiers risking their lives - They are allowed to open their mouths and spew such non-sense! Ergg I strongly dislilke these people!

NcsuPsych

Yeah. . .they profess to be 'Christians', but once again, it's these nutjobs that give Christianity a bad name.


I remember last year that Hells Angels (I believe that was the group) protested them and was a buffer / barrier line between the idiots and the acutal funeral. That was pretty cool. However it's sad that one would need a 'buffer' at a funeral.

I wish there was some way to make them stop.

Edit: Not Hells Angels. . . they were the Patriot Guard Riders.

HBaker82407

That is ridiculous...and really urks me! I dont get why people have to be such jerks(id use worse language..if i could...)

MelissaAnne88

Those people are the scum of the earth. Ugh.

Arayx2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:472ded81-c9b3-41dc-8d2a-85d39c65be6c">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Those people are the scum of the earth. Ugh.
</strong>Posted by MelissaAnne88[/QUOTE]

This. 100% agreed!

aegrish

they are based out of Topeka, KS, not too far from where I live.  No wonder Topeka has lost DOZENS of large corporations and businesses in the past couple years.  A number of them even attributed their departure to Westboro.

Arayx2

Is this the same crazy guy/church (and i use that term VERY loosely)  that was going to burn a Koran or something crazy?!

MelissaAnne88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:15fcb415-9bfc-4cb6-ab5b-fa1828b49f97">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]Is this the same crazy guy/church (and i use that term VERY loosely)  that was going to burn a Koran or something crazy?!
Posted by Arayx2[/QUOTE]
No, I think that guy was in Florida.

Arayx2

Ahh - Okay. I was just wondering.
Everytime I hear stories about crazy people like this, I think about that Country Song that goes;

Life is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.

EmilyW416

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:c3bbe4bf-284c-4571-a511-87d58043ef41">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with Freedom of speech - when it is not made in ignorance (!!!!) like these jerks. They too quickly forget that because we have soldiers risking their lives - They are allowed to open their mouths and spew such non-sense! Ergg I strongly dislilke these people!
Posted by Arayx2[/QUOTE]

Thats exactly what I was gonna say.They make me so mad!

kmmssg

I'm in the military and am all about freedom of speech, but those people are awful.  I'm also a Christian and I have yet to see those people show the love of Christ which is our first responsibility.

A friend of mine (also military) lost his nephew in Afghanistan a few months ago and Westboro showed up.  The Patriot Guard Riders showed up and made a human wall between Westboro and the family.  The family knew Westboro was there but never saw their hate signs.  What they DID see was some great Americans who treasured what their Soldier's sacrifice.

You will all love the link I'm including.  It is how one town beat Westboro at their own game.  Enjoy.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp">http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp

NcsuPsych

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:6e33ce26-c581-41e6-9e3a-10a735dd26e6">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm in the military and am all about freedom of speech, but those people are awful.  I'm also a Christian and I have yet to see those people show the love of Christ which is our first responsibility. A friend of mine (also military) lost his nephew in Afghanistan a few months ago and Westboro showed up.  The Patriot Guard Riders showed up and made a human wall between Westboro and the family.  The family knew Westboro was there but never saw their hate signs.  What they DID see was some great Americans who treasured what their Soldier's sacrifice. You will all love the link I'm including.  It is how one town beat Westboro at their own game.  Enjoy. <a href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp" rel="nofollow">www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp</a> " /> <a href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp</a>
Posted by kmmssg[/QUOTE]


Ahahah , thats awesome! (The article)

stacie+luciano

I live in what is considered Military City USA (so does DeadUptopia!). We have Air Force Basic Military Training here, the best burn ward in the nation, and amazing installations in our town (From Camp Bullis to where I work at Randolph AFB). Its sickening as a military brat to see stuff like this. If my brother was killed overseas and those a**holes a wanted to protest it, they'll have to meet the end of my 12 gauge cause I will not stand that. Its frustrating that people like the soldiers die for these morons' freedom. Hurgh. Its irritating. I hate people.

slwager

i too was going to suggest contacting the media because people are awesome about creating a barricades against this hateful nonsense.  but here' s a link to make you happy.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-3o-best-anti-westboro-baptist-church-protest-s

i've posted this on E before...but it's worth it.

8daysaweek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:c5bbbb7a-c6d8-4c0a-8bd2-dcbdf2c56b00">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I personally agree with the Westboro Baptist Church's right to say what they are saying, although I don't agree with their message nor with their venue.  They are certainly not shedding positive light on Christianity by using hate speech propoganda to further their cause (whatever that cause may be). I don't agree with taking that right away, either.  If you take the Church's right to spew hateful things, that soldier laying in the coffin has died for nothing.  My problem with this issue is that it's very difficult to figure out how to respect the rights of the grieving family and respect the rights of the Church at the same time.  Perhaps force the Church to protest farther away from the funeral, where the grieving family cannot hear the crap coming out of the Church's members?  It's also plausible to limit the free speech here - free speech is not absolute anyway.  Perhaps make it so that the Church cannot protest at funerals - military and otherwise.  That way, the government isn't telling the Church they can't spread their hate-filled propoganda, but that they cannot do it at a funeral. <strong> You can't scream fire in a theater, or bomb in an airport, either - so why not limit the venue?</strong> I know the Supreme Court has already ruled on this, but there has to be a more agreeable compromise here.
Posted by Holly4212011[/QUOTE]

It actually is not illegal to yell fire in a theater. It's illegal to yell fire in a theater that is not on fire - because of the risk it poses to other people's safety. The Westboro protests at funerals is deplorable, appalling and reprehensive but it does not put anyone's physical safety at risk. Illinois has had some success with a law that requires them to be some distance away from the funeral but that's about it.

Unfortunately because I cherish our freedom of speech, I have to respect these a--holes' right to say this stuff. My personal feelings though? F-ck them.

I do think they should lose their tax exempt status though because they devote a significant portion of their time to these protests and, IMO, act as a hate group. Unfortunately this Phelps a-hole is smarter than he looks and is extremely careful not to cross the line into participating in politics and losing their 501(c)3 status. I also wonder if defamation and slander/libel lawsuits would work. Hitting them in their wallet is probably the best way to shut them down but they seems to have a decent-sized war chest behind them. .

8daysaweek

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:5c0cb9ae-b798-48aa-b5e0-0b9a467137b7">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]8days, I'm not sure the defamation or slander/libel lawsuit would work either, as techinically, they aren't defaming, slandering, or libeling anyone specific, from what I understand about the legal basis of these claims.  Still don't know how to balance the rights of the grieving with the rights of the Church.  Eventually, someone smarter than me will figure it out, though.
Posted by Holly4212011[/QUOTE]

They are not defaming any one in particular about the funerals however they frequently attack public officials or refer to the soldiers using negative terms. I get their press releases at work all the time.

kmmssg

I know their "freedom of expression" is the flip side of the coin.  For every right (or way it is demonstrated) that I agree with, there will be an opposite that I don't.  It still has to be protected.

Westboro, to me, has lost any shred of humanity.  I have no idea where these people got the ideas they have and it speaks volumes that they have VERY few followers. 

I really detest flag burning, but I still feel it is a protected freedom.

M&R7111

They were going to do this in our town a while ago.  A friend's son was killed and they decided to come to Bordentown NJ and "protest".  There were HUNDREDS of people lining the streets to protect the family from these idiots.  There were facebook groups about it and it was discussed on a NJ's radio show NJ101.5

However, they never showed.  I came to find out that they don't show at most of the places they plan to protest.  I hope they fail to show at your town, too.

I must say, all that these a$$holes were able to accomplish was to pull our small town together and really bring out the brotherhood in us all.

Thank you, Westboro Church, for making our community stronger.

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:936fac5c-2d15-4e26-a2fa-ca761d1679d8">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]Unfortunately because I cherish our freedom of speech, I have to respect these a--holes' right to say this stuff. My personal feelings though? F-ck them.
Posted by 8daysaweek[/QUOTE]

<div>This.</div><div>
</div><div>I pretty much feel the same way about these people as I do about the KKK.  I think they are horrible people and that if there is a hell, it was invented for them.  </div><div>
</div><div>But I still support their right to spew this awful garbage.  </div>

NcsuPsych

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:41e5aeb2-7e2f-48cd-95ac-c3d6e022dff4">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you) : This. I pretty much feel the same way about these people as I do about the KKK.  I think they are horrible people and that if there is a hell, it was invented for them.   But I still support their right to spew this awful garbage.  
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]

Apparently a couple of weeks ago the KKK actually protested this group. .  I wonder if that's what that crazy preacher was referring to when he was talking about Hell coming to earth.

sessionswedding

I wish there were some way to sue to have them take "Baptist Church" out of their name.  As a Christian and a *real* Baptist, these guys take my name and my reputation and do THAT with it?!  It REALLY upsets me.  And whenever someone who is not a Christian sees something like that, I feel like I automatically get the side-eye.  It really hurts the true mission of the church and Christians everywhere.

"For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:14

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:615cd51e-ad28-42d7-9a99-ccb003535c67">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I wish there were some way to sue to have them take "Baptist Church" out of their name.  As a Christian and a *real* Baptist, these guys take my name and my reputation and do THAT with it?!  It REALLY upsets me.  And whenever a non-Christian sees something like that, I feel like I automatically get the side-eye.  It really hurts the true mission of the church and Christians everywhere. "For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ' Love your neighbor as yourself .'" - Galatians 5:14
Posted by sessionswedding[/QUOTE]

<div>I'm sure a lot of Muslims feel this way about certain groups...</div>

sessionswedding

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:fc31361d-051e-43db-b703-cd16b4416c70">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you) : I'm sure a lot of Muslims feel this way about certain groups...
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I've had some really meaningful conversations with some Muslims about this topic.

sessionswedding

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:6e33ce26-c581-41e6-9e3a-10a735dd26e6">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm in the military and am all about freedom of speech, but those people are awful.  I'm also a Christian and I have yet to see those people show the love of Christ which is our first responsibility. A friend of mine (also military) lost his nephew in Afghanistan a few months ago and Westboro showed up.  The Patriot Guard Riders showed up and made a human wall between Westboro and the family.  The family knew Westboro was there but never saw their hate signs.  What they DID see was some great Americans who treasured what their Soldier's sacrifice. You will all love the link I'm including.  It is how one town beat Westboro at their own game.  Enjoy. <a href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp" rel="nofollow">www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp</a> " /> <a href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp" rel="nofollow">http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_199461.asp</a>
Posted by kmmssg[/QUOTE]
I just read this article, and this stuck out:

“This is the Dirty South. We don’t play.”

Represent.  Lol.

kmmssg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:6280ff83-a5a9-4bb9-b134-42903879d5e6">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]Husband and I are in the Patriot Guard Riders. We'll show up, at the family's request, and block Westboro from getting near the mourners. My cousin (female) and I want to show up at one of their non-funeral protests and kiss each other. We hope it gives Fart Phelps a stroke.
Posted by RetreadBride[/QUOTE]

Retread - I never knew that!  You guys rock!!

spalko

These people make me sick! My FI is currently stationed overseas and it brings me to tears to think of what these families of fallen heros must be going through. Not everyone is going to support the war but they should at least support our troops. They risk their lives so we can all live freely and thats something that should never be forgotten.

mrshellem2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_taking-far-warning-may-upset?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:2bee566d-b782-45e6-a660-624d460292a9Post:615cd51e-ad28-42d7-9a99-ccb003535c67">Re: Taking it to far!? (warning may upset you)</a>:
[QUOTE]I wish there were some way to sue to have them take "Baptist Church" out of their name.  As a Christian and a *real* Baptist, these guys take my name and my reputation and do THAT with it?!  It REALLY upsets me.  And whenever someone who is not a Christian sees something like that, I feel like I automatically get the side-eye.  It really hurts the true mission of the church and Christians everywhere. "For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ' Love your neighbor as yourself .'" - Galatians 5:14
Posted by sessionswedding[/QUOTE]
 I can not speak for other people but i in NO WAY view these people as any sort of "religious" let alone christians. I am not christian, I just view these people as hate. Thats all.