Posted on 08/28/2005 12:21:28 AM PDT by Big Guy and Rusty 99
SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.
The church members were met with scorn from local residents. They chased the church members cars' down a highway, waving flags and screaming "God bless America."
"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old Connie Ditmore said as she waved and American flag and as tears came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."
The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist in Kansas, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.
The church members carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you."
About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at other soldier funerals across the nation.
The funerals were for Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II, 35, in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr., 22, in Ashland City. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard.
Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.
So many counterdemonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.
The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.
"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our country."
"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just wrong."
Westboro Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1886
Topeka, KS 66601
The MSM always loves to spotlight this nutball, but do they even report the things Cindy nutball is saying?
yes, kind of west virginian ain't it
soowee . . . soowee . . .
Hey now! : )
Fred Phelps and his group are a few pairs of matching Nikes and a case of applesauce away from being a cult.
you sure got a pretty mouth.
And did you know they are friends of Al Gore?
"To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."
Amen.
They should protest the Gays, not the soldier's families at the soldier's funeral. This is an unconscionable obscenity.
You might be a redneck if your preacher's name is Fred and his flock consists of his entire family.
They will be coming to a town near me tomorrow but I like to pick my battles wisely.
i dont know who they are,but i dam sure wouldnt want to be you.
The author of the article got it wwrong. It should read anti-sodomy church or something along those lines...
If you go to family sermons to pick up girls . . .
I thought about it but I also thought why disturn the funeral further . . .
I wanted to have a sign that said: "Fred Phelps is the gayest thing since gay came to gaytown."
The turning the backs to the protestors was a good counter - when they showed up out here in Riverside, we held blank signs around them. When a reporter asked why, we simply replied that there was really nothing that could be said about such disgusting behavior - everyone already knows you don't protest a funeral and any words that might be said certainly didn't deserve to be held by decent people.
Our photos made it in the paper, their didn't, which we counted as a good success. That and the fact that they've not come back so far as I know.
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