Posted on 07/30/2005 9:40:28 AM PDT by indcons
At a time when his loved ones are making funeral arrangements for a dedicated family man killed defending his country, a Kansas minister is making plans to use the funeral of Sgt. Christopher Taylor as a platform to push his anti-gay agenda. Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan sent out press releases Wednesday announcing that his group would picket and preach at the Opelika funeral. The release is filled with anti-gay language and is headed by the line Thank God for Improvised Explosive Devices Killing Americans in Strange Lands.”
Phelps grabbed national attention with his disruptive messages at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, the who was murdered in 1998 in an anti-gay hate crime in Laramie, Wyo. Since then, he has taken every opportunity to spread his message.
What do homosexuals and a tragic war death have in common? Phelps has a theory.
Using words not suitable for this newspaper, Phelps said that the government has allowed gays to take over America. He claims that the government allowed his church to be bombed by gays. As a result, Phelps claims that God is punishing the government by killing soldiers with bombs and sending them home in body bags.
We will be at the funeral to picket and and preach and let everyone know that these soldiers are dying because God is retaliating, picking off the soldiers one by one, the soldiers that are fighting for an America that is allowing homosexuals and sodomites to take over, Phelps said in a telephone interview Wednesday. We've been to seven funerals this week and will be in Opelika to spread God's word.
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller was not aware of the planned protest before receiving a call from the Opelika-Auburn News, but made it clear that he will not allow a hero's funeral to become a circus.
This is America and Mr. Phelps has a right to protest, we would never deny him that right, Fuller said. But we aren't about to allow him to disrupt a funeral. We have the right to tell him where to go and to make sure that the protest won't be in a position to upset this family.
Fuller said he would have discussions with Opelika police Chief Tommy Mangham to have a plan to handle the possible protest.
I really thought I'd seen the last of this guy when I left KS.
c#38
It's always interesting to read what family members who have left the Phelps cult have to say. I'd post a link but can't find it now.
c#38
What an awesome, counter protest sign idea!!
Wish I was there to be able to help!
bump
It is a Federal Offense to interfere with a Christian Service. If his folks become disruptive in any shape, then they can be arrested.
This is from the FACE Act. The Conservatives put in the religious provision after the liberals demanded criminalizing obstructing the entrance to an abortion clinic.
It is a pretty severe penalties for violating this act.
If the Rev. Phelps wishes to disrupt the funeral service, then it is time for citizens arrest for him and his followers. THERE MAY BE OTHER GROUNDS FOR ARREST AS WELL.
It is a Federal Offense to interfere with a Christian Service. If his folks become disruptive in any shape, then they can be arrested.
This is from the FACE Act. The Conservatives put in the religious provision after the liberals demanded criminalizing obstructing the entrance to an abortion clinic.
It is a pretty severe penalties for violating this act.
If the Rev. Phelps wishes to disrupt the funeral service, then it is time for citizens arrest for him and his followers. THERE MAY BE OTHER GROUNDS FOR ARREST AS WELL.
I know a more immediate demonstration of opprobrium would be infinitely more satisfying viscerally, but doing it the legal route would be far more effective...
The guy in your pictures is someone else.
To be fair, Phelps is no more a Democrat than he is a Christian. Calling himself one (and running as one) doesn't make it so. If tomorrow he ran for office as a Republican I would expect the Republican party to distance themselves from him as well.
In this country anyone can run for office under whichever party they choose. Getting support from that party is a whole different matter.
Hope this will be done...maybe it will make him leave our heroes alone!!
In all fairness I don't see the GOP bragging about David Duke.
Most of the time, they are kept a considerable distance from the events they protest by local law enforcement, making it unlikely people who want to beat them up will do so.
Unfortunately, even if someone did kick Phelps' butt, there would be heck to pay. Phelps is a lawyer, and so are most members of his family.
For the record: David Duke was never invited to a GOP Presidential inaugural. Fred Phelps was invited twice to Clinton's.
The dillema is that many of these soldiers' funerals are held as public affairs so that the whole community may attend and pay their respects. These are the funerals that Phelps and his ilk make a point to disrupt. There isn't a whole lot that can be done without violating freedom of speech.
Phelps is an evil individual and the world will be a better place when he is burning in Hell, but the man knows the law and his rights. He depends on others to break the law so he can sue them dry.
I would imagine that the Clintons mailed invitations to everyone who wrote them a check without really looking into who these people are. "Look, a $1000 check from some preacher in Kansas. Make sure he gets an invite!"
Does anyone really think that Bill and Hill and Al and Tipper are in cahoots with Phelps? When those photos were taken on the LCR site, Al probably barely knew who the man was and figured some no-name preacher's support would look good to blue-collar, conservative democrats.
Phelps' notoriety came later. You can be sure he won't be invited to Hillary's inauguration.
Passing on to a Vet friend. we'll get the word out. Thanks for posting.
You anywhere near this?
this would be a great place to start.
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