Fred, Tipper, Mrs. Phelps, Algore
Posted on 01/08/2006 5:35:51 AM PST by hoosier_RW_conspirator
When Army Pvt. Jonathan Pfender is buried, the sidewalks outside the funeral home will be lined with protesters.
The Topeka, Kan.,-based Westboro Baptist Church has long demonstrated at gay funerals, but recently members have taken their anti-homosexual message to military funerals - even when there is no indication the deceased were gay. Pfender, 22, died when a bomb exploded near his vehicle in Iraq last Friday.
Ziemer Funeral Home in Evansville is handling the arrangements. The funeral home said Thursday information on services will be published in Sunday's Evansville Courier & Press.
His death, church members say, is God's punishment to a country that has turned away from the Bible. "One of (God's) weapons of choice is an (improvised explosive device)," said Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of Westboro Baptist Church founder the Rev. Fred Phelps.
"Our forum of choice must be soldiers' funerals. Our job is to show America her abominations. God is punishing America ..."
Pfender's mother, Peggy Jo Hammond, called the plan outrageous.
"He fought for their freedom and they think they're going to protest my son's funeral?" she said. "Let them show up, because they're going to be sorry they're coming. They're not going to be welcome."
The church's past efforts have sparked violence, and The Southern Poverty Law Center labels Westboro Baptist Church a hate group. It enjoys tax-exempt status, and although it uses Baptist in its title, it is not affiliated with any major Baptist organization. Members picketed a Billy Graham's New York revival last year because the Southern Baptist evangelist refused to adopt their "God Hates Fags" message.
The group gained its widest exposure protesting during the funeral for Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming teen who was killed because he was gay. But the church in recent years has been expanding its targets. Members demonstrated at Fred Rogers' funeral because, they said, TV's "Mr. Rogers" had a responsibility as a Presbyterian pastor to condemn gays. And last year, the church began a campaign to cause a ruckus at often media-heavy military funerals.
On Monday, about 20 members protested a funeral in Wheeler, Texas. Members waved signs that read "God Hates Fag Enablers" and "God Sent the IEDs."
Phelps-Roper was among them. "This generation raised a nation that believes it's OK and that God loves everyone," she said. "God doesn't love fags. God hates fags."
Westboro Baptist Church, with a membership of about 100, is finding increased scorn now that slain soldiers are targets.
The Kansas Legislature passed a law banning picketing at funerals, and Indiana and Oklahoma are considering similar moves to curb the church's activities.
Indiana state Sen. Brent Steele has introduced legislation in response to the group's Aug. 28 protest at a Martinsville, Ind., funeral, where six Westboro members dragged U.S. flags on the ground and shouted at the soldier's family. Steele's bill would make disorderly conduct a felony punishable by a three-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine if committed during military funerals. The proposal includes funeral homes, processions and grave sites.
"I've got a lot of people signed onto the bill. It looks like it will pass without trouble," the Bedford, Ind., Republican said. "I don't think there will be a bit of trouble." The bill will be heard in committee Jan. 11.
Phelps-Roper, a lawyer like her disbarred father, said any measure would be challenged.
The church operates Web sites www.GodHatesFags.com, www.SmellTheBrimstone.com and www.PriestsRapeBoys.com that are filled with intentionally incendiary material. For example, church leaders sent a news release celebrating the deadly Nov. 6 Evansville-area tornado.
"Thank God for the Indiana Tornado that killed 22, injured 230 ... We humbly pray for many such visitations of God's wrath on Indiana," they wrote.
And this week, they lauded the death of the West Virginia miners and announced plans to picket those funerals as well.
Phelps-Roper said death is divine retribution for tolerating homosexuality.
"America has sinned away its day of grace," she said. "America is doomed."
You'd think you'd hear the left raise its voice against hate-speech.
Somewhat belated news from Evansville, IN.
Fred, Tipper, Mrs. Phelps, Algore
3701 W. 12th Street
Topeka, KS 66604-1730
Here is a link to a map of their street address.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&formtype=address&searchtype=address&cat=&address=3701%20Sw%2012th%20St&city=Topeka&state=KS&zipcode=66604%2d1730&searchtab=home
Here's their mailing address:
Westboro Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1886
Topeka, KS 66601
These people make me sick.
I wish they would just go away and leave decent folk alone.
You can post that for me too.
Didn't I read on FR the other day that these lowlifes had some kind of connection to john kerry?
"Ichabod" is written over their door.
One of these days they're going to push the wrong person's buttons and that will be the last we hear of the Rev. Fred Phelps and his "Baptist" church. I hope when this happens the judge shows leniency.
Not to worry. These people will eventually have to answer to God too.
People shouldnt have to put tp with shit like this while they are mourning a loved ones passing.
I thought it was right and proper that the State executed Tookie. I hated what he stood for ,murder, gangs , but I wouldnt have protested at his funeral. Human beings need to show a little class. How low life can it be to protest at a soldiers funeral?
The bill about making disorderly conduct a felony sucks. Thats just going to get an innocent person arrested for kicking the crap out of these low life protesters.Its hard for me to imagine what would make anyone stoop so low as to organise a thing like this. Phelps-Roper has reached bottom,although as a lawyer she didnt have far to fall.
She's right. He sent us Fred Phelps
Yup,I am with you there.
"One of these days they're going to push the wrong person's buttons and that will be the last we hear of the Rev. Fred Phelps and his "Baptist" church. I hope when this happens the judge shows leniency."
They might have just pushed the wrong button.......
"Pfender's mother, Peggy Jo Hammond, called the plan outrageous.
"He fought for their freedom and they think they're going to protest my son's funeral?" she said. "Let them show up, because they're going to be sorry they're coming. They're not going to be welcome."
4, you and I know that they might want to re-think their little visit to WV. They might get about 100 yards over the state line.
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